Lord Crump went from laughing at the heroes from in absolute fear. Mario had gone Supernova Hot again. He fled, leaving them be so he can search for the Crystal Stars than face Mario's wrath.
Violet commented, "What a coward!"
Goombella stated, "No kidding."
Mario had powered down, not wanting to over use his energy. Last time he had did that, he couldn't even move for a week. He told his group, "We can slip through the bars with the second curse and see if we can open up the cage without over using the Firebrand."
Luigi replied, "Good idea Mario!"
Koops asked, "Yeah but how are we going to get them out?"
Flurrie answered, "I saw a big black switch nearby. I wonder if that does anything."
Mario replied, "Not sure but we sure go and check it out. Ready?"
The group confirmed, "Ready!"
The heroes used the power of the second curse to slip through the bars and hit the big black switch. The ground rumbled so they went to investigate. Once they got to another room, they saw other pedestals with different pictures on them and more white small switches. Mario hit them and made the pictures line up. There, behind the pedestals was another tunnel.
Mario breathed, "A tunnel?"
Luigi asked, "Wonder where it goes and it leads to us finding something to free the Punies?"
The heroes went in the tunnel where they found another large box.
Koops groaned, "Oh no, not one of those curse boxes again!"
Goombella warned, "Be careful as you open it, Mario."
Mario opened it slowly but there was only Super Boots in it.
Flurrie tilted her head, "Super Boots?"
Violet asked, "How is that going to help?"
"Perhaps I can explain." A voice said. The group turned, seeing Toadette there. She introduced, "Hello there! I'm Toadette! Congratulations on getting the Super Boots! These cool kicks power up jump attacks! And you'll be able to use a new technique in battle! Well, I hope to see you again soon! Good luck on your adventure!"
With that, she headed out.
Koops muttered, "That was certainly strange. She arrived just as quickly as she left."
Goombella pointed out, "Yeah and she was cute and all but not as cute as Vivian." That's when everyone eyed her. She blushed out of embarrassment, "I mean..."
Flurrie told her, "I think you can stop hiding sweetie. It's obvious that you like women and more specifically Vivian."
Violet replied, "She's right. We are against you liking women but we do think you should be careful since Vivian is evil after all."
Goombella looked at the ice wielder. Violet gave her a reassuring smile. Goombella returned it.
Luigi slightly teased, "I told ya so."
Mario teased right back, "I know you did."
To that, Luigi laughed as they pressed on.
...
When they got back to the cage, the heroes slipped on back in and used their new Super Boots to get the Punies freed.
Punio cheered, "You did it! Yes! Yes! Now we can get out of here!"
The Punies quickly escaped the cage with all of them cheering for Mario and his friends.
...
When they got to another pedestal, they noticed that the floor was glowing a rainbow color. Mario was on his toes when he put the Puni Orb in. All of the sudden, the ground started to shake.
Koops asked, "Uh... What's... Oh, no! What's happening?!"
Goombella groaned, "I hope it isn't another trap!"
The entire piece of the floor went downwards, like an elevator.
Flurrie shook her head, "Stands to reason that this is an elevator, not a trap."
Punio breathed, "So that's how you get to this room..."
Violet perked up, "Wait you have never been this way before?"
Luigi repeated, "And what do you mean 'this room'?"
Mario pointed to the hallway, "Let's go and find out!"
The group went through the hallway.
...
Lord Crump was all by himself. He had been pacing back and forth.
He said to himself, "Hmm... Lemme see... That thing's gotta be around here somewheres..." He perked up, "Buh-huh? What's that? Whoa! Sounds like those fools got out of their trap! Better clear out!"
That's when he retreated. Mario and the group came in a little bit after him. Mario had noticed that the floor was glowing a rainbow color again. He put the Puni Orb in when the ground started to shake again. A nearby pedestal glowed and there was a green Crystal Star.
Goombella breathed, "There it is! Finally!"
Koops added, "Yay we found it first!"
The Crystal Star rested on the ground in front of them.
Flurrie stated, "Seems like we can just take it and go?"
Violet mused, "It's usually never that easy."
Luigi stammered, "N - not in our lifetime anyways."
That's when Lord Crump showed up and took the Crystal Star.
Mario activated his Firebrand, "Hey coward, come here and fight us for real!"
Lord Crump chuckled, "I say never. But I am lucky or am I good?"
Goombella hissed, "You are neither!"
Lord Crump replied, "Ooh touchy! 'Oh, you say you need a Crystal Star, Lord Crump?' Boom! Falls right into my lap!"
Flurrie pointed out, "We will happy to fight you for it!"
Lord Crump frowned, "No, I don't think so... But how did you escape the cage anyways?"
Koops shot sarcastically, "Gee I wonder how we did too!"
Lord Crump thought for a moment, "Hmm...for insulating my trap, I'm gonna repay you with a little present."
Luigi activated his Thunderhand, "P - present our foot!"
Lord Crump chuckled, "Know what it is?" That's when he brought out a small device. He added, "Oh, just a little something I like to call a remote time-bomb detonator!"
Violet gasped as she activated her Aurora Nine, "You are such a coward! You can't even own up to your own mistakes!"
Lord Crump said, "It is true I regret taking you here but I had nothing to do with that, now did I?" To that, Violet snarled. He put the detonator in his pocket as he walked back. He brought out the detonator again, "I'm gonna use this to bury you and those squirmy Punies in rubble! Sounds fun?"
Mario snarled, "You are such a coward! We can beat you easily and you know it! Cause Luigi and I kicked your butts way too easily!"
Lord Crump chuckled darkly, "All more reason to get this done the easier way."
...
Wishmaker1028: Yep! Another cliffhanger! I'm evil, I know. Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!