Blaze commented, "Wow! Check it out, Comet! The Crystal Star!"
The Crystal Star spun around and around until someone came out of it.
Mush asked, "Whoa... Is this... Am I back in the Glitz Pit?"
Jolene exclaimed, "Mush!"
She walked over to her brother. Mush asked, "Oh... Is that really you, sis? What are you doing here? I...I was... I was just..."
Jolene gave her brother a big hug, "There, there, Mush. It's okay. It's all over...finally..."
Flurrie breathed, "I wonder if that is the power of the Crystal Stars."
Jolene turned to the heroes, "Now...the Crystal Star is yours."
Koops said, "Thank you Ms. Jolene."
Jolene reassured, "It is the least I can do after all you've done. And besides, it's best you all have it... so that nothing like this will ever happen again."
Mario nodded in agreement as he went over to the Crystal Star that had spun down to the ground. Mario picked it up, learning the new move Power Lift.
...
Glitzville's seamy underside was a dark, dangerous place seething with conspiracy... With the help of the lovely Ms. Jolene, Mario and his friends revealed Grubba's true identity... And acquired the third Crystal Star by defeating the monstrous Macho Grubba. Grubba had used the power of the Crystal Star to run his power-draining machine... What other hidden powers might these strange and mystical items possess?
...
Back with the X-Nauts, Grodus had spoken up.
Grodus asked, "Beldam... Tell me, what good are you? You still haven't taken care of those Mario and Luigi characters?"
Beldam informed, "Well, yes, sorry, but... Only beause they're tougher than we thought of at first..."
Grodus interrupted, "You do understand that we X-Nauts must open the door first, do you not?"
Beldam cackled, "Well, rest assured that I will definitely nail them next time. We have prepared a weapon that will bring them to a quick and certain end."
Grodus warned them, "I trust your words...though I rapidly lose my patience."
Beldam reassured, "Just leave it to us, sire. Mwee hee hehe!" She then turned to her sisters, "Let's away, my lovelies! Marilyn! Vivian!"
That's when she disappeared.
Marilyn said, "Ugh!"
Marilyn left second.
Vivian commented, "..."
She left third.
...
Meanwhile with Princess Peach, she did a stretch.
She commented, "No doubt about it, I'm officially bored. Those awful X-things haven't been back to ask about the map... I wonder if it is safe... I wonder of Violet's safe too..." That's when the doors opened. She added, "Oh, my... That must be TEC again..."
That's when she went down the hallway to see TEC.
TEC greeted, "Hello, Princess Peach."
Peach frowned, "You always call me in without warning, TEC. What is it this time?"
TEC informed, "I apologize, I would like you to go to where Sir Grodus is and ask him something."
Peach was confused, "What? What do you mean, go ask?"
TEC explained, "I recently obtained specific information that brought an...issue to my attention."
Peach pointed out, "You are the main computer here, right? Why is there anything you don't know?"
TEC stated, "I am unable to know things that are not entered in any CPU or otherwise recorded. That is why I want to know what Sir Grodus is thinking about this issue."
Peach replied, "But...even if I try to go see him, they'll catch me and send me back to the room!"
TEC responded, "That is true. But you will find a soldier's room one floor up. Take the elevator. Once there, please obtain a soldier's uniform and change into it, avoiding detection. You will go see Sir Grodus looking like a soldier."
Peach corrected, "You mean I'll be disguised. I imagine you won't take no for an answer, will you?"
TEC confirmed, "You imagine correctly."
She groaned, "Alright... Fine, I guess. Well, so what do you want me to go ask this Grodus?"
TEC said, "I will tell you..."
...
After a bit, Peach was in the hallway. She had no idea what TEC was thinking. She had found the elevator that TEC had told her. She went into it and it went up a few floors.
TEC instructed, "Please wait just a moment. There are currently soldiers in the vicinity." She did as TEC said. Once it was clear he said, "Now, Princess Peach. It's the room with the green lamp very near where you disembark the elevator." Peach got out of the elevator and into the room. He commented, "Please change here. Quickly. The soldier's uniform should be in a locker."
Peach opened the locker, "Hmm? Oh! Is this the uniform? Am I supposed to wear this ugly thing?"
TEC replied, "Yes. That is correct."
Peach went to go change, "I don't know about this... It's awfully tight. And it kind of smells a bit..." After a few minutes, Peach had finally got it on. She admitted, "Phew! Who knows how, but I got into it. I can barely breathe, though." That's when she came out, "I bet I look perfect." That's when she went to Sir Grodus room. She said, "Excuse me... Sir Grodus?"
Grodus perked up, "Yes, what is it? Speak!"
She asked, "Er, well... It's about Princess Peach... What do you plan to do with her going forward?"
Grodus replied, "Hmm? Something is wrong with...your voice, X-Naut." Peach gulped as Grodus continued, "Perhaps I have a throat lozenge... No. Well, never mind. Oh, about Princess Peach? I have no interest in what that woman has to say. Just keep her in the room. But don't ever, ever treat her roughly. You understand? Tell the others as well."
Peach questioned, "But... uh why? Why in the world are we keeping her here then?"
Grodus hissed, "That's none of your business! Don't forget your place, you impudent worm! Concentrate on getting the legendary treasure! That is all I require of you! We X-Nauts need that treasure to conquer the world! Don't forget it!"
Peach perked up, "Conquer...the world? Legendary...treasure?"
Grodus demanded, "What are you blathering about now? Hmm... Something is odd about you..."
Peach reassured, "N - no nothing odd! Uh...so roger, whatever. P - please excuse me."
That's when she left the room and went into the green room to change back into her dress.
...
Wishmaker1028: Got to admit, that was pretty close, Princess. That was pretty close indeed. Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!