[Story] The Ice Cream Case

[Andrea]

Welcome to my new story! I call this The Ice Cream Case, and it's a sequel to The Bagel Burglar. Though you don't have to read that story first, I'd definitely recommend it. It's a relatively short and fun read.

The way this story will work is that there will be one story part (or more) per day, and in it, clues may be found towards solving the mystery. If a clue is found, it will be added to a spoilerbox to check out after the story with a description. ... I'd recommend not reading that spoilerbox first, as it probably... Well, has spoilers. XD

There shouldn't be much else to explain, I think. I hope that you enjoy.

[Andrea]

SPOILER: Click to show

A long time ago, in a magical Toy Box hidden away...

Can we please move? It smells like baby powder in here.

There was an unusual tale of a fee that required pay.

I really don't have the money to move right now.

Well, why not?

I've been trying to pay off the gigantic debt I owe on this base! It's ridiculous! *waves*

How much did you spend on a Toy Box?

A magic toy box, mind you. ... And the jacuzzi in my office, and the pool table, and-

Nevermind.

A feast was prepared to make up for the Shy Guys' woe...

We haven't eaten in forever over here!

Yeah! We're not going to help you until we get more ice cream sandwiches!

Uh... I'm on it! ... *whispers* _{Get out some of my snacks. They're hidden in one of my office closets.}

*sighs*

When, suddenly, they discovered an odd new foe.

*opens a door in General Guy's office*

WAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH! *falls out*

*squashed* !

Hey! Who are you?! What have you done with all my snacks?

*stands* You haven't heard of me? I'm Wario! And I ate your puny snack stash 'cause I haven't seen any food in this dump for ages. What are you gonna do about it?

Why, I'll... *points* Get him!

All! ... *looks away*

Hey! Listen to me! *jumps* Who do you think pays the bills around here in this... Uh... Box of toys?

Hah! You can't even get your underlings to obey you, short stop!

Well, we need money to pay off our toy box! And look at you! Here you are... *stops, stepping up on a soap box, a spotlight shining on him* You're eating the ice cream sandwiches of the poor, hungry Shy Guys. You should be ashamed, sir!

*weakly* Need food... To earn money... to help base...

Well, I needed the food to help my stomach! You might need some dough for your little shack base, but a person's body is a temple!

... And yours has plenty of left-over space.

Hey! I ain't fat at all! A guy likes to layer!

*stares at his stomach* ... Layers of fat, you mean?

Bah! I've had enough of this! I'm off to go collect my rightfully-earned Treasure of Okies Bay!

Okies Bay?

Turns out that there's a big buried treasure there or something, and that's what I'm after! So let's make it interesting, Common Guy!

It's General Guy. You know, as in a military general-

We'll make it a race! If you get the treasure first, then you can keep it and pay off your debt to whatever! But if I get it, you all have to work for me!

Hah! That will never happen, right, men?

I bet he has some good food...

Nice living conditions...

Some cool clothes...

Eccellente! It's on now! You better start getting them to answer to General Wario! I like the sound of that! *bounces on a magical spring and exits the Toy Box*

Grr...!

*squashed* ...

Alright, up and at 'em! *pokes*

So... fat...

Come on! This is up to us now! *pokes*

Smells... like... garlic...

When it looked like hope would be lost, the paths of two leaders were suddenly crossed...

? ? ?: There is no need to worry, my dear apprentices! I, the master detective, have arrived!

*turns* Batman?

No, it is I, The Penguin With The Improbably Large Brain! You may call me Pennington for short.

... Oh yes, it's you, sir! *bows*

So it is. And I have a few tricks up my sleeve this time. *lays down a suitcase*

A suitcase?

So it is! This suitcase will hold all my clues throughout our case. *turns to the fourth wall* You can view all the clues and a description in a thing called a "spoiler box".

Are you talking to the readers again?

Perhaps I am and perhaps I am not, my apprentice. Now, as to our other apprentice-

*finally stands* Okay... No damage to the glasses... You've got this, Lawyer Guy. *looks up*

I really should give you a demerit for sleeping on the job.

I should give you a demerit for being ugly!

Hey! Our masks were made by the same manufacturer! You know, DeMasque Masks?

Nevermind that! We have a genuine mystery on our hands!

We do...?

You surely remember that other trainee... Ah, yes, his name was Phoenix.

Oh, yes, the corpulent one.

Well. I have received a notice... That...

*he goes silent*

?

_{HE HAS GONE MISSING FOREVER!}

Gah!

Really?

Hm... Probably not. But I was adding to the dramatic tension.

... Don't make me use this. *holds up a pie*

Hey! You do have food!

This is shaving cream.

*takes it and makes a fake Santa beard, then walks off*

That reminds me! We even have a clue already, apprentices!



Fork it over.

If we had tomatoes, we'd throw them at you.

... This appears to be the trusty fork that Phoenix used! It must have been a trusty weapon.

Against ham slices.

Regardless! This was found in the dirt outside the base. It doesn't seem like the thing he would let go of.

No, not at all.

... So! Should we go find him?

We were just about to go dig for buried treasure at Okies Bay.

*GASPS*

What?!

There's a... 6.27% chance that people won't return from there... ... But it's still dangerous!

6.27% chance?

Indeed, apprentice! It seems that sometimes, people are simply standing on the beach, and then they disappear with there only being a dark circle where they once stood.

People on regular beaches complain when they get sand on them.

Maybe the treasure keeps them coming?

I think this could be a clue to investigate, these circles in the sand.



... After lunch, that is. I have not eaten since I stopped at Granny Gantfred's Waffle House.

We don't actually have any food here.

Not even a bagel?

Don't you mention bagels around me.

Not even the-food-that-must-not-be-named?

Not even that.

... Well! It seems that our first stop will be to have a bite.

Can we come?

You all need to stay and watch over this base. There's probably apples outside that you can harves-

*A stampede of Shy Guys bounces on a magic spring to exit*

...

It looks like it is now the three of us! A detective and his apprentices! Let our journey begin!

Alright. *hops out*

We have to beat Wario!

Wario? You mean that humorously fat man?

In yellow? That would be the one.

I had no clue that Wario was in town! I thought that was your mother!

... You're paying for lunch. *hops out*

Hey! *hops out also*

The trio exited to begin their quest of debt, but little did they really know of the shocking threat. ... Let the rest of the story commence, I was simply making it dramatic and tense.

SPOILER: Click to show

Gourmet Guy's Fork

[/url]
Obtained: Shy Guy's Toybox, Part 1
Description: A fork that belongs to Gourmet Guy, though he never lets it go. It was found outside the base for some reason.


Dark Circles[/url]
Obtained: Shy Guy's Toybox, Part 1
Description: Mysterious dark circles that appear where someone stood when they disappear around Okies Bay. The cause is currently unknown.[/spoiler]

[Andrea]

SPOILER: Click to show

Past the toybox was an overwhelming jungle full of beasts, some of which appeared oddly... deceased.

Tell me we didn't just escape from a skeleton frog.

Okay. I won't tell you.

It's okay, apprentices! Fortunately it was my brave combat abilites that scared them off!

I'm sure that you cowering behind that tree really showed them.

... Whatever! We never did find that restaurant location...

It looks like there's a really big peach or something in that tree. *points*

Hanging from a powerful jungle branch was a big pink fruit, though it seemed to be attached to an unusual boot.

Hello! Fruit! Come down, for we are hungry!

*pokes it*

*falls out of tree and lands on Lawyer Guy*

*squashed* Argh!

You! How dare you slack off on the job like this?

I was looking for fruit! *ilmbplz* Are you here for fruits, too?

No... We're here for treasure!

Vitamin C is my treasure! *holds up some fruit*

... How did you get t-

Nevermind. Recruit!

Huh?

Do you know if we're getting close to Okies Bay?

Okies what?

*meekly* _{Bay... with buried treasure...}

Phoenix! Surely you have come across such a place during your many adventures!

Well, I chased a bunny that had a carrot in its mouth for a few miles, and I did see some other places!

Great! *jumps* What were they like?

Um... ... I was too busy eating food to notice.

... You didn't find any buried treasure?

Does the little toy inside a chocolate egg coun-

*jumping up and down on his head* Moron! How did you go all that way and you don't remember anything?

Wait... I'm starting to remember.

*stops jumping on his head*

Now I forget.

*hits him with a wooden mallet*

Now I remember! I dropped my fork because I was running to a really pretty bay with a treasure chest there.

Okies Bay!

Did you get any treasure?

No... Because it vanished.

What do you mean it vanished?

I don't know! *flails* I was there, and then it was gone!

Hm... I must make a note of this, apprentices!



Though there was something bad that happened...

What happened?

Um... I was accused again!

Again?

Well... It was just that there was this weird guy at the bay...

An Anti Guy!

Go on.

I went to say hi to him, and he vanished too!

... What happened?

They think that I made him disappear!

I know you did!

Sgt. Guy? You're accusing this imbecile?

It's because he grabbed my magic wand and waved it all around! Surely he's the cause of this!



Oh, Doc. *shakes head at Sgt. Guy* If I alone must use my wit and skills to prove my apprentice innocent, then I shall!

... Why was this one particular Anti Guy important again?

Because he had a map! It was a magic one to the buried treasure!

That's what we're looking for!

... Mm. I guess I'll have to go with you. To supervise Captain Disappearing Act and to get the treasure.

Hey, we need that treasure, quitter!

I was actually going to get it to get money to feed the Shy Guys.

They did seem rather hungry! I could tell with my perceptive skills.

Fine. You can come with us, if you must.

When the party had been formed, up to them a foe had stormed...

What a gip! There's nothing around this dump except some dusty old bones!

Who is this... uncouth man?

You still don't know me, little mask-face? I'm-a Wario, and I'm-a gonna win! Or so the quote goes.

You're not going to get the treasure before us!

Not by being in this stupid nature preserve or whatever! Say, it looks like you've got something good there...

... My wand?

Yeah! Hand it over, it's probably worth something!

...

*grabs it before he can cast a spell* There! Now how do I use it...

You wave it frantically.

*waves wand* Alakazam! *is fired off into the distance* WAAAAAAAAAARGH!

Our clue!

It looks like he dropped something!

On the ground, a bit of paper lay, and judging by the fine blue ink, it was signed that day.

*picks it up* ... It's a note to Wario!

Is it a love letter?

... ...

... ...

... ...

... ...

... No... It only says "Meet me in the tallest jungle tree, signed, Mr. P."

Mr. P! That fiend must be the one behind all this! I can taste it, apprentices... THE TRUTH!

Uh... Where's the tallest jungle tree?

Hm...

... It can't possibly be that really tall tree directly behind you.

Oh!

It's obvious that villain is behind all of this, apprentices! You go and check it out!

You're not going to shirk work that easily. *drags Pennington*

Hey! Unhand me!

Off they went to the tallest tree, with hope that on top, there would be nothing they couldn't see.

Do you guys hear a voice?

No.

The crew finally made it with glee, finally hitting the top of the tallest tree.

Finally! And... what's up here?

*climbs up with the others*

? ? ?: Surely you have not forgotten...

The mysterious Mr. P?! *spins* I'm unforgettable! The pink thunder! And it's time for my revenge!

Could I have your business card?

Huh? Oh, sure. *hands one over*

*gives a business card back and considers Mr. P's card* It looks like you're being outsourced by this Portalman person, sir.

Impossible! I'm a classic villain! If they had trains up here, I'd tie someone to the tracks!

Enough of this villainy! I cannot let you come close to harming my apprentices, scoundrel! TALLY HO! *tries to tackle Mr. P*

*sidesteps*

*falls off the tree*

Pennington, nooo-

Funny characters don't get hurt that easily. He's probably going to land on a pile of pillows or something.

Oh, yeah.

I saw you send Wario off into the Ice Cream Mountains!

Where? *ilmbplz*

Nevermind that! I challenge you to a duel, Shy Guys!

What kind of duel?

Oh... I'm sure you remember...

*flies up*

Basketbot!

Not really.

Doesn't ring a bell.

Nope.

What?

Well, I guess we'll have to play a few rounds to jog your memories, eh? *jumps into machine*

Well, two can play at that game!

Is that so?

[/size]

*presses a button on a remote*

*falls in*

OBJECTION! You... You don't have food money, but you can afford a giant mech?!

It's a funny story, really. I was at DerpMart-

I'm not questioning your logic. Just do this.

*hops in*

Okay! 3... 2-[/size]

*grabs Basketbot in hands*

Hey! I didn't say go yet! That's a foul-[/size]

*turns upside down and shakes*

*falls out* Hah! Nice one!

*squashed* Agh!

Now, surrender or I'll throw this into space.

But I didn't even finish the countdown!

Yeesh. No wonder you're getting replaced.

*stares*

Ah... Fine. You win, Shy Guys!

*both the mechs are sent out*

*hops back onto tree* Now! What were you meeting Wario for?

Ah... I wanted to give him this footprint.

Footprint?

Well, a picture of it!



What's the significance of that?

As if I'll tell you that! Pink thunder awaaaay! *hops away through the trees*

... Should we chase him?

Secondary priority, men! *points* We must investigate these Ice Cream Mountains, for I think there must be a big clue there![/spoiler]

SPOILER: Click to show

Gourmet Guy's Fork

[/url]
Obtained: Shy Guy's Toybox, Part 1
Description: A fork that belongs to Gourmet Guy, though he never lets it go. It was found outside the base because he dropped it running to Okies Bay.

Dark Circles[/url]
Obtained: Shy Guy's Toybox, Part 1
Description: Mysterious dark circles that appear where someone stood when they disappear around Okies Bay. The cause is currently unknown.

Disappearing Bay[/url]
Obtained: Out in The Jungle, Part 2
Description: Okies Bay seems to appear and disappear at random. A clue as to how it's not so ordinary...

Missing Anti Guy[/u]
Obtained: Out in The Jungle, Part 2
Description: An Anti Guy with a map disappeared. It could have been Gourmet Guy's misuse of magic... But it could also be that he disappeared for a much different reason.

Footprint[/u]
Obtained: The Tallest Tree, Part 2
Description: A footprint given by Mr. P. Originally was supposed to go to Wario. Seems oddly... ordinary. [/spoiler]

[Andrea]

SPOILER: Click to show

Through the jungle they walked, reaching mountains of ice, not aware that they were being stalked by a thing far from very nice.

Awww! I don't see any actual ice cream.

Who named these? I want to sue them for being misleading.

My excellent detective skills show me that it is getting dark.

You don't say.

When suddenly an avalanche began to fall, the ice containing an enormous power that'd crush them all.

Ice cream!

*stares at approaching snow* ... That's far from ice cream.

You just want it for yourself! You don't fool me! *runs up*

Uh, wait! There's, uh, chocolate at the bottom of the mountain!

*turns around and runs in the opposite direction*

*stands on his head* Charge!

... *skitters along behind him*

*likewise*

H-hey! You apprentices don't leave me behind! *runs*

*turns* It's catching up to us, sirs.

Don't you still have that mech thing...?

It's battery-operated. It only runs for a few minutes.

... Why would you buy that?

*rolls past in a ball of snow* WAAAAAAAAAARGH

!

*falls into a hole*

In there! *jumps in*

*both jump in*

*tries to jump in and gets stuck* GAH

*sighs* Pennington to save the day again! *jumps on Gourmet Guy until he gets pushed in, then falls in*

There's a... trapdoor thing here. *closes it*

They were in a room under the ground, crisscrossed by huge wires that probably weighed a pound.

Where did we end up now?

The room... _{OF NO ESCAPE!}

[/sub]

That trapdoor surely won't budge, but it must be impossible to use one of the million tunnels around here.

<_<

Hm... What are all these wires?

Well, there is a lever on the wall. Should we pull it?

No-

*pulls it anyway*

*some type of ray emerges from the ceiling and zaps Sgt. Guy*

*vanishes, leaving a dark circle*

Hey!

*the ray zaps Wario also*

*vanishes*

*turns the ray off in a hurry*

Egad!

They both vanished!

No, not that! Sgt. Guy left a dark circle, like the disappearances at Okies Bay!

But Wario didn't leave one?

Hm... What did Wario have that Sgt. Guy didn't?

... Fat?

A moustache?

A hat?

So the plot thickens!

But... This must be the room... _{OF THE MURDERER!}[/sub]

Er... nobody's died.

Of course not! I was being dramatic.

There should be a note about this place, though.



Out one of the tunnels, men! March! *sits on Gourmet Guy's head*

... Why don't you March.

The... no marching when it's March rule. Now come on.

Down one of the tunnels they went and continued until their energy had been spent.

*flops* I need... a snack...

*holds onto hat* ... Uh.

Never... got... chocolate...

Say, have you guys been hearing a weird... voice? Narrating our actions?

Clearly, he is the one behind all this!

I haven't heard anything. And-

? ? ?: You want a snack? I've got some right here![/spoiler]

SPOILER: Click to show

Gourmet Guy's Fork

[/url]
Obtained: Shy Guy's Toybox, Part 1
Description: A fork that belongs to Gourmet Guy, though he never lets it go. It was found outside the base because he dropped it running to Okies Bay.

Dark Circles[/url]
Obtained: Shy Guy's Toybox, Part 1
Description: Mysterious dark circles that appear where someone stood when they disappear around Okies Bay. It seemed to be because of a mysterious ray. It seems only some people leave circles?

Disappearing Bay[/url]
Obtained: Out in The Jungle, Part 2
Description: Okies Bay seems to appear and disappear at random. A clue as to how it's not so ordinary...

Missing Anti Guy[/u]
Obtained: Out in The Jungle, Part 2
Description: An Anti Guy with a map disappeared. It could have been Gourmet Guy's misuse of magic... But it could also be that he disappeared for a much different reason.

Footprint[/u]
Obtained: The Tallest Tree, Part 2
Description: A footprint given by Mr. P. Originally was supposed to go to Wario. Seems oddly... ordinary.

Weird Room[/u]
Obtained: The Underground Room, Part 3
Description: This weird room with big wires had a zapper that made people disappear, sometimes with dark circles.
[/spoiler]

[Andrea]

SPOILER: Click to show

*points* Identify yourself!

Relax, it's just me.

STOP!

!

You need not tell me your name, lad. I, The Penguin With The Improbably Large Brain, shall deduce it for myself! *stares at the Anti Guy with a magnifying glass* Hrm...

...

The dark robes... blank expression... Ah, it all speaks to me!

Really? What does it say?

Your eyes tell a tale of sorrow and courage. And we all know that villains wear dark clothes!

Well-

You can only be Kristoph Gavin!

...

*nods* I can tell by your stunned silence that I have, again, deduced correctly. There is no need to find the words to tell me otherwise.

I thought you were taller, Kristoph!

... *glances at Lawyer Guy*

... You're that Anti Guy, aren't you, though?

The one that disappeared?

Yes.

Ah ha! I knew that, of course! I was simply being humorous, like any good detective.

Whether that's true or not remains to be seen...

*points* Sir! Report what you remember at once!

It started when I was born. It was a warm Summer day, because it's never a cold Winter d-

Later than that.

Oh, um, the disappearance? All I remember is a lot of ice cream!

Aw, man! I wish I could disappear too!

...

...

_{Too easy... like shooting a fish in a barrel...} *shakes head* How did you get here, again?

I dunno! I ate some ice cream and now here I am! But I do have this!



It's a hat!

No it isn't.

Yes it is! There was a guy there and he told me to wear it.

Surely we're not keeping this tras-

Already in the suitcase. *nods*

So how do we get out of here?

I almost forgot... I have one last ice cream scoop here. *hands a scoop*

*eats it instantly* ...

I shall take my cue. *hops on one of his shoulders*

*stand on the other*

DELICIIIIIIIOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUSSSSS!

[/b] *breaks through the ceiling and flies away*

Through the snowy sky they traveled, continuing as their own yarn unraveled. They didn't know about the tale that was being told, the General was more concerned about his base being sold.

~~~

Meanwhile in a place far from home, two unlikely allies together roam.

Ugh... I can't believe that finding this dumb old treasure is such a pain!

The same. I don't even know where we are.

Looks like back to that jungle again. Not that I've got any business helping you. If I just put a hat on your head, I might hire you as my garden gnome, but that's it.

Oh, I don't always look like this. In fact... If you let me have my wand back, I could show you.

Hah! What kinda sap do you take Wario for?

That wand also has no market value.

You better watch yourself. *tosses it over*

*uses it*

There we are.

Wargh! You're... tall, sure...

Too bad you don't have half the looks of old Wario, huh? *flexes*

The looks or the weight.

Hey!

Okay, I'll stop. I'll make a deal with you?

Huh. Let's hear your little offer, then.

I'll help you stop those Shy Guys if you split some of the treasure with me. Then I can afford food for the Shy Guys.

Hm... Fine! But it's a 90-10 scale in my favor!

50-50.

85-15!

60-40 or nothing.

... Oh, fine. You can be my crony, Shy Guy. Just don't get all cuddly with me or whatever.

No need to worry there.

Good! I've been delayed long enough, we're heading out to the real Okies Bay!

*They head off*

~~~

Back at a campsite after the landing, it was around a campfire that the Shy Guys were standing.

*dries hat over a fire and puts it on* I can't believe you landed in the ocean.

We landed safe!

Yep, and now we finally made camp for the night.

I bet you apprentices didn't know this, but they used to call me " Master of the Wilderness".

Is that why you made us set up the campsite!

You are apprentices in training, of course. I have to preserve my energy on more important matters... Such as this! I have found a footprint!

*Lawyer Guy looks at the footprint next to Pennington*

... That's your own footprint.

... I was simply testing you! Now, for the challenge of dinner...

We need food! Can you get us some?

Yeah, Master of the Wilderness.

This shall be no challenge for me! *thinks* Now what's the natural habitat of a nice bowl of noodles...



...

I shall practice my Wild Noodle Call. *chirps*

Noodle: *walks out of the bushes*

... Are you kidding me-

Good work, sir!

*eats it*

All in a day's work. *sits*

... *spits it out* Wait a minute! This is cardboard!

It seems I accidentally used the Cardboard Noodle Call! Let me try again. *chirps*

Noodle: *walks out of the bushes*

It seems that I have underestimated you, sir.

Hold on. *investigates the bushes in question*[/spoiler]

SPOILER: Click to show

Gourmet Guy's Fork

[/url]
Obtained: Shy Guy's Toybox, Part 1
Description: A fork that belongs to Gourmet Guy, though he never lets it go. It was found outside the base because he dropped it running to Okies Bay.

Dark Circles[/url]
Obtained: Shy Guy's Toybox, Part 1
Description: Mysterious dark circles that appear where someone stood when they disappear around Okies Bay. It seemed to be because of a mysterious ray. It seems only some people leave circles?

Disappearing Bay[/url]
Obtained: Out in The Jungle, Part 2
Description: Okies Bay seems to appear and disappear at random. A clue as to how it's not so ordinary...

Missing Anti Guy[/u]
Obtained: Out in The Jungle, Part 2
Description: An Anti Guy with a map disappeared. He said that he vanished to a place with ice cream, then got lost in one of the tunnels of the room... But how?

Footprint[/u]
Obtained: The Tallest Tree, Part 2
Description: A footprint given by Mr. P. Originally was supposed to go to Wario. Seems oddly... ordinary.

Weird Room[/u]
Obtained: The Underground Room, Part 3
Description: This weird room with big wires had a zapper that made people disappear, sometimes with dark circles.

Cone[/u]
Obtained: The Underground Room, Part 4
Description: It's a hat.
[/spoiler]

[Andrea]

Only a short update late today because I'd like to keep to my udpate schedule as much as possible, but didn't find the time to write something better today. I won't really count it as a full update.

SPOILER: Click to show

What the-

*pops out of the bushes* Muahahahahahaha!

HOLD ME *jumps into Lawyer Guy's arms*

*squashed* dafdsadfdf

I bet you thought you could escape the ways of JACK PORTALMAN! Did you? Did you think you could escape?

Uh-

Escape trading business cards, that is? I see that you've collected that foolish Mr. Pee's card already. *hands over a business card*

... *takes it and hands over one as well*

You, with the debonair bit of facial hair on your upper lip! What do you want with us?

Simple! You have fallen into my trap!

What was that, again?

You... set up camp... at the campsite I created and got fooled by... cardboard noodles... I didn't think this one through!

You need to go away, Mr. Chortleman!

Uh... my trap is not over yet! I shall now tell you something that will scare you until you are rendered immobile!

Like what?

*leans in* Dessert Famine.

*freezes*

*jumps away through the trees*

*manages to crawl out from under Gourmet Guy* _{That... was... odd...}

*frozen*

... *pokes*

...

... He might be broken, sirs.

No matter! I have found something! *walks up to where Portalman was standing*

A footprint was left in the ground, looking suspiciously like a clue they had found.

A footprint... And a very typical one.

Exactly, apprentice! And what does that make you think of?

... Like the clue?

OF COURSE!

*startled, jumps back*

Why would Mr. P be carrying Portalman's footprint?

Ah, so the mystery grows bolder. *makes a note*

SPOILER: Click to show

Gourmet Guy's Fork

[/url]
Obtained: Shy Guy's Toybox, Part 1
Description: A fork that belongs to Gourmet Guy, though he never lets it go. It was found outside the base because he dropped it running to Okies Bay.

Dark Circles[/url]
Obtained: Shy Guy's Toybox, Part 1
Description: Mysterious dark circles that appear where someone stood when they disappear around Okies Bay. It seemed to be because of a mysterious ray. It seems only some people leave circles?

Disappearing Bay[/url]
Obtained: Out in The Jungle, Part 2
Description: Okies Bay seems to appear and disappear at random. A clue as to how it's not so ordinary...

Missing Anti Guy[/u]
Obtained: Out in The Jungle, Part 2
Description: An Anti Guy with a map disappeared. He said that he vanished to a place with ice cream, then got lost in one of the tunnels of the room... But how?

Footprint[/u]
Obtained: The Tallest Tree, Part 2
Description: A footprint given by Mr. P. Originally was supposed to go to Wario. Belongs to Portalman, it seems.

Weird Room[/u]
Obtained: The Underground Room, Part 3
Description: This weird room with big wires had a zapper that made people disappear, sometimes with dark circles.

Cone[/u]
Obtained: The Underground Room, Part 4
Description: It's a hat.
[/spoiler]

[Andrea]

SPOILER: Click to show

The next day as the sun rose, they woke up to find that Gourmet Guy unfroze. He was gone except for a footprint trail, yet nobody around could explain or tell the tale.

... Anyone see the slacker around?

Worry not. The Penguin With The Improbably Large Brain is simply trained for mysteries such as this.

I thought you were a detective by hobby.

Ah, but what is a hobby? A hobby is something that can be taken as lightly as assembling model planes. But there are some that take their hobbies to heart, who study it and perform it for the thrill of the activity, not for any monetary incentive like a career would bring.

That... is very enlightened, actually.

I thought so! I read it in a book somewhere. Anyway, apprentices, onward! *follows the footprint trail*

*glances at Lawyer Guy*

*shrugs and follows*

? ? ?: _{Ah... excellent.}

They followed the erratic stomps in the-

Argh! That voice is driving me crazy!

Nevermind that! Look what we found!

*there's a giant red X painted on the ground*

As we all know, X marks the spot!

Or the trap!

But what if they wanted to make it look like a trap because it was actually the treasure?

Ah, and what better way to disguise it?

But what if they wanted to disguise the trap by making us think it was the treasure so we'd activate it?

*tosses a rock onto it*

*BOOM*

Woah!

*someone pops out of the bushes*

I thought that idea would work for sure!

You again! Mysterious masked villain! Who could you possibly be behind that mask?!

I bet you'd like to know that! Mr. P has no identity! He identifies by the group he's currently... interning with. _{Stupid Porky Group had to get disbanded...}

And who are you an intern for?

Well! That would be...

*silence*

... WELL! That would be...

*silence*

*looks around awkwardly*

... *kicks tree*

*walks out from behind it* Hold your horses, kid, Wario's right here. Geez, you think a guy could stop to tie his shoe-

Wario! Again! ... You're really persistant!

Didn't you get disappeared?

Maybe I did! Maybe I didn't! What matters is the here and now, and right here and now I'm here to clean your clock!

Excellent! You did have the air of a clean person about you!

*swats a fly buzzing near one of his shirt stains*

Yeah, we... uh... villains... *glances at a sheet of paper*

*punches him on the arm* _{Don't read from the script!}

*drops it* We villains are here to defeat you once and for all! .... *wags fingers above head and makes scary face*

*also holding a script* Hold it, fiends! I, the brave Sgt. Guy, am here to vanquish evil and win the day!

... What's going on.

Oh, no! We... uh... are about to be defeated! I surrender! ... *weakly holds up hands*

That's it!

That wasn't in the script!

Are you trying to fool us with an odd acted performance?

It was your idea, greenie! *points*

Oh, come on! These three have IQ's so low that they had to give them fractions! This would've fooled them if you guys took drama in high school like I did!

You... decided to work for the other side?

... *runs*

*also runs*

Whatever! I'm still gonna wipe the floor with you!

Wait! There's Okies Bay! It's right behind you!

You think I'm going to fall for that?

Ah, but could you forgive yourself if it truly was behind you but you didn't check?

*considers* ...

We're just kidding. It's not behind you.

Oh, so now you're fooling me by trying to make me think it's not there so you can have the treasure!

Yes. I'm lying to you right now.

Huh?

See, if I say that I'm saying to you that a duck is about to hit you, then you don't duck to dodge the duck, but then you get hit by the duck and believe me. Then if you went back to change it and duck to dodge the duck, you didn't learn there was one there and then have no reason to go back in the first place.

It's why they call it a "pair of ducks"!

It's paradox! And you're tryin' to confuse old Wario with one by making me think there isn't a bay behind me when there is!

We were lying to you earlier. There's a bay behind you.

We also said it was behind you earlier, so we could be lying about saying it is there and be lying right now also by still saying it is.

Uh... *turns around*

*Gourmet Guy is running on a beach to a treasure chest*

Hey!

Boy, this is a confusing update...

Nevermind that, apprentice! To the treasure! *runs*

*runs to it*

*also runs*

No you don't! *also runs to the treasure*

*they all leap for it*

SPOILER: Click to show

Gourmet Guy's Fork

[/url]
Obtained: Shy Guy's Toybox, Part 1
Description: A fork that belongs to Gourmet Guy, though he never lets it go. It was found outside the base because he dropped it running to Okies Bay.

Dark Circles[/url]
Obtained: Shy Guy's Toybox, Part 1
Description: Mysterious dark circles that appear where someone stood when they disappear around Okies Bay. It seemed to be because of a mysterious ray. It seems only some people leave circles?

Disappearing Bay[/url]
Obtained: Out in The Jungle, Part 2
Description: Okies Bay seems to appear and disappear at random. A clue as to how it's not so ordinary...

Missing Anti Guy[/u]
Obtained: Out in The Jungle, Part 2
Description: An Anti Guy with a map disappeared. He said that he vanished to a place with ice cream, then got lost in one of the tunnels of the room... But how?

Footprint[/u]
Obtained: The Tallest Tree, Part 2
Description: A footprint given by Mr. P. Originally was supposed to go to Wario. Belongs to Portalman, it seems.

Weird Room[/u]
Obtained: The Underground Room, Part 3
Description: This weird room with big wires had a zapper that made people disappear, sometimes with dark circles.

Cone[/u]
Obtained: The Underground Room, Part 4
Description: It's a hat.
[/spoiler]

[Andrea]

SPOILER: Click to show

They all touched the treasure and vanished from the world with a poof, having only one touched the odd bay aloof.

~~~

*They rise in an odd place*

Ugh...

Hey! I'm back with the team!

Welcome back, slacker. Where did you go?

It was great! There was all this ice cream!

You say that you wound up in the same ice cream place as the Anti Guy?

Yeah! I think I also found his map! *holds it up*



Oh... but it's all colored over in crayon.

*jumps* Hey! What kind of treasure is this!?

Well-

STOP!

!

It is my job to offer exposition in a dramatic way.

*a spotlight shines on Pennington*

*holds up a magnifying glass and pretends to investigate stone tiles* So... let us begin.

*sits*

We have ended up in a desolate place. A tomb, crafted by the hands of man, but crushed by the brutality of mother nature! *stands on a soap box, holding out arms*

... Will you cut the act.

Fine. We're in a tomb or something. Does that make you happy, trainee?

*sleeping with eyes open* ...

You have entered the Temple of Icinus Creaminus, the great mage. To exit this storybook, you must find a way to turn the page.

Hey! You're that voice again!

*burp*

...

... I mean, yes, it is I. But the real question is, am I in your head, or lost in the sky?

Probably both. They tell me I have my head in the clouds!

Who is this voice that keeps hassling us?



Whatever! This old dump's probably got some stuff I could sell to one of those stuffy museum curator types.

Hey! Not all curators are stuffy, mind you!

But that would be destroying the tomb!

Who cares about the stinkin' tomb? Obviously nobody, because there's no tour guide around here!

Stop it!

I don't see your name on it.

*writes his name on a wall*

*kicks Lawyer Guy* Bah! I'm outta here! *runs down a hallway*

It's been five minutes! Where's our ripped off film cliche?

*a giant falls behind them and rolls*

I presume it's right there. *runs*

It's amazing! *runs and trips*

*drags Gourmet Guy with some effort*

*helps drag and runs*

*still running* Look! There's a bright light at the end of the tunnel!

Hopefully we can escape this thing in time!

Great! Now you've jinxed us!

*stands*

*both trip*

*the ilikemybikeplz hits them and they get stuck in it, though it keeps rolling*

GAH-

Wait. ... ... This is made of some type of ice cream?

Dreams do come true!

*turns* What the-

*Pennington gets caught in the ilikemybikeplz*

Egad!

*They go flying into the new room and land on a pile of ice cream*

... *pops out of all the ice cream* So cold-

*eating away*

Wait a second... What's that over there?

A big wire ran through the frozen things, not disturbed by the cold it brings.

*swats sky* Stoppit, voice!

This wire... It seems to be like the ones running through the underground room.

And... Isn't this the place full of ice cream that the Anti Guy found himself in, sirs?

*accidentally bites through the wire*

You fool!

Whoops...

*all the ice cream starts melting*

Nooooooo! *tries to eat it all*

*it melts, then what's left drains*

How odd... There's a large drain here, as if this was anticipated.

It says something on the drain.

*puts magnifying glass up to it* ... "NarraCo".

SPOILER: Click to show

Gourmet Guy's Fork

[/url]
Obtained: Shy Guy's Toybox, Part 1
Description: A fork that belongs to Gourmet Guy, though he never lets it go. It was found outside the base because he dropped it running to Okies Bay.

Dark Circles[/url]
Obtained: Shy Guy's Toybox, Part 1
Description: Mysterious dark circles that appear where someone stood when they disappear around Okies Bay. It seemed to be because of a mysterious ray. It seems only some people leave circles?

Disappearing Bay[/url]
Obtained: Out in The Jungle, Part 2
Description: Okies Bay seems to appear and disappear at random. A clue as to how it's not so ordinary...

Missing Anti Guy[/u]
Obtained: Out in The Jungle, Part 2
Description: An Anti Guy with a map disappeared. He said that he vanished to a place with ice cream, then got lost in one of the tunnels of the room... But how?

Footprint[/u]
Obtained: The Tallest Tree, Part 2
Description: A footprint given by Mr. P. Originally was supposed to go to Wario. Belongs to Portalman, it seems.

Weird Room[/u]
Obtained: The Underground Room, Part 3
Description: This weird room with big wires had a zapper that made people disappear, sometimes with dark circles.

Cone[/u]
Obtained: The Underground Room, Part 4
Description: It's a hat.

Map[/u]
Obtained: Temple of Icinus Creaminus, Part 6
Description: The Anti Guy's map... Though scribbled over in crayon.

The Voice[/u]
Obtained: Temple of Icinus Creaminus, Part 6
Description: This stupid feminine voice keeps narrating our actions?
[/spoiler]

[Andrea]

I'm very bad about update schedules! *was exhausted yesterday from running on 3 hours of sleep or so*

SPOILER: Click to show

? ? ?: Halt!

*looks*

It is us! After a long break of training, we are finally back to confront you-

It hasn't even been 10 minutes.

What type of 'training' did you have then?

... Pizza...

I want to join the evil side too!

Nonsense, Phoenix. We have pizza! The pizza of mysteries, with each slice a tasty clue!

You can't defeat us by making us hungry again!

Okay. What do you want?

Uh... Well, green over there doesn't want you to get the treasure. I'm just here because I'm making ten dollars an hour.

Doc, why have you betrayed us?

Yeah... I forgot what your name was.

It's-

Doc.

Whatever! I don't want you to get the nearby treasure!

... Why, again?

You just want to pay off the debt thing, don't you?

Yes.

*shakes head*

All that matters is that we have motive properly established! Now my apprentices will defeat you, fiends! *hides*

Is that so?

I think we'll get you first! Look what we tamed!

*a Creeper falls in*

Agh! It's going to explo-

*starts laughing*

what

what

what

I'm not actually a Creeper!

*pops out of costume* You have been fooled by JACK PORTALMAN!

Nobody invited you to the party!

Evil is a party that never ends! With cookies and dramatic laughter! And I'm always invited!

*backs away* ...

Turns out I've got you this time, fiend!

Is that so... mask boy?

Take that back!

Never!

*also backs away* ...

It turns out that your footprint doesn't match the frozen one!

The footprint clue we have! What do you mean?

It doesn't?!

Nope! If your footprint doesn't match the frozen footprint, you can never get to the treasure!

...

Psst. This is the proper time for a dramatic "no".

I was simply having a pause for effect. *coughs*

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Now there's a thespian. *nod*

Then why'd you want that to go to Wario?

So we could laugh!

You haven't seen the last of me! *breaks open drain and jumps in*

Oh no you didn't! *jumps in after*

...

Yay! We have green guy back!

I still have a chance at getting the treasure in this, you know. <_<

Ah, but I have a plot twist for you.

Huh?

I MADE YOUR SHOES!

... I sort of grasped th-

*jumps on his head* That means that if your shoes fit the frozen footprint thing, then all of ours should!

Except Pennington's.

The mystery is enough for me!

The ice cream is enough for me!

Speaking of that!

?

I still haven't dropped my accusation that you made that Anti Guy disappear!

OBJECTION! The Anti Guy-

*walks in from a tunnel* Is right here, actually.

You didn't get turned into a meatball, somewhere?

I thought you didn't use that spel-

Get to the point, sirs. *points*

Walking through here made me remember what happened to me!

Do tell, Kristoph.

Well... I was on the bay. With my map. Then I heard that guy shout something and make me disappear here!

I shouted "For the love of spaghetti with tomato sauce and a bit of garlic bread"!

Hey! How did you know my wand's secret passcode?

What happened next?

I wound up here and forgot a lot of things!

My memory's been kind of shaky, too...

You both... ate the ice cream, didn't you?

That doesn't matter, I lost the map! _{... Okay, it made a nice napkin for a bit, but...}

And now... _{IT'S BEEN TARNISHED!}

It could've only been by him! And we have no clue how to actually get to the treasure either!

Something about a frozen footprint and dark circles.

That does not matter! I think I have just solved the case!

SPOILER: Click to show

Gourmet Guy's Fork

[/url]
Obtained: Shy Guy's Toybox, Part 1
Description: A fork that belongs to Gourmet Guy, though he never lets it go. It was found outside the base because he dropped it running to Okies Bay.

Dark Circles[/url]
Obtained: Shy Guy's Toybox, Part 1
Description: Mysterious dark circles that appear where someone stood when they disappear around Okies Bay. It seemed to be because of a mysterious ray. It seems only some people leave circles?

Disappearing Bay[/url]
Obtained: Out in The Jungle, Part 2
Description: Okies Bay seems to appear and disappear at random. A clue as to how it's not so ordinary...

Missing Anti Guy[/u]
Obtained: Out in The Jungle, Part 2
Description: An Anti Guy with a map disappeared. He said that he vanished to this temple with Ice Cream, ate some, lost his map, and then forgot many things. Seems like a shady story...

Footprint[/u]
Obtained: The Tallest Tree, Part 2
Description: A footprint given by Mr. P. It belongs to Portalman, but does not match the Frozen Footprint, which filters who can get the treasure.

Weird Room[/u]
Obtained: The Underground Room, Part 3
Description: This weird room with big wires had a zapper that made people disappear, sometimes with dark circles. Connected to the Temple of Icinus Creaminus, which is connected to the weird room with all the ice cream...?

Cone[/u]
Obtained: The Underground Room, Part 4
Description: It's a hat.

Map[/u]
Obtained: Temple of Icinus Creaminus, Part 6
Description: The Anti Guy's map... Though scribbled over in crayon. Did Gourmet Guy do it?

The Voice[/u]
Obtained: Temple of Icinus Creaminus, Part 6
Description: This stupid feminine voice keeps narrating our actions?
[/spoiler]

[Andrea]

SPOILER: Click to show

You have?

*confident chuckle* It's rudimentary, my dear apprentices. Let's look at the parties which have disappeared.

Parties? I want to be invited!

...

*points at Gourmet Guy and the Anti Guy* Phoenix and Kristoph, respectively.

Oh, hey, half the audience just got that joke!

Lay off the fourth wall breaking, sir.

What do they have in common?

Tribal heritage?

{Centuries Ago}

*eating a bagel on a spear*

*takes it*

*idislikemybikeplz*

{Present}

... No. I was referring to them both forgetting because of eating the ice cream. You see, my apprentices... The answer is to not blame each other. We must blame the one who put the ice cream and the temple there.

...

...

Naw. *hits Gourmet Guy with a huge breadstick*

*eats it*

Wait, he does have a point.

Rudimentary. I always have a point... Even when I do not.

... Uh.

There's one person we are excluding from our accusations.

Who? o:

The answer is right under your nose- ... er, mask, Phoenix.

I believe you are talking about me, the one you cannot see?

Yeah! The narrator! She got us into this!

I... didn't have a debt payment before this, actually...

This is your fault!

If you would like to confront me, you must be worthy of the door you see.

*a door with an icy footprint in front of it emerges*

That must be the icy footprint!

Frozen footprint.

Same thing.

Now we have to ent-

? ? ?: WAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!

*falls in, landing on Lawyer Guy*

*squashed* it keeps happening

You, sir!

Turns out you're too late! *kicks General Guy*

*just rolls back a bit*

Turns out all your treasure is belong to WARIO!

_{...We haven't... gotten it yet...}

And looks like you never will! Hah! Time to stomp all over this footprint thing! *steps on the frozen footprint*

*Wario disappears*

!

*reappears on the ceiling* !

*finally stands*

*falls and lands on Lawyer Guy*

i'm filing a complaint *squashed*

Aha! It seems that Wario failed to leave a dark circle just then!

Let me try! *steps on the frozen footprint*

*The Anti Guy vanishes, leaving a dark circle*

!

*reappears on the ceiling and falls* Whee!

AHA! I have made a splendid deduction.

Speak for us, sir.

Shy Guys leave dark circles from where they disappeared, but others do not.

I guess there was a thing when the Anti Guy vanished the first time...

What about when the slacker disappeared?

I decided to disappear in an area far away!

_{Take that, plot holes!}

*kicks Lawyer Guy* Hm... If the Anti Guy's shoe didn't work, then will any of ours work?

Actually...

*looks*

*wearing platform shoes* ...

...

*gets up* Whatever! I ain't wasting any more time here! *picks up General Guy*

Hey!

*puts him on the frozen footprint*

Using the footprint set before all, the door opened to reveal nothing small.

The room in there is huge!

I see the treasure! It's mine! *runs*

Hey! Who do you think opened this?

*a large treasure chest is in the center of the room*

*reaches for it*

Wait!

Huh?

*points at the walls*

*sharp ice cream cones are aimed at Wario and the treasure*

Those look sharp!

If you're too greedy, you'll doom yourself!

... Tsk. *tries to pull a cone out of the wall*

*it doesn't budge*

Looks like I'll have to take this risk. For-a wealth! *opens treasure chest*

Duck!

Quack *falls over*

*ducks*

I'm a penguin! *ducks*

*Wario is hit and vanishes*

So once again, greed destroys itself... And I'm sick of all these silly rhymes.

!

*a phatomlike figure, no taller than a small girl, appears*

You've found me!

Who... are you?

They call me Narra! I narrate things! *twirls*

You don't appear very... end boss-y. _{You don't even have a definite shape...}

Oh, would something like this be better? *shapeshifts*

*turns into an odd Shy Guy*

Well... that does tug at familiarity, I suppose. ... Wait a minute! You are THE VILLAIN!

No I'm not.

But... the debt...

Tsk. *shakes head* You know what's nice about ice cream? It makes you forget aaallll~ your troubles.

It does!

You ate the ice cream sandwiches with my ice cream, made by NarraCo!

What is this mysterious NarraCo?

Hee hee. People sometimes eat my ice cream. And they forget. And if someone doesn't remember, they'll be happy to do all kinds of things for you. ~

You... brainwashed them?

That's a mean way of putting it. I don't like your shape anymore. *turns back*

I demand you explain this tomfoolery at once!

If I simply narrated your adventure, full of the mistakes you got yourself into, does that make me a bad person?

Well... no...

Exactly~! You know, the bay is mine. I named it because I knew with you guys that everything would end up okies.

What are you?

I am ideas. The ideas of Writers that rule your land, ones put in motion or stopped, are full of energy.

You take Writer powers!

Hm... in a sense. I need to make the bay vanish somehow. To urge you story characters in the right direction.

You're a story character, too!

Ah, but you're the chosen ones of the story~! You leave dark circles as indicators.

You must be stopped, fiend! *charges!*

*floats away* Now, now. I'm going to give you a chance.

Chance?

*the treasure chest opens, revealing a huge pile of gold coins*

You can take this! All of your debt would be paid off, and then that would be a happy ending!

You must!

Er...

*glances at him* ... Think of all the Shy Guys.

D:

... I won't, because I won't use it to pay off the debt.

Really~?

Really, si- ma'am.

In that case, you've passed! You're not completely greedy like that fat man.

Thank the Writers.

It's not all about paying back your own crushing debt, you know.

... No.

Take the treasure and buy food for the Shy Guys. When they're your soldiers again, you can earn the money easily!

Yeah... I guess so!

Is... that the last we're going to see of you?

Ah ha. As long as there are Writers, there will be me. Until then... Farewell~

*Narra vanishes*

---

So the Shy Guys went home with the treasure they found, and used it to buy a giant food mound. They all worked together again to pay what they owed, and for Wario...

*grumbles* _{Gotta earn money somehow...}

Keep working, sir! Only a few more days working for my army!

... He was the one who kept the grass nice and mowed. So ends the tale of the case of ice cream, said the idea cloud with a voice like a dream.