House of Baloo 2, 3

8.

The mysterious handmaid Owo disappeared. What exactly was her plan, and why did she try to enslave X and friends? After the incident, Zephyr noticed stairs going down. "Here we go!" she said. "I wonder if Izora is down here?" thought our heroes as they traded worried glances... The trio solemnly made their way down, knowing there was no other path to follow.

"The Pure Crystal is near... I feel its power so much more strongly down here." Tippi said.

Ah! Hooray! Whoopee! Thanks for coming to look for me!

X looks around, then gets confused. Izoras spirit appears.

"Beautiful, mysterious Izora! Mistress of the house, it's me! So glad it's you I see! So long I've waited for you. Your arrival is well past due. But we can't meet like this, oh no, for something's amiss. An evil one is after me, and safe and sound I cannot be. In the basement do I dwell, mazelike rooms are my cell, you will find me, I can tell... And...if you do, take care... For... your eyes...may err... Trust nothing...foul...or fair........"

She starts to fade out.

"No... I cannot...last... My power...is...fading...fast... The distance...is. .too...vast. Are... you...ready to find me? Beware. if you do, I plea.."

X goes through the basement, and through a maze of doors. Eventually he ends up finding Izora.

"Ahh, yes, how very nice... Thanks for coming! Thank you twice!"

"Hey!"

"Mysterious and so lovely, mistress of the house you see... It's me, Izora! I shine on, such is my lot, a sun to those fate to me brought... And I knew that soon I'd see you buzz on by, little bees. Hee hee hee hee hee!"

"We've come seeking the Pure Crystal..." Tippi said.

"Oh, yes, of course, I know! The Pure Crystal for X! ...And Co.! For you, yes, I'll gladly part with that purest Pure Crystal. Mmm, but there is a wee fee: yes, yes, 10,000,000 coins! Quite a bargain, you agree? So, folks, if you'd be dears, sign this dotted line here, and it's yours, free and clear!"

"No.."

"If you lack the coins now, a smallish loan I could allow. You can work it off somehow. Just sign here, my dear."

"No.."

"OK, here's what we'II do. Have I got a deal for you! Sign up for a loan, and boom! A free gift! Away with gloom! A Super Mega Ultra Prophecy! Just sign here, my dear..."

"No.." Tippi said.

"Ugh, fine, you bargain hard, I'll also throw in Beardward, a Pixel made of oats and lard. Isn't that so nice of me? I'm the best, don't you see? Here, dear, sign and cheer."

"No."

"NYAAAH! Idiots, the lot of you! Turning down such a coup! None of you have a clue! Here it is: your last shot! Sign right now, on the dot!"

"No!"

Izoras spirit appears.

"Good choice, for my sake... This Izora a total fake. Listen not! She is a snake!"

She disappears.

"Owowowowowowowowowo... No point in trying to fool anyone now.."

She turns into Owo.

"Gee, lookee here! The girl you thought was a handmaid or an Izora imposter.. She's actually the faithful servant of Count Stygian, master impersonator Owo! Golly, I was hoping we could settle this peacefully, but...TOO BAD!"