Treasure Hunting 101

Chapter XVIII

Mia

Music: Super Sweet Sugarland from Super Mario 64: Last Impact

All we know about our next stop is that it's somewhere in Minnesota, and Dr. Scientist claims he knows where it is. He doesn't give us any information other than that, though.

So imagine my surprise when we end up standing in front of the world's largest freaking candy store in Jordan, Minnesota. Yes, that is actually the place's name (but without the "freaking. It's just the World's Largest Candy Store). It's likely a facetious name; there might be another candy store out there that's even bigger than this one. After all, this building isn't even that large. It's about the size of an average parking lot.

But it has candy. Lots of it.

Shanna and I are ecstatic to see this place. "Holy crap... I've always wanted to go here!" Shanna squeals, jumping up and down in joy alongside me.

"Rumor has it that the necklace of Prince Kaori's wife is hidden somewhere in this building," Dr. Scientist says, handing me a picture of the necklace. It's not a real-life picture of the necklace, but rather, a drawing of it. The necklace has a purple rhombus-shaped pearl as its pendant, so I make a mental note to myself to keep an eye out for that. "We'll need the necklace for the ritual."

Mackenzie, Sean, Shanna, and I begin walking inside the candy store. Dr. Scientist stays in the parking lot, getting out a book to start reading from. "Hey, Dr. Scientist! Aren't you coming with us?"

Dr. Scientist puts his book down, laughs, and pats his belly (note: he's actually skinny and very healthy-looking). "Been trying to maintain a solid diet for the past decade and a half now. Don't want to risk any temptations. Call me in if you need anything, though."

With a thumbs-up, Mackenzie turns back around and joins us as we enter this place of wonder. As you probably guessed, the whole premise of this place is that there's candy EVERYWHERE. And all kinds, too. Brand names we know and love, with some brands you might not know of. The fresh smell of chocolate fills the air, and the bright, warm, friendly colors of the shop bring happiness to my aura. Shanna and I twirl around the shop joyfully, looking at all the different displays and marvelling at the many sweets the place has to offer.

"Man, if I had money on me, I'd pig the fuck out at this place," I say, laughing with Shanna.

As for Mackenzie and Sean... they aren't as excited about this place as Shanna and I are. "Dear Lord, as if you two weren't already hyper enough," Mackenzie sighs.

"Oh, like you don't enjoy sweets too," I snort.

"Yeah, but nowhere near as much as you two goofballs." I lightly whack Mackenzie in the head for saying that.

"Guys, we should focus on finding the necklace," Sean tells us.

Right after he says that, a man walks up to us and asks, "Excuse me, can I help you kids find anything?" He's wearing a yellow apron with a variety of stains on it, and a uniform that implies that he works here. But there's something else on his person that catches our attention. His question is polite, but his tone of voice, facial expression, and body posture gives the implication that he wants to be anywhere but here.

A necklace with a purple, rhombus-shaped jewel as its pendant wrapped around his neck.

AKA the whole reason we came here.

"Sir, where did you get that necklace?" Mackenzie asks, pointing at the necklace.

"Oh, this?" the man asks, grabbing the necklace. "Why do you care?"