Readers, here is an oneshot that I did for the Paper Mario series (sorta) and it's called:

Paper Mario: Darkness Awakened

Now this fanfiction is only based on the Last Story of Sonic the Hedgehog 2006, so don't be surprised if this plot seems familiar to that game. A couple of characters here are OC, including Memphis the Doom, Darkis, and an extra hero Andrew. Alright, enough with my own rant, let's begin the story (by the way, this story is told in third person point of view; by the characters, so be aware).

Paper Mario Characters are owned by Nintendo/Intelligent System.

Memphis:

What am I you ask?

A divine being, once worshipped by the people of the Mushroom Kingdom… that was, until the people treated me like an experiment, tested on me, and split me into two, with me as one half and the other half being Darkis. After being trapped in that mysterious artifact, I had plotted revenge against the Mushroom Kingdom.

I was planning to fuse with Darkis to become my true form, but I couldn't form with the Darkis in the future, as it was already destroyed, not to mention, it was impossible.

Killing the Princess would be too simple, and I had to make her suffer like the other people of her kingdom, so I could break Darkis Seal.

I had seen how close she had gotten with that fat Italian Plumber Mario, hence why I had sent that cowardly Koopa Koops after him to dispose of him.

Of course, it didn't help that the interfering kid named Andrew, who sealed me in that artifact 10 years ago put a stop to it, hence why I tried to cope him into joining me, but as usual, he declined my offer, and why I had created clones of myself to keep him busy. I now have possession of the amethyst Crystal Star and now plan to kill Mario myself, the task that the Koopa was so cowardly and spineless to accomplish.

Want something done, I gotta do it myself, and that's the last time I show mercy!

If I had more of a soul, I wouldn't really do this, since Mario hasn't done anything to oppose me… but if it's what it's gonna take to accomplish this, then so be it.

It's nothing personal… Mario.

Sometimes sacrifices have to be made to get what we want.

Memphis - Mario:

After my most recent attempt of rescuing the princess from Sir Grodus, the two of us we're now walking through the Petal Meadows, planning to have a spaghetti dinner, as Peach knew of this good place to go to. It was also a new and peaceful day today.

What I wasn't anticipating was the fact that the Crystal Star came out of no where, and started shining a really bright light, and I thought I was gonna get a seizure from it. It was too much that I didn't notice a figure appear from the shadows from behind me, who deeply resembled Andrew… but was all crystalline and such. The figure then launched a power beam of some sort through me.

Nrrggghhh…

I was being shot… straight through the heart. Peach then saw this and let out a panicked gasp. The figure then ceased the attack, and moment by moment, I started to fall down, and it was then that I realized…

I was dying… if not slowly dying…

Mario - Peach:

Wow… this is shocking. One moment, Mario was talking about looking forward to eating all that spaghetti, and the next minute, he was killed… instantly. I then went to his limp body and shook him to try to wake him.

"Mario? Mario!"

No response. I kept on shaking him but it was futile. It was then that the creature responsible for this was letting out a creepy maniacal laughter. I mean, what kind of heartless cold hearted creature would do this? Bowser has been a bad guy for years, but even he wasn't this cruel. After Mario rolled onto his back, I realized he wasn't coming back.

"Mario?" I said weakly, as that laughter got even louder.

I can't cry. I can't cry… I was told to never cry, or the dark energy seal will be broken.

"Princess Peach, remember… don't cry, no matter what happens…"

It wasn't working this time, the crazy laughter made it worse.

"No… No…"

I can't cry, but what am I suppose to do. I have no choice.

BecauseIloveMarioandIwouldbeheartlessifIdidn't…

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Streams of tears ran through my face as that dark energy emerged from my body and the seal was broken. Darkis was released. That creature who killed Mario welcomed it with open arm, all fascinated and such…

"Ah, Darkis. It's been such a long time!" The creature said. "Finally, the seal's been broken. At long last, I'll be able to join with you…. DARKIS!"

He then grabbed that Crystal Star that blinded Mario and started using it…

"Now Crystal Star," He called upon it. "It's time for the FINAL CURTAIN CALL!"

The Crystal Star went up as it then called the others and the creature and Darkis then went up and started to fuse together.

Oh Crystal Stars, heed my call of trouble…

Dry Dry Ruins

Three figures, one was some guy with black hair and gothic makeup wearing a black cap named Andrew, and his partners Lakilester and Ms. Mowz had just defeated all of that creatures' clones. Andrew then grabbed both of his white gloves and put them back on. He then saw the Green and Golden Crystal Stars in the corner, as they then flashed, causing Andrew, Lakilester and Ms. Mowz to be blinded.

Edge of Mt. Lavalava (future)

Koops having taken care of Darkis for good by sealing it in Goombella and sent them to a different dimension, and now knew he had work to do… for Goombella. He wasn't expecting the Orange and Blue Crystal Stars he had to flash a bright light, blinding Koops.

Somewhere near Hooktail Castle

Sir Grodus had suffered his latest defeat by Mario, with his invention broken to pieces and had the White Crystal Star in his possession. What made it worse for him was that he was blinded by the crystal star too.

In Rogueport Plaza

The sky was darkened by the creature known as Memphis and Darkis fusing together as three particular people, Goombario, the Yoshi kid named Spike and Vivian saw this, and the red Crystal Star Vivian had started flashing.

"Woah!" Goombario shouted. "What's going on!"

"This Crystal Star I found near the Excess Express is flashing and something's going on!" Vivian noticed.

"WHAT!" Spike shouted as the three of them were blinded by the light.

I was still with Mario who was still dead, as that Crystal Star who blinded us then did the same thing the other Crystal Stars did, it was flashing.

Couldn't it just leave us alone? Hasn't it done enough damage already?

I along with Mario were then teleported to a different unknown place, as that creature and Darkis have turned into a creature that strongly resembles the Shadow Queen.

Doomaris…

I noticed that the area around me was in darkness and what made it worse was that parts of the Mushroom Kingdom were floating around in this weird limbo.

But at least I'm not alone this time.

The first three people to appear were Goombario, Spike and Vivian, who were really confused.

"What is this?" Goombario sounded confused.

"Where are we," Vivian wondered. "What's going on?"

"I have no idea, but it's even worse than that future," Spike snorted. "This is probably because of that light."

"What's worse is that the red Crystal Star I had vanished." Vivian stated.

"Let's not assume it all just yet." Goombario kept calm.

Suddenly coming from thin air, Koops appeared and was just as confused as the others, looked at his hands.

"The Crystal Stars… have disappeared…" He muttered, but it was loud enough for Vivian to hear him and noticed him.

"Koops!?" Vivian sounded shocked.

"V-Vivian!?" Koops then noticed Goombario and Spike. "What are you all doing here?"

"The same reason you're here," Spike deduced. "Which is unknown."

"You… you wouldn't be the cause of all this, would you Koops…?" Vivian asked.

"No, no. This is all so confusing." Koops admitted.

"Something's not making any sense." Goombario pondered.

"I beg to differ," A feminine voice, belonging to Ms. Mowz said. "This is all because of Doomaris!"

Ms. Mowz was seen with Lakilester and Andrew.

"Not you guys too." Spike got hyped up.

"Oh yes. It seems like we are all in good condition." Lakilester stated.

"Yeah," Andrew began to say. "See, Ms. Mowz, Lakilester…"

"Spike!"

"…and I were in the Dry Dry Ruins, fighting Memphis and he managed to get away at the last moment, when we almost had him."

"Memphis, I still don't know what that is…" Vivian wondered.

"I'll say," That voice belonged to Sir Grodus, who approached the group himself. "It seems we were all caught by the spatial distortion. I was personally brought here by the White Crystal Star before it vanished."

"Same thing happened with the green and golden Crystal Stars too." Andrew spoke up.

"As well as the Red Crystal Star." Vivian stated.

"It also happened with the Orange and Blue Crystal Stars." Koops spoke up.

"If that's the case, then where's Goombella, if she would have been brought here too?" Vivian wondered.

"Well," Koops started. "Let's just say she's in a far better place than this."

Before Vivian could get anymore information from him, Sir Grodus then spoke up by saying,

"Darkis' Seal has been broken," He sounded like he knew what happened. "Due to Memphis' manipulation."

"But wait, Darkis was sealed in Peach's body." Koops stated.

"And if it was broken, than would that mean," Andrew started but then Grodus then directed their attention to me, though their eyes weren't looking at me though. Seeing all those looks of mixed emotions, I could tell how many people cared about Mario.

"Mario!?" Vivian was worried as she approached him. She was followed by a devastated Goombario, Spike, followed by a horrified Koops, and Ms. Mowz. Andrew and Lakilester stood to the side, but they were both upset as well.

"No, you… you don't think…" Goombario's voice cracked, fearing that it was true. "Mario?"

"Gonzales!?" Spike was trembling as he shouted. I could see in Goombario's eyes just how much sadness was building up inside of him. He tried nudging him, but got no response.

"He's… He's not dead," Goombario denied, shutting his eyes tight. "He… He promised he would come back Spike… and he never breaks his promises…"

Goombario then lost it after that and tears flowed out of his eyes and went into Spike, who was just as depressed, but shown it as a mortified look and staying strong for Goombario's sake. While Spike was comforting Goombario, Vivian had gone completely frozen, as she started to tremble.

"What… happened…" Vivian asked, fearing it was true.

"He was murdered." I stated to her. "He was killed right before my eyes. I was powerless to stop it."

"Murdered!?" Vivian then snapped her attention to Koops. "YOU!?"

"It wasn't ME, I swear, I swear!" Koops barked frantically and fell down as Vivian rose to attack him.

"Stop! It wasn't Koops!" I shouted, causing Vivian to fall back down and started to cover her face with her hand, and started to shudder. She was so devastated, that she couldn't even cry, only shudder. Koops didn't like seeing her like this and then approached me and then asked the question I was dreading to answer.

"Who… killed him then?" He asked.

"It was, some weird dark human demon crystalline creature of some kind." I stated. "I'm sorry, he didn't give me a name-"

"MEMPHIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!" Andrew suddenly howled, punching the nearest thing -Lakilester's cloud- in complete rage. "Damn it, damn it! That freak had my hands tied, strapped me down, pinned me into a corner, and then he darts away to do THIS!? THAT SPINELESS COWARD!"

"Memphis played us all for fools." Grodus admitted, showing no emotions whatsoever. "His plan all along was to cause the princess to be consumed so much despair, that she'd cry."

"So that's why he wanted me to kill Mario before." Koops became struck with realization. "Nrrrggghh... to think I could have cause this, I could have made a worse future for everyone… I fell right into Memphis' trap as a mindless puppet."

"Koops…" I tried to comfort him but he then shut his eyes as tears started to pour down his eyes now.

"I really am pathetic. Mario has done so much for us, and we never had done anything for him in return. This shouldn't be like this." Koops started blubbering. "Oh man, I could have cause this, but I didn't, and yet he was still killed when he doesn't deserve to be…"

"STOP IT!" Andrew shouted at a wincing Koops. "I gave my word to Mario that I would not let anyone kill him, and even though I failed at stopping Memphis from doing so, I'm not at fault! Nor are you, Koops, nor is the princess Peach!"

I looked up after he said my name just enough for him to point directly at Sir Grodus.

"IT WAS HIM!"

"Oh come off it!" Grodus snapped, clutching his hands into fists. "Just because you're all upset doesn't mean you have to pinpoint this on ME!"

"I CAN AND I WILL!" Andrew roared and he would have tackled him -with Lakilester accompanying him- if it weren't for Ms. Mowz stopping them. "You came to the Mushroom Kingdom! You stole the Mysterious Artifact! You tried extracting the Dark Energy from Peach!"

"You threw us into the future," Spike added, who was still trying to comfort Goombario. "And not only that, but it was your battleship initially that caused the bad future to begin with! So it all boils down to you DOME HEAD!"

"I agree!" I shouted, now glaring daggers at Grodus. "To think that being able to rule over time and space was a foolish and ridiculous idea from the start! My care giver had the same type of goal, but he was more of a man than you are! He might have wanted to rule over time, but what he wanted to do was benefit mankind by fixing and rectifying past mistakes and allowing a princess to see her parents, not rule over time like a sick and twisted dictator!"

My words actually made him jumped and flinch as I glanced down at Mario and scoffed.

"You knew that all this stuff was out of your control as it was, and now we are suffering in these consequences because we all wanted to stop you, YOU MAD MAN!"

"Face it Grodus," Andrew snarled, gritting his teeth and everything. "None of this would've happened if you had just kept your big freaking dome head out of the Mushroom Kingdom!"

"I will begin with destroying the dome head known as Sir Grodus!" Lakilester blared, getting out a spiny egg and getting Grodus in the cross hair. "ATTACK ON COMMAND, COMRADE ANDREW-"

"It doesn't even matter whose fault this is!" Ms. Mowz said looking at Mario. "That's not going to set the world right again, nor is it gonna bring back Mustache Hunk."

She then closed her eyes and squeezed her arm.

"To think he'd go out like this..."

Suddenly, a loud roar was heard overhead, coming from Doomaris, which ended up shaking the platform we were all on currently, as Koops whispered Doomaris to himself.

"This creature will consume all existing timelines," Grodus stated. "And time itself will collapse, and disappear into nothingness."

"The instability of time caused this time space rift," Andrew said. "And that same rift, was what caused the Crystal Stars to bring us here to begin with, do you guys agree?"

All those who weren't mourning were nodding their heads yes.

"Well, this time space rift won't remain… for much longer." Grodus announced.

"Well, we've no time to waste!" Spike said, as Goombario finally got off and whipped the tears off his eyes somehow. "WE'VE GOT TO DEFEAT IT NOW!"

"Yeah, because defeating a time controlling god of darkness now is the simple way out, Spikey." Ms. Mowz teased.

"Exactly; it is a transcendent life form that exists in the past, present and future." Grodus continued. "Defeating it, now, would do nothing, even if we could…"

He muttered the rest under his breath, as all of us lost hope there. Doomaris really did exist in three different time periods, it would be impossible. All of a sudden, Koops wiped the tears from his eyes as he tried to build confidence.

"No… I… I won't give up," Koops was sounding more confident. "Not anymore and never again. I made a promise with Mario that I would never lose hope ever again, and if there's a time to have hope, it's now. There has to be a way."

Koops then pointed his hand towards Grodus confidently.

"If you say it exists in the past, present, and future, I'll destroy them all at once!" Koops declared.

"Certainly," Andrew started, folding his arms. "It might have been possible, if he was still alive."

He pointed to Mario who was still 'dead' and the realization kicked in.

"You three are the only ones who can time travel," Spike stated. "But without Gonzales, there's no way you can defeat Doomaris all at once."

"Not to mention, we don't even have the Crystal Stars." Ms. Mowz pointed out.

The realization then hung over our heads as we all were quite, except for Vivian who was now crying Mario's name. Vivian finally had tears come down from her eyes. Goombario was still going through his own breakdown; Spike was really depressed, but stayed strong for Goombario. Ms. Mowz was struggling to think of a solution, Grodus was emotionless, Andrew was frustrated, but was also depressed in his own way, Lakilester was also upset, and any hope that Koops had made suddenly deflated, but he gritted his teeth and tried to think of another solution. I myself was saddened that all hope was lost, until I felt the wind somehow.

"Nothing starts… until you…take action… don't give up princess…"

"Mario…"

I heard Mario trying to bring up all of our spirits and wanting us to take action if we were ever gonna make a difference, we had to move now.

"What's the matter?" Koops asked me, wondering what was wrong.

"I feel… Mario's own presence in the wind." I stated.

"Is that suppose to be some kind of metaphor?" Grodus deadpanned. Andrew snapped his fingers and Lakilester was ready to toss a spiny egg at him. I shook my head in disagreement.

"No… I don't think he's dead yet," After I said that, Vivian looked up, hoping I was being serious. "I'm sure of it! It's not too late!"

That comment helped bring back everyone's spirit, especially Koops who then had the perfect plan on mind.

"Of course…" Koops started. "Let's call him back with the power of the Crystal Stars!"

We all looked at him, wondering if that was true, and they didn't want to remind him the Crystal Stars were missing, but he remained confident nonetheless.

"Focus your thoughts on using its power to perform this miracle. Turn your thoughts into power…" Koops then went up to me and went on his knee and looked me in the eyes. "You can do it princess!"

"I…can?" I wondered.

"You were the vessel used to seal Darkis. You should be able to use the stars' powers to rescue Mario's soul." Koops declared.

"With the seven Crystal Stars and the Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom," Grodus mused to himself. "It's quite possible."

"I know I'm from another part of the Mushroom Kingdom, if not from a different time period, but you're still my princess, and I believe in you." Koops said straight up.

Gosh… Koops isn't so bad after all…

"I'll… I'll do it!" I exclaimed, looking happier than I did before. "Thank you for the encouragement Koops."

"Don't thank me yet," Koops stated. "We gotta round up all seven Crystal Stars first."

Everyone was happier and more upbeat than the depressive states that were there a minute ago. Even Grodus was using his rod as it made beeping sounds and detected something.

"Doomaris has flung the Crystal Stars to the distant corners of this distorted world!" Grodus spread his arms in all directions.

"To collect them all in time, we'll have to split up!" Goombario exclaimed, seemingly happier than the depressed state he was in a minute ago.

"Count me in," Spike whooped. "I'm gonna repay Gonzales for what he's done for me!"

"I happen to be a badge thief and a treasure hunter," Ms. Mowz said. "So you'll need me."

"I'll go too," Vivian said, standing up. "Because it's for Mario."

"And the world I would hope." Ms. Mowz muttered.

"So Peach," Vivian directed towards me. "Watch over him."

"With my life." I said to her.

Suddenly, Goombario cheerfully went into the center, and if he had hands, the left one would be up in the air.

"Let's do this for Mario!" Goombario cheered. "Last time I thought Mario was dead, Bowser took the Star Rod, and all I could do was watch, but this time I shall bring Mario back."

"I've got your back dude," Spike said. "I've gotta owe it to Gonzales for having me be born in the first place, and he made me get into fighting, so I shall fight to bring Gonzales back!"

"Hmhmhmhmhm," Vivian hummed as she went over to them. "I'm gonna help too. Mario will be so proud if I help bring him back."

"Course you'll need me as well," Ms. Mowz placed her hand on the piling hands. "Can't let you three do the work by yourselves. Plus, I owe Mustache Hunk for getting me out of that future."

"I shall assist as well," Lakilester floated over and placed his hand as well. "I shall suspend my mission to destroy the evil Grodus, and put some effort too. Plus, I have a score to settle with Memphis for the trouble he's caused us."

"No kidding," Andrew exclaimed, approaching the group. "That jerk Memphis will pay for what he done, for harming my friends, and for destroying the planet I promised to protect with my life!"

"Stop being a sourpuss and place your hand in the pile hon." Ms. Mowz exclaimed.

Andrew, back turned, grumbled something under his breathe, but nonetheless, placed his hand in the pile as well.

"According to my calculations, there are 6 of us heroes, but 7 Crystal Stars need to be gotten." Lakilester stated, as they all turned to Koops, who was looking nervous.

"Eh.. hehe, alright." Koops let loose an air fist bump. "You guys are just a little close."

"What's the matter with you?" Spike asked.

"It's just that... I… I don't have friends anymore," Koops stated sadly looking towards the ground. "Goombella's gone, and I don't deserve to be friends with you, after all the trouble I've caused…"

"Koops…" Vivian giggled as she approached Koops. "We've forgiven you, and besides the time I spend with you is how our friendship started, and that means alot to me. Nothing will ever change anything about our friendship. It would be a petty to let a mistake ruin it."

"Yeah," Goombario agreed. "I mean, sure you make mistakes, but at least you try to fix them."

"Unlike Grodus!" Spike snarked, which triggered Lakilester to take out a spiny egg to toss at Grodus, when Ms. Mowz stopped him.

"Face it kid," Andrew said with a smirk on his face as Koops gave him a look. "Your stuck with us, and nothing will end up changing that as of now."

"I know Goombella's gone Koops," Vivian placed her hand on his shoulder. "But you're not alone anymore, and you never will be again."

Koops then looked up at Vivian, smiling while wiping the tears that started to form.

"Thank you… Vivian." Koops said.

"Ugh, can we please end this drama sap fest already," Grodus demanded. "At this rate, you'll all be stuck in that happy sappy land and stuck into the time space rift and we all die!"

"Such a killjoy!" I muttered.

"Hmph," Andrew huffed, narrowing his eyes while facing him. "Not like your putting in any effort to help us Grodus."

"Hey! I manage to detect the locations of the Crystal Star alright," Grodus snapped. "According to my findings, they all seem to be located into pieces of locations in different time period. They seem to consist of a ruined Toad Town and a volcano-"

"Disaster City and the Mt. Lavalava!" Koops exclaimed, knowing what they were.

"-Jade Jungle, Dry Dry Desert, Keelhaul Key, Shiver Mountain and Creepy Steeple!" Grodus finished.

"In that case, I'll go with Disaster City!" Goombario shouted, while running off. "Leave it to me!"

"I'm gonna go to Mt. Lavalava," Lakilester stated, flying off. "It'll be easy to navigate on this cloud of mine!"

"Jade Jungle is my call," Spike announced, taking his leave as well. "A jungle filled with plenty of fruits of all sizes is of my specialty."

"I'm gonna go to the desert then," Koops said as he made his leave then. "That place should be easy to navigate, as I went through it once!"

Vivian giggled as Ms. Mowz was the next to leave as she then said.

"I'll go to Keelhaul Key! A place with treasure shall be a snap for me!"

"Then I'll go explore Shiver Mountain. If I explored it once, I can do it again!" Vivian declared as she then departed into the shadows.

"What!? I don't wanna be stuck with Creepy Steeple! I hated that place!" Andrew shouted as he then saw everyone was gone, and ran off nonetheless. "Oh well, it's better than The Great Tree!"

I then noticed everyone was gone, with Grodus having his back turned as I went to face Mario. Don't worry Mario, we're gonna save you.

You'll be able to smile for everyone again.

TO BE CONTINUED…

THAT'S ALL FOR THIS CHAPTER! WHAT DID I TELL YOU, IT'S A LOT LIKE SONIC 06! ANYWAY, THE NEXT CHAPTER SHALL FEATURE THE 7 CHARACTERS FINDING THE CRYSTAL STARS AND HOW IMPORTANT MARIO IS TO THEM ALL! WILL THEY SUCCEED, AND WILL MARIO BE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE!? TUNE IN NEXT TIME EVERYONE!