(A/N: Hi. I've been writing this story for a while now, before I even knew what fan fiction was, but it was all in the form of how it would appear in the video game, if it was ever made into one. I've now decided to re-write this as a novelization, with details and actual dialogue and all that jazz. This is my own Paper Mario story, if they ever made a next one (I'm really hoping they do!). I've written a couple video game fics before, but never one for Mario, so cut me a little slack if it stinks. I will admit I'm not a video game junkie, but I love Mario like nobody's business. Okay, enough of this very long author's note. Let's get on with this! P.S. Despite stupid spell check, mage is indeed a word! You can check in the dictionary! Spell check is just stupid. Just wanted to get that off my chest.)

Summary: All new partners, enemies, and mysteries unfold in this total fan-sequel to the Paper Mario series.

Disclaimer: If I owned the Mario franchise, I would most likely be A.) a multi-millionaire, and/or B.) Japanese. Since I am neither of these things by any stretch, I do not own Mario. *snugglehz Toad plushie pathetically*

Paper Mario: The Infamous Stone

A Mario Fanfic

by Jill Diamond

~Intro~

Ahem! Today...I am going to tell you the story of the Infamous Stone. A long time ago, there was a small town far away from the Mushroom Kingdom. In this town, there was a town fool, who told tales that would make your tail twitch. One day, he gathered everyone around to tell them about a mythical stone said to give it's wielder great and unmatchable power. Four greedy mages caught this in the uproar and went into the woods to search for the stone themselves. Which did not exist. When they had all found what they assumed was the stone, they cast magic upon it to make it their own, so that no one else could have it's power. But they all had their eyes on the same stone. The stone was exposed to much too much magic. It let off a sample of its power, destroying the four mages and the entire town. Hundreds of years later, the stone still remained in hiding, absorbing bits of remaining magic from spells and slowly increasing its power. But no one ever found it...

We begin our story on a starry night in a town known as Galesville, far from the Mushroom Kingdom. A trademark Galesville gale rustled through a Princess Peach's long blond hair. She sighed and gazed in wonder at the view from her balcony. A stuffy Toad came out from their high penthouse suite to join her.

"Ah, it will be nice to return to the Mushroom Kingdom after all these new faces, won't it Princess?"

"Yes, Toadsworth," she replied without looking at him. "But discovering all these new places has been fun. I can't wait to tell Mario and Luigi about them." She rested a gloved hand on her stomach, acknowledging its soft rumble. "Hmm...Toadsworth, are you hungry? Why don't you go order room service?"

The elderly Toad used the hand that wasn't carrying his staff to repeat much of the same action.

"Yes, I am feeling a little peckish myself. I'll call downstairs and see what they have." His small, round feet returned him to the penthouse, and Peach resumed her stargazing.

"Well, hello, my fair countrymen," she heard from inside, though she didn't think much of it. It's probably just the bellhop or somebody.

"I SAY!" Toadsworth cried out. Peach heard him struggling, and his voice being attempted to gag. She started getting worried. "PRINCESS!"

At this, the blond princess got up from her seat and rushed back into the room.

"Toadsworth?" she called.

"So, Princess. Did you have a nice vacation?" a sickeningly sweet voice asked. Peach's eyes shot across the room to see a woman much older than her, but that was only apparent in her sunken cheeks and dark eye circles. She was terribly thin, almost to be called "lanky". She had bright pink hair in a pixie cut, and a matching feather boa draped around her shoulders. Her eyes looked directly at Peach, vicious and power-hungry. Beside her were two short men with disinterested countenances and loincloths wrapped around them. Each one wielded a spear, and one of them held a burlap sack that seemed to be struggling against his grip.

"W-who are you? And h-how did you g-get in here?" Peach tried her best not to let them know she was afraid, but she failed.

"THAT is none of your business, Princess," the woman spat, losing her sugar-coated tone. "Now, there are two ways we can do this. You can come with us peacefully, or you can end up in a bag like your fungus friend."

Peach's heart could only ache as she listened to Toadsworth's muffled protests.

"...Why should I go with you?" she eventually piped up.

"Because if you don't, we use your little Mushroom for Piranha Plant bait."

The princess remained silent.

"Well?"

Peach knew that wasn't going to work in the long run, but...

"...If it helps Toadsworth...I'll go."

The mysterious woman's face cracked a wicked smile.

"Excellent. I knew Catster made the right choice. Rats?"

The man on her left saluted, while the one on the right attempted to salute, but, since he had no free hand, ended up whacking his head.

She turned her head and spoke to each one in turn.

"You! Go take that bag out to the ship and lock it up tight! We don't need a resistance forming. And you! Make sure the princess is safe and sound when it's time to leave port. And don't let her out of your sight!

"Yes, MA'AM!" they shouted in unison. The Rat with Toadsworth in tow lumbered out the door, while the other walked up to Peach and planted a firm grip on her arm.

"Act natural. Make any attempt to run away, and you'll regret it," he whispered ominously. And with that, he dragged her out of the room.

When the mysterious woman was alone, she said pompously to herself, "There is no way anyone can stop us now!"