Chapter Twenty Five: Shadow Puppet Part Nine: Beanstar

"Trespassing?" Lucinda asked.

"Yes, trespassing." Count Bleck said, laughing once again. "This is a sacred place made for only those with pure hearts to enter."

"We're here to help stop Cackletta and Shrubella." Coco said, struggling to stand up, but the magic blast that struck her earlier was weakening her to the point where it was a struggle to stand. She eventually succeeded, facing Count Bleck, who hovered down to face them on ground level.

"Cackletta AND Shrubella?" Count Bleck asked, thinking. "You must be pretty stupid to think I'll believe that!"

"I-it's true!" Luma said, floating up, unaffected by the magic. "Th-they took Mama and they're gonna destroy the kingdoms."

"You are unaffected by my magic." Count Bleck said, amused. "Interesting. It must be because of your purity of heart."

"M-Mama always said I had a Pure Heart." Luma said, shaking.

"Hmm." Count Bleck said, thinking. "Mama, huh? Would she happen to be Rosalina?"

"Th-that's Mama." Luma said. "This s-scary purple lady b-beat her up and t-took her."

"Scary purple lady?" Count Bleck asked. "Do you mean Shrubella?"

"Y-yes." Luma said, nodding.

"Interesting." Count Bleck said. He then turned to Coco.

"You are very interesting as well." He said. "I can sense the power of the Crystal Stars inside of you. You are a powerful woman indeed. Your heart is almost completely pure."

"I've been told." Coco said.

"You" Count Bleck said, turning to Grey. "You don't have as pure a heart, but you do have a good heart."

"But" Count Bleck said, turning to Lucinda. "You have a corrupted heart. Your heart is fully conformed to the darkness."

"What?" Lucinda asked, horrified. "B-but how?"

"You seem to be the vessel for the dark magic of Sirena." Count Bleck observed. "But, I also sense that you are a chosen of the Light Star. I am surprised your soul is not destroyed."

"I don't know how it happened either." Lucinda said. "I thought she was gone."

"There is a way to restore your good nature." Count Bleck said. "But, it will require some time. Come with me."

Count Bleck raised his staff, a glow coming from the diamond. The magic that weakened them dissipated, allowing them to stand. Count Bleck also snapped his fingers, opening a hole in the side of the cave. He walked inside, motioning for the others to follow him.

They did so, amazed as Count Bleck led them to a room with a thick yellow Star with a face on it.

"The Beanstar." Lucinda whispered.

"Yes." A woman's voice said as the owner of it appeared. "This is the Beanstar."

The woman was about as tall as Lucinda and had blue skin and pink hair, which was tied in a bun. She wore a white blouse that was jagged on the bottom. She had on black pants and white shoes. She wore red glasses that hid her eyes completely from view.

"Mimi." She said to Count Bleck. "what have I told you about shifting into the boss?"

"You're no fun, Nastasia!" 'Count Bleck' whined, 'his' voice taking on that of a girl's. 'He' sighed, snapping 'his' fingers.

'He' shifted into the form of a green skinned girl with rosy cheeks. She wore a yellow dress that had a pocket on the front and white spots all over it. She wore no shoes, being barefoot and had bare arms as well. She had a large red bow on the dress in the location where a bow tie would be on a suit. Her hair was green and she had black eyes (color, not injury).

"Hiya!" she—Mimi—said, waving at the four adventurers. "I'm Mimi."

"H-hi Mimi." Luma said, waving his right point as an arm. "I'm Luma."

"I'm Coco." Coco said, putting a hand over her chest.

"I am Grey." Grey said, pointing towards himself.

"And, I'm Lucinda." Lucinda said, grinning as she pointed at herself.

"Lucinda? Coco?" Nastasia asked, thinking. "Don't I know you from somewhere? What are your last names?"

"Koopa." Coco and Lucinda said in unison.

"Koopa?" Nastasia said, thinking. "As in Bowser?"

"Yeah." Lucinda said. "He's our dad."

"How funny.' Nastasia said, chuckling. "Our boss performed your parents' wedding."

"Huh." Coco said, thinking. "They never talked about it much."

"Odd." Nastasia said. "It was such an important moment in their lives. But, aside from that, why are you here?"

"We need to ask the Beanstar how to find the Light Star." Lucinda said. "So we can stop Cackletta and Shrubella."

"Ah yes.' Nastasia said, growling slightly, clenching a fist. "Those two. Well, the Beanstar is right here, so ask away."

"Right." Lucinda said, walking up to the Beanstar. She touched it out of curiosity. The Star reacted, yawning and looked at Lucinda. It rose into the air and began speaking.

"What is your wish, young lady?" He asked, smiling.

"Tell us where the Light Star is please." Lucinda said, clasping her hands together.

"I cannot." The Beanstar said, shaking his body back and forth. "The location of the Light Star is not for mortals to know."

"Then how will we use it to stop Cackletta and Shrubella?" Lucinda asked.

"I cannot tell you" the Beanstar said. "But, I can show you where it is."

The Beanstar glowed for a minute, a portal opening near him. Nothing could be seen through the portal, but there could be felt a strong presence of light magic.

"Is the Light Star in there?" Lucinda asked, pointing into the portal.

"Yes it is." The Beanstar said, moving his body as if nodding. "However, only one chosen by the Light Star may enter this portal."

"That would mean you, Lucinda." Coco said. "You're the Light Star chosen."

"Yes." The Beanstar said, nodding. "You are the one that the Light Star has chosen to be the vessel of its power."

"Vessel?" Lucinda asked. "What does that mean? (A/N: Lucinda knows what 'vessel' means. What she does not know is how that will affect her.)"

"You will know soon enough." The Beanstar said, shaking. "Enter through the portal to see it."

"Right." Lucinda said, stepping over to the portal. She turned back to look at her friends and sister.

"I'll see you guys later." She said. "I'll get the Light Star's help."

Lucinda walked into the portal, disappearing. Coco, Luma, and Grey watched her, waving.

"Guys." Mimi said, looking toward the entrance to the cave. "We have a problem."

"What?" Coco asked.

"Cackletta and Shrubella are attacking the Beanbean Kingdom!" Mimi shouted, panicking. "I just sensed it!"

So, they found the Light Star. But, what will happen to Lucinda? And can Coco, Grey, and Luma help stop Cackletta and Shrubella? And, where's Sirena in all of this? Find out soon.