The homestretch arc has begun! Somnom Woods arc will start now! I hope Mario is ready to meet with a former teammate.
Chapter 22: A gambler in the woods, a Fated Hero returns!
"Here we are…" Luigi whispers after the gang entered the forest. "Let's get to Bedsmith now" Kyoko suggests.
They don't take much time before catching up with the Pi'illo, who is staring at a giant log. Bedsmith turned to see the heroes, "Long have I awaited you! The time for practice is over! The ideal Ultibed is through here!
Abide here." He said and got closer to the log. Bedsmith then pressed the log at certain points, which made the thing to open in half like a gate and clear the path. "Excellent! Come this way, let us finally make the Ultibed!"
The team follows him to his workshop, where once there, he asks them to hand the five Zee Parts. They handed to him by Mondo.
Bedsmith carried the parts inside his workshop then approached the gang, "It is well! This will be a long process, around two to three hours. Therefore, I must the bed in private with no interruptions! Not even a peek!" he said and then shut himself in.
The team found big tree stump and sit to rest for a bit; "What do we for the moment?" Mondo asks. "How about you tell us everything of the "Personified Nations" Mario, if that is not an inconvenience for you?" Kiyotaka wonders.
"Huh? So you finally came here I see" a female voice said, alerting the teens. From one of the trees, a gambler descended and greeted the crew.
"Celestia!" the teens shout as with every previous classmate. "What brings you here?" Makoto wonders. "Didn't I tell you I was coming to explore the woods? Honestly, Naegi, your deductive skills and your question amuse me" Celestia giggled.
"Once that clarified, allow to show you something" she said and pulled out 6 petrified and sliced in half pillows. "There are twelve in total, but I only managed to secure six since the other five were guarded by strange, purple, mole-like creatures and the remaining total it's near a strange golden pipe that emerged not long ago" Celestia explained.
"The Nommons! That aside, I thank you very much Celestia, like your friends, you have done the Pi'illo folk a service!" Dreambert smiled. "It was nothing, I found them along the way when I explored most of the forest, which I have the joy to announce that it is clear from all monsters" the gambler smiles.
The gang sans the gambler proceeded to rescue the Pi'illos.
6 Pi'illos rescued later
After the revived Pi'illos thanked the heroes for saving them, the moral compass turns to the gambler.
"Incredible! Your mastery of Meta Knight's powers allowed you to bring peace to this place!" Kiyotaka praises her. Despite being the mastermind of his murder, Celestia thanked him as she realized he has forgiven her.
Celestia then turned to Mario, "Mario, allow me to tell you that someone who knows you is right here. The plumber widened his eyes, "Who?" he asked. "You will find out soon enough" the gambler replies with a smile.
Near them, a bush begins to move, everyone gets ready to battle when from it, a pink goomba in an archeological outfit emerged. "Celestia, there you are! Where did you…" the goomba stops talking when she spots Mario and the team.
"MARIO!" the pink one yells. "Goombella?! It's been a while!" the plumber smiled. "Who is she?" Kyoko aks.
"One of the first teammates I met when I went to Roguerport" he replies. "What are you doing here?!" Goombella asks. "I could ask the same to you!" Mario playfully asked back.
"I was selected by the University of Goom to investigate the Pi'illo civilization! I got here three days ago and everything was fine until a strange music played and I fell asleep.
The next thing I know is that an academy-like building emerged from the sky. After the committee found out, they told me to stop the investigation and find refuge.
That's when I crossed paths with Celestia, who was counting the money from all the enemies in the forest. I told her what I was doing and then she told you met her recently. I told her I catch up with her after I finished my investigation; It was almost done when I fell asleep and I don't like leaving thing incomplete" Goombella told them.
"I see, it's good to see your college recognizes your efforts!" Mario chirps. "Well as for us, I'll tell you, but could you guys introduce yourselves please?" the hero requests.
"I will start! My name is Kiyotaka Ishimaru! Ultimate Moral Compass! It is a pleasure to meet you!" the red-eyes teen smiles and bows. "I'm Mondo Oowada, Ultimate Biker Gang Leader! Nice to meet ya!" the biker grins. "My name's Makoto Naegi, Ultimate Lucky Student and Ultimate Hope! The pleasure is mine" the luckster waves at her, "I'm Kyoko Kirigiri, Ultimate Detective" the girl said. "I'm Starlow, representative of the Star Sprites and advisor of this team! Hello Yello!" the sprite chuckles. "And I am Dreambert, prince of the Pi'illo folk. It's always nice to meet a researcher" the prince laughs.
"Nice to meet you!" Goombella replies. "Goombella, please take a seat, let me tell you everything that has happened" Mario says and beings to explain everything.
One summary of this adventure later
"OH MY GOSH! You guys come from another dimension and took part in a killing game!? You were murdered or executed and then revived by Palutena! You've got Smash powers!? You already know about our Nation friends?! Peach has been captured? Antasma has teamed with Junko to plow this world into Despair?! And those two have control of Bowser?!" the goomba lost her cool.
"That's right, as we speak, Bedsmith is making the Ultibed. We need it to reach the Zeekeeper and recruit him into our cause!" Taka says. Goombella takes deep breaths, "Bummer, getting you vacation and trial ruined by those two has to suck" she says and the her eyes light up.
"I can't stay here and do nothing while you risks your lives! I'm going with you!" Goombella shouts. "Come on! We already beat a demon! If we could defeat the Shadow Queen, defeating Junko and Antasma won't be as tough as that!" the goomba grins.
The team widen their eyes in shock and look at each other, "You can join us!" Makoto gives her thumbs up. "All the help we can get is welcome, plus another strategist around is always good" Kyoko smiled.
"Awesome! Those two don't' know what hit them!" Goombella smirks and joined the battle. "What about you Celestia?" Taka asks the gambler. "I wiped out every foe from this forest. And honestly I wanted to count the money I earned with my hard work but I guess that could be done at a later time. Very well, I will go with you as well, for now" she said.
Now Celestia joins the battle as well.
Suddenly, the workshop opened and Bedsmith came out with the Ultibed done. "At last we have the Ultibed! Ready to sleep on it and meet the Zeekeeper" Dreambert asks the team. They nod in response.
"You seek to meet the Zeekeeper? That cannot be done here. You must find a place where the dream power swells!" Bedsmith said. "The Pi'illo Temple! That place must be a font for dream power!" Dreambert realizes.
"Yes, the Pi'illo temple should serve well!" Bedsmith agrees. "Mario! Kiyotaka! Luigi! Mondo! Makoto! Kyoko! Celestia! Goombella!
Explore the woods… Find the Pi'illo Temple! If we use the Ultibed there and go to the Dream World... I sense we shall find the Zeekeeper!" the prince tells them.
"Many traps are said to guard the temple, including strange creatures resembling stones. The way will be hard! Bedsmith pulls for you!" the artist said.
The team nods and begins to explore the forest.
Just as Celestia said, the Somnom Woods were freed from enemies, so they explore at a slower pace the area. They walked through several electrical-poison like hazards with their Spin Jump and Side Drill.
"You weren't kidding when you said all monsters got their asses kicked! No one in sight!" Mondo whistles. Celestia responded with a giggle.
The team finally stumbled upon a giant chasm, the Central Plateau. Mario noticed a golden pipe near them and quickly used it to go and return Mushrise Park to activate it. Then, Dreambert noticed a petrified and sliced in half Pi'illo.
"A Pi'illo Master!" he exclaims, "You mean, the Pi'illos who acted as guardians to the ¨Pi'illo Temple?" Goombella asks. "Yes! Heroes! It is of uttermost priority to save them!" the prince pleads.
"Then let's get give it our hardest and save them!" Taka grins and they get to rescue the Pi'illo Master. Luigi and Mondo fall asleep on it and the rest enter the Dream World.
1 Pi'illo Master rescued later
After saving the the Pi'illo using a new Luiginary and Mondonary work that created winds with Luigi's nose and Mondo's pompadour, the heroes emerge out of the portal as the two dream fighters wake up.
The Pi'illo Master returns to his original form and thanks the gang. Mario tells him what's going on, to which the Pi'illo nods. "Then you must have this" he says and handles Kyoko a Somnom Stone.
"We Pi'illo Masters are wards… Long have we guarded the Somnom Stones, the keys to the temple. With them, the way inside should open to you! There are other five Pi'illo Masters scattered in this Plateau; You will need to save them in order to reach the temple" the Pi'illo explained.
"Celestia, you said five Pi'illos were in the hands of the Nommons, right?" Luigi asked, "Correct. They were playing with them in these areas. I tried to ask for them but suddenly strange stone-like creatures ambushed me and I decided to take them down" the gambler answered.
"I see… Then we have to find a way for the Nommons to give the Pi'illo Masters to us!" Dreambert deduced.
Meanwhile, Kyoko and Goombella got near a panel and analyzed it. "This thing to place the Somnom Stones" the detective said, "My thoughts exactly! But how does it work?" the goomba wonders.
Kyoko placed the stone on the panel and a magical path appeared alongside a path was leading to the bottom-left area. "Mystery solved" the lavender-haired girl smiles softly.
"All right, let's get going and save those Pi'illos!" Luigi grinned and the crew takes off. They explore the area and find a pair of Nommons. "Hello there…" Mario tried to talk but he was shushed by one of them.
"Suspicion! No Nom Pi'illo!" one yelled. "Gentle Nommon…" Dreambert approached them, "Suddenly another!" the other shouts.
"We seek understanding… What is Nom Pi'illo?" the prince asks. "This Nom Pi'illo!" one of the Nommons showed them a petrified and slice in half Pi'illo Master.
"Oh, OK, I get it. They call the petrified and sliced in half Pi'illos "Nom Pi'illos"." Starlow realized. "Gentle children of Somnom! Hear my plea. The whole world is about to fall to Antasma and Junko.
And to stop them, we need that…" Dreambert's is interrupted by one Nommon. "Nommon brain hurt! You really want Nom Pi'illo?" it asked.
The team nods but the other Nommon whispered something. "Nommons give Nom Pi'illo. BUT! First play with Nommons.
Nommons love play! Make big happy! Happy Nommons give Pi'illo!" the creature joyfully said.
The heroes look at each other and nod. The team is then taken to a near grid-like field where the Nommons explained them the rules of a game called Ring-a-Ding, a game where the team must cross all the rings and must avoid stomping a Nommon or go through a previously bounced square
After explaining the rules, Mario and Kiyotaka volunteered to play. They quickly went into Ball Hop move and began to traverse the field.
Three challenges that put the duo's wits to the test but they were ultimately victorious.
After the team returns, the Nommons joyfully thanked them and hand the Pi'illo. The team proceeds to rescue the victim.
1 Pi'illo Master rescued later
The Pi'illo revives and thanks the heroes for saving him; Then goes to hand another Somnom Stone to Mario.
The team returns to the panel and this time, Kyoko fixes the direction towards the bottom-right area. "Let's get going, this will be a bit tedious but peaceful thanks to Celestia" Starlow chirps.
Everyone agrees and continue their quest.
2 hours later
After saving the last Pi'illo Master. He hands them the last Somnom Stone to Luigi and gives the team a bonus for saving all of the Pi'illos in the woods.
The Pi'illo Master gave the gang a new Team Attack: Jet-Board Bash.
With all Somnom Stones collected, Kyoko finally creates a path that leads straight to the Pi'illo Temple.
The ten go up and take a elevator-like platform, finally arriving to the temple. Once they get off the platform. Dreambert explores the area and comments "Behold the Pi'illo Temple! Look, in the centre!
A hugely powerful aura emanates from there. This temple will be our gate to the Zeekeeper!"
The ten then get close to the centre and gaze upon a strange button. "What is this thing? It stands in the way where we must place the bed… Yes, the bed must go there, but…
Makoto! Can you help?" Dreambert asks the luckster. The teen nods and slams the button with his hammer.
From the pillar at the back of the temple, a giant statue came out and glared at the team.
"PI'ILLODIUM!" Dreambert gasped. "What is it?" Starlow asks, " A defence weapon created during the Pi'illo Kingdom era. It has likely protected the place since then" the prince answers.
The ten go into battle stances. "Looks serious! Mario! Kiyotaka! Luigi! Mondo! Makoto! Kyoko! Celestia! Goombella! Be careful!" the sprite pleads.
"We can take it down!" Mario grins, "Nothing more than a battle to enhance our fighting skills! Kiyotaka says with confidence. "The ten of us are unstoppable!" Luigi nods, "That's the spirit pal!" Mondo smirks. "Time to take this thing down!" Makoto readies his sword, "Destroy the wings and it's all set from there" Kyoko smiles softly. "Such an elegant statue, too bad it has to be destroyed" Celestia sighs, "Been a while since we fought together Mario!" Goombella takes her tattle log out.
"Scanning foes' potential… Chance of my victory: 120%!"
Celestia seems to lose her etiquette and performed a Drill Rush towards Pi'illodium, damaging the left wing. Goombella looked on her tattle log and analyzed the enemy, "Guys! It says here that strong effective one-hit may be able to incapacitate Pi'illodium!" she yelled.
"How does your book analyze an enemy we just encountered?" Kyoko asked with genuine surprise, "Let her tell you later, that thing is preparing to attack!" Luigi yelps as the gang is chased by Pi'illodium.
The weapon fired several missiles to at the heroes, but they were quick enough to dodge them with jumps. Pi'illodium then turned into a hammer and its eyes glowed lavender. Kyoko catches this and readies her hammer. The statue hoped to squash the Ultimate detective but that hope is crushed by despair when Kyoko parried the attack.
Unknown to the statue, Mario and Mondo prepared their Slingsniper with Mondo being fired towards Pi'illodium and damaging its other wing.
Pi'illodium flipped its head that showed a depressed face, "Cue beg mode" it said.
"And it called itself the winner? Pathetic!" Celestia chuckled. This situation gave Taka and idea and he alongside Luigi used the other team attack, Jet-Board Bash.
Luigi pulls a skateboard out and boards it while lying down on is belly. Kiyotaka then hops on top of it, and he starts the engine.. Luigi begins to accelerate the skateboard until the engine's flames turn blue. The moral compass then readies his hammer and delivers a strong whack to Pi'illodium, cracking its head a bit.
Pi'illodium then floated in the air as a ticking sound is heard. "Self-destruct mode activate! Taking the intruders out in forty seconds!" the weapon said.
"What do we do!? Starlow panics but then Celestia glowed the aura. "Leave this one to me" she calmly said and got near Pi'illodium to unleash her Final Smash: Darkness Illusion.
Celestia donned two pair of wings, lifts her sword, yells "Behold!" and summons a lightning bolt that creates a cross-shaped burst. She then proceeds to slice the opponent at multiple angles. The gambler wins the fight with a side strike that sent the statue to a tree.
Pi'illodium explodes in a burst of stars and drops 1550 coins.
The heroes celebrate as Starlow comments the way is now clear. Mario and Goombella then proceed to place the Ultibed.
"We must bring back the Zeekeeper from the Dream World! Are you ready, heroes?" Dreambert asked. The fighters nod.
With that, Dreambert turned into pillows, Luigi and Mondo fall asleep after hopping on the Ultibed, a portal opens and the rest jump into it.
Now with the team going to the Dream World, the fate of this world becomes unclear if it will end with Hope or Despair…
Chapter 22: END
Current Party: Mario, Kiyotaka, Luigi, Mondo, Makoto, Kyoko, Starlow, Dreambert, Celestia, Goombella
Let's reply the recent review.
Megan Romero: With the Ultimate Gambler on the team, the Zeekeeper's greed may pale.
Celestia joined the battle! But her "cleansing" left no enemy for the team to take down.
Goombella has returned and joined the team! I didn't want the characters from the Thousand-Year Door be forgotten in this saga.
They've entered the Dream World and search for the Zeekeeper next week!
