The platform continued to raise the group higher and higher into the sky, until they finally arrived at their destination. It was some sort of temple.
"Is this heaven?" Glimmer asked.
"I dont think so." Hope said.
"Hello...and welcome to Shangri-Spa...resort and spa." a white, angel-like Toad said.
"A resort? No wonder it looks so fancy." Sectonia said.
They went to the front desk to meet with the Toad at reception.
"On behalf of all the staff here, I would like to personally say it is an honor to have such esteemed guests such as Mario, Litmus and the Hero Alliance here at Shangri-Spa." the receptionist said. "We're a place for you to rest, reflect, and be renewed through the power of hot springs."
"Hot Springs?!" Pit and Noelle asked in two different tones, Pit jovially and Noelle flustered.
"Yes...we have many hot springs for you all to relax and rejuvenate yourselves in. We hope you all enjoy your stay. Oh!" the Toad said handing them a map. "If you manage to visit all four spring locations, please be sure to turn this completed card in for an all exclusive treatment."
"Fancy." Olivia said as they went down the path and saw the first spring. "Yes!" she said diving in along with Pit and Mario.
"Heh. Pit never changes." Hope said.
"These springs are not co-ed, are they?" Himeno asked.
"Doesn't look like it. We've come to a place of dreams." Mineta said. "Wait for me, girls." he said before being hit by a broom.
"Bah...annoying rats. Huh...oh so some goody goody heroes are here." said a familiar Magikoopa.
"Whoa...Kamek." Rainbow said.
"What happened to you guys after Peach's Castle was lifted?" Marco asked.
"Well...our great Lord Bowser got us together and we attempted to take down that know it all Olly. However...our engines were shot down and we crashed into Shangri-Spa. Now me and the rest of the minions are working off the debt we owe for damages." Kamek said.
"And Bowser?" Jexi asked.
"He's still a prisoner inside his own castle along with that stupid green streamer." Kamek said.
"So the end of the Green Streamer is inside Bowser's Castle, huh?" Bow asked, getting a scope of the situation, as he saw a quartet of unique folded soldiers guarding the entrance. "Looks like there's some guys guarding the entrance. Shouldn't be a problem though."
"Bow, if there's one thing we've learned in our travels, it's that it is never as easy as it looks." Mark said.
"Yeah, we've been traveling across lands like this once or twice, and the hardest part about Bowser's Castle is usually getting there." David said.
"And the truckloads of enemies inside." Sectonia said.
"Wait...in the distance...could that be…" Kamek said seeing a small clown car with a small Koopa riding in it. "Yes! It's the young master Bowser Jr.!"
"I'm comin' for ya, dad!" Bowser Jr. called, charging the castle.
However, as he got closer, an elderly gentleman jumped from the castle with two different blades as he dashed around the young boy before landing back on the castle, revealing the young master had been cut into multiple pieces.
"NOOOO!" Kamek screamed.
"Did you see that?! That old guy cut Bowser Jr. to ribbons so fast I could barely see it!" Scorpia said.
"I could. And man… That was brutal." David said.
"He was just a kid… and the guy did that to him without hesitation." Scarlet said, horrified.
"I know what you mean. A sight like that always makes me sick to my stomach." David said. "But I don't think he's completely gone just yet."
"You better hope he's not!" Kamek said, quickly taping Bowser Jr. together. "We need to get the young master healed up."
"I know just the cure...the hot springs!" Pit said.
'Is this REALLY the time to go for another soak?" Noelle asked.
"No, Pit's actually got the right idea. Hot springs are said to have healing and therapeutic properties. Maybe it could still work in this case." Leopardmon said.
"Ugh...a bath? Really?" Bowser Jr. groaned.
"Suck it up, young master." Kamek said as they put him into a hot spring.
"Well? How are you feeling?" Arctozolt asked.
"Hmm...looks like the cuts have healed but he's still not in his prime." Kamek said. "We'll need to take him to more hot springs."
And so they went all over and soaked Bowser Jr. in multiple springs. But by the end…
"Well...now I feel better, right?" Bowser Jr. said now not as wrinkled but completely white.
"Not quite. He seems devoid of color. Angie, do you think you can restore his visage?" Mayumi asked.
"I shall try." Angie said.
Angie went about painting in Bowser Jr. as best she could.
"There...one Bowser Jr. All restored and healthy." Angie said. "Atua has blessed him."
"Feeling better now?" Himiko asked.
"Hahaha! Yeah! I feel like I could take on multiple enemies now!" Bowser Jr. said.
"See, Kamek? Nothing to worry about." David said.
"Yes...that solves one problem but I think you all forget our other problem." Kamek said referring to the Sumo Bro guarding the entrance.
"Actually, I don't think he's much to worry about at all. We can take him." David said.
They went right at the gate as they attacked the Sumo Bros head on before knocking it right off its cloud as it fell from the clouds into the sea below.
"Wow...easier than I thought." Jexi said.
"Right then. Attention all minions! The time for servitude is over! Now...we reclaim...our castle!" Kamek called out as the minions went charging right into the castle.
"Let's go. My guess is the guy with the twin swords is the guardian of the final streamer. We'll have to defeat him if we want to press on." David said.
They followed the minions right into the castle as they forced their way through until they found the Green Streamer and a captive Bowser.
"Finally...I knew you'd...wait...Mario? Oh come on!" Bowser said.
"Sorry, man. But we're the best you've got. Now hold still while get you down from there." Magnamon said.
"Huh? Magnamon, look out! Above you!" Mayumi said.
Magnamon heeded Mayumi's warning as the individual from before dashed into view, the Royal Knight evading as he sliced the stairs apart as he landed near the throne.
"Hmpf… well dodged." he said. "Not many are able to avoid my quick scissor slash." he said.
"Oh, really. And who are you?" David asked.
"I am Scissors. You can consider me the leader of the Legion of Stationary." he said.
"That explains the...um...is it okay if I say decorum?" David asked. "Th-that doesn't matter now. You know why we're here."
"You want to destroy the last streamer...thing is...I don't plan on letting such flimsy opponents near it. After all, in a paper world, I am the superior." Scissors said.
"Is that right?" Litmus asked. "You clearly don't understand the power that lies behind paper."
"And FYI, we're clearly not paper here. So how about taking us on and seeing if it makes a difference?" David said.
"Hmm...I think….no." Scissors said dashing across the platform, cutting it apart, stranding himself and Litmus on a single stage. "You...I was given specific instructions from Olly to end you were you ever to interfere."
"Is that right?" Litmus said. "Fine...but...you'll have to earn it." he said, taking out some paper.
The two of them engaged in a standoff, the air blowing around them.
"Let's get this straight: I WILL annihilate you. But I would…" Scissors said as something dashed past his cheek, revealed to be an origami dagger.
"I understand...you're those people who like to take their time with their victims. Suffice to say...I'm someone who prefers to get right to the point." Litmus said.
"I see. Very well, Then. Far be it from me to turn down a direct challenge." Scissors said as more paper daggers were thrown his way, as he sliced them up with his swords. "Come! My blades hunger for the taste of blood and paper!"
"Fine...you will leave disappointed." Litmus said as he started folding his paper into a japanese katana.
"Hahaha!" Scissors said.
"Ultimate Color Fighting Sacred Art!" Litmus said as he jumped at the old man before performing multiple slashes. "Dance of the Origami Crane!" he said before landing as the old man collapsed with his swords breaking.
"No… how could I have been defeated by the one thing I could cut so easily…?" Scissors asked.
"Simple...you underestimated the true power of paper." Litmus said.
As Scissors fell unconscious, everyone stared in awe at Litmus.
"Bet you wish you hadn't picked a fight with him now, huh Eddy?" Zephyr asked.
"I'd snark back, but you're right." Eddy admitted. "Color Fighting is crazy, makes anything seem awesome..."
"You can get to that Level too, Scarlet." Hope said. "Take it from us. There's no limit to how far you can go with your Nerve Style."
"Kind of you to say Hope, but uh… it's gonna take a while to get to that." Scarlet said.
"Don't underestimate yourself. You've got what it takes to advance a lot quicker than you know." Hope said. "The key is to believe that you can do it."
"Now…" Litmus said as he carved through the green streamer holder as the streamer in question fell apart. "Now nothing stands in my way between me and you. I'm coming...Olly."
"Anyone want to remind this guy he's not the only person that has a personal stake in this?" Mayumi asked.
"My only interest is in Olly. The quarrel with the Fan user is not mine." Litmus said.
"Forgive me for this, Olivia." Mayumi said as she walked up to Litmus and slugged him.
"Ow, what was that for?!" Litmus asked.
"To remind you that it's not just about you here. Remember, we caught up in this mess because YOU invited us. So, like it or not, we're seeing this through to the end together." Mayumi said. "All of us."
"Invitation? What are you talking about?" Litmus asked.
"The Origami Festival. Don't tell me you forgot." Mayumi said.
"I remember the festival but...we've never been that close and only met once. I never sent an invitation." Litmus said.
"What are you talking about? We got it right here!" Mark said, pulling out said invitation.
"This...is not my handwriting." Litmus said. "Olly...did you...try and lure them here?" he pondered. "No...he wouldn't be able to hold a pen or pencil. Could that woman possibly have…"
"Uh...hate to disturb drama theater over there but...could one of you get me down already?" Bowser shouted.
Mayumi walks over and begins to remove Bowser. "Sorry. Looks like you're still flat."
"Tell me something I don't know. Now then...it's about time we got ready." Bowser said as he led them to the armory where a large battleship was waiting in the docks.
"Yeah...hang on, Olly...we're coming for you." Hope said.