(A/N: Look, I'm not dead!! And this story is being continued!! Amazing, ne?

You may wonder what motivated me to continue it... well, I'll tell you.

A few months ago, I went to Japan as an exchange student, and wasn't able to bring any of my video game systems. However, I was able to buy a few there, and the very first game I bought was Paper Mario. So I've been playing it like crazy again. While I was in Japan, I wrote these two chapters. They're not as good, and I don't really remember where I was going with the story, but I did write out an outline about what will happen, from start to finish, so I shouldn't lose my focus again.

Last month, though, I got my hands on Paper Mario 2 for the Gamecube, and this has just strengthened my resolve to finish it... and maybe I'll write a story about that game, too, but I'll wait until I finish it. (I'm kind of stuck in chapter 6 right now.))

Chapter 8: The Second Star

The Shy Squad all fled to the mansion, despite the fact that it looked so creepy.

Or, rather, they ran right past the mansion, to the light of Gusty Gulch, much to General Guy's dismay.

"HEY!!" he roared at them. "STOP!! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO...Darn it!" He chased after the Shy Guys.

The gate leading to Gusty Gulch suddenly snapped shut, right before the Shy Squad was able to run through it. They crashed into the fence and fell into a pile.

"AHH! It's HAUNTED!!" Some of them, the conscious ones, began to scream and freak out.

General Guy stopped and hid his face in his hands. "You guys are a disgrace to the army," he muttered.

"What possessed you to make an army out of Shy Guys anyway?" Cloner asked. General Guy didn't answer.

"Do they know we're coming?" Dupliana asked Peach.

"No," Peach answered. "I hope they're all right..."

The entered the mansion, though General Guy decided to stay outside with his squad, just in case.

"Look!" Luigi gasped. "The chandelier..."

"OH NO! Bad guys have entered!" Wario yelped. "AAH!"

"What the... Wario?!" Luigi exclaimed. "What in the world are you doing here?!"

"Um, um, visiting...?"

Bow suddenly appeared in front of Peach. "Your highness!" she said, "I'm so glad you're here! This place just got attacked by a giant carrot, you don't suppose that has anything to do with..."

"A carrot!" Twink exclaimed. "It must be one of the Evil Star's henchmen!"

"What, they recruit vegetables?" Bow asked, sounding cross.

"Apparently so," Peach answered. "Your ladyship, there is a Star Spirit somewhere in the forest! We came to ask you to help us find it."

"That so? Well, I'd love to help, but we need to protect this place. After having these two idiots mess up things in the mansion, the last thing we need is for this group of living vegetables completely take over the place," she sighed. "This isn't a place for the living, after all. And if they gain control of it, no telling what they'll try next."

"Do you think you could send any Boos to help us? I'd assume you know this forest pretty well," Luigi added.

"Well... Hmm. Hey, everyone," Bow looked around, and, seeing that there wasn't a soul in sight, shouted, "HEY! TURN VISIBLE!!" The Boos quickly did so. "Any volunteers willing to help them find the Star Spirit?!"

Musty thought it over. I really want to help protect the mansion, he thought, But I know the forest better than anyone here! "I'll go," he offered. "Is that OK, your ladyship?"

"Fine with me," she answered. "Anyone else?"

"I don't think anyone else would be needed," Igor spoke up. "Musty has lived out here for... I dunno how many years, but it's been a long time. He knows the Forever Forest better than anyone."

"Hmm, you're right," Bow agreed. "Everyone else, help protect this place! Oh, but you two should leave," she said a little gruffly to Wario and Waluigi.

"And why should we?!" Waluigi asked defiantly.

"Because I wouldn't be surprised if that carrot decides to make your castle his hideout."

"SHE'S RIGHT!! No one's there!! And we left the door unlocked!" Wario freaked out and ran, Waluigi right behind him.

"Whew, I'm glad they're gone," Bow sighed with relief.

"Where do they live?" Peach asked.

"Tubba's fortress."

"Wario and Waluigi live in North Mushlandia now. Just peachy," Luigi muttered. "Well, I suppose we ought to go and find that Star Spirit!"

Twink tried contacting Misstar again. We're coming! he assured her. Just hang on! And watch for an evil carrot!

I... will... came the faint response. You... strong.

Twink smiled a little. "Come on, let's go! Misstar's waiting!"

"Good luck," Lady Bow told her departing friends, "And keep an eye out for that carrot."

"So... how do we go about this?" Luigi asked as they re-entered the forest. "Wait, where's General Guy?"

"Here," General Guy muttered from one corner of the house. The Shy Squad was in the corner, trembling. "What're we doing now?"

"This Boo is going to help us find the Star Spirit in the forest," Peach explained. "Then we'll go back to Toad Town."

"Hear that, troops? We're on our way back to Toad Town! So get out of that corner and come on!"

One by one, the Shy Squad emerged and joined General Guy. Soon, they all left for the forest, searching for Misstar.

"Now what are we doing?!" a turnip asked Carroboscis. "Don't tell me we're lost again!"

Carroboscis wouldn't answer. They'd taken a short walk around the Forever Forest with the intent of going back to the mansion, but, of course, had gotten lost. Again.

"We're lost. See? He won't answer, so that means we're lost," a pumpkin concluded.

The forest was unusually dark, so night must have fallen. Either that or they were so deeply into it that the sun couldn't shine through. Carroboscis knew that he'd probably lost some of his army here in the forest, but that was fine. Most were with him, anyway.

After two or three hours of traveling, he finally spotted light up ahead. Thinking it was probably Gusty Gulch, he went ahead and directed his army toward it.

The light, however, ended up being something better than Gusty Gulch. Something much, much better.

Toad Town!

"Hey, we made it to a... a town full of mushrooms!" a pumpkin observed. "What should we do, boss?"

"Oh, I know what we ought to do," he grinned. "Let's teach them a little lesson about respect for vegetables!"

"Hmm..." Mario was looking over maps of Mushlandia. "This is rather tough."

"No kidding," Pararera agreed, "Since we have no clue as to where the stars landed..."

"There were reports of a shooting star near here, and in Flower Fields," Mario pointed to it on the map, "and in a few different places in South Mushlandia, I haven't heard the details yet."

"There was one in the Shiver Region, too," Pararera added. "I didn't see it, but I heard it from some of the Duplighosts."

"Well, if they find the Star Spirit in the Forever Forest, we should comb this area next and then move on to the Shiver Region and Flower Fields," Mario suggested. "In fact, I should probably go ahead and call Lakilester right now to tell him to organize a search party over there. Hold on a minute." Mario rushed to use one of the many phones in the castle.

Pararera stopped studying the maps, looking around the room. It was very nicely decorated, but he still ached to go back to the Crystal Palace. I can't believe I've been brought down to this, he thought in shame, Working with Mario to help him save the world... How low can you go?!

Pararera well remembered his first run-in with Mario. Pararera had been a faithful underling of King Bowser for many years, and Bowser had finally given him a big assignment: protect the Star Spirit Kalmar from Mario at all costs. It took Mario a while to find him, but he finally singled him out for a battle... well, him and eight others, and won. Easily. Bowser had been so mad at Pararera that he had refused to ever talk to him again. Pararera was quite embarrassed, but didn't let it get to him. He still had the Crystal Palace in his command, after all.

But now, that palace had been taken from him. He wanted it back, regardless of the sacrifices involved. If he had to work with Mario, so be it. Anything to get his home back.

However, he wasn't sure if Mario or the Star Spirits held any resentment against him... they didn't seem to, but, you never know.

Mario came back. "Well, Lakilester promised he'd do what he can to find the Star Spirit," he said. "Let's continue planning."

Mario had just sat down when a mushroom person suddenly burst in. "Sorry to bother you, sirs," he said, "But an evil carrot has just been sighted by the entrance to the Forever Forest!!"

"Evil carrot?!" Pararera exclaimed. "Not another evil veggie..."

"It must be one of Wart's henchmen!" Mario exclaimed. "Come on, we need to prepare for a fight!"

"I'll call the Duplighosts."

People fled into their houses when they saw Carroboscis and his army coming. A few Duplighosts, feeling brave, copied the looks of some of the turnips and pumpkins and followed them. Outside Peach's castle, Pararera, Mario, the rest of the Duplighosts, and others were waiting.

"Well, well, we meet at last," Carroboscis grinned when he saw Mario. "Outta the way, Tubby. This is our castle now!"

"No," Pararera said simply. "You're not taking over this place."

"I can call my friend Betrayar if you're not being cooperative.

"You heard him, he said no!" Mario pressed.

"This is your last chance," Carroboscis just about hissed. "Give over the castle, or you might not live to regret it!"

"No!" Mario, Pararera, and the others held their ground.

"Fine then. It's your choice." Carroboscis closed his eyes and bowed his head, saying his wish aloud. "I wish that North Mushlandia was mine to rule, and that Mario and anyone on his side were banished from here – forever!"

Just as Carroboscis finished his wish, the black star appeared. "Wow, ya know, that's one o' the best wishes I'd heard yet!" Deceptar exclaimed.

"Well, well, we meet again," Pararera said coolly. "Having fun with the Crystal Palace?"

"Oh yeah, it's beautiful. Too bad you an' yer friends messed it up so bad!"

"The only one messing anything up is you."

"Nuh-uh, we're fixin' everything!" Deceptar grinned, and formed the forcefield around himself. "So, are ya gonna go peacefully, or d'we gotta do some convincing like last time?!"

Pararera summoned his crystal bits. "We're not going without a fight!" He flung all three of them – not at Deceptar or Carroboscis, but at a turnip at Carroboscis' side. The turnip let out a cry and shrunk, turning into a normal turnip.

"Attack!" Carroboscis exclaimed.

The Duplighosts took advantage of that, each of them copying either a turnip, pumpkin, Deceptar, or Carroboscis. Before long, everyone in the area around Peach's castle was engaged in a huge, confusing melee!

Everyone but the real Carroboscis, Deceptar, Mario, and Pararera fought. "Well, gotta hand this ta ya," Deceptar said to the Crystal King, "Those Duplighosts o' yers are more th'n willin' to put up a fight."

"That's because they have a sense of heroism," Pararera said coldly. "Unlike you."

"That so?" Carroboscis grinned. He locked eyes with Pararera, and his eyes began to glow a weird yellow color. Pararera suddenly felt sick, realizing that the carrot was trying to hypnotize him. He snapped his eyes shut, and the sensation stopped.

"Whoah," Carroboscis said, amazed, "You're strong. No wonder you're a 'king'. But you're no match for us."

"That's right!" With one sweep of a pointy black arm, Deceptar froze all those fighting, whether they were turnip, pumpkin, or Duplighost. "Now ta grant yer wish, Carroboscis."

Deceptar looked up at the sky and made the wish. Instantly, a massive bolt of lightning rained down on the area, hitting both Mario and Pararera. The two of them were flung to who knows where...

In the Forever Forest, Twink suddenly stiffened. "What's wrong?" Peach asked, concerned.

"I don't know... nothing, probably," he said quickly. "I think Misstar's really close, though!"

"What does she look like?" General Guy asked.

"She's all pink, a star of course, and she has a yellow shawl that she wears all the time."

"Ok, keep a look out for her, then," Musty commanded. "Can you ask her if there are any certain identifying marks of the area she's in?"

"I'll try," Twink responded. He shut his eyes tight, trying to use all of his strength to focus.

Where are you? he asked her. Tell us some things that might help us identify. We have someone with us who knows the area really well!

It took a few moments for a response to come, but it was clearer than ever. ...Big tree... weird red face. It scares me...

"She said there's a big tree with a weird red face," Twink told Musty. "Know of anything like that?"

"Yes, I do," Musty answered. "We're right by it! This way!"

Musty led them to a clearing, where there was indeed a large tree with a creepy red face. The eyes watched them, though it seemed as though the mouth couldn't make any noise. General Guy shuddered and the Shy Squad stood stock-still. "Creepy..."

"Misstar?" Peach asked aloud. "I don't see her..."

"We need to look!" Twink said. He started looking in the bushes around the area.

"Well it's about time you showed up!" a familiar, soft voice said to him.

"Misstar!" he gasped. Her shawl had snagged on a tree, and she was tangled in it. Twink helped to free her. "Hey, everyone!" he shouted, "I found her!!"

"Are you all right?" Peach asked the star, noticing that she looked a bit beaten up.

"Oh, I'm fine," Misstar assured her. "A little tired, but that's all."

"What happened to you after we got kicked out of Star Haven?" Twink asked.

"Well, I landed here." She sighed. "I remembered Skolar's stories of this place... I thought it couldn't possibly be as bad as he said, but I was wrong. I was too weak to return to the sky, and quickly got lost here. Before long, that tree seemed to actually reach out and grab me, and I couldn't get away. I thought I was a goner until I felt you try to contact me, Twink."

"Well, we've rescued two stars now," Luigi said. "Musty, can you lead us back to Toad Town?"

"Sure can."

They all returned to Toad Town, and Musty left back to the mansion. In Toad Town, though, not all was right...

"It's too quiet," Peach looked concerned. "Where are the Duplighosts?"

"Maybe Mario called them into the castle for a meeting?" Luigi suggested. "What's weird is that there's not a single mushroom person around..."

"Intruders!!" a pumpkin yelped at seeing them. "Do you have a written pass from Carroboscis?!"

"From... who?" Luigi asked, confused.

"Excuse me, this is my town, I'm allowed to come and go as I please," Peach told the pumpkin.

"This is Carrboscis' town," the pumpkin corrected. "Intruders must leave!"

Cloner had turned into the pumpkin. "No, no, he said they didn't need that anymore!"

"What?" the pumpkin asked, surprised. "He changed his mind...?"

"Yup."

"Well, in that case, OK..." The pumpkin let them pass.

They all but ran to Peach's castle. "Great," she muttered, "While we were gone, it looks like some evil veggie took over Toad Town..."

"What the heck happened here?" Dupliana and Cloner looked around in horror. "Everyone's..."

"Frozen," Cloner finished Dupliana's sentence in a sad tone, looking at a fellow Duplighost frozen in ice.

"Must be that evil veggie's fault," Toad grumbled.

"Not just any evil veggie, an evil, intelligent veggie." Carroboscis and Deceptar were waiting for them outside Peach's castle.

"YOU!!" General Guy exclaimed when he saw Deceptar, "You're the one who took over the toy box, aren't you?! Why, I oughtta..."

"A Shy Guy wit' an anger management problem, who woulda thought that was possible?!" Deceptar laughed. "How are ya, General? Still teamed up wit' dat group o' cowards?"

"Yes, if you must know," the general muttered.

"What do you want?" Peach asked. "Where's Mario and Pararera?!"

"Dunno," Deceptar answered, "But they ain't here, that's fer sure."

"What did you do with them?!" Dupliana demanded.

"Banished 'em. Like I'm gonna do to you." Deceptar made the wish, and... they disappeared in the same fashion that Mario, Pararera, and the Duplighosts did.

"Wait!!" Carroboscis exclaimed, "You idiot! There were two stars with them!"

"There... was?"

"Yes! You just banished them, too!"

"Oh, DARNIT, I didn't take a close look. Wuz too busy thinkin' o' other things," Deceptar muttered.

"Take a closer look next time!"

"Well, think I'll go back up ta Star Haven," Deceptar said, "I think Betrayar had a job fer me in South Mushlandia. See ya later, dun hesitate ta call again!"

Carroboscis set up headquarters in Peach's Castle, then decided to make another wish: a map of the Forever Forest complete with the location of the Boo mansion. In addition to that, a GPS. Carroboscis' wish was granted, and he set off to try to find the Boo mansion... again.