Author's Note: It has come to my attention that there is another story with the same basic idea. I also realize she has a different style than I. Who cares? As far as I'm concerned a little healthy competition never hurt anyone. Besides, both stories promise to be different and interesting all the same.

Now please enjoy then next installment of PMC.

Paper Mario Corrupted

Chapter 7: The Shadow Portal

Positioned in the Mushroom Kingdom, standing like a great black beacon of hatred stood the Kazbah, or what was once known as Peach's castle. It used to be large and white with one large central tower above and red roofing. Now it was black. The walls were black and the tower was black. The roof was dark grey.

In front of the front doors stood the shadow sirens. Beldam paced before Marilyn and Vivian impatiently.

"You fool!" Beldam yelled at Vivian. "Why did you join with that Mario!"

"It's not as bad as you think, Beldam," replied Vivian, who would have at one point would have not stood up against Beldam. He time spent with Mario was a major boost in her confidence. "Mario was originally our enemy, but now, he is our boss, along with the Shadow Queen. So, technically, I am not a traitor, I just saw the potential in him that we all now see."

"Sssshhhh! Someone's coming!" Marilyn said as she slipped into the shadows. Beldam and Vivian looked in the opposite direction and saw the faint outline of a man and a bob-omb. Beldam and Vivian followed Marilyn's actions.

"This place sure looks different," commented Luigi.

"Methinks I've been here before," stated Bobbery. "But it was a little more cheery than this dark, morbid abode."

Luigi and Bobbery slowly made there way towards the large purple double doors guarding the castle's threshold. The dirt path leading to the doors first passed through a large hedge, which they hid behind. Luigi slowly peered around the hedge expecting to see the empty path. Staring back at him was a koopa.

"AAAAAHHHHH!" Both of them yelled.

"Careful now, Luigi. You almost lit my fuse," Bobbery added, not realizing what had happened.

"Who are you?" asked the koopa.

"I'm Luigi Mario. This is Admiral Bobbery."

"What, a friend?" Bobbery wandered around to take a look at the koopa. "Ah yes. Koops I believe your name is."

"Yes. But what are you doing here? Mario isn't what he used to be."

"I know. Now he's is absolutely perfect!" Beldam came out of hiding. "And I do believe you are intruders. The Shadow King doesn't take such matters lightly."

Beldam signaled Marilyn and Vivian to grab Luigi and Bobbery and take them away.

"And I do believe you were already our prisoner. The Shadow Queen doesn't like it when her prisoners escape." Beldam grabbed Koops by the shell and dragged him – followed by Marilyn and Vivian – into the castle.

The throne was just as gloomy as the exterior, but the Shadow Royalty called it home. Mario sat in the left chair, Peach in the right, and Sharky slept on the floor next to the thrones. Mario and Peach sat peacefully as the shadow sirens barged through the throne room doors, causing Sharky to wake up.

"What do you want, Beldam?" Mario started, but then he saw his brother being escorted by Vivian. "Brother! So good to see you. I have been awaiting your arrival for quite sometime."

"How did you know I was coming?" Luigi challenged.

"Think, Luigi. You and I are basically the same person. Our brains work the same way; well, they used to."

"What drove you to such madness!" Luigi whined.

"I am afraid that can be accredited to me," said Peach, just finishing a grape. "You see, I was too powerful for your pathetic brother Mario. But now, I have turned him into the most power being in the world. He is my Shadow King."

"Gonzales, I'm getting hungry…." Sharky piped in.

"Not now, Sharky."

"But Gonzales, the green guy looks tasty!"

"Sharky, what did I tell you?" Mario scolded. He diverted his attention back to his brother. "What exactly did you hope to accomplish by coming here, Luigi? Do you think you are able to turn me back? If so, I am afraid that you are gravely mistaken. I have been taken by the shadow and can never return."

Luigi wanted to say something, but he couldn't muster up the courage to talk to his brother. He wanted to help, but he didn't know how. He wanted to scream and end this nightmare, but it never happened.

"Intruders you are," Peach began, "and we deal with intruders promptly and efficiently. Sharky, I do believe we have use of your impervious eggs."

"Yes!" cheered Sharky who instantly leapt almost five feet off the ground in sheer excitement.

"We are going to seal you three away in three separate eggs. There is where you shall stay until we deem fit," Mario outlined.

He nodded at Sharky who flicked out his tongue, shot it towards Luigi. The red pulsating tongue forked three ways and grabbed Luigi, Bobbery and Koops. Sharky swallowed them whole and laid three eggs.

"Now, was there anything else you needed to tell us?" Peach inquired, addressing the shadow sirens.

"No, your Queen," they replied in unison.

"Good, then take these three eggs to the dungeon and place them on The Shelf where they shall sit for all eternity."

The shadow sirens saluted as they grabbed an egg and disappeared into shadow when Doopliss entered the throne room.

"Yes, Doopliss, what do you want?" Mario said, annoyed at all the interruptions.

"I have made a most exciting discovery, my lord." Doopliss ran up and placed a small purple gem on the floor. "Watch this." Doopliss began an incantation and danced about the room. A shadowy haze flowed out of the gem and formed a suspended oval before the Shadow King and Queen.

"What in the Mushroom Kingdom is that?" asked Peach.

"It is a Shadow Portal," replied Doopliss, matter-of-factly. "You can use it to travel anywhere you like. Just simply state the name of your destination and step inside. You will then find yourself where you said you wanted to be."

"Shall we give it a try, my queen?" said Mario.

"Yes, we shall. Come Sharky!"

Mario and Peach linked arms and approached the portal.

"Where shall we go?" asked Peach.

"I would like to visit an old friend of mine. Portal, take us to Bowser's Castle!"

Mario, Peach and Sharky stepped inside the portal and it instantly closed behind them.