After leaving the cupcake house, the superstar trio were wondering where to go next. Toad spotted an entrance not too far from the cupcake house.
Toad: Hey guys, check this out!
He beckoned the others to come take a look at the entrance. It looked to lead to another village, but said village looked even darker than Bob Omb Village. Yoshi and Toad trembled at the ominous presence they felt from the village. They felt chills flowing down their spine. Mario also felt uneasy about it, but he knew there had to be something of importance there. But he didn't wanna put his friends in danger. After all, he remembered leaving behind Yoshi when he went to Big Boo's Haunt.
Mario: You know guys, maybe it's best I handle this one alone.
Yoshi: Y-Yeah… Good idea.
And so, Mario walked in the village… alone…
Dusky Doomed Dale
Dusky Doomed Dale was a village just next to Bob Omb Village. And it was in even worse shape than it's neighbor. The whole village was cast in a never ending twilight and was cursed by an evil wizard who plans to destroy the village. Though he was hidden somewhere, so it was hard to track him. The inhabitants of this village were toads.
Mario showed up next to the mountains of the desolate village. He was shivering in fear of getting cursed, but wastes no time in looking for whatever stars lie here.
Star #1: Rival a Reflection
Mario: Alright… stay calm, Mario. Okay, let's-a check these mountains first.
He scales up a mountain and follows a path that leads straight to a mine entrance. There was a toad standing next to the mine who grinned the moment he saw Mario. He seemed rather strange.
'Toad': Hey, adventurer, this mine is totally safe. Go on ahead and take a deep look into the mirror. Nothing dangerous is gonna happen. You'll love it! Ehehehehe!
Mario gave him a pondered look. He knew this Toad was very suspicious. Plus that laugh he did sounded very familiar to him.
Mario: (*sarcastic* Okay, weirdo. You're not creepy or suspicious at all.)
He decided to walk in the mine anyway since there's probably a star in there. The 'toad' watched him walk in. Once he was gone, he put on a sinister grin and transformed into a boo.
Boo: What a fool! He fell straight into our trap! Ehehehehe!
Inside the dark mine, Mario walked through the interior and slid down into a large room with a huge glass mirror on the wall stretching throughout the room. Mario instantly grew déjà vu from this.
Mario: Why does this situation seem so familiar? Whatever. I might as well just stare at the mirror like that weird toad said. Because I need that star!
Mario set his gaze upon the mirror, then he noticed his reflection get taller and thinner, it's clothes turned green, and the M turned into a backwards L.
Mario: LUIGI!? Wait a sec…
Mario remembered now that this exact same scenario happened back in Big Boo's Haunt. He then grew feelings of dread because he knew what was going to happen next. Just as he did, a large purple boo with a crown appeared next to his reflection. He was only seen in the mirror.
Mario: King Boo?
King Dark Boo: Wrongamundo pal. I am King DARK Boo, and you just fell straight into my trap! We dark boos aren't as shy or idiotic as our distant white cousins, so don't take us as a joke! We're the REAL spookiest of all spirits! Our master ordered us to destroy you, and we shall not hesitate to do so. Dark Boos, ATTACK!
King Dark Boo disappeared. Five of his Dark Boo brethren appeared in the reflection and began to head towards Mario. Looking directly at the boos did not work since like King Dark Boo said, they're not as shy as their white cousins. Plus, unlike King Boo, Mario couldn't see their shadows on the floor, so he had to use the mirror. The five dark boos were easy since he had to ground pound to defeat them just like regular boos, but it only got harder from there.
Next, two yellow boos who moved much faster than the purple ones dashed towards Mario. This caught him off guard and dealt a few hits on him.
Mario: Oof! You guys weren't kidding about being smarter and braver.
Yellow Boo #1: What? You thought we were just joking around?
Yellow Boo #2: Well thanks for the compliment! NOW DIE!
Mario got up and pound grounded those boos as well. Next up were a trio of black boos that were flashing red and were heading towards them pretty fast.
Mario: (Mamma Mia! Explosives! Gotta run!)
Mario tried to run away, but he didn't pay attention to the mirror and accidentally ran towards them instead. Oops! The boos exploded on him, leaving him with only a quarter left of his health.
Mario: Ooooooh…
Finally, King Dark Boo appeared before him.
King Dark Boo: Well, looks like they weakened you. Now, it's time I finish you off!
Mario: No! I won't let you win!
Mario tried running towards the king, but he teleported before he could do so.
King Dark Boo: Ha! You'll never attack me! As long as you look me in the eye, I can teleport at my own will.
Mario: (Look him in the eye…)
King Dark Boo came up behind him.
King Dark Boo: Now hold still! This will only hurt for a second before you die!
As the king striked, Mario backflipped and pound grounded him from behind.
King Dark Boo: GAAAAAAAAH! H-How? How did you-?!
Mario: You may be smarter and braver than the normal boos I face, but I still find a way to defeat you just like any other!
King Dark Boo: Fine… you win… but I'm sure you know by now that we ghosts CAN'T DIE! And you'll never beat my master who has the orb you need to free your cowardly brother!
Mario: *gasp* Luigi!
King Dark Boo: See ya, sucker! Ehehehehe!
He disappears and leaves behind a star.
Mario: I need to find their master and free my brother, FAST!
He looks at the mirror that still had his brother's reflection.
Mario: Don't worry bro. I'm coming!
He takes the star and gets out of the mine.
Star #2: Craft a Star
This time, Mario went into the dark village hoping to find a star there. There he ran into a blacksmith toad.
Blacksmith: Hi there! I am the local Blacksmith! I have absolved a special schooling and I am one of the rare Blacksmiths that can craft Power Stars.
Mario: You can MAKE Power Stars?! I didn't even know that was possible! Could you craft one for me?
Blacksmith: Sure thing! Just bring me the following items on my list and I'll make it happen!
The blacksmith gives Mario a list. The list said to bring one piece of gold, one diamond crystal, and a blooming power flower.
Mario: Got it! Be right back!
Mario head out to look for the three items. He first found a piece of gold on top of the church next to where the church was, next he went to the mines he went to from earlier to grab th the diamond crystal. For the power flower, Mario went up the mountains and dodged some rolling boulders before running into a toad nearby.
Mario: Excuse me, but have you seen a power flower around here?
Toad: Oh, yes! This path leads to the only place in the Mushroom Kingdom that is capable of growing the Power Flower and we store them into blocks.
Mario: Oh really? Wow. This kind of place is the last place I'd expect them to grow.
Toad: But because of the curse that the wizard cast on us, we have to deal with wild monkeys around here, so we advise tourists not to go up here.
Mario: But I need the power flower to get a star!
Toad: Well, if you MUST go up there, don't bother with the are way to agile to be caught and even if you did, you wouldn't gain anything from it.
Mario grew bad memories remembering that annoying monkey from Tall Tall Mountain. He hoped this one wouldn't bother him. There were few monkeys on the trail, and Mario had to avoid both them and the boulders. Once he got to the top, he grabbed a Power Flower and went back to the blacksmith.
Blacksmith: I see you've collected all the necessary pieces. Now, allow me to craft a star for you.
Mario gives the blacksmith the objects and waits a few minutes before getting his star.
Mario: Thank you!
Blacksmith: Don't mention it!
Star #3: The Haunted Church
Mario went back to the church where he got the gold piece. A toad was at the entrance.
Toad: Sorry, but the church is currently being haunted by ghosts, because that damned wizard cursed us. I recommend you don't enter it, but if you want to talk to God anyway, you can go to the top of the church. If you want to help out the church or beg for forgiveness, you can also leave gold, coins, or other valuable belongings at the top of the church's tower.
Mario then starts to sweat realizing why he found the gold bar at the church.
Mario: (Oh no! I just made a big mistake! I need to make up for it!)
Mario walked inside of the church. Even if it was haunted, that wasn't going to stop him from making up for the sin he had committed.
Inside the church, he already heard boos laughing. This certainly wasn't a safe place to be anymore. Mario had to take down all the boos in the church. He started with the few boos on the ower part, but then he had to climb up to the ceiling rails to take down the rest of them.
Mario: (Luigi certainly wouldn't like this place.)
Once he makes it to the top of the church, he bows down, takes off his cap, and prays to God. He offers 300 coins to make up for the gold bar he had stolen. Once he was done with that, he took the next star.
Star #4: Free the Wizard
Mario went back outside and saw a group of toads gathered around a single toad tied up on top of a wooden platform with bob ombs at the bottom.
Mario: What's going on?
Toad #1: Ooh, I can't watch…
Toad #2: But it has to be done, mate. This is the only way we can find peace again.
Toad #3: None of us really want to hurt the wizard, but we can't deal with all those catastrophes happening lately…
Toad #4: We'll finally be free of all those curses!
Mario decided to approach the toad that was tied up, who was struggling to break free.
Wizard 'Toad': Hey you! You look like a nice, reasonable person… These people think I'm a bad wizard that wants to destroy this village… But I'm not! I might be a wizard, but all these Boos, the gold that went missing and the angry monkeys are not my fault. They even think I was responsible for that meteor that crashed into the Mushroom Kingdom earlier! I'm actually a good person!
Mario: Really? How do I know you're not lying?
Wizard 'Toad': You don't think a Toad like me would want to do something horrible like this, do you? Look, I can prove that I'm innocent! Can you get me my wand? It should be laying in my house on a cupboard. I just need it to get out of here! I'll do some magic for you in return! And also help you track down the real wizard!
Mario: Um… okay then.
Mario hesitated on whether he should trust this Toad. Why would he have a wand? He seemed a bit suspicious, similar to the 'toad' at the mine entrance.
Mario: (I guess I have no choice. This is the only way I'll be able to figure out all of this.)
Mario went into that toad's house and grabbed the wand sitting over the cupboard. He walks back outside and gives it to the tied toad.
Mario: Here you go.
Wizard 'Toad': HEHEHEHEH!
Mario jumped back in surprise at that toad's laugh. He felt like he heard that voice before.
Mario: That voice… KAMEK?!
Wizard 'Toad': You actually fell for it! Now that I have my wand back, I can finally take over this village!
The toad morphed into Kamek, who flew up into the air. One of the stars he had fell in front of Mario. The toads there ran away in fear and Mario got into a fighting stance.
Kamek: With the stars in my possession, my power is unlimited! You will pay for what you have done to my Dark Boos in that mine!
Mario: So you're the one responsible for those Dark Boos! But then that means…
Kamek held out a green orb with an "L" on it.
Mario: LUIGI!
Kamek: That's right, Mario! I got your brother's orb! Some guy named Rashay gave it to me and promised me unlimited star power as long as I kept guarding it.
Mario: You're working with Rashay?! Don't you realize what he's planning to do to our planet?!
Kamek: He won't destroy the planet if he can just take the star energy from it, which is exactly what I'm doing for him. I'll be back for that star later. Right now, I have some business to get down to. Later!
Kamek flew away, laughing.
Mario: No! If Kamek is given unlimited power from Rashay, then the chaos he'll cause will be devastating! I have to stop him!
He quickly grabs the star Kamek left behind. But before he could go after Kamek, three Bob Omb Buddy guards with spears came up to him.
Star #5: Escape the Prison
Bob Omb Guard: Stop right there!
Mario: Um… is there a problem, officers?
Bob Omb Guard: Yes, there is a problem! You under arrest for the following crimes: 1. Stealing gold that was meant to be offered to the gods. 2. Freeing the wizard that was imprisoned and with that, putting our village into huge danger. Your punishment is a lifelong prison sentence.
The guards hand cuffed Mario.
Mario: W-Wait! I didn't mean what I did! I'm sorry!
Bob Omb Guard: Apologies don't cut it, pal! You made a mistake, you get the punishment!
Mario: But if you arrest me, I won't be able to save your village, or the rest of the Mushroom Kingdom from impending doom!
The guards didn't listen and took him away.
Mario was locked up in jail, set for a lifelong sentence.
Mario: But, I don't belong here! This was all a big mistake!
Prisoner #1: Yeah, I don't belong here, either!
Prisoner #2: Me too! I'm innocent!
Prisoner #3: *butch Southern draw accent* I BELONG HERE!
Mario collapsed on the floor, feeling that all Hope was lost.
Mario: Now I'll never be able to save my brother, Peach, or this planet…
Mario was about to give up until he heard a voice calling for him from behind.
?: Hey! You there!
Mario turned around to see a Monty Mole calling out to him.
Monty Mole: Yo! Aren't you the legendary Mario? What did you do to end up in a prison like this?
Mario: It's a long story… But what are you doing here?
Monty Mole: Well, the food is free, the drinks are free, I get to sleep indoors… Oh yeah, and you can get out of here at any time, if you are a good digger.
Mario: So… you come here just for fun?
Monty Mole: Yeah… But at least I can get you out of here. You wouldn't fit into a molehole, but luckily for you, we've already dug a hole into the wall behind that box for that wizard that got imprisoned here earlier.
Mario: (WHAT?! They let Kamek out?! *sigh* I shouldn't yell at him. After all, he is willing to help me.) Well, thanks for the help.
Monty Mole: No problem! Anything for the legendary Mario himself!
Mario punches the box to reveal the hole and goes inside. He follows the tunnel, which it ended with a hole underneath it. Next, Mario had to sneak through the prison like a ninja in order to avoid being caught by the guards. Luckily, there were boxes around to help him with that.
The path up ahead had two guards, so Mario had to take the steps on the left. He sneaks behind the barrel to avoid another guard. He jumps out of the high platform he was standing and finds another hole on the ground.
Mario: (So far, so good.)
After emerging out of the short tunnel, Mario had another guard to avoid before finally getting out. The exit was at the far right, so he waited for the guard to move to the left and then he sprints towards the light.
Waiting at the entrance of the prison was a power star. While he's glad he escaped, he still had one last thing to do.
Star #6: Save the Village
Shortly after Mario escaped the prison, Kamek returned and started wreaking havoc on the village.
Kamek: HEHEHEHEHEHEH! Man, I love all this destruction.
Mario: Hey Kamek! I'mma back!
Kamek: MARIO?! I thought they arrested you!
Mario: They did, but I managed to escape. Now, get ready to pay for this!
Kamek: Oh yeah? Let's see if you can catch me!
Mario: That'll be easy!
Mario jumped atop the buildings that were on fire. Kamek fires his magic at Mario. But despite his power, Mario long jumped at Kamek and knocked him off his broomstick.
Kamek: YEOWW! H-How? How could I lose with the ultimate power Rashay granted me?
Mario: You've been a thorn to my side ever since I was born, Kamek! But even when you think you're so smart, I always find a way to beat you. I never give up, no matter what. Now give me my brother's orb and get out of this village!
Kamek: Fine! Win win this time… Take the stupid orb! But I'll get you next time, Mario! Don't forget it!
Kamek disappears, leaving behind Luigi's orb. The orb spun around rapidly before exploding in a flash and revealing Luigi.
Luigi: Oooooh… What happened?
Mario: Luigi!
Mario smiled and hugged his brother. Luigi hugged Mario back, crying.
Luigi: Oh, Mario! I thought I'd be trapped on the moon forever! Thank you! Um… where are we?
Luigi shivered in fear looking at his surroundings.
Mario: It's a long story, bro. I'll tell you when we get back to Bob Omb Village. Yoshi and a Toad are waiting for us.
Luigi: Okay. You lead the way.