Chapter 8
The thousand-year door.
After Mario and his friends entered the door, they found themselves in some sort of dark palace.
"So, this is the palace of shadow." said Goombela
"It's rather ugly and spooky, but we don't have a choice." said Bobbery
"The cataclysm must be stopped." said Mario. "Let's go."
They went deeper into a palace. Soon, they saw three doors.
"Which one should we go through?" asked Vivian
"I have no idea." said Mario
"I suggest the left one." said Ms. Mowz
"Let's see" said Mario. "They all went through the left door. However, they ended up in the same room with the three doors.
"What just happened?" asked Bobby
"It seems every time we go through the wrong door, we end up returning in the same room.
"Now we know it's not the left door." said Flurrie
They went through the right door. It was wrong too and they returned to the same room.
"That only leaves the middle door." said Koops
Mario looked at the doors looking for anything peculiar. All the doors had a torch next to them. However, the torches of the left and right door were not lit. Only the middle one was.
"That's it" said Mario and went through the middle door. His friends followed him and they all entered the next room. There they saw more doors. Mario looked at them and went through one. The others followed him and it was the right one so they instantly entered the next room.
"How did you figure it out?" asked Ms. Mowz
"I paid attention to a small, but critical detail." said Mario. "The correct doors were the only ones whose torches were on fire."
"Great. Now we'll get past this thing faster." said Goombela
Indeed, there were many rooms with doors, but they crossed them quickly. Then they entered a room filled with bones.
"Let's be careful" said Mario. "These could be dry bones."
They walked carefully. It didn't matter anyway because as they were about to reach the exit, some bones merged and created a dry bones.
"How dare you come here?" he said. "Only few people were foolish enough to disturb our peace and none of them ever left. And now you shall pay."
Immediately, all the bones created hundreds of dry bones. Mario and his friends started fighting. The dry bones had numerical superiority, but Mario and his team had skills and good teamwork. They had it under control until the first dry bones said:
"If you don't want to do this the easy way, we shall do it the hard way."
Then all the dry bones merged into one giant dry bones.
"Come on. That's' cheating." said Bobby
Mario and his friends attacked it, but it was too big. It started to grab Mario's partners. Mario decided to do a powerful attack. He jumped in the air, but the dry bones caught him before he could do anything and his hammer fell on the ground. Now the dry bones held Mario and all his partners, except for Koops, in his hands and was about to squish them.
"I must do something." said Koops. "But he's too strong. And I'm just a koopa." Suddenly, he looked at his friends who were about to have all their bones broken and said: "No. I cannot abandon them. Everyone at Petalburg constantly said that I'm a coward and a crybaby. Now's my chance to become a brave adult. If I don't stop being childish now, I will never stop."
He then unlocked his inner strength. All people have. All they need to do is unlock it. And when they do, they can do amazing things. Koops launched a shell attack towards the dry bones. He moved so fast, his shell caught fire. He then hit the dry bones and separated him into bones again. The bones scattered all over the room while his friends landed on the floor.
"That was amazing!" said Bobby
"How did you do that?!" asked Goombela
"I don't know." said Koops. "When I decide to act like an adult, I felt my willpower becoming stronger."
"You unlocked your inner strength. Now you are no longer a child." said Mario
"I'm so glad." Said Koops
"Sorry to interrupt, but we still have some work to do." said Bobbery
"Right. Let's go."
They left the room. This time, they found themselves in a giant open plaza. It had a lake with the bridge. On the other side of the lake there was a tower. There was also a wall with another door.
"Oh man. We clear one creepy room just to find another?" said Bobby. "We'll never get out of this mess.
They crossed the bridge and went to the tower, but the door was locked.
"It seems we have to go in there to progress." said Vivian
"So, what do we do?" asked Flurrie
Let's go to the room. We may find something." said Mario pointing at the other door. They went through that door. It was just a very long corridor. They crossed it and eventually reached the end and saw a door.
"I have a bad feeling about this." said Mario
"We don't have any choice." said Bobbery
They went through the room. At first all they saw was a dark room. Suddenly, they heard a voice.
"Who are you?"
They looked and saw a giant dragon. It was like Hooktail, but it was older and black. Furthermore, He was a boy, while Hooktail was a girl.
"No one has disturbed me in eons." he said
"That thing looks like Hooktail." said Koops
"Yes. They look very alike." said Mario
"Hooktail? The giant dragon you told us about?" said Bobbery
"Yeah Gonzales. You mean the one you said you defeated?" said Bobby
"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?" said the dragon. "You defeated my precious younger sister? And I was wondering why she hadn't written recently."
"Sister? Who are you?" asked Goombela
"Shake in fear mortals. I am Gloomtail. I will avenge my sister by killing you and gnawing on your bones."
Then Gloomtail prepared to fight. He tried to stomp Mario and his friends, but they were too fast for him. They tried to attack him multiple times, but he was too strong. In other words, no one gained the upper hand.
"I'm going to end this." said Mario. He then jumped in the air and landed on Gloomtail's head. He started hitting Gloomtail with his hammer.
"Get down!" shouted Gloomtail. He jumped up and down to throw Mario down, but he had too good balance to fall.
"You cannot get rid of me." said Mario. "I could stay up here all day."
As he said this, Gloomtail hit him with his tail and he fell on the ground.
"Nice try." said Gloomtail. "But I'm afraid playtime is over."
"Plan B." said Mario. "Bobby, Vivian, come with me. The rest be ready to launch a massive wave of attacks."
"Sure thing." said Goombela
Mario and Vivian got on Bobby.
"Are you okay?" asked Vivian
"Yes. I can take a lot of weight." said Bobby. Then he ran towards Gloomtail. He jumped in the air with Mario and Vivian and they were ready to attack. Suddenly, Gloomtail opened his mouth and ate them.
"No!" shouted Goombela
"Give us our friends." said Koops
"Don't worry. You'll soon join them." said Gloomtail
Meanwhile, Mario, Bobby, and Vivian reached Gloomtail's belly.
"We failed." said Bobby. "Any other ideas?"
"On the contrary." said Mario. "Everything is going according to my plan. Now, let's give him an upset stomach."
Mario started hitting Gloomtail's stomach with his hammer and Bobby started jumping around. This made Gloomtail fell dizzy. Mario's other partners took this opportunity and started their massive attack.
"Now's your turn Vivian." said Mario
Vivian understood. She used her fire powers to burn Gloomtail's stomach and forced him to spit them out.
"Nice to see you all back in one piece." said Bobbery
"This isn't over." said Gloomtail who barely stood up.
"Oh, but it is." said Mario and looked at Bobbery. Bobbery then ran towards Gloomtail's, jumped towards his face and exploded. This caused Gloomtail to fall on his back dead.
"There we go" said Mario
"He joined his sister" said Flurrie
Suddenly, dead Gloomtail spat something out and then died for good. It was a chest. Mario opened it and found a key.
"I bet this is for the tower." said Mario
They returned to the tower and unlocked it. They went inside and saw it had three floors. The first two had eight doors, four doors each, and the third had eight pedestals with one lock each and an orrery.
"We should probably explore the doors first." said Ms. Mowz
"Okay. Let's take one each." said Mario and went through the first door. Then each of his partners went through one of the other doors.
Mario went in the North-west room of the first floor. There he saw a plaque that said:
"Four stones, twin stones
Master of shadow and dark
Two are one, one is two"
"What does that mean?" wondered Mario
He then noticed two stone and two metal blocks in the room. He broke the stone blocks with his hammer, but he couldn't break the metal blocks.
Koops went in the North-east room of the first floor. He also saw a plaque that said:
"All you see isn't all there be
Stones have the power of stars
Touch it to pass though it"
Koops tried to figure out what that meant. He tried to lean against a wall, but he passed through it and fell in another room. There he saw a chest.
"That's it." he said. He then opened the chest and took out a key.
Bobby went in the South-west of the first floor. He also saw a plaque that said:
"Beyond, beyond, beyond
Complete all seven
Before, before"
In the room there were also two blocks.
Bobby thought and suddenly, exclaimed:
"I got it."
He hid the first block three times and the second two.
"The number of times each word appears shows how many times each block must be hit." he said
Suddenly, a chest appeared in the room. Bobby opened it and took a key out of it.
Flurrie went in the South-east room of the first floor. There she also saw a plaque that said:
"The unseen may yet be felt
So that we the great ones
Be it here? Be it there?
Flurrie thought on it. She then realized its meaning and started blowing the room with her wind powers. Eventually, an invisible mantle fell off and revealed a chest under it. Flurrie opened it and took out a key.
Ms. Mowz went in the North-west room of the second floor. She also saw a plaque that:
"Two stones, twin stones
Can live again by the stone
Two are one, one is two."
When Ms. Mowz first entered there were two stone and two metal blocks, but suddenly the metal ones broke by themselves. Actually, that room was connected with the one beneath it and the metal blocks broke when Mario broke the stone blocks in his room. So, when Ms. Mowz broke the stone blocks in her room, the metal one's in Mario's room broke. In both rooms appeared one chest. They both opened their own and each took out a key.
Bobbery went in the North-east room of the second floor. There he also saw a plaque that said:
"Straight on, straight onward
We know the stars sprung us
Destroy all in your path"
He looked around the room and saw a crack on a wall. He exploded next to it and opened a hole that revealed another room. In it he found a chest and took a key out of it.
Goombela went in the South-west room of the second floor. There she also saw a plaque that said:
"Let fall the weakest
And that the skies lie
Then build to the strongest"
She could also see some bones in the room. Suddenly, those bones created a dull bones, a red bones, a dry bones and a dark bones.
"Oh my." said Goombela. "The whole bones family tree." She was about to attack when she thought of the riddle and realized its meaning. She attacked the dull bones, then the red bones, then the dry bones and then the dark bones. They all disappeared and a chest appeared.
"I knew it." said Goombela. "I had to defeat them from the weakest to the strongest."
She then opened the chest and took out a key.
Lastly, Vivian went to the South-east room of the second floor. There she also saw a plaque that said:
"The shy one hides his shape
But the stars bring balance
The shy one hides his face"
The room seemed empty, but Vivian hid in the shadows and made a chest appear. She opened it and took out a key.
Then our eight heroes met at the entrance.
"Did you find anything?" asked Mario
Everyone took out a key.
"Great." said Mario. "Each room had a key and a clue to its location."
"This is what I don't understand." said Goombela. "Each room had a plaque with three lines. The first and the third formed the riddle, but the second was irrelevant
"Yes. I don't understand what it is for." said Koops
"Maybe they all need to be combined" said Mario. "Go back to your room and bring the second lines of your plaques."
They all did and soon, they managed to make a message with them. It said:
"Master of shadow and dark
Stones have power of stars
Complete all seven
So that we, the great ones
Can live again by the stone
We know the stars sprung us
And that the skies lie
But the stars bring balance"
"That's the message" said Ms. Mowz
"It must refer to how he crystal stars must be gathered all together to defeat the demon once and for all." said Mario
"Good." said Flurrie. "What do we do now?"
"Let's go to the third floor." said Mario
They went to the third floor and saw the eight columns with the eight locks. They put their keys in the locks and suddenly, the ground started shaking and the orrery started rotating. Then part of the corridor that led to Gloomtail's room turned into a staircase and revealed a secret room.
"What happened?" asked Bobby
"I don't know. Let's go and see." said Mario
They left the tower and crossed the bridge. However, when they did they heard a familiar voice.
"We've been waiting for you Mario."
Suddenly, Beldam and Marilyn came out of the shadows.
"Beldam." said Vivian
"You." said Mario
Suddenly, professor Frankly appeared and stood next to Beldam and Marilyn.
"Professor Frankly? What are you doing here?" asked Goombela in shock. Actually, all of Mario's partners and Mario were shocked.
"Thank you for opening the door for us." said Beldam. "Yes, that was very nice. Thank to your do-gooder predictability my plan is progressing very smoothly."
"Opening the door of you? What do you mean, you purple witch?" asked Bobby
"Mwee he hee heee. So, you still don't see it." said Beldam. "Such fools. The "professor Frankly" you were with when you opened the door was none other than this little freak-in a-sheet."
Then professor Frankly revealed himself to have been Doopliss.
"Yeah, my name is Doopliss, but…" he said
"The real professor Frankly is sleeping off a nasty bump on his head in a closet somewhere. We just tricked you into opening the door for us. And now that you activated the secret passage, sir Grodus was able to head for the end of the maze with princess Peach. And when we trounce you, my plan will be nearly complete. You have a date with eternity.
"Guh." said Marilyn
"That's right slick. Eternity." said Doopliss
"Shut up freak!" said Beldam
"Oh. Yeah. Right, sorry." said Doopliss
"Why does this woman always have to bully someone?"asked Koops
"You want a trouncing? Come on." said Mario
"Yeah. Prepare to lick the floor." said Bobby
"As you wish." said Beldam. "Let's go my sort of lovelies. Marilyn. Freak-sheet."
"Guh-guh." said Marilyn
"I said my name is Doopliss." said Doopliss who didn't have a reason to hide his name anymore. Then he attacked with the other two.
Mario and his friends started fighting. The shadow sirens had a hard time. Last time they battled Mario and his friends he only had two partners. Now, he had more and they all had grown stronger in their journey. Beldam tried to freeze them, but Vivian stopped her with her fire powers. Mario battled Doopliss. He wanted to get revenge for all he had done. He beat up Doopliss really badly with easy. The rest battled Marilyn who was the strongest. She had strength, but she was no match for the combined efforts of Mario's team. In the end, Beldam Marilyn and Doopliss were lying on the floor.
"Argggggggggg. At this rate… she will never" said Beldam before she passed out.
"Guhhhhhhhhhhh- Hungggggggggggggg" was all Marilyn said.
"Oooooooooooooooooof" was all Doopliss said.
"I'm sorry sis." said Vivian
"Let's just leave them here" said Mario
They went inside the other room and saw the staircase.
"This must be the secret passage." said Mario
"And the x-naut boss is ahead of us." said Bobbery
"Yeah. Let's hurry." said Goombela
They all went down the staircase and found themselves in a brand new area. They started exploring it. It was filled with enemies and traps, but they overcame all difficulties. They faced many creatures like dark wizards which were strange floating heads with four Skeleton arms and magic powers. They were strong, but their powers were no match for Mario and his friends and they were defeated like all the other enemies. They also faced traps multiple traps, but they avoided them all. They had to watch out for trapdoors, avoid poisonous darts, swords and flames and much more. The last trap was a bunch of rocks falling from the ceiling. They barely made it through.
"That was a close one." said Koops
"Yes. I hope there aren't any more traps." said Mario
They arrived at a door and opened it. They entered a big chamber with chandeliers on the ceiling. There were a few steps leading to an area of the room
"I have a bad feeling about this room." said Mario
"Yeah. It gives me the creeps." said Goombela
"Hmmmm. It seems familiar for some reason." said Vivian
"They went up the steps and reached that area. It was the throne room of the palace. There was a throne there. However, there was someone else there, standing in front of the throne. It was Grodus.
"Gaaaaack ack ack ack ack. We finally meet Mario." he said. "I must admit I was looking forward to this."
"G… Grodus?" said Vivian
"This must be the x-naut boss." said Mario
"So, this is the big bad guy behind all this." said Bobby
"Yes. Correct!" said Grodus. "I am the supreme leader of the hidden society of x-nauts. I am Grodus. But I' m getting ahead of myself. I must express my than to you first."
As he said this he came closer to Mario and his friends.
"And you know why? Because you've gathered all the crystal stars I was seeking."
"What do you mean?" asked Mario
"Oh no." said Vivian. "Then the last crystals star we found on the moon..."
"We played into their hand." said Koops
"We're idiots." said Bobby
"Wah have we done?" said Flurrie
"Yes, you finally realize it, don't you?" said Grodus. "Instead of taking the few crystal stars you fools had bumped into, it was far easier to let you gather all of them and open the door for me. All I had to do was trust the last crystal star to my least competent underling. I don't suppose Crump had any idea of my plan though. Gaaaaaack ack ack ack. So, if he beat you or lost to you the crystal stars would be together and mine either way. Pure genius. Now I thought the shadow sirens would do a little more to slow your progress, but it seems they are so useless even this small task was beyond them. It doesn't matter. Now I get to send you to oblivion."
"Let's be careful." said Ms. Mowz. "This guy looks nasty."
"Once I've dealt with you, no one shall stand in my way. Grodus will rule the world."
"Not if we have anything to say about It." said Mario and took out his hammer
"Now come." said Grodus and prepared for a battle. He was pretty strong and our friends had to try hard to defeat him. He used his staff to throw lightning and summon Yuxes. (Small green creatures created by the x-nauts who formed a force field around Grodus.
"You will know my power." he shouted as he attacked. They all avoided his attacks, but they couldn't do anything. Then Mario had an idea. He threw Bobby towards Grodus. Bobby then swallowed all the Yuxes, breaking Grodus' force field and then spat them out on him
"You meddlesome kid." said Grodus and zapped him. Mario seized that chanced and attacked him from behind. The others lifted Bobby who was lying on the floor.
"Are you okay?" asked Flurrie
"Of course. You can't get rid of me that easily" said Bobby and everyone laughed. Meanwhile, Mario and Grodus were engaged in a furious hand-to-hand combat. Mario used his muscles and hammer and Grodus his staff. No one gained the upper hand until Grodus summoned more Yuxes who attacked Mario.
"That's cheating." said Goombela
"We have to help" said Bobbery
They all attacked, saved Mario from the Yuxes and defeated them. Then
Grodus said:
"You did exactly what I wanted you to."
He prepared to strike them all with a massive lightning attack now that they were on the same spot.
"I don't know if we'll stand this." said Goombela
"It was an honor fighting with you guys." said Koops
Mario was furious. He wouldn't allow Grodus to destroy him and his friends and then take over the world. He gathered all his strength. Jumped in the air and shouted:
"Super Mario!"
He then punched Grodus in the stomach so hard that he flew in the air for a few seconds bounced on the floor and landed on the throne breaking it and reveal a secret passage behind it.
"Another secret passage." said Vivian
"The end of the maze must be in there." said Ms. Mowz
"Mario. That was epic." said Goombela
"Yeah, Gonzales. I don't know how, but you saved us." said Bobby
"I wouldn't let him hurt my friends." said Mario
Grodus go up with difficulty. He was holding his stomach and his android head had a crack from the multiple hits.
"Very impressive." he said. "I see that you have a great warrior's spirit in you. No wonder all my minions lost to you. However you haven't won yet. I oversaw even this possibility."
"Pardon?" said Bobbery
"Watch this!" said Grodus. He then snapped his fingers and princess peach appeared in a force field sleeping. At that moment she woke up and looked around.
"Where am I?" she asked. She then saw Mario and said:
"Mario!"
"Princess Peach!" said Koops
"Move one step and she will breathe no more." said Grodus
"You wouldn't." said Vivian
"Now try this." said Grodus. He then used his staff and struck Mario and his friends with lightning.
"MARIO!" shouted princess Peach
"Gaaaaack ack ack ack. Now again." said Grodus. As Mario and his friends tried to get up, they got struck again.
"NO! MARIO!" shouted princess Peach
"What should we do?" asked Vivian. If we attack princess Peach is doomed and if we don't we are doomed."
"We're between a rock and a hard place." said Mario
"Stop your blabbering." said Grodus. "This is it. Meet your ends."
He was about to strike them again when the room started shaking.
"Huh?" he said
Suddenly, the all heard a scream
"Graaaaaaaaaaarrgggggggg."
Grodus looked up and what did he see? Bowser with part of the ceiling falling down. Before Grodus could do anything, Bowser landed on him, knocking him out. There was a giant hole on the ceiling. It seemed Bowser had arrived to the thousand-year door and was walking on the floor above, but the floor couldn't stand his weight and broke. Everyone was shocked to see him there.
"Bowser!" said Peach
"What's that guy doing here?" asked Goombela
"I have no idea." said Mario. "I can't get away from him anywhere."
"Urggggggg. That was a surprise." said Bowser. "I didn't think I'd fall. Have I put on weight?"
"Your chunkiness. Are you alright?"
That was Kammy koopa who got down with her flying broom. Bowser got up and noticed Mario and his friends.
"Grrrrrrrrrrrr. What is Mario doing here?" he asked
Kammy koopa turned around and saw princess Peach.
"And Peach as well?" she said
"I have no idea what's going on here, but I'm gonna put an end to it right now." said Bowser. "Mario, first I trounce you, then I take the princess and then the treasure."
"Oh no. All this and Bowser too. It's unfair." said Vivian
"Oh yeah. All worn out form battle Mario? This is gonna be super easy." said Bowser. "Today's the day I flush a plumber down the drain."
With these words Bowser and Kammy koopa attacked Mario and his friends. They were all tired from the traps and the battles and it wasn't easy. Bowser used his claws and fire breath, while Kammy koopa used her magic. Mario fought Kammy koopa while his friends took on Bowser. Mario had learnt Kammy koopa's magic tricks after all those years, but he was exhausted. However, he gathered all his strength and hit Kammy koopa multiple times causing her to fall off her flying broom. Meanwhile, Bowser had trouble fighting all of Mario's partners together. He tried to burn them, but Vivian's fire powers were stronger and she burnt him. Then Bowser caught Bobbery and told the others to surrender or he'd tear him apart. However, he underestimated Bobbery who exploded in his face. Bowser lost his balance and fell on the ground. Then Mario took Kammy koopa, span her around a few times and threw her on Bowser. They both fell off, broke the door of the room and went to the previous one activating one of its traps, the falling rocks. So, a giant rocks fell on them and crashed them.
"That did it." said Mario
"Yeah. We showed them who's boss." said Bobby
Then they looked around and realized Grodus was not there.
"Where's Grodus?" asked Ms. Mowz
"Suddenly, they heard a scream.
"That was Peach." said Koops
They looked and barely saw Grodus going through the secret passage with Peach.
"After him!" said Mario
"What about Bowser and Kammy koopa?" asked Bobbery
Don't worry. They'll be fine. They've survived worse. And they won't be causing us any more trouble. Now let's go."
They went through the secret passage and soon arrived in front of a door.
"I bet they are behind there" said Mario
"Let's go. Time to end this." said Flurrie
They opened the door and entered a room filled with lit candles. There they saw Grodus. Behind him was princess Peach lying on the floor and a stone coffin.
"Too bad for you Mario." said Grodus. "You're too late."
"What do you mean?" asked Mario
"Look well. In the coffin behind me sleeps the legendary treasure." said Grodus. "This tomb holds the power of darkness. The wilder of destruction. It will possess Peach's body and bring life to the most powerful witch in Millennia."
"Possess Peach?" said Vivian
"Mario. I'm… I'm so sorry. Sending you that map… caused all this didn't it?" said princess Peach
"Gaaaaack ack ack ack. With this power I will rule this pathetic world." said Grodus. "The time has come. The world will be mine. Now arise! Arise, my shadow queen!"
Then all the candles crushed out. Then they lit up again, but this time their flames were black. The coffin opened and a flash came out of it. Then a giant shadowy figure with a crown came out.
At that moment the sky of Rogueport above turned dark causing everyone to panic
"That's not good." said Toadsworth. "I fear for the safety of the princess and Mario."
Then this strange phenomenon occurred in Petalburg.
"Hmmm. Whuh… umm... What's going on?" said the mayor
"That's not good." said Koops' dad. "I'm afraid my son is in danger."
Meanwhile, in Boggly woods the punies were getting ready for a picnic
"I hope you're ready." said the puni elder. "Let's go"
"Suddenly, the same thing happened there.
"B… Brother?" said Petuni
"The… The sky. It's…" said Punio, but he couldn't finish his sentence.
The darkness even reached Glitzville,
"I don't like that." said king K
"The sky. It's turning dark." said Jolene
Back at the thousand-year door:
"Who has called me back?" asked the shadow queen
"It is I my shadow queen." said Grodus
"You… Very well. Where's the vessel?" asked the shadow queen
"It is here." said Grodus. "This girl who lies before you."
The shadow queen looked at Peach. "Yes. A fine vessel."
She then went closer to princess Peach. A dark cloud covered both of them. The shadow queen got into princess Peach's body and possessed it.
This caused panic everywhere. In twilight town and Keelhaul key everything shook scaring the people there.
"Argggggggggggggg."
"Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh. Help."
"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeelp me."
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah."
These are what the people in these places shouted as they tried to hide somewhere
The same thing happened in Poshley heights
"What's all this? Am it to deduce that this… is the end of the world?" said Pennington
It then reached Fahr outpost and when it stopped the mayor said:
"What was that? Something terrible has happened."
Meanwhile, professor Frankly had escaped from the closet the shadow sirens had locked him up and entered the palace of shadow. He also felt the tremor.
"No! Could this dark power have truly awakened?" he said. "No! This is unthinkable
Princess Peach had been possessed by the shadow queen. She looked the same, but she wore a dark dress and had an evil expression Peach didn't.
"Muh muh muh muh. Yes. Witness my rebirth." she said. "My soul is not yet accustomed to this vessel, but I will learn to control this body soon enough."
"Peach." said Mario
"Yes my glorious witch queen." said Grodus. "Destroy these impudent fools."
"And who are you that you would command me?" What sort of being are you?" said the shadow queen.
"Huh? What do you mean?" asked Grodus in surprise. "I thought you were bound to obey the one who woke you. Enough of this nonsense. Do as I say! Now! Or I will send you back to the depths of…"
Before he could finish his sentence, the shadow queen zapped him with red lightning and completely destroyed his body. All that was left was his damaged head.
"You would do well to learn your proper place slave. Nobody commands me." said the shadow queen. She then zapped him again, finishing him.
"Mario. What's going on? I don't understand." said Koops
Suddenly, they heard a voice.
"My queen."
Then Beldam, Marilyn and Doopliss appeared.
"You have returned to us." said Beldam
"Ah, Beldam. What ages have passed" said the shadow queen. "So, you're the one truly responsible for bringing me back to life, yes?"
"Yes, my queen." said Beldam. "I searched for a pure maiden that you could inhabit. And as I did I spread the rumor of a great treasure. I also tricked that fool into believing he could control you so that he would collect the crystal stars and gave the magical box with the map to the maiden to open it. However, she then sent the map to another person and he took the crystal stars before us, so I altered my plan and led these fools here to open the seal."
"Yessss. You have fulfilled your duties admirably." said the shadow queen
"I am not worthy my queen." said Beldam
"And what are these… beings that stands before me." said the shadow queen looking at Mario and his friends. "Hmmmmmmmm. They do not appear to possess power, but they may be of use. Listen, if you become my faithful servants, I will not harm you."
"Ha. Gonzales serves no one. Right Gonzales?" said Bobby
"Yes." said Mario. "You may have been released again, but not for long. I'm the sworn protector of the Mushroom kingdom and I won't let you devastate the world again. You can release Peach and surrender now or I can force you to do so."
"I see. So, you defy me." said the shadow queen. "Then you wretched fools will learn the errors of your ways. You are foolish to oppose me and this foolishness must be punished."
"If we fail to stop her the world is lost." said Flurrie
"Yes. Mario, don't think of her as Peach. You must defeat her." said Goombela
"I will." said Mario
They started fighting. It was hard for Mario to beat up princess Peach like a common enemy after all they'd been though all those year, but he didn't have a choice. The shadow queen was strong, but our heroes' determination was even stronger. The shadow queen tried to strike them with lightning and grab them with multiple shadow hands she created, but they avoided them both. Then Mario caught a few of those hands, pulled them as far as he could go and then let go of them causing them to punch the shadow queen.
"I've had enough of this." said the shadow queen. "However, I must admit you are not weak. Perhaps you are not as useless as you seem. This body is too unfamiliar. Let me assume my true form and show you true power."
As she said this, her spirit form appeared and rose in the air with her body.
"In this form my powers are fully restored." said the shadow queen. "Your attacks are like those of a child to me. At least you'll perish with the honor of having seen true terror and power."
Indeed, Mario and his friends were no match for the shadow queen's true form. All their attacks were in vain. And then she did something really bad. She created more of her shadowy hands and caught all of Mario's partners. But that's not the worst part. The worst is that she drained most of their life force and absorbed it. The they let go of them and they all fell to the floor barely staying alive.
"My friends." said Mario
"Yes. I have recovered from any slight damage you may have caused earlier. And now that your friends are done for I will punish you for your disobedience."
"No!" said Mario
"I will ask you again" said the shadow queen. "Will you serve me If so, I will forgive you for this."
Mario didn't reply.
"No Mario." said Goombela
"Yes. You can win. I know… you can." said Koops
"You must… stand strong." said Flurrie
"You promised… not it quit" said Bobby
"We cannot… betray those who… believe in us." said Vivian
"Even if darkness… takes over the world, we will be… able to say that we tried to stop it." said Ms. Mowz
"Yes. The people of… the Mushroom kingdom must know… their hero didn't fall without a fight." said Bobbery
Mario looked at his weakened friends and said:
"You're right. I will never quit. I will fight. And if the Mushroom kingdom falls, I will fall with it." said Mario
"Very will you meddlesome pest. Then you'll perish." said the shadow queen. Suddenly, a light appeared in the room and the shadow queen didn't like it.
"Huh? What's going on? What's that light?" she said
The light was the crystal stars that had come out of Mario's pocket.
"The crystal stars." said Goombela
Mario's partners gained a little power from them. They still couldn't get up, but they weren't at the brink of death anymore.
The crystal stars then rose in the air and reached the ceiling, which was under the gibbet of Rogueport. They came out of the ground and left Rogueport. The diamond star went to Petalburg.
"Hmmmmmm. Now what's' that shiny thing?" asked the mayor
"Mayor. That's the crystal star." said Koops' dad. "But I thought Mario had this thing."
"Kids, I wonder if this is related to the sky getting dark and whatnot." said the mayor
I don't know, but if anything happened to Mario and my boy Koops..."
"Oh dear." said Koopie Koo who was nearby. "Koops, you're okay, right? You promised you'd come back okay."
The emerald star arrived in Boggly woods.
"Whoa! The crystal star." said Punio
"Strange. What's it doing here?" said the elder. "It's a mystery. A mystery that…"
"Snap out of it elder." said Punio
"Brother. Mario's in trouble." said Petuni. "That's what the crystal star is here to tell us. I just know it."
"What? Yes, I can hear it." said Punio. "The crystal star is speaking to us. It's telling us that Mario is fighting to save the world and he's in deep trouble."
Mario! Flurrie! Come on. Don't give up.
"Keep fighting!"
"You can do it!"
The gold star reached Glitzville. Jolene and some fighters gathered around it.
"Gonzales… I mean, Mario." said Jolene. "I know right now you are fighting far away from here for us. For all of us. The crystal star told us of your last brave stand. You can't help you, but we can send you our positive energy. All our wishes are or you. For your victory.
"Yeah. Fight Gonzales. Feel the Rawk!" said Rawk Hawk. "Listen, Anyone who has defeated me is not allowed to lose."
"That's right." said one of the armored harriers. "You, star. Tell that shrimp who trounced us not to give up."
"Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight."
"Don't give up."
"No surrender."
"You can do it G-man" said king K. "Feel the burn."
The ruby star stopped in twilight town.
"Mario. Don't stop. We believe in you. You can win." said the mayor
"Yes. Never give in."
"Believe in yourself."
"Mario. You may feel like it's going rough, like the tides have sifted against you." said a Twilighter. "However, if you lose the world will be plunged in darkness forever."
"I'm a bit worried about Vivian, the girl who was with Mario. She seemed so innocent." said another Twilighter
"They'll be fine." said the mayor. "Mario will never give up. I still remember how easily he took care of the monster who had cursed our town. We must have faith in him. We must have faith that light will return to our world.
"Keep fighting."
"Fight on."
"Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!"
The sapphire star flew to Keelhaul key.
"Go Mario!"
"Stomp 'em."
"You can do it."
"Come on." said Pa-Patch. "I can't hear you."
"Admiral Bobbery. Fight."
"No surrender."
"Fight on."
"One more time!"
"Go Mario!"
"Don't give up!"
"Bobbery. Show them what a real sea bomb is made out of, mate." said Pa-Patch
The garnet crystal star landed in Poshley heights.
"I'm really worried about them." said Silvia
"Do not worry my dear. Luigi is my finest pupil. I'm sure he'll prevail." said Pennington
"Well, I'm worried nonetheless. I hope there's a future in which my little Bub can grow and prosper."
"Well then, I guess all we can do is give him a loud cheer." said Goldbob. "I'm quite sure he can hear us through the power of this crystal."
"You're right dad." said Bub. "Go Gonzales! Go and get 'em!"
"Go Mario, you lovely thing." said lady Toodles
Pennington looked at them and said:
"Huh? M… Mario? G…Gonzales? Not Luigi?"
Lastly, in Fahr outpost the mayor was is in the town centre. A bob-omb came and said:
"We are assembled mayor."
"Da." Replied the mayor and followed him. They arrived in a part of town.
"Great work my comrades." Said the mayor. "Ready and…"
Then a bunch of bob-ombs gathered under the crystal star starting cheering.
"Go Mario!
"You can do it BOMB!"
"You are the bomb!"
All these cheers from these faraway places were heard in the tomb due to the power of the crystal stars.
"Can you hear them?" said Mario
"Yes. So many voices" said Flurrie
'They're sending us their wishes and positive energy." said Vivian
"Wh… What? What are these vile voices?" asked the shadow queen
"Look!" said Bobbery
A light appeared on the shadow queen
"What's going on? What is this light?" she said
Then Mario and his friends heard a voice
"Mario."
"That voice…" said Ms. Mowz
"Princess Peach." said Mario
Indeed, the power of the crystal stars had temporality released Peach from the control of the shadow queen.
"You wretched little girl. You disobey me?" said the shadow queen who didn't like that.
"Mario. Take the last of my power." said Peach. She then sent her power to Mario and his friends. This replaced all the life force the shadow queen had taken from them. They got up, ready to fight again.
"I feel better than ever." said Koops
"Yes. I feel I'm about to explode with energy." said Flurrie
"I feel like a new bob-omb." said Bobbery
"Grrrrrrrrrrrr. Obey me girl!" said the shadow queen
"Farewell Mario." said princess Peach. "I believe… in you."
Then the shadow queen got control of her again.
"Peach!" said Mario
"Very cunning princess." said the shadow queen. "But you will not undo me. Know me as your queen."
She then started fighting Mario and his friends again. However, thanks to the positive energy of all those people and the power of princess Peach, they could damage her."
"What? How can you hurt me?" she asked in shock.
"You are finished." said Mario
The shadow queen tried hard to defeat Mario and his team, but her efforts were in vain. In the end, she was completely defeated.
"No!" she said. "Impossible! Unthinkable! I… I cannot be defeated by lesser beings such as these. And I've just been reborn into this world. I cannot. I must not…"
She then started fading.
"AIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
"My queen!" shouted Beldam
"Guuuuuuh." said Marilyn
Then her shadow form was banished for good, while Peach was released and landed softly on the floor. Then all the candles crushed out again and lit up again with normal fire.
"Oh no! Let's get out of here Marilyn." said Beldam and disappeared in the shadows.
"Guh-guh" said Marilyn and also disappeared in the shadows.
"Hey! Hey, wait." said Doopliss and ran away.
The light retuned to all the lands
"They did it." said Koops' dad
"My Koops won. He's a hero." sad Koopie Koo
"Mario and his friends defeated the demon." said Punio
"Now the world is saved once and for all." said the Puni elder
"I always had faith in them." said Petuni
"Mario did it." said Jolene
"No one can defeat the great Gonzales." said Rawk Hawk
"I knew G-Man could do it" said king K
"The darkness has been banished. The balance has been restored." said the mayor of Twilight town
"Mario is a hero." said a toad in Keelhaul key.
"Not only Mario. Bobbery and everyone else was part of this. They all did it. Together." said Pa-Patch
"Mario and his friends ensured a future of safety and light for us and the future generations." said Goldbob
"Now my little Bub can become an adult. I thank Mario and his friends from the bottom of my heart." said Silvia
""Yes. Way to go Luigi. Err… I mean… Mario?" said Pennington
"Congratulations Mario." said the mayor of Fahr outpost. "You have won the day. You saved the world. We'll always remember you."
Back at the tomb:
"Princess Peach." said Bobbery and approached her. Mario and the rest also came closer.
"Mario, the princess is fine." said Bobbery. "She's not even hurt."
"Oh, thank God." said Mario
Peach woke up and looked at Mario and his friends.
"Mario…" she said
"Don't worry. It's all over." said Mario. "The shadow queen has been defeated and the world is safe."
"I'm sorry Mario. Who knew all this would happen.
"No need to apologize." said Mario. "It was our pleasure."
"Yes. It was all in a day's work for us." said Bobbery
"Well, thank you. All of you." said Peach
"Aha. There you are Mario."
They all turned around and saw professor Frankly who had caught up to them. He was carrying a chest with him.
"Can you believe those brutes came even after me? An old goomba?" he said. "But I still made it here." He then looked around and said: "By the looks of things, I guess we're in the clear, right?"
"Yes." said Mario. "The demon has been defeated for good. And you also appear to be in one piece."
"Yes. You have saved the world. And now look at this." said professor Frankly and showed the chest he as holding. "I found it on the way here. This must be the treasure we heard rumors of in Rogueport. My theory has been correct all these years. There really was a legendary treasure."
"Oh, Frankly." said Bobbery
"No. Don't bring me down now. It might be something amazing. And all's well that ends well. Now how do we get out of this dank place?"
"What do you say Mario?" said princess Peach. "Time to go home. Back to everyone.
Yes." Said Mario and jumped in happiness.
…
Later, at night, Mario, princess Peach and Toadsworth were at the harbor waiting for the boat back home. With them were professor Frankly and all of Mario's partners.
"So, you're leaving then." said professor Frankly. "Well, that's too bad. Having you around really did wonders for my research."
"Aww, come on professor." said Goombela. "We wouldn't let you monopolize Mario for your research anyway. Besides, you said I could be your research assistant for next term."
"Hmmmmmm. Yes, that's right. And I thank you Goombela." said professor Frankly. "Well Mario, even after you leave don't forget about us, okay? And we'll always wish you the best."
"I will away remember you." said Mario
"Mario. Never, ever give up." said Goombela. "That's the most important thing I learnt from you. Promise to remember me every now and then and feel free to come back whenever you want."
"Mario, in my time traveling with you learnt so many things. Thanks to you, I found courage and inner strength." said Koops. "I don't know how to say this, but I think like myself more since I've known you. I also feel I've grown closer to my dad. I'm definitely going to miss you."
"Mario, I'm ready to make my comeback in the theater now." said Flurrie. "I've found so many things on this journey that I can only express on stage. I had an amazing time and now I'm ready to feel the spotlight on me again. Please come to see me once we've finished rehearsing. And bring Peach too dear."
"Gonzales…" said Bobby. "No wait. I've got to stop doing that. It's Mario, right?
"Yes." said Mario
"Well, you'll always be Gonzales to me. Because I was born in the Glitz pit and Gonzales is and will always be the champ. So, let's meet again one day. I mean it man. Sniff."
"Mario..." said Vivian. "Well, I think I've grown to lo… Um, never mind. I do think you and Peach make a nice couple. I… I'll never forget my time traveling with you. So, don't forget me either."
"Well, old boy, it was most agreeable that I had the chance to meet you." said Bobbery. "If it weren't for you, my dear Scarlette would still gaze down on a broken bob-omb. But now, I'm off to sea again. I'm sure Scarlette would have wanted it that way. Let's meet again and the next time, let it be on the high seas old boy."
"Well, this is where we part my cheese-hunk" said Ms. Mowz. "But I will not say farewell, because you're always welcome here. And since you are welcome, come back soon. For now, adieu."
"The boat is almost here." said Toadsworth
Mario!"
"Everyone looked and saw Punio and Petuni running towards the harbor, holding two mushrooms.
"We made it just in time." said Petuni. "We brought you these very fresh mushrooms."
"Yes. We brought them so that you'll have something to eat on the boat" said Punio
Mario and Peach took the mushrooms.
"That's very nice." said Mario
"Yes. Thank you." said princess Peach. "Everyone… if it weren't for you the world would have fallen into a terrible darkness, but your brave hearts strove for peace. I don't know how to thank you, but know that the entire world is in your dept."
What? Nonsense." said professor Frankly. "We're the ones who should be thanking you princess. If you hadn't come to our little town, we'd all be puppets for Grodus and the shadow queen. The thought gives me the creeps."
"Look, your highness. I see the boat." said Toadsworth
Indeed, the boat arrived at the harbor.
"Take care everyone." said Mario. "I promise to come back soon." He then boarded the boat with Peach and Toadsworth.
"I apologize for my lateness." said the captain. "I must have dozed off a bit. Now I'll get you home at full steam. Set course for the mushroom kingdom."
The ship turned around and left while Mario's partners stayed at the harbor looking at it. At the boat, Toadsworth went to sleep while Mario and Peach sat at the back of the boat.
"They are all lovely people, don't you think?" said Peach
"Yes. We went through all this together and I'm gonna miss them" said Mario
"You know, I don't have many nice memories from Rogueport with the kidnapping and all, but it really is a vibrant town full of energy, isn't it?" said Peach. "I was scared when they took me, but… Well, TEC was there for me. He helped me get through it all and I knew you'd come to save me. I always count on that. Maybe I should listen to Toadsworth and behave more like a princess form now on."
"That's a good idea." said Mario
Then the sun came out.
"Look Mario" said Peach. "it's sunrise. Rogueport is shining. How beautiful."
Indeed, it was beautiful seeing the town being illuminating by the first shafts of light.
…
A few days later, Mario had returned to his house, was having breakfast with Luigi and had just finished telling him the story.
"Whoa! That's crazy bro. You had a pretty rough time, didn't you?" said Luigi
"Yes. I guess it was a bit tiring." said Mario
"But now everything is okay. Princess Peach is safe and everything is back to normal" said Luigi "Still, it's amazing that you saved the world again. Again Bro. It's been a while since then. Are you ready for you next adventure?"
"Sure." said Mario. "But I wonder what everyone I traveled with is up to."
As he said that, he received another mail.
"What's that?" asked Luigi
"It's my mailbox SP." said Mario. He opened the mail and read:
"Mario,
what's up? Goombela here. I'm still in Rogueport working with professor Frankly. We beat the shadow queen, but there's tons of Rogueport lore that we still don't understand, so my research with the professor goes on and on. With the info I gathered with you, we have lots of great leads though. As I said, each myth contains a kernel of truth. Speaking of which, do you know what was inside the chest that the professor found? You're not gonna believe it. It's… a secret. Ha ha ha ha. But I'll tell you next time I see you. As part of my research I went back to many of the places we visited. I saw everyone we traveled with too.
Koops is living in Petalburg with his dad and Koopie Koo. He's really happy. And guess what he wants to do now? He wants to become mayor of Petalburg and live there in peace. Come to think of it, it may be perfect for him. He's so much more of an adult since you left Rogueport. Still, I think Koopie Koo pretty much has him wrapped around her little finger.
Flurrie is back on stage in a big way and the crowds are ecstatic. Her first performance is the story of our adventure. It's called paper Mario. I saw it twice. It's the best play ever. And somehow, Doopliss has joined the troupe as an actor. Who'd saw that coming? His transformation skills are serving him well, but it still kind of creeps me out.
And little Bobby? He's fighting solo in the Glitz pit. He says he's getting pretty close to the title match. Isn't that just adorable? Also, he calls himself "The great Gonzales Jr." in the ring by the way. It's a little silly, but also pretty cute. And wait, I have to get this exactly right or he'll get so mad at me. He said that he could "Totally take you on the ring now, so bring it." I guess he doesn't change. Isn't that too cute?
Vivian has gone back to hanging with her sisters. Family is important after all. Now that the shadow queen has been defeated, I don't think Bedlam's into evil. Oh, and Beldam also promised me that she wouldn't be mean to Vivian ever again. Yup, I think the shadow sirens will be living pretty peacefully from now on. But you should definitely visit her sometime.
Bobbery goes out to sea every day now with Cortez. I think his soul has healed. I ran into him on Keelhaul key the other day, which was nice. He was so happy, I thought he'd blow up on me for a second there. You know, I bet Scarlette is looking down on him and smiling right now. Oh, I almost forgot. Everyone on Keelhaul key is well and they say hello.
Ms. Mowz is now running the badge shop in Rogueport, so she's happy. She comes over to Frankly's sometimes it visit. But, as usual, as soon as she sets foot outside the shop, she turns into a badge-ninja. She said just the other day that she had found a pretty rare badge actually. That's our global-trotting, mystery-making, flirting little badge thief.
Oh yeah. In my travels I heard a rumor that lord Crump and Grodus were both still alive and living in Poshley heights. I guess that makes them pretty tenacious baddies, doesn't it Mario? But their near-death experience has taught them a lesson and they've changed for the better just like Bedlam has and I don't expect more trouble. Plus, I hear Grodus is now just a head which really cuts down on mischief-making.
And speaking of miracle survivals, guess whose favorite computer is still computing. He says he wants to see you and Peach again soon.
Well, I'm totally rambling at this point so I guess I'd better wrap it up. I just want to say, even though things got rough I'm thankful for our time together. And there's something else that weighed on me and I never got to express to you. See, I… Well that's best kept a secret. Say hi to Peach for me. Till we meet again
Your friend,
Goombela
"That's amazing bro." said Luigi. "Sounds like everyone is doing great up there."
Suddenly, the door opened
"Someone's here." said Mario
Toadsworth and Peach entered the house
"Hello Mario. Hello Luigi." said Peach
"I'm sorry that I cane unannounced, but…" said Toadsworth. "You see, I was just cleaning the storeroom in the castle and I found something rather amazing."
"Toadsworth found a map." said Peach. "And I'm sure it'll lead to a real treasure this time. I just know it. So, Mario you'd love to hunt for treasure, right? The boat is waiting for you."
Before Mario could say anything, Peach and Toadsworth left.
"What just happened?" asked Luigi in confusion
"Here we go again." said Mario
Thus, Mario's adventure came to an end. The shadow queen has been defeated, the x-nauts and the shadow sirens have changed their evil ways and everyone is happy, except for Mario. It seems princess Peach didn't learn anything from this adventure.
The end