(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Glitz Pit)
"So, now you must go." Jolene said as the group nodded. "I understand. If you all must, then we won't delay you. I hope you all find the rest of the Crystal Stars."
"Us too. But guessing how things are going for us. It's gonna work out A-Ok!" Paimon said.
"Glad to hear you guys are in a positive mode. Tartaglia chuckled. "Welp, we should get going now."
"Yeah we- wait, "we"?" Paimon turn.
"Oh right, I haven't mentioned it, isn't I? I decided to join you guys on your adventure."
"Hold up, what?!" Paimon exclaimed.
"What's with the expression? Is it really so shocking?" Tartaglia asked.
"Pretty much, I thought you were gonna say here as the champion." Levi said.
"Yeah that sounds fun and interesting, but it will get boring along the way. But what you guys are doing is far more interesting than this. Besides, I always wanted to go on an adventure with you Aether. So this is a good start. Plus with me around, things will get pretty interesting."
"Well I can't deny someone as strong as you would be a big help." Rean said.
"All right, you can come, but you're not planning to steal the Crystal Stars for the Fatui are you?" Aether asked
"Nope. I can't deny they would be interested in the Crystal Stars power if they heard of it, but you don't have to worry about them anymore either." Tartaglia said.
"What do you mean?" Paimon asked.
"You seriously haven't heard, haven't you? It happen four years ago. I guess you were away that time."
"Though it's rather unfortunate that Tartaglia decided to leave Glitzviles as well. But Just like the rest of you, I must respect his wish." Jolene said.
"Thank Jolene. I hope things goes well for all of you." Tartaglia smiled. "King K, Bandy, take care of yourselves, k?"
"You got it Tags. We're going to kick some ass while you're gone!" King K said. "Heh, I'm gonna be back in the ring and take that champion belt!"
"Heh, in your dreams." Rawk Hawk smirked. "Anyway, I'm not going to be fighting dirty anymore. If anything, I'm gonna take it easy, work out, and then I'll come back swinging like a new champ!" He said. "Word of advice! If anyone knocks you down and decides to monologue for some reason, give 'em a good ol' Rawking for me!"
"You got it!" Rean said as he and others fist pump Rawk Hawk.
"Heh, I'm planning on making a comeback myself." Prince Mush said. "So this is gonna be quite interesting…" He chuckled.
"We do need to think of a theme though. Eh, I'm sure we'll think of something." Jolene said. "If any of you decided tor return, please feel free. I'm sure the fans would love to see you again. Take care!" She waved as they waved back as they walked out of the Glitz Pit where they got to the blimp and took off back to Rogueport.
(BGM ended)
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Rogueport)
"Well, that was fun." Luigi said.
"You said it." Mario nodded as Flurrie, Koops, and Goombella jump into Mario's pocket.
"Can't wait to see where we're going next!" Rean grinned.
"So Tartaglia, what happened four years ago?" Paimon asked.
"Well-" Tartaglia paused as they walked ahead and then Mario's Mailbox SP went off as he opened it up.
"Oh look! We got an apply from Peach!" Mario said and began to read it.
"Dear Mario and friends, I've learned something that has made me absolutely livid. The X-Nauts want to use the Crystal Stars for what else but world domination. Like, seriously! Why do they NEED to conquer the world? Can't anyone be original for once in their life?! It's already a cliche as is it! What is with people wanted to take over the world?! Agh! I'm so furious I can't even think straight! Get me out of this hell hole! It's infuriating I tell you! You need to collect the other Crystal Stars before it falls to the wrong hands. Seriously, I do NOT want to deal with another world domination scenario… - Peach."
"Mama mia, how many world dominations is this?" Luigi asked.
"I don't know, I've lost track after too many shows that had the same plot." Mario admitted.
"So the shows in the Mushroom Kingdom is just as bad as Zemuria and any other nations." Rean said
"But unfortunately, the old cliche never gets old." Tartaglia shrug.
"Didn't you want to take over the world?" Paimon asked
Tartaglia laughed. "Nothing like that cliche. I meant the battlefield. I'm always hungry for battle. Speaking of, hope we can go all out this time. I wanna get a taste of what you're capable of." Tartaglia smirked as he look at Aether.
"Fight you to the death?" Aether raised his eyebrow as he asked.
"Pretty much!"
"He definitely sounds like Azrael" Levi sighed.
"Azrael? Ah, the Mad Dog. I heard about him." Tartaglia said.
"Paimon hopes we don't run into him." Paimon sighed. "Anyway, what happen four years ago?"
"The Fatui had been wipe out."
(BGM paused)
"What?! The Entire Fatui has been wipe out?!" Paimon exclaimed.
"Hold on... does this happen to do with the rumor with the chaos in Snezhnaya?" Aether asked
"Yep." Tartaglia nodded as he lean his back to the wall as he cross his arm.
"That reminds me. What is the Fatui anyway?" Levi asked "Paimon told us you guys are mostly bad guys."
(Trails of Cold Steel III ost - Beyond a Little Hope)
"I suppose that's one way of looking at it. The Fatui is a powerful mafia group to the public, but in truth, we're a secret military force to the Imperial Family of Snezhnaya that existed during the middle ages. Around... 600 years. We were very infamous all over the continent. I was fourteen years old when I join the Fatui, but to become a Harbinger, I need to prove my strength through a trial. After succeeding that trial, the Imperial Family granted me the position of the eleventh Harbinger. I was known as the youngest member to the Harbinger rank, and the one who pass the trial. Then one day, the Fatui met its end... ...at the hand of Ouroboros." Tartaglia explained.
"Ouroboros?!" Rean asked in shocked as the others did too.
"Around the time, Ouroboros was skill in its early days, and the Fatui had a rivalry going on with an organization called Order of the Moonlight Horse, until Ouroboros appeared and join the rivalry. The three groups were in full conflict behind the scenes. The first to go down was the Moonlight Horse... ... and then, it was us, the Fatui. Around four ago on July 22, Ouroboros somehow discovered our true base, the Imperial Palace. We were attacked by the combined assault of the Almighty Conflagration, the Bladelord, the Undine Prince, and the Steel Maiden. The Fatui stood no chance. And they were completely destroyed."
"Whoa... That's heavy stuff..." Paimon said. "But if how did you survive?"
"Let's just say it was luck. Afterward, Chaos spread throughout Snezhnaya. As for me, I figured I might as well wonder what to do in life. So I explore the continent. And so here we are." Tartaglia said.
"I see... So that's what happened." Aether amused.
(BGM ended)
(Resuming Rogueport)
"Yep. And with that, now you know. Anyway, let's get these Crystal Stars before those X-Naut guys get to it." Tartaglia said
"Right. Let's head to the Thousand Year Door and see where our next location." Rean nodded and then they headed to the Sewer and made their way to the Thousand Year Door.
(BGM paused)
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - The Thousand Year Door)
"Man... that is one of the biggest doors I've seen." Tartaglia amused. "Same for this area. So this is where you find info on the next star location?"
(BGM ended)
"Pretty much." Levi nodded as Mario hopped up and then the usual lights appeared with the map floating high up in the air and then gently floating down to Mario as he caught the map as everyone gathered around to see what would appear on the map, and what appeared before them was a big creepy steeple.
"Is it me or does that building look a bit... creepy?" Luigi gulped.
"Hmm..." Mario rub his chin. "Let's head to Professor Frankly and let him know the news."
A few minutes later…
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Professor Frankly's Theme)
"Wh-wh-WHAAAAAAAAAAT?!" Professor Frankly yelled. "You gotta be kidding me… they want to take over the world with the Crystal Stars?! That is not good! …I sympathize with Peach though." He said. "That being said, we must not let the Crystal Stars fall into the wrong hands, or there will be nothing but ruin, just like what happened to that very town a millennia ago!"
"Right. So Professor, have you found out more about the legend?" Levi asked
"I'm afraid so. It is indeed the theory you thought of about the treasure Levi. The "treasure" itself is actually the great cataclysm!"
"I see..."
"Then the X-Nauts plan to use this "treasure's" power to conquer the world." Altina place her finger to her chin.
"All the more reason is we need to stop them from letting that happen, otherwise, our world might be in danger." Rean said
"Right, so where is our next Crystal Star located?" Tartaglia asked
"According to the map, the next Crystal Star is in a Creepy Steeple near a place called Twilight Town."
"Twilight Town?" Kazuha asked
"To tell you the truth, I don't know much about that place, myself. Only rumors." Frankly said. "According to the rumors, it fit it's name very well when it comes to dim and eerie."
"So our next location is somewhere spooky." Aether said.
"Ooh... Paimon isn't feeling food..." Paimon gulped.
"Yeah, me too." Luigi nodded in agreement.
"Come on you two, I'm sure you been through situations like this before." Tartaglia said. "So, is there a way to get into this town, Professor?"
"Yes, hang on." Frankly said as he went back to one of the shelf, take out a book, flip the pages and look into it. "Aha! There's a pipe leading to Twilight Town somewhere in Rogueport on the westside, underneath the sewer."
"All right, let's go everyone." Kazuha said as they all nodded and took off.
(BGM ended)
They all headed to the west when they spotted a pipe leading down. Levi use his magic and created states and they all enter the sewer.
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Rogueport Sewer)
Once they arrived, Levi spotted an upper ledge and use magic to create magic stairs to climb up. Hop to platform to platform and to another upper ledge. Then they enter a room with a sign that said "Twilight Town". They all enter the pipe one by one but they were rejected.
"Huh? What the heck?" Levi blicked.
"Did the pipe rejected us?" Rean asked
"That's new. No pipe does that." Luigi amused.
"Let's go see Frankly again and see what's up." Mario said as they nodded and return to Frankly.
(BGM ended)
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Rogueport)
"Professor, we're back, but we got a problem." Alf said.
"A problem?" Franky asked
"Yeah, the pipe leading to Twilight Town rejected us."
"Hmm... this is peculiar... I'm afraid I haven't the foggiest idea of what to do here." Frankly said as he tilt his head a bit until a light bulb appeared over his head. "Oh! I might not know but I do know someone else! He's from Twilight Town! If anyone were to know, it would be him. What was his name again? Ah, that's right. Darkly!"
"Darkly?" Altina eyebrow.
Frankly nodded. "Yep. I've seen him loitering right here in this part of town in the past. He should still be there. Go to the fake wall on the left of Merlon's house."
"Merlon?" Rean turn to Levi.
"Even he's here?" Levi blicked as they exit the house and then go to the fake wall and then see a Twilighter talking to two people.
"There. That should do it." The Twilighter said after writing something on the young man's back.
The young man has light blue hair reaching his ears, pale skin, and ice-blue cat slit eyes. He wears a symmetrical white hooded jacket with navy embroidery. Under this, he wears a blue shirt over white pants with gold cuffs, along with a dark navy undershirt. He has bandages around his right wrist and right ankle.
While the young man next to him has dark, navy blue hair with asymmetrical bangs and golden amber eyes. He has a slight frame and a light skin tone. He typically wears a blue earring with a gold tassel on his right ear. A tassel made of amber which matches his eyes.
His attire consists of a long coat of silk which gradients from black at the collar, to shades of navy blue as the material descends. The coat's underside is a contrasting yellow with a faint, wavy pattern decorating the fabric. His collar and shoulder plates are rimmed with a gold, metallic material and to the right side of his chest sits a large circular brooch. It's embedded with a blue jewel, alike the centre of his collar, coat buttons and sleeve cuffs (front and side). Underneath, he wears a white long-sleeved shirt with a frilled seam to the right, revealed by the slit of his coat behind two overlapping ribbon-like buttons.
He additionally wields distinct, frilled sleeves which extend from his coat's baggy, gold pair. A clover-like ribbon of white, black and yellow is pinned to the right side of his belt. Beneath this hangs a pair of rectangular ribbons, one in white covering a notably longer, black ribbon. Both of them wield gold decals at their ends. He also wears a pair of navy-blue shorts with ends of black that are mostly concealed by the length of his coat. On his right leg, he wears a garter with a blue tassel, just below the knee. His footwear consists of a pair of white high-calf boots, black at the heels and soles with gold motifs.
"Thank you very much." Said the light blue hair young man.
"Oh hey! Chongyun! Xingqiu!" Paimon called out to them
"Oh, Aether and Paimon. Fancy seeing you here of all places." Said the dark navy blue hair young man.
"Friends of yours?" Rean asked.
"Yep. What brings you guys here in Rogueport?" Paimon asked.
"I was on my way to a business trip. However, Unfortunately, it seems I was too early, so I decided to look around this town of rogues. Of course some tried to steal from me, but to their disappointment, they only got the taste of my sword." The Dark Navy blue hair young man laughed.
"As for me, I was continuing my journey until I heard about this place and decided to check it out. I ask around if there are some evil spirits, but unfortunately, the town doesn't seem to have one but rogues everywhere. I ran into Xingqiu along the way. I was surprised to see him here as you two. But who are they?" He asked and the rest introduce who they are.
"Oh, so you're the famous Mario brothers and the Ashen Chevalier I heard so much about. A pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Xingqiu, I'm the second son of the Guild Manager of the Feiyun Commerce Guild in Calvard. And next to me dear friend Chongyun, who also hail from the eastern part of Zemuria." Xingqiu said.
"Nice to meet you all. As Xingqiu said. My name is Chongyun. I'm an exorcist." Chongyun smiled.
"An exorcist? Wow, this is my first time meeting one." Levi said.
"Same here. It's nice to meet you guys. Although I imagine you both don't probably like me if you heard the rumors about me." Rean nervous smile.
"Nah, I harbor no ill will toward you. You're just an officer to the Erebonian Military. You were just doing your job. Anyone would think so. But I can understand your discomfort. Sadly, many people are childish to even see this fact." Xingqiu said.
"So what brings you all out here?" Chongyun asked.
"We're here to ask someone name Darkly for help." Paimon said.
"You're looking for me?" Darkly asked.
"Yeah, do you know how to get through the pipe that lead to Twilight Town?" Levi asked.
"You guys are going there too?" Chongyun asked.
"You guys as well?" Aether asked.
"That's right, I heard some interesting rumors about that place. I ask around until we found Darkly here."
"Yep. I just finished telling them how to get to Twilight Town. And if you found the pipe that leads to it." Darkly said. "Anyway, It couldn't be simpler! You just need your name written down!" Darkly grinned and pulled out a marker. "I just need your names."
Several names later...
"Aaaand there you go!" Darkly grinned. "Have fun!"
"What's with that grin?" Paimon asked.
"All right. Back to Twilight Town Pipe we go." Levi said as he cast a portal leading to the pipe and head there.
"Whoa." Chongyun blicked as he enter the portal with Xingqiu.
(BGM ended)
Once arrive at the location of the pipe, they begin to hop in again.
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Twilight Town)
They came out of the warp pipe and then looked around. The scenery is gloomy as it state. The sky itself is sunset-like, the atmosphere looks gloomy. And the moon is almost close.
"So this is Twilight Town. It certainly lives up to it's name." Levi said. "Twilight sky, the place is dark and creepy."
"Creepy is one way to describe it." Altina said.
"Visitors?" A Twilighter asked as he approach them. "It's been a long time since we have anyone from outside visit here. Judging from your clothes, you must be adventurers?"
"Well sort of. But nice to meet you. Is it all right if we can you something?" Rean asked.
"Sure. You might be able to help us too."
"Help you?" Kazuha asked
"Yeah, normally you guys arrived here at a bad time. But we're in dire need of help. You see, the town is curse."
"C-Curse?" Luigi pale up.
"Curse? Oh thanks are turning good for me! I can help! I'm an exorcist." Chongyun said.
"An exorcist? Oh! Yes! You can-" The Twilighter was cut off by the sound of a bell. "Oh crud… The bell rang again! Who is it this time?" He groaned, and then he suddenly transformed into a pig.
"WHOA!" Aether yelled
"AAH! He turn into a pig!" Paimon exclaimed.
"Okay, I think it's time for me to quietly leave." Luigi said, but Tartaglia grabbed his arm. "...Or not."
"Oh dear... Freddy got hit with the curse..." A voice said as they see an elderly twilighter approaching them.
"And you are good sir?" Xingqin asked
"I'm the mayor of this poor town. My name is Dour. You're all adventurers are you not?"
"Well sort of. But I'm an exorcist." Chongyun said.
"An exorcist? Oh good news for once! Please, follow me into my home. I'll explain what's going on." The Mayor request as they nodded and then follow him into his home.
"Okay, what's going on Mayor?" Alf asked
"As you all notice. This town is cursed. You all heard the bell just now, right? That trigger the curse. Each time that bell rang, Twilighters were turned into pigs."
"Ahh... I see. Where did the bell come from?" Xingqin asked
"It came from the Creepy Steeple." The Mayor answered
"The Creepy Steeple?" Altina asked.
"Yes. Beyond this town is a forest, and at the heart of it is an ancient building called the Creepy Steeple. A dark creature who lives there is responsible for the curse. Each time the steeple bell rings, we turn into pigs."
"By dark creature, you mean-" Luigi gulped.
"A monster, or evil spirit, yes." The mayor nodded
"Well it's been nice knowing you, but I got somewhere to be." Luigi said, but then Rean grabbed his arm. "Okay, I'm staying!"
"I couldn't sleep at night." He muttered as everyone raised an eyebrow. "Yes, yes, I know, night and day are pretty similar here. Bit if this keep up, the whole village will turn into a pigpen. When I learn you're an exorcist, I felt great relief. Can you help us, dear exorcist?"
"Of course! I was hoping for an opportunity like this!" Chongyun nodded, fist-pumping.
"We'll help too." Levi said.
"You're exorcist too?" The mayor asked
"No, but we are on a journey here." Rean said. "Do you know something call a Crystal Star?"
"A Crystal Star? Hmm... I'm afraid I don't know what they are... but I do know there is a glittery red stone shaped like a star in the Creepy Steeple. Could that be it?"
"That sounds like the Crystal Star!" Paimon cheered.
"Excuse me, Mayor, can you give us permission to go to the Creepy Steeple? We can handle that monster as well. We face powerful monsters before. Some even with otherworldly power as well. Also, I might also be able to help wth this situation too."
"You will? But... Well... you do have an exorcist... Very well. I'll let the gatekeeper know. But can you help us with this situation?"
"Of course, leave it to me. I need to look into the Twilighters who turn into pigs." Chongyun said as they all headed outside and then Chongyun examine the pig. "Hmm... Yes... this is powerful energy i'm sensing... but it's unlike I ever seen before... Hmm." Chongyin said as he materialize a talisman and launch it at the pig and change back into a Twilighter.
"Ugh... wha-" The Twilighter blicked.
"Whoa so this is an exorcism's ability?" Rean said in awe.
"Almost similar to Emma, hmm?" Levi whisper to Rean's ear.
"There that should it." Chongyun smiled.
"Incredible! Thank you, exorcist! I'll inform everyone immediately!" The Mayor exclaimed as he ran off as Chonyun work on the next victim.
"Okay, I think I should cast an anti-curse barrier around the village, just to be safe." Levi said.
"Yeah, not unless Chrongyun can place a protection spell on everyone here." Rean said.
"I'm afraid it would be tiring for everyone." Xingqin said.
"I'm not familiar with exorcisms but it does proven affective. But we should get going to the Creepy Steeple." Altina said.
"Right, but we should wait for him to finish." Levi nodded.
A few minutes later...
"Cheers for the exorcist!" The mayor announced and the Twilighter cheered for the tired Chongyun.
"Haa...Haa... Phew..." Chongyun panted. "It's been awhile since... I exhausted this much..." He said, and right at this moment, the Bell rang and nothing happen.
"Okay, now for the big moment." Levi said as he begin his casting stance as a golden magic circle is underneath his feet. Then Levi wave his arms around and then spread out his arm, creating a large barrier all over Twilight Town. "Okay, there. The Town is protected within the barrier, you won't have to worry about being cursed for the time being, until we deal with the monster in hand."
"Oh, thank you so much! We wish you all a success on your journey." The mayor said as everyone begin to head out of the village.
(BGM ended)
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Twilight Trail)
It was kind of the villagers to give us all these useful items." Levi said.
"Well, Chongyun did use his exorcist powers to banish the curse within everyone." Xingyin replied.
"And Levi here use his power to place a barrier." Altina added and then a bell rang from the Steeple, but nothing happened.
"It was a good idea that I cast a spell to prevent us from turning into pigs and other curses." Levi said as they continue walking down the path.
"Let's hurry to the Steeple and stop that monster before he get more wise idea." Aether stated
Three Hyper Goombas came out to slow them down but they were taken care of, until three Hyper Paragoombas show up and rushed toward them, only for Tartaglia to make quick work of them. Then three Hyper Spiked Goombas came to put a stop to them, but they were also taken care of and they went forward, only for a tree to block their way and found a storage key on the other side of the downed tree. Rean and Levi cut the tree in half and clear a path for everyone.
They went further along the trail where some Crazee Dayzees tried to attack them, but they were taken care of them easily, but an Amazee Dayzee ran away.
"I can't tell if that one was smart or not." Levi said.
"Definitely smart." Xingyin replied as they kept going where a Hyper Cleft went to attack them, only for Chongyun to take care of it with his Claymore/ until they eventually reached the Creepy Steeple itself.
(BGM ended)
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Creepy Steeple)
"Well, isn't this just spooky!" Luigi said as he and the others walked over to the gate and discovered that it was locked. "Oh well, looks like we can't go any further." Luigi shrugged.
"Are you always this much of a coward?" Tartaglia asked.
"Well can you blame him? This place give Paimon the hibbies-gibbers." Paimon gulped.
"Either way, you know we can't just stop here." Aether stated as Rean use his skills and cut the chains and open the gate.
"That's one way of opening it." Chongyun chuckled as they walked inside into the main hall.
"This place is even more creepy!" Paimon gulped.
"And what do you call that?" Xingqin pointed at the stained-glass window.
"EVEN CREEPIER!" Paimon yelled.
"Shush! Are you trying to get us caught?" Aether asked
"Hey, what's inside that room?" Levi wondered as they went in and found a dusty room with some stuff. And A Shrine Sprite.
"Another Shrine Sprite." Altina said as she hit it, and the Shrine Sprite flew out of the Steeple while others open the chest. One was an Ice Smash Badge.
"Oh, look a cookbook. It's old but interesting. I'm gonna read it." Xingqin said as he open the book.
"You can read them later, right now, let's go." Chongyun said and they left the room. As came across a statue.
"Hmm, hang on." Levi said as he push the statue. "WAAH!" He yelled as he fell underneath.
"Levi!" Rean exclaimed as he and everyone else jump after him. They landed safely thanks to the spring. "Levi, you okay?"
"Yeah, thanks to the spring." Levi answered.
"And we found another creepy part. Are we underground?" Alf asked
"Probably, we can get up but let's see what's on that door." Mario said as he open the room and everyone went into a room.
Then they found a box.
"A Box?" Tartaglia asked.
"I wonder what's inside." Paimon said as Aether open it... and lot of Boos came out of it.
"WAAH!" Luigi and Paimon yelled as the boo went pass them. Then one last Boo came out.
"Ok! It's quiz time, interlopers! Just now, how many Boos came out of the box?"
"Against that many?!" Paimon exclaimed.
"Hmm... 200?" Mario asked
"Correct. Here's your prize, math nerd." The Boo said as he drop an Ultra Shroom. "Later suckers." He said and fled.
"Wow, I can't believe I was right..."
"But lucky us." Levi chuckled as he pick up the Ultra Shroom.
They head back to the spring and use it to return back to the Steeple and see a Boo crying.
"Is he... crying?" Altina asked as they approach him. "Excuse me, but are you crying?"
"Yes... but are you going to be mean to me?" The Boo asked
"Why would we do that? We're not bad people." Rean said.
The Boo enlarge himself which spook most of everyone.
"Promise?!"
"WAAAAAH!" Luigi and Paimon screamed.
"I'll take that as a yes. Come out guys!" He said and countless bows surround them.
"It's a trap!" Xingqin exclaimed.
"Not for long!" Chongyun said as he summoned a talisman and swing, knocking several Boos away.
"Ow! You're an exorcist?! We hate exorcists! Let's get 'em!" A Boo declared as he and the other Boos gathered together and form into Atomic Boo. "HAHA!"
"Luigi." Mario said.
"I got it." Luigi got his Protergust 3000 and suck the Atomic Boo.
"Wait, no! What are you doing?! AAAAAAH!" He screamed and got suck in.
"Wow. I never thought a Vacuum can suck a ghost." Tartaglia said.
"I don't think some of us either." Chongyun said.
"Now this is good stuff!" Xingqin said as a Lucky Star badge was dropped. "Ooh, look at this." He said as he equip it.
They went through a door and walked through the corridor where a few Swoops tried to attack them, Mario and the others made quick work on them. and hit the ! Block at the end, where they heard a loud rumbling coming from the other room as they looked to see stairs had moved from a door, where they then walked up on the right path and made their way through the corridor and found a locked door, where Levi use his magic and unlock the door. They went up the Spiral Staircase and hopped on a springboard.
(BGM ended)
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Doopliss theme)
"Whoa whoa WHOA! Hold up their, slicks!" A voice said as they saw a freak in a sheet casually sitting on the chair. "What do you think you're doing here? This is my "ME" time!"
"A Doplighist?" Levi asked
"Oh great..." Rean sighed.
"So, you're the guy who is responsible for turning everyone into pigs?" Paimon asked.
"Seriously? You came into my house and accuse me? Just because I'm living here? He asked.
"Just answer the question." Aether said.
"Yep. That's me. And were you the ones who undo the pigfication and set up that barrier?"
"That's us. So you're the monster the mayor spoke off." Chongyun. "You're definitely an evil spirit."
"Who are you calling an evil spirit? But I do look the part." He smirked.
"All right you, start talking, why did you turn the people of Twilight Town into pigs?" Xingqin asked
"Because I'm so bored. Not to mention the people are so depressing, boring, and dimwitted all the time. I was doing them a favor. Until you guys show up and ruined it all! And now you're gonna pay for that!"
"The only one who's gonna pay is you!" Rean declared as he pulled out his Tachi and everyone got on their battle stance.
"Hey no fair! No many of ya! Oh, here's an idea!" He said as he use his powers and push some of them back and created a small barrier on his room. The only ones are, Rean, Maio, Xingqiu and Chongyun. "Much better, let's fight slick!"
(BGM ended)
(Paper Mario: the Thousand Year Door ost - Doopliss)
Troublemaker Duplighost.
"Alright, let's take a look at… huh?! Why doesn't it show the name of this thing?! That's so weird!" Goombella exclaimed. "Anyway, he has 40 HP, an attack of four and zero defense. He's a really weird one… but we can pull it off no sweat!"
Mario and Rean form a combat link and they launch toward the Duplighost with slashes and punches while the Duplighost dodge. But then Chongyun launch himself with a strong slash toward him, but the Duplighost jump back until Xingqin let out some rapid trust, follow up with a downward water slash and flip kick, knocking him ogg guard while Rean let out a few flashes, follow up with Mario launch a powerful punch on the Duplighost's face, knocking the Duplighost back.
The Duplighost retaliated by floating up and headbonking Rean, which she retaliated by a counter as use Morning Moon and slashed through the Duplighost, before jumping back while Chongyun let out strong swings, follow up with striking the ground with his greatsword, causing a cold attack.
"Ah! Cold, cold!" The Duplighost exclaimed until Xingqiu performs twin strikes with his sword, adding water, in other result making the Duplighost, then Rean let out a helix slash on him broking him free but also dealing immense damage.
"Mmph! You seem pretty strong there, slick! But let's see if you like… THIS!" The Duplighost cackled as he disappeared, seeming to scan Rean and then suddenly a shadow version of Rean appeared before them. "Hehehehe, how do you like THEM apples!"
"So you think copying me will make any difference?" Rean asked.
"Oh, it will be." Shadow Rean said as he ran over, only for Chongyun to perform an attack by summoning 3 giant spirit blades in mid-air that fall to the earth one by one after a short delay, exploding as they hit the ground. "Gah!" He winced, although you couldn't tell because his eyes were covered as Rean ran over and slashed the imposter a few times while Mario let out a few punching before grabbing Shadow's Rean's legs and start spinning him. "Whoa, whoa,whoa, whoa!" Then toss him to Xingqiu who summoned swords made out of water and strike at Fake Rean. "Gah!"
"It's over!" Rean yelled and then ran over, slashing through Shadow Rean.
"GYAAAAAH!" He yelled before falling to the ground in defeat.
(BGM ended)
"That was fast... but also pathetic." Tartaglia said as the Crystal Star rolled out of Shadow Rean's possession and then Levi picked it up.
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Chapter Ending)
And so, with the pathetically easy fight at the Creepy Steeple, the next Crystal Star was theirs, and their journey is already half over! With their backs turned to the Creepy Steeple, they went on their merry way! …Or were they?
(BGM ended)
"Come on, let's-a go." Mario said as one by one, they jumped down the hole with Rean being the last one as he looked over at the KO'd Shadow Rean and smirked a bit before jumping in… and then Shadow Rean got up.
"Nnngh… ow… What just happened?" Shadow Rean wondered as he look around. "Levi? Altina? Everyone? What's going on…?" He wondered. "GWAAH!? WHAT IS THIS!? AM I A SHADOW?! HOW AM I A SHADOW?!"
Rean heard all of this before walking out of the doorway. "Have fun, slick." He chuckled darkly.
As they walk... Levi passed and notice Rean. He had a dark aura around him.
'Huh?' Levi look at him with concern... but also a serious look.
Meanwhile…
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Shadow Sirens theme)
"Mwehehehehehe! This is going to be the best thing yet. This time, we will get that map and the Crystal Stars from Mario and those fools of his!" Beldam said. "With our super bombomb, we can easily destroy those whelps!"
"Guhhhhh!" Marilyn nodded
"Vivian! Hand me the Superbombomb!"
Vivian blicked, if she has eyes. "Uh… what?"
"…Vivian… please tell me that you didn't say what I think you just said…" Beldam growled. "You dropped it, didn't you!"
"Oh, don't give me that!" Vivian yelled. "You were the one who had it because you couldn't trust me with it!"
"SILENCE, YOU WHELP!" Beldam yelled, slapping Vivian. "You were the one who had it last! And if you drop it somewhere, then YOU'RE gonna find it!"
"Why am I in charge of the things YOU do?" Vivian asked.
"DON'T BACK TALK ME!" Beldam yelled. "You know what. Marilyn and I are going to take a well-earned siesta while you find it. If you don't, well… you already know! So get cracking… OR ELSE!" She yelled and then she and Marilyn disappeared.
Vivian clenched her fists. "Beldam… I have had it UP TO HERE WITH YOU!" She yelled and let out a loud yell in rage before grumbling to herself, attempting to find it.
Rean's identity was stolen! Poor Rean! Will everyone notice?