(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Pirate's Grotto)
"Anyone else getting a creepy vibe?" Luigi wondered as they wandered in.
"Hmm, a little bit." Mario replied.
"Well, we been through something creepy then this right?" Rean as they walked up ahead.
"Ooooooo! Ooooooooo!"
"You were saying?" Levi asked.
"Maybe it's a little spooky." Rean sweatdrop.
"More than a little." Luigi shuddered.
"I don't think Millium would like this." Levi said as they hopped off the ledges and then they went further in where they came across two Lava Bubble who had spotted them, Tartglia shot them with his water bow which got rid of them, then they walked up ahead to where they saw spikes rising up and down every few seconds.
"This might be a problem." Paimon said.
"Well you can float over them. But some of us have to be real quick." Tartaglia said. "Levi, why don't you be the first to get across, then open up a portal."
"Well, sounds like a plan." Levi said as he waited for the moment for the spike to go down. Then he start running, which blast a warm air with some covering their eyes while others like Rean, Mario, Luigi, Aether, Kazuha, Tartaglia, and Beidou weren't bothered.
"He certainly is a breath of fresh air." Kazuha chuckled, which everyone else chuckled.
"Good one." Beidou smirked as Levi cast a portal which everyone made it to the otherside of the spikes.
"Well, it was better than having me do it individually." Vivian said as they went into the next area where they were being attacked by Bullet Bills from Bill Blasters.
"That's one way to keep people away." Aether said.
"Interesting... missiles with arms and faces." Xingqiu amused.
"Those are Bullet Bills. They're like cannon balls but Paimon thinks a little stronger." Paimon explained
"Interesting. Guess I'll buy myself some Bullet Bills." Beidou smirked as she and Tartaglia and Kazuha went up ahead and slashed through the Bullet Bills and then Aether, Mario and Luigi jumped ahead and Hammer, punch and slash the Bill Blasters a few times before they exploded.
"That takes care of them." Aether said, high fiving Mario and Luigi and then they went into the next room where there was a huge waterfall and a gate in front of the waterfall, with a machine missing a lever.
"Hmm... Look like the lever is missing." Paimon said.
"Hmm. let's make a mental note of this. It might be important to our journey." Aether advised as they nodded.
They walked up ahead where a Bulky Bob-omb ran over to them, but were taken care of by Chongyun, Altina and Alf before one of them exploded on them. Levi use his magic to heal them up, then they went into the next room which consisted of a climbing wall, and an Ember that rushed toward them, but it was quickly knocked it and its friends out. They climbed up the wall and two Parabuzzies went to attack them after they got to the top but Xingqiu, Kazuha and Mario quickly took them out when they saw a switch on the top of a small ledge.
"Toss me up there, lad!" Bobbery requested as Mario threw him up while Kazuha turned toward the small waterfall.
"Hmm, this is an interesting smell. Something definitely behind the water." Kazuha said.
"Hey Paimon, care to check it out? It could be treasure." Tartaglia suggest.
"I don't know..." Paimon place her hand on her head as she thinks then Bobbery exploded on the switch to activate the metal door to raise it up.
"Ooooooo! Turn baaaaaaack! Oooooooooo! Gooooo nooo fuuuuurther… or you will never leave…"
"Yipe!" Luigi paled.
"Well at least this one is better then Tutankoopa back then." Levi remark.
"Yeah. This one is more intimidating." Rean nodded. "Still, it won't scare us."
"Yeah, and besides, I can kick its butt if it KO's my papa Levi and Daddy Rean." Alf said proudly.
"Aww you're so thoughtful, brave and cute my adorable little one." Levi chuckled.
"Ugh... all right. Levi, can you cast some barrier around Paimon?" Paimon asked.
"Sure." Levi said as he cast a barrier around Paimon.
"Well... here goes." Paimon said as she floated through the waterfall. "Hey a secret hideway!" She said as she continue, turn to her left and see a Treasure chest. "Score! Paimon found treasure!" She floated, open it and pick up a Defend Plus P. "What's this?" She wondered as she floated back to the others. "Goombella, what's this?"
"Ooh that's a Defend Plus P! It definitely boost our defense!" Goombella answered
"In that case, one of you can have it." Paimon said as she hand it over to Bobbery.
"Thanks lass." Bobbery said as he requip it.
They went into the upper level of the previous room where they encounter three Bulky Bob-omb slowly charge at them, but they were taken care of by Bobbery who exploded on them, but also exploded on them. But fortunately, Altina had Claiomh Solais shield them. They climbed some rocks and jumped over a small body of water and they went into the next room which seemed like a storage area of sorts where they easily got the key by Tartaglia shooting the ! Switch when he got on the platform and then they all walked back a few rooms, where they climbed down the rock wall and opened up the door, then encountered three Parabuzzies where Tartagia knock them out of the sky with his Bow and Beidou finish them with her Claymore, and went off into the next area... which is a wall of spikes.
"Cheese and crackers!" Levi exclaimed.
"Spikes coming out of walls? That's a bit overkill." Mario said.
"I can understand the ground, but walls?" Rean asked.
"Aye, pirates were very overprotective over their treasure." Bobbery said. "So much so that it made them absolutely paranoid. So what we are seeing is perfectly normal for a pirate to make sure no one steals the treasure."
"Right... welp, guess I'll just formed a bridge over them." Levi shrug as he wave his arm and his power form a bridge a light over them as they walk over the deadly spike walls and they made it to the other side.
"I'm kinda jealous you can mold your power like that Levi." Rean said.
"I'm sure you can do, Rean." Levi said as they wandered into a room that had debris from shipwrecks where they traversed through carefully, while Flurrie, Koops and Goombella took care of the Ember and Lava Bubble and then Rean slash through the boarded doorway and they went through where they saw two Bill Blasters firing at them.
"More Bullet bills huh?" Tartaglia said as he, Mario and Aether went to take care of the first set, and then they ran up where Luigi, Kazuha and Chongyun took care of the other set.
"I think we're getting close to the treasure." Chrongyun said.
"Or probably a dead end." Xingqiu said.
"That could be the case." Bobbery said as they walked ahead, and were met with four Bulky Bob-ombs, but they were taken care of by Tartaglia, Rean and Altina, luckily they weren't blown up at the very end and then they saw a ship with a hole in it, then they walked in and found treasure and the Gate Handle.
"Oh look! The handle!" Paimon said.
"Guess we found what we're looking for. Let's had back." Aether said after getting the P-Down, D-Up badge from the chest.
As they walked out and backtracked made their way to the room where the machine was at, Beidou put the lever back to the machine, where She then turned the lever a few times to get the floodgates to rise.
"Ooooo! Oooooooo!"
"Sounds like our treasure hunt and our ghost is getting closer." Beidou
"Greeeat." Luigi sighed
"But the problem is the way we pretty much walk everywhere that has land. Most of the area is covered in deep water." Vivian said.
"True, at this point, we're at an impass." Bobbery nodded.
"What should we do now?" Paimon asked.
Levi sighed. "I guess this is where I come in." Levi then snap his finger and magic swirling around his friends and allies feet.
"What's just happened?" Rean asked as Levi jump into the water. "Wait, Le-!" then they see Levi floating on water. "-vi... Wha..."
"Whoa! He's standing on water!" Paimon exclaimed.
"I enchanted our feet with magic so we can walk on water with ease." Levi explained.
Alf whistle. "Dang Papa Levi, is there anything you can't do?"
"Seriously, how come you didn't do this in the first place?" Tartaglia asked.
"To be honest. That machine and handle does look important so we need to get through." Levi answered. "Also, I feel like this whole chapter or story is basically about me using my powers and magic for often." He sigh before turning to the screen. "Seriously, why would you have me use my powers more often author? Can't we just do what was originally plan with us changing into boats and stuff since we're paper?"
Hey shut up! Don't tell people about it!
"And breaking the forth wall continue." Tartaglia laughed.
"I'll never understand you guys." Rean sighed as they hop onto the water and walk their way into the passageway to the room where the spikes were popping out of the walls where they avoided the tidal waves before they went into the final room.
"Hey! Hey! I hear something!" A voice called out where there a bunch of shipwrecked Toads on one ship.
"Hey, it's people!"
"YES! WE'RE SAVED! OVER HEEEERE!" Another Toad yelled as they made its way over to them. "HOLY CRAP, THEY'RE STANDING ON WATER!"
"How did they do that?!"
"Wait, we can walk on water this whole time?!"
"Actually, I use magic to make us walk on water." Levi explained.
"Okay that make sense."
"Look there's an upper ledge over there!" Aether pointed.
"Oh, perfect!" Levi said as they walk over to the upper ledge, then hop on it, and then Levi cast his magic and created a large portal from here and to the ship where the Shipwrecked Toads are. "Okay guys, I created a portal to get you on land."
"You sure?" A Toad asked as one hopped off and walk on the portal and got on land. "SWEET! Everyone it's legit!" He yelled as one by one they all hopped onto the portal along with two certain Piantas jumping on the portal and onto the ledge.
"Dude! That was incredible!" A Toad yelled.
"Man I wish I could use magic like that!" Another said.
"Okay it's settled! I'm taking magic lessons related to space and portals and stuff!" Another said
"You all shipwrecked too?" Mario asked
"Unfortunately!" A Toad groaned.
"Wait a second, Mario!" A voice exclaimed as they saw Frankie and Francesca walking up to them. "You all got shipwrecked too?" Francesca asked
"Yup." Luigi nodded as they got talking where Levi noticed a wedding ring was on Francesca's hand.
'Oh they got married! Congratulations!' Levi thought as he turn and notice Frankie wasn't wearing his. 'Oooh. I think I know who's wedding ring this is.'
"I'm surprised the rumors about Cortez were all true!" Francesca said, then she gasped. "Does that mean he's nearby?"
"So we're almost there." Altina said.
"Almost there? Wait, why are you all here anyway? Please don't tell me, Daddy send you."
"No. We're looking for something that Cortez has." Paimon said as Levi approached Frankie from the side and tap his shoulder as he turn to him.
"I believe this is yours." Levi whispered as he hand him over the wedding ring.
"My weddin' ring! Thank you." Frankie whispered back and put it back on.
"Well, you all stay here for the time being. That way, we can escape back where everyone else is." Beidou said as Mario and his Party walked into the final area.
(BGM ended)
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Ghostly Encounter)
"Whoa, hold up a second!" A voice said as they turned to see Four-Eyes approaching them.
"Four-Eyes? What are you doing here?" Luigi asked suspiciously.
"Oh, you know, thought I'd cheer you on from here." He said. "We're all rooting for you… and so is Grodus." He quietly added that last part as they all turned away and walked into the ship.
"How the hell did he made his way over here?" Levi asked
"I don't know... but we will question him after this." Rean said
"Ooooo! Oooooooo! You've ignored my WARNINGS! Come inside the dooooooor and be lost in darkness!" The voice said as they walked in with their heads held high… while Luigi was shaking in his boots and went into the captain's room.
(BGM ended)
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Cortez's theme)
"Ooooooooo! Oooooo- hack, plepth! What am I doing, pirates don't moan!" A voice said and then Cortez the Pirate appeared before them. "You DARE come in here, amigos?!" He asked, and then Luigi and Paimon fainted at the sight of the pirate.
"Yeah Millium freak out by this." Levi comment.
"Hey, you're the one who invited us!" Aether cross his arm.
"So you're Cortez?" Rean asked.
"That's right. I am Cortez, the Pirate King!" Cortez answered "I know who you all are! You are after my TREASURE! To that… I will make sure none of you make it out of here alive!"
"Saw that coming." Levi said.
"Ha! Good! That way I can settle the score with you for sinking my ship!" Beidou declared where they get ready for battle.
(BGM ended)
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Cortez)
"En garde!" Cortez exclaimed as he just grew a body of his own.
Undead Pirate Lord - Cortez
"Cortez has 20 health with an attack of four and a defense of one. He'll come back to life when his health reaches zero! Eventually, he'll go down for good!"
"Got it!" Rean said.
Cortez launch the first assault as he let out slashes from his four arms towards Beidou, Rean, Levi and Xinqiu who block and counter the attacks while Tartaglia molded water to two sword and launch several slashes onto Cortez as Altina let out some punches with Claiomh Solais towards the bone piles.
"Not bad!" Cortez smirked and then slashed them, but they blocked while Chonyyun summoned several ice pillars toward Cortez and launch a heavy swing onto Cortez's skull, knocking his head back and Xingqiu let out several trust attacks onto the spines before letting out three water slashes.
"So some of you are skill with the sword, but I'm the better one!" He said as he already went into his second form, a serpentine like body.
"Don't get cocky!" Beidou said as she slashed him, but Cortez blocked and launch a headbutt on her, knocking her back.
"Gah!" Beidou winced, before Bobbery ran over and blew up the pile of bones, having him shrink down, then Rean slashed the pile of bones a few times, then Levi swirl and let out swift slashes and trust attacks, and then Cortez's ribcage opened up to reveal his gem, but not before Cortez headbutted Levi, knocking him back to Rean, then Aether imbue his sword with Light and launch himself at Cortez's gem stab his gem, dealing massive damage to him.
"ARGH!" Cortez yelled before Aether jumped back, and Cortez's skeletal body crumbled and he fell to the ground, but his weapons rose from the ground and aimed themselves at the group, then Cortez detached himself from the rest of his body.
"Take this!" Levi said as he cast an Orbal Art. "Ha!" He wave and cast Claiomh Solarion as a large white circle appeared, then emerge it was a hand.
"What in tarnation?!" Cortez exclaimed and the hand fire a powerful beam toward Cortez and his weapon, dealing massive damage. "AUUUGH!"
"Let's go everyone!" Rean yelled as they rally cried and then launch themselves toward Cortez in an all out attack, letting slashes, punches, swipe and strikes onto Cortez.
(BGM ended)
"NOOOOOOOOOO!" Cortez yelled as he begin to shrunk down. "…I am done for…" He said… before returning back to normal size.
(Resuming Cortez's theme)
"What am I saying? I can't die, I'm already dead!" Cortez laughed while they all sweatdropped. "So, you beat me fair and square, just take my treasure and get out of here."
"We're not interested in your treasure." Levi said.
"Wait, what? You're not?"
"No. Aside from me who wanted to beat you up for destroying my ship." Beidou said.
"Then what are you amigos here doing in the first place?" Cortez asked
"We just want the Crystal Star over there." Altina said, pointing to the Sapphire Star. "We had no intentions of fighting you."
"Wait. What." Cortez said and floated over to the Crystal Star. "This one?"
"Yep." Aether nodded.
"Are you serious? You JUST came for THIS?"
"That's correct. Just that." Kazuha said.
"Wow, this is not what I expected. I'll admit, I really don't like this one, so here you go!" Cortez said, handing them the Crystal Star.
(BGM ended)
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Chapter Ending)
With Cortez the Pirate handing over the Crystal Star, the heroes celebrate their victory. They were on their way to collect the next Crystal Star!
…Except there's one problem they need to deal with...
(BGM ended)
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Pirate Grotto)
"Alright, get out!" Cortez said, sending them out the back way and they all landed in a pile on a rock, but they got themselves situated and worked their way back to where they met up.
"Wow! That was like an earthquake in there! What happen?" A Toad asked
"Oh, we defeated Cortez." Paimon answered
"Wow! You defeated Cortez?! I'm impressed!" A Toad exclaimed. "So how do we get out of here?"
"Hey, guys? That rumbling caused a crack in the wall… and I can smell the ocean!" Another Toad exclaimed.
"Allow me!" Bobbery said and then walked up to the crack, then explode on it, creating a way out.
"WOOOHOOO! We're FREEEEEEE!" A Toad exclaimed as they all ran outside.
(BGM ended)
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Keelhaul Key)
"Ah, I miss the sweet air..." Kazuha smiled as they walked out.
"Ah, Mario! Captain Beidou!" Flavio ran over to them. "So great to see you again in one piece! How is our little expedition faring, hm?"
"Well we found Crotez's ship, defeated his spirit guarding it, and got what we came for. We weren't interested in his treasure so we left it there." Rean explained
"What?! You defeated Cortez's spirit and left his treasure there!? What were you thinkin'!" Pa-Patch exclaimed. "Eh, oh well. That's what I like about you guys."
"Okay, the big question we should all be wondering is... how do we get off from this island?" One of the Crux's crew asked... and then there was a loud explosion that caught their attention, and then something landed on the water, making a huge splash.
(BGM ended)
"What was that?!" A Toad exclaimed as they see something in the distance. An X-Naut ship
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Danger!)
"Is that a pirate ship?!" A Toad yelled.
"Buh! uh! Buh huh huh huh huh!" A voice laughed from the ship and hop on the cannon was Four-Eyes.
"Four-Eyes! What are you doing on that pirate ship?!" Pa-Patch yelled.
"Oh good, now we can drop the charade." Levi rolled his eyes. "Why don't you take of that ridiculous disguise Crump?"
"Buh huh huh... HUUHH?!" Four eyes exclaimed as he took off his disguise. "How did you know it was me?! Ooooh, tell me it wasn't the audience reading the story!"
"No, it was pretty obvious the moment we met back before Flavio's ship sank. We had a hunch you were after the Crystal Star and you had some plan. So we decided to play along. You made too easy when how you suddenly made your appearance here and back before our battle with Cortez." Rean answered.
"Plus, aside from you giving yourself away, your body appearance, goggles, horns and your voice pretty much is what we remember you." Levi added.
"Grrrrrr... Why must I deal with the smart ones?! No matter. Mario and Crew! Hand me that Crystal Star nice and easy… and I'll still blow you up anyway!" Crump yelled
"Levi." Rean look at him with a deadpan look.
"On it~" Levi smiled as he snap his finger and a magic circle appeared underneath Crump and he was set on fire.
"YAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Crump yelled
Beidou laughed. "Brutal!"
"Quick! We need to stop that ship from blowing us all up!" Luigi exclaimed.
"You said you fought Cortez right? Take me to him." Flavio said as the party nodded and ran off.
The fire exploded on Crump left him in a crisp. "Grrrr! When I get my hands on the silver one!"
(BGM ended)
At Cortez's ship…
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Cortez's theme)
"Ooooh… Ooo- oh, it's just you." Cortez said as they came back. "What do you need, did you forget something?"
"G-g-g-g-good gravy! C-C-C-C-C-Cortez the pirate!" Flavio exclaimed.
"Hmm? And who are you?" Cortez asked.
"I-I-I-I am Fl-Fl-Flavio… and I am in need of your ship."
"WHAT! You come all this way and ask me for MY ship! You have some nerve, peacock! I'd rather skin ya alive!"
"But, we need to go out there and stop that guy from blowing us all up with his ship!"
"Hmph! And even if I did, this ship is magical, and it cannot move. The key to power this ship is a mystical red skull gem."
Flavio's eyes widened. "The... Skull Gem? Oh, you mean this?" He asked, pulling it out.
"YOUUUUUU! YOU STOLE IT FROM ME!"
"Actually, it was my ancestors. It was past down through generations of my family. If you want the gem back, you will lend us your ship. Fair deal, no?"
"Why you sniveling little… I outta turn you into piranha and bash you with a stick!
"Ababababa! I wouldn't do that if I were you. Because if you do, I'll have Mario and the others trounce you again and I'll the gem into Davy Jones' Locker and you will never see it again."
"AAAARGH! You drive a hard bargain. Very well, I'll accept! But bring it to me carefully."
"Ha! Carefully? I've been handling this jewel since I was born!" Flavio said and handed it to Cortez.
"Ahhh, at last! The Black Skull lives again! I was getting an annoying headache from the canon outside anyway. Hang on tight, amigos! I'll get this ready in a jiffy!" He said as they all nodded and walked out, where they saw all the Toads, Crux's crew, Pa-Patch and the two Piantas on deck.
(BGM ended)
"What the- what are you all doing here?" Mario asked
"We want to fight too!" Francesca exclaimed.
"And we're called the Spears of the Crux's for nothing either!" One of the Crux's member added, and then Cortez appeared in front of them.
"It's been a millennium since I gazed out upon the sea! Coe! To the open waters!" Cortez exclaimed as the Embers appeared on the sails.
Outside…
"I got countless ammo to spare! Alright, ready all cannons! We are tearing this island down!" Crump yelled.
"You dare come to my island and attempt to blow it up? You have some nerve, mortal!" Cortez said, and then the Black Skull tore through the rocks.
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Crotez's battle)
"WHAT THE?!" Crump yelled as the two ships circled around before Cortez rammed into Crump's ship. "Argh! Alright, if it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get!" He exclaimed. "ATTAAAAAACK!" He yelled as the X-Nauts jumped ship to the Black Skull, where the Toads, Spears of the Crux and Embers did the same.
"All right, you all handle the wise guys, I'll handle Crump." Beidou said as she leap over the X-Naut's Ship and then slam hard on the deck as Crump dodged.
(BGM paused)
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Magnus Von Grapple)
"HA! You think you can take me on? Don't make me laugh!" Crump laughed as he launch himself toward Beidou who immediately block his attack and counter it with the swing of her Claymore. "Augh!"
Beidou stand on her ground and then launch slashes toward Crump who dodge some of her swings but then Beidou an upper slash, follow up with a dash slide then spin swing, strike and strong swing that launched Crump rolling on the floor.
"Uggh! This woman know how to show a heavy punch!" Crumb muttered
"Is that really all you got "Lord". You're nothing more of a Pushover." Beidou said as she stab the ship with her Claymore, looking not impressed.
"Grrr, I show you not to make a mockery of me! X-Nauts!" He yelled and squad of X-Nauts charge at Beidou who rolled her eyes, pick up her Claymore, imbues with electricity and then let out a strong swing, knocking the X-Nauts off the ship.
"Come on and fight me like a man, coward!" Beidou declared.
"With pleasure!" Crump growled and then launch himself toward Beidou, throwing in punches toward her but she easily dodge them and then counter-attack with a few swing before she cartwheel slash and then dash into a two time Xs slash with electricity and then swing her sword, rising electricity under him. "Ugggh! What is with you woman!?"
"Clearly you don't know who you're messing with. So allow me to introduce myself to you. I am Captain Beidou, captain of the Crux, the mighty fleet ship of Calvard and Inazuma! You stand before the Queen of the Crux Fleet!" She said as she launch to Crump who then block her upcoming attack, only for her to let go of her claymore and deliver a punch on his gut and a spin kick to knock him back.
"Ugh! You haven't defeated me yet sea urchin! X-Nauts! Roll up!" He yelled as a platoon of X-Naut form a ball as Crump hop ontop and then begin to roll toward Beidou.
"Impressive. I guess it's time to play ball!" Beidou declared as she was surrounded by Electricity and then she swing down her Claymore down in front of her, launching several lighting toward the X- Nauts and Crump at once.
"YAAAAAAAAAGH!" He yelled as his X-Nauts crumped as Crump landed on them to break his fall.
(BGM ended)
(Resuming Cortez's battle)
"Well, that was disappointing." Beidou flip her fair and then she hop back on the ship.
"Uuuugh!" Crump got up from being beaten up. "First I lost to Mario and his group, and now I lost to a pirate woman with an eyepatch!? I HATE LOSING! Now I have to think of another excuse for Grodus! I'll get my revenge on you Captain Beidou!" He yelled as the X-Naut ship bolted.
"I was expecting a better opponent. I guess I was wrong." Beidou smirked as they all cheered.
"She kinda reminds me of Sara." Levi whisper to Rean.
"Oh yeah." Rean nodded.
Captain Beidou vs Crump. Ha! I was laughing my ass off imagining their fight. Obviously Beidou would win against Crump. She isn't called the Queen of her own ship for nothing without skills to boot.