(Trails of Cold Steel III ost - A New Morning)
In the morning, some of everyone were asleep at the time. Others are awake. And among the Dining room were Rean, Altina, Levi and Aether who got themselves a table.
"Ahh, there's nothing more relaxing than eating breakfast at a warming environment ~" Paimon cooed. "Espcually with the delicious food."
"Yeah but try not to over do it at eating Paimon. There are people in this train as well." Aether advised.
"But she is right about this warm atmosphere. For a luxurious train, this is quite exquisite. I wish all people from all backgrounds, rich or poor can experience something like this without some issues." Levi smiled, drinking juice while also having a nice Coffee Cake.
"I'll say. It would be nice if my family and our classmates, and Instructor Sara would join along the trip. But everyone else has their own lives to live it." Rean said.
"Still, at least we made some friends along the way. New friends, seeing old friends again. And adventuring like we used too back in the old academy days, and outside."
"Indeed. Cheers for all of us." Aether smiled as he raise his glass of juice as they tap and drink.
"Ah, I was hoping you all be in the Dining Car." Ayato said as he, Ayaka, Beidou, and Ninnguang, along with a businessman approached them, while Ayato, Beidou and Ninngung look pissed, Ayaka and the Businessman look upset.
"Oh hey, Ayato, Ayaka, Beidou, Ninggung!" Paimon greeted before noticing their expression. "Err... is something the matter? Also, who's this?" She referring to the Businessman.
"Oh, he's a fellow businessman. But we need to talk to you all in private." Ningguang said.
"Did something happen?" Rean asked
"Yes. But this can't be revealed in the opening." Ayaka answered as the quartet look at each other and nodded.
"All right, I'll get everyone else." Rean said as he pull out his Smartphone. "Let's meet in our room." "He said, texting the group while Aether and Levi being to head to Rean and Levi's room.
A few seconds later, the group arrived at Rean and Levi's room.
"What seems to be the problem?" Mario asked.
(BGM paused)
(Trails of Cold Steel III ost - Sign of Gloom)
"Early this morning when me and Ayaka awakened, I happened to notice one of my accuracies had vanished. You all notice my neck?" Ayato asked
"Oh, now that you mention it. You're not wearing that golden rope." Kazuha said.
"It isn't just my brother's rope. My fan had disappeared as well." Ayaka added.
"In addition to their missing accuracies, some very valuable pearls called Sango Pearls have also vanished from my room." Ningguang said.
"Ayato's Golden Rope, Ayaka's Fan, and now Ninngung's Sargo Pearls?" Aether asked.
"So it isn't just The waitresses and that woman's Gold Ring has gone missing." Xingqiu rub his chin.
"But there's more, our gentleman here is also missing something important." Ayato said.
"Here's the deal. When I woke up this morning, my briefcase was gone! It contained all the contracts for our next deal, and even our next product prototype!" The Businessman exclaimed. "If I don't recover it, I'll lose my job at the LEAST!"
"Calm yourself my friend. It's best you tell them about this prototype." Ningguang said.
"R-Right! You see, our company's new product is called "Nitro Honey Syrup." If used properly, this amazing product that can even raise the dead. But if mixed with the calcium from a seashell and a bit of gold, it would cause an explosion of sticky, yet yummy Shellac!"
"Hold up? This product can raise the dead?" Chongyun raised an eyebrow. "That sounds impossible."
"Hold on. Sticky, yummy, explosion?" Tartaglia rub his chin. "Aren't those the words use in that threat note yesterday?"
"Wait, that's right! Those are the exact words that was written in that note!" Rean said.
"I thought the same. This can't be a coincidence." Ayaka said "And this happened yesterday too. Someone must have stolen each of our belonging in the middle of the night."
"And whoever send that threatening message yesterday must also be our jewel thief." Beidou said.
"Yeah." Rean rub his chin. "It's coming together if we pointed out the facts. One of our enemies who were after the Crystal Star send that message as a warning if we don't leave this train. And if we don't, then all the missing items belonging to different varies of people have gone missing, and since this train hasn't stop..."
"Which would mean the scum is still on this train." Levi finished. "But the question is... How did our culprit know about what was in his briefcase?" He referring to the Businessman.
"That's what I wanna know! But after listening to this conversation... Ah!" He gasped. "Someone is going to blow up this train!"
"Not if we stop them!" Xingqiu said. "But the question is who is our culprit?"
"We need to split up and search every room on this train." Rean said. "But we can't alarm the people."
"Everyone should be in the dinning room eating breakfast by now, or ordering room service." Levi said.
"Let's not forget that must of us in this room belong to Car 1, 2, 3 and 4. Let us check out our rooms first just to be case, and then investigate Car 5 and 6." Kazuha said.
"Sounds like a plan. Everyone, head to your rooms and investigate and see if someone enter your rooms for clues. If everything checks out. Investigate Car 5 and 6. Go!" Rean command as everyone nodded and split up, while Rean and Levi investigate their room.
"Nothing here. Let's head to Car 5 and 6." Levi said.
"Right." Rean nodded and he and Levi headed to Car 5 and 6. As they arrive at Car 5, Pennington approached them.
"Ah, there you are. I was wondering when you show up." Pennington said.
"Oh, you're that detective wannabe Pennington." Levi said.
"I am no wannabe detective. I already solve this case you're all doing with the threat note." He said as surprise Rean and Levi.
"What? You know who it was?" Rean asked
"It's Zip Toad."
"Zip Toad?" Levi asked before clicked. "Wait, now that you mention it... I don't think I have seen him today. And that dark presence of his... Hold on, what make you think it's Zip Toad?"
"Because I found this in his room, which was in Room 010." Pennington pulled out a paper as Rean and Levi look into it.
"A contract?" Rean asked. "Wait, could this be that Businessman's contract?" He asked.
"Which room is he in?" Levi wondered
"Room 012." Pennington answered as the trio head to the Businessman's room and then show him the contract.
"Ah! Th-That's one of the contracts for my upcoming business deal!" He exclaimed.
"So it was Zip Toad!" Levi said. "Rean, inform everyone, I'm going to his room!" He said as he head off to Zip Toad's room while Rean text everyone.
Levi arrived in Zip's Toad's room but no sign of him, but he sense his presence somewhere in his room... no...wait a minute... two presence?
'Huh? Two presence? Why do I sense two?' Levi thought. "Zip Toad, I know you're in here! Come out!" He yelled but no response, until Rean came in.
"You found him?"
"No, guard the door." Levi answered as Levi look around until something shifted from the couch. Levi open it. "What the?!"
"Mmmph! Mmmph!" Zip Toad's screams were muffled as he was hogtied and gagged within the couch storage.
"Zip Toad?!" Rean exclaimed as everyone else show up.
"Huh? You guys capture him already?" Paimon asked.
"No, he was tied up when we found him." Levi said as he remove the tape from his mouth.
"Oh thank good-ooww!" Zip Toad yelled. "My face! Why must I get hurt by tape!"
"Who did this to you?" Levi asked.
"I don't know! I was just minding my own business when suddenly I was attacked by someone from behind! The next thing I knew, I was tired up!"
"So we have someone impersonating as Zip Toad?" Altina asked.
"Ooooh... Now I know who it was." Levi said as he untied the real Zip Toad. "Everyone, our imposter is still within this room. Perhaps it's time we block the exit and search this room."
"Yeah... But I think I already found him." Rean said as he approach the Couch as the real Zip Toad got out with the help of Levi, then Rean pulled the couch towards him, and then the Fake Zip Toad appeared.
(BGM ended)
"Crap!" The Fake exclaimed.
"There you are!" Levi said as everyone readied themselves to attack the fake.
"Double crap!"
One beat up Imposter later...
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Pennington's theme)
"Ooooow…" The fake groaned as he was tried up and Altina search his pockets and Mario search his bed and found the Briefcase, and Altina found the Golden Rope, Sargo Pearls, Gold Ring, Ayaka's Fan, and the Waitresses' Earrings from the fake's pockets, then the Real Zip Toad swift kick his imposter's gut.
"THAT was for holding me hostage!" Zip Toad said and walked off.
"I believe this belongs to you." Mario handed over the businessman his briefcase.
"My Briefcase!" The Businessman exclaimed and take it back. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!" He said as he look inside. "Phew, it's safe. Now I won't get the sack."
"What's going on here?" The Conductor asked as he heard the commotion and everyone explain to him. "I see. I'll inform Riverside Station to contact the police immediately."
"Hey what's going on here?" The waitress asked as she came in. "EEEEK! You all beat up Zip Toad?!"
"Actually, I'm right here." The Real Zip Toad approached her.
"Huh?! Two Zip Toads?! But if you're the real one... then who's this!?"
"Our Imposter. I have a hunch I know who it is." Levi said, turning to him. "Why don't you come out of that disguise Doopliss."
"Of course, it's that guy." Aether sighed.
"I have no idea what you're taking about!" The Fake said as Levi then strike him, then revealing his true appearance. "Ooooh." Doopliss fell on the ground.
"YOU SCUM!" The Waitress approached Doopliss and swift kick him. "HOW DARE YOU IMPERSONATE MY SWEET ZIP TOAD!"
"I believe this for you." Altina handed over the Waitresses' Earings.
"My earrings! Thank you thank you!" She cheered. "Where did you find it?"
"He took it." Altina said, and the waitress kick Doopliss again.
"That was for taking my Earings you jerk!" She said as walk away.
"And these are for you." Altina handed over Ayaka's fan, Ayato's Golden Robe, and Ninggung's Sango Pearls.
"Thank you everyone." Ayato chuckled as he, Ayaka and Ninngguang take back their belongings.
"I think it is time for you to go away to the slammer for a veeeeery long time." Pennington said until they all heard the announcer.
"Attention, all passengers. The Train will soon make a brief scheduled stop at Riverside Station."
"And with that, you all should return miss Tootles her Golden Ring while we escort him to the police." Pennington said as they nodded.
Altina headed to the Dining Room and found Toodles eating fruits.
"Excuse me, Miss Toodles, we found your ring." Altina said as she hand it over to her.
"Ooh thank you darling!" Toodles said, taking her Golden Ring back. "Here's a little something for your effort, and not a moment too soon." She handed over 200 coins to Altina.
Later, at Riverside Station…
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Riverside Station)
The Excess Express pulled to a stop at the station where Pennington escorted Doopliss out of the train.
"Heh, you think you've won, slick?" Doopliss smirked, when suddenly Marilyn and Beldam popped up and knocked the Pennington out.
"HOLY CRAP!" The conductor yelled before he got knocked out by Beldam while Marilyn remove Doopless's ropes.
"Come, we must beat them to Poshley's Height" Beldam said as the two of them disappeared into the station.
"Uh, just for the record… I CAN'T DO THAT STUFF!" Doopliss yelled as he make his escape.
Then everyone else exit the train and see Pennington and the conductor were KO.
"Hey, what happened?" Levi asked as Chongyun and Beidou help them up.
"Urgh, he got away…" Pennington grumbled.
"Two people came out of nowhere. One was wearing a blue hat while the other was yellow and knock us out." The conductor explained.
"Beldam and Marilyn." Vivian sighed.
"So Doopliss is in league with the Shadow Sirens." Altina said.
"So they had Doopliss infiltrate the train and try to blow it up so they can get the Crystal Star." Mario rub his chin.
"I swear, those two really pissing me off." Levi growled. "Wait, how did Beldam escape my prison?"
"Must had have help from Marilyn." Vivian said.
"Well, guess I should had imprison her too."
"Argh… who could lifted the drawbridge?!" One of the Toad workers wondered. "We stop to refuel and then THIS gets in our way!"
"Sound like Beldum's doing again." Aether sighed.
"Yeah, she deserve a nasty nickname!" Paimon pointed. "We can go and take a look."
"Oh thank goodness! Here's the key to the Station. I also saw a suspicious looking person wearing a hat go into the station. You might want to be careful. Have fun trying to take a look around."
"Can do!" Mario nodded.
"In that case, why don't we tag along." Ayato said as he, Ayaka and Ninnguang walk toward them. "After all, stopping these fiends pique my interest."
"And since we owe you our thanks for recovering our items." Ayaka added.
"Plus, I need to stretch my legs. I can make arrangements to help you." Ninnguang said.
"Welcome aboard! Let's go!" Rean said as they walked to the entrance where they walked into the station.
(BGM ended)
(Trails of Cold Steel III ost - Nest Underground)
"Kinda creepy." Luigi said, shuddering a bit.
"Hmm... it certainly does look like it hasn't been use in years." Ayato said.
"We should be careful then. It maybe empty, but it might contain monsters." Ayaka said.
"Yes. Though it raises the question why no one is station here if we're using it." Ningguang wondered.
"Well it is a dessert area, perhaps that's why?" Paimon wondered.
"Well, whatever the case maybe, we should be careful on what lurk in the shadow." Aether said.
"Yeah, especially if Doopless and the Shadow Sirens." Xingqiu nodded as Flurrie came out of Mario's pocket and saw the Close Call P badge on a shelf as she flew over to grab it and then came back to Mario and went back in his pocket while Kazuha tried the elevator.
"It's locked." Kazuha said. "Hmm... we should look for the elevator key. It should be somewhere within this station."He said as they walked into the next room, where they noticed a locked door near them, Levi use his magic and they walked outside where two Poison Pokeys greeted them, where Goombella used her Tattle Log to look up the Poison Pokeys while Ayato destroyed one of them and Flurrie blew the other one away.
They go down the stairs as where Two Ruff Puffs and a Poison Pokey approach them, but they were taken care of by Rean, Bobbery and Ninnguang.
Levi notice from above was a HP Plus from a ledge. He leaped and grabbed HP Plus as he hopped down, where they tore down some posters and walked in where two Spiky Parabuzzies flew in to tackle them, only for to be knocked out by the hands of Mario, Ayaka, and Tartaglia.
"Hmm... Where do you think we should go?" Tartaglia asked
"How about the right?" Luigi asked and then jumped down. "AAAAH!" He yelled and then used a spring board to boost him back up. "Nope! Not doing THAT by myself!"
"What's wrong?" Bobbery asked.
"Three Poison Pokeys." Luigi said.
"I'll take care of them." Vivian said as she popped out of Mario's pocket with Tartaglia and Ningguang joining her and they hopped down while the restwhile the rest waited, then Altina notice P-Up, D-Down badge hiding behind the behind the trash cans and pick it up.
"All clear!" Tartaglia yelled and everyone reunited with the others, on their way, there were two Spiky Parabuzzies charging toward them, until Tartaglia shot them out of the air.
They went into the other room where they saw the Elevator Key behind a gate.
"Okay, who would like to get it?" Mario asked
"Claiomh Solaius and I can grab it.
"Or I can grab on to that pipe." Luigi suggested.
"Ooooor… I can just grab it from the shadows." Vivian piped up as she held the key in her hand which they didn't notice where they were wondering what to do.
"That works too." Mario said as they started to walk back, but before they could get to the springboard. They made their way back to the elevator and rode down after unlocking it, but as they did, they saw several creatures hogging the lever.
"What in the world ARE those things?!" Levi yelled.
"I dunno, but they're in the way!" Aether said as they quickly hit some of the creatures.
"SMORG SMOOOOOORG!"
The creatures, known as the Smorgs, quickly hopped away in terror.
(BGM ended)
"Good riddance!" Paimon said as they pulled the lever where the drawbridge closed, and then they went back to the Excess Express.
"Thank you so much!" One of the Toad Workers exclaimed.
"ALL ABOOOOARD!" The conductor yelled as they all walked into the train where it pulled away from Riverside Station.
The next day…
Rean and Levi walked out of the room.
"Hmm, is it me or is it quiet... too quiet?" Levi said.
"You're right. Let's check it out." Rean nodded as they walked to the dining car and noticed that no one was there. "Strange... I don't see the waitress nor the chef." He said as the door opened up and they saw the others coming in.
(Trail of Cold Steel III ost - Sign of Gloom)
"What's going on?" Mario asked.
"It's gotten quiet. Too quiet... which is too eerie." Rean said.
"Yeah, I woke up with a strange feeling that something is about to go down." Luigi said.
"Hmm... You might be right." Tartaglia said. "My battle sense are tingling."
"You have battle senses?" Paimon asked.
"Hmm... Could something have happen?" Xingqiu wondered.
"Hmm... I fear something is amiss. Let us look for the other passengers." Ningguang advised as they nodded. They begin to head to Car 5 and 6 and check every room... but no one is there.
"No one here?" Paimon gulped. "Paimon is getting scared.
"Hmm..." Ayato rub his chin. "I sense a conspiracy in motion. Let us head to the Engineer." He suggest as they walked to the locomotive where they saw the engineer humming to himself.
"Oh, phew, he's still here." Luigi said as they approach him.
"Goooood morning, everyone!" The engineer grinned. "We should be reaching Poshley Heights within, oh, about an hour!" He said.
"Excuse me, but do you happen to notice it's awfully quiet?" Ayaka asked.
"Hmm... not that you mention it. It is awfully quiet."
"Hmm... Perhaps we should ask someone." Levi said as he turn around. "I know you're hiding Beldum."
"I swear, what is with you people with your senses." Beldam's voice was heard as she appeared inside the locomotive.
(BGM ended)
"Ugh, what do you want?" Paimon groaned
"Mwehehehehehehe! Look at the windshield." Beldam said as they turned to the windshield to see one of the Smorgs hitting the glass.
"Hmm? What is that?" The Engineer wondered.
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Enemy Surprise!)
And then a whole swarm invaded the train.
"ACK! WHAT IN BLAZES?!" The Engineer yelled
(BGM ended)
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Danger!)
"Those things from the station!" Aether exclaimed.
"They must have stowed away in the train!" Chongyun exclaimed
"What did you do!?" Ayato draw his sword and pointed at Beldum.
"You like my gift? They are called the Smorgs, and they are designed to destroy you! Have fun!" Beldam cackled before disappearing, and then a swarm of them quickly entered the Locomotive.
"Oh crud!" The engineer exclaimed.
"Quick, we gotta destroy them!" Xingqiu said.
"There's too many of them!" Paimon exclaimed.
"Kamisato Art: Soumetsu!" Ayaka summons forth a snowstorm with flawless poise, freezing the Smorgs as Ayato reappeared behind them and they shattered next.
"Such dastardly tactic. I think everyone aboard the Excess Express has been taken by those things. Let's move out!" Ayato forward his hand.
"RIGHT!" Everyone nodded and
"I'll keep the train going for long as I can!" The engineer said as everyone quickly cut through the Smorg infestation.
They quickly made their way to the dining car where the place was infested with the Smorgs.
"I'll handle this." Ningguang said as she summoned several magic circles and launch several gems and exploded several Smorgs and push them back.
"Kamisato Art: Marobashi!" Ayato created an afterimage of himself, lung himself toward the Smorgs "Be gone." He said as he Smong were slice in half.
"Wow, what an impressive form!" Rean compliment. "What is that?"
"The Kamisato style of swordsmanship. But now isn't the time to talk. Let's move onward!" Ayaka explain as they took off.
They push through another infested hole as everyone knock them away while the others made their way through, and made their way through the luggage car. They saw the Waitress and the Conductor being held hostage by the Smorgs, but everyone quickly saved the two and made the Smorgs retreat.
"Oh my goodness, th-that was so scary!" The Waitress exclaimed.
"Thank you… so much for saving us!" The conductor said
"Those things must have taken us while we were sleeping! Ooh Zip Toad and the passengers must have been taken by those things!"
"Everyone, please rescue them!" The conductor pleaded.
"We will, let's go everyone!" Rean command.
"Right!" Everyone nodded as they quickly made their way outside and on to the top of the train. They begin to knock some of them back as they quickly made their way to the locomotive.
"SMOOOOOOOOOOOORG!" Several of the Smorgs banded together to make one big Smorg with three tentacles that held some of the passengers hostage.
"Beldum, I swear." Levi growled.
(BGM ended)
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Smorgs Battle)
"SMORG SMORG SMOOOOOOORG!"
"We got to rescue everyone without hurting the hostages!" Rean exclaimed. "Everyone, prepare to engage combat!"
"RIGHT!" They nodded and battle stanced
Infested Parasite - Smorg
"As Beldum said, they're the Smorg! They gather together and form a huge monster!" Goombella said with her tattle. "HP is 50, Attack is 5, and Defense is 1. Aim for the tentacles so you can strike the pink core!"
The Smorgs let out a tentacle assault as everyone dodge and counter-attack and strike the tentacles. Tartaglia shoot three water arrows while Ningguang summed seven gemstones projection towards the tentacles and taken the direct hit, while Levi use Penetrate Throw on the Tentacles. The Smorg slam their tentacles toward Rean, Bobbbery and Ayaka with a swipe attack and knock them back. While Ayato use his Craft: Morobashi and strike at the tentacles, and make the other tentacle disappear, leaving a huge pink bulge.
"It's expose, let's go!" Rean yelled as they all charge for an all out assault on the pink bulge.
Bobbery let out an explosion, while Chongyun let a powerful swing with Xingqiu rapid trust and slice. Ayaka rapid trust, cloak herself in a frozen fog, reappear on the other side and let out an icy slash. Aether and Kazuha in their combat links let out a flurry of slashes onto the Smorg as Altina, Beidou, and Rean charge, letting rapid slashes and swing from Claiomh Solais as Mario and Luigi jump to Levi and Tartaglia who boost their jump, perform a drill attack on the Smorg Miasma.
The Smorg Miasma then shrunk back down and then instead of three tentacles, a claw-like arm popped out and aimed at Levi, Altina and Luigi before attacking the three backflip and Levi zoom, performing a varies of slashes before finishing it with a cork strike. The Smorg claw arm attempted to let own a powerful slam, but Ninnguang and Tartaglia send out a powerful projection shot on the stem, which a swift large slash appeared after Ayato appeared behind it, sheath his Tachi and deal a mighty blow. The arm claw retreated and revealed the Smorg Miasma.
"Let's go everyone!" Rean yelled with everyone various of respond, let out another all-out assault on the Smorg Miasma.
"SMOOOORG… Smooooorg…" The Smorgs groaned.
"Goodbye creatures of the Shadow Sirens." Levi snap his finger as the Smorg were blown away while into the wind and cut into pieces by wind magic, shattering them until theirs nothing of them, as the remaining Smorgs disappeared, while the passengers were unharmed.
(BGM ended)
"Is it over?" Bub asked.
"It's over." Ayaka answered.
"WOOHOO! YOU GUYS ARE AWEEEEEEESOME!"
"Well, now that that's taken care of, how about we go back inside?" Ningguang suggested as they all nodded where they walked back and went into the Luggage car.
"Oh thank you everyone!" The Conductor bow to them. "All you did is saving us! How can we ever thank you?"
"Yeah! Everyone's safe, and it's all thanks to you!" The waitress cheered.
"OH, THANK YOU SO MUCH! You all shaved my life!" The Chef cheered while the conductor and waitress turn to him with an eyebrow. "Ugh! Blasted tongue of mine! You SAVED my life!" He said until the announcement was heard.
"Ladies and gentleman, with nothing stopping this train and with the help of some of the passengers, we are just about a half an hour away from Poshley Heights. Thank you for riding with us!"
A half an hour later…
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost Poshley Heights)
Everyone walked out of the train.
"So this is Poshley Height... It lives up to its reputation!" Rean remark
"Yes. Though I'm afraid we must part for now. Our meeting is here." Ayato said.
"Yes, excuse us everyone. We'll join you as soon as we can." Ayaka nodded as she, Ayato, Ningguang and Xingqiu headed elsewhere.
"Come on, let's-a go! The Crystal Star is nearby!" Mario said as they ran off to the Poshley Sanctum while also taking in the sights as quick as they could before they got to the Poshley Sanctum, only there was one problem… it was locked.
"Oh come on! It's LOCKED?!" Paimon complained.
"Oh? You wish to go into the Sanctum?" A voice asked as they turned to see Pennington walking toward them.
"That's right. Wait, what are you doing here?" Levi asked.
"You may not realize this, but I am the owner of this sanctum." Pennington said as he walked over to unlock the door. "Being a detective is more of a hobby, admittedly. Anyway, In you go." He said as they walked in… but as they did, they noticed Beldam, Marilyn and Doopless taking the Crystal Star.
"NO!" Luigi yelled.
"YOU!" Levi yelled
(BGM ended)
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Theme of the Shadow Sirens)
"Mwehehehehe! You're one step too late! We'll be taking THIS! See ya!" Beldam said and then disappeared into the ground.
"Guh guh!" Marilyn followed right after.
"Hey! Don't leave without me!" Doopliss exclaimed as he jump through the broke in window.
(BGM ended)
"You gotta be kidding Paimon, we need to go after them!" Paimon exclaimed.
"Hold the phone. What is going on?" Pennington asked as they explained the situation. "Ah, I see. Well, good news is that Crystal Star they took is nothing but a fake. A Red Herring."
"It is?!" Aether asked in shock.
"Yup. The real one is hidden away somewhere, to prevent it from being theft."
"Then where is it?" Kazuha asked.
"Unfortunately, as the Sanctum Manager, I am, of course, prohibited from telling anyone. You'll just have to find it on your own. If you find it, you'll have my blessing. So, good luck finding it." Pennington answered.
"Got it. Thank you Mr. Pennington" Rean said as they quickly started looking around the Sanctum, and then Luigi noticed a ! Switch on the top pillar as he quickly jumped up to investigate and hit the switch, and then a curtain opened up to reveal a pipe, where another pipe was inside the painting.
"Bingo!" Luigi grinned as they hopped into the pipe and went into the real Sanctum.
"There it is!" Paimon cheered as they also found tons of Dark Boos that swarmed them, but luckily, Luigi used his Poltergust to suck them up with the help of Flurrie until they got to the Crystal Star.
"Tch hahahaha! Oh, I can imagine the look on their faces when they have the fake." Levi chuckled.
"Well, fortunate smiles upon those who walk the path of light." Kazuha smiled as Mario picked up the Crystal Star.
(Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door ost - Chapter Ending)
With Six Crystal Stars in hand, the heroes cheer in triumph over the fact that the Shadow Sirens picked up a red herring. After their celebration, they exited the sanctum in triumph, where they eagerly went to head back to the Excess Express, eagerly awaiting to see where the last Crystal Star is located. What's more, Ayato, Ayaka and Ningguang had finish their meeting and officially join the heroes on their quest!
I'm sure many of you wondering how this chapter appeared before what WAS original was suppose to be. But apparently, I either wasn't focus and got ahead of myself. Or that there was a glitch problem. I really need to pay more attention. Now I spoiled is on who is going to be on the next chapter. How unprofessional. Well, things are back in order. Sorry for the trouble.
In any case, It was a lot shorter than I expected. But then again. I should expect as much. But I had fun in the end.