Author's Notes: After a bit of silence, a lot of throwing out and recycling ideas, and finally playing through the entirety of Super Paper Mario, I have now completed this new chapter, ready and able to read!

By the way, Super Paper Mario was astounding, and it completely inspired me with brand new ideas for both the sequel and the prequel. If you can, I'd highly recommend checking the game out. Believe me, it really is amazing. You can all expect me to make references, characters, and even places from that game come into this story here. Some of you whom have played the game a little bit will see this in this very chapter. But don't worry, there will me no major spoilers, at least for a few months, and characters or events mentioned until that point will be so vague that they won't be able to actually spoil anything.

Overall, I am quite pleased with this one, especially the amount of work I put into it.

But please, read on and see for yourself!

Chapter 28: Pirates, Beasts, Jesters

"EDDY!" Goombella called out. The kraken's tentacle landed swiftly.

However, it retreated almost instantly, this time in pain. The monster screamed, forcing Beldam away, so as not to be hit in recoil.

She landed on the ground, to see what had happened.

Eddy lay, bewildered and perhaps even in shock, but not harmed. A few feet in front of him stood a green-haired swordsman, holding three katana upwards. He had apparently given the beast quite a painful landing.

"Sorry." Zoro said boldly. "There's a change in plans."

Beldam sneered. "This business has nothing to do with you."

Eddy scrambled out of the way the second that he was safe. He returned to the rest of the group.

"Heh. That was close, huh?" he asked.

"…yeah." She stated, still somewhat shaken.

"Quickly, move!" Double D shouted to the two of them.

Eddy and Goombella complied and ran back towards the group. Beldam's attention was diverted again, this time towards Double D.

"Ah, the hero." Beldam stated. "I almost forgot to say hi. Nice to see you again, Double D."

"Beldam, I demand you return my relic!"

"Or what, you'll burn me?" She asked. "Don't you see it, this imposing creature before you? Come so much as nearby and you'll die. Not a one of you can defeat it."

"That's so cheap." Eddy stated.

"Fine, if you must fight slowly then rather quickly and get it over with, then I suppose I can assist." she stated. She reached for her Medallion, and held it outward. With a quick flash, a ray of light shot forth from the center of the object. It hit the floor, in front of the heroes. A second later, the light took form and shape, transferring to matter.

"Ar!" Said the appearance of the thing that formed before them.

"It's the fisherman!" shouted Nami.

It was indeed the old, crusty man in the yellow jacket they had met before. Though strangely, his appearance seemed much more different then before. He was standing perfectly upright, and his conniving expression turned into that of a complete serious one.

"Wait…" Double D said. "He seems too different."

The fisherman remained completely silent, merely standing there.

"Do you like it?" Beldam asked. "I think it's one of my best works!"

"Works?" Double D asked.

"The beginning of a new army." she said. "Or don't you recall? I have the ability to take and control others. My abilities have honed within the last 4 years that I was left for dead."

"So, you're taking people and making an army?" Double D asked.

"Oh, it isn't I that plans to do this. I work for a higher force then you all can imagine." She said.

Her face turned to a frown. "But enough of this madness. Fisherman, do take care of them."

She tossed her mind-controlled ally the Eye of Wisdom.

She walked back stop the Kraken. "The two of us will sit here and enjoy the show."

"That's it?" Eddy asked. "We have to fight an old man? Why, we've had some intense video game-like fights in the past, but an old man? That's completely-"

"Move!" Robin called again.

The fisherman had quickly pointed at both Eddy and Double D. "Flame Rain!"

Small but rapid bits of fire began to fall from the roof of the circular chamber, directed towards the heroes.

"Double D, do something!" Eddy shouted.

"I can't, my abilities were stolen!" Double D replied.

"Run!" Goombella shouted.

The group hadn't waited for a second thought, as they quickly bolted towards the exit, in order to avoid the fire. Unfortunately, it hadn't worked. The fire had crashed down upon them quickly, striking the members in the group one by one.

"Far too easy." Beldam said. "All I have to do is take away your spark, and then the entire group falls apart. I don't know why I hadn't thought of it sooner."

"Oh yeah?" asked another voice, a new one.

Standing way at the doorway, at the very opposite location of the hallway stood two figures. Luffy, and the last remaining pirate, Chopper, watched.

"There you are, you stupid Kalimari!" Luffy exclaimed in a rage, pointing at the Kraken.

"Finally!" Nami shouted back, also in a rage. "What took you so long?"

"Long story!" Luffy shouted back.

"Don't long story me!" Nami replied. "We were in serious trouble!"

"So where we!"

"No you weren't!"

"Yeah we were!"

"Enough of this foolishness!" Beldam shouted at the two of them.

"You should learn not to turn your back on a battle, demon."

Swiftly, Zoro had rushed ahead, and using all three katana at once. Beldam turned around, just as her body made contact with all three blades at once. She screamed in pain, as the cuts appeared on her, causing her to fall on the floor. Zoro stopped a few feet ahead of her, gracefully. He turned back to look towards her, preparing for another attack.

Beldam moaned softly, trying to cover up her worsening wounds.

"You're lucky that I attacked you the way I did." she said. Zoro tilted his swords slightly. "Had I have used this angle, you would be in three different slices right now."

"Don't kill her, you insensitive jerk!" Sanji shouted. "She's only possessed, this isn't her fault."

"It's but her untrained mind that allowed her to be possessed." Zoro stated. "She will have to make this sacrifice if she wants to be saved."

"Nazz doesn't know anything about any of this." Beldam stated. "The last thing she knows remembers is being at a welcoming party that happened almost a month ago."

"It matters not." Zoro said.

"Indeed." she replied.

Beldam slowly got to her feet again.

"Very well then. It's at least good to know that there are some serious fighters in the group of pathetic children."

Beldam took a few steps backwards. "If it's truly a battle you desire, then I will let you have it, if you feel you are ready."

She stepped off the top of the Kraken, and back onto the ground.

"My master will do away with you."

"What?" Zoro asked.

The leviathan creature suddenly rushed, headed back into the water. It wrapped it's tentacle around Zoro, Nami, Goombella all at once.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Goombella and Nami both shouted, whilst Zoro merely grunted.

"NO!" Usopp and Eddy both shouted.

The tentacle pulled the three down into the depths effortlessly, sinking deeper and deeper into the pitch black abyss below.

"Relax." Beldam stated. "It won't eat them. That wouldn't be fun if it just killed them in a minute, wouldn't it?"

"Beldam, stop this madness already!" Double D shouted.

"How many times must you ask that?" Beldam asked. "And how many times must I say no?" she jumped with great agility, landing on one of the stone rafters above them.

"Again, this should be interesting."

"Why you-"

"Firehand!"

The fisherman rushed towards the ground again, attempting to punch Eddy with his flaming fist.

"Somebody so something already!" Eddy shouted.

Robin stepped forth. "Cinco Fleur!"

Five replica arms rose from the ground, all claming around the fisherman's leg. However, as she grabbed hold, she was forced to almost instantaneously let go.

"Ah!" She shouted, dispelling her replicated arms. "He's too hot, I can't touch him."

"Allow me." Sanji stated. "As a chef, I was trained to withstand heat."

"Are you sure?" Usopp asked.

"Leave it to me." Sanji said. "The rest of you go after the witch!"

Sanji's turned had arrived, as he rushed towards the flaming fisherman.

The Fisherman replied by running towards Sanji as well. The two mirrored kicks in the air.

"Flame Shoot!" they both shouted.

The kicked one another perfectly, so that their feet hit perfectly symmetrically. A burst of fire occurred, sending them both flying backwards. Smoke erupted, flooding the room.

"Now's my chance!" Eddy shouted, beginning to run.

"What are you doing?" Double D asked.

"I'm going to save Goombella!" he shouted, without looking back. He took a breath, jumped, and dove into the dark abyss of the Kraken's Lair.

Thunder and lighting crashed in the heavens above, rain pelted onto the deck, wind screamed in their ears, and the battle commenced!

Mac and Bloo stood together on one end, as Crump, along with two other X-nauts awaited on the other.

"Mac, follow my lead!" Bloo shouted. He ran towards Crump shouting wildly.

"W-wait!" Mac shouted, running after him.

"It's a sad day indeed when my opponents are an 8 year old and his imaginary friend."

Bloo jumped into the air as he ran, preparing to land on Crump.

Crump laughed and rose his arm. Bloo was struck by Crump, and was swatted to the deck.

"Sad." Crump stated.

"Crump, look out!" Crump's crony, Johnson shouted.

Johnson ran ahead, and slammed into Mac, before he had the chance to attack.

Both Mac and the X-naut struggled on the deck, rolling as the ship listed back and forth.

"Good work, Johnson!" Crump shouted.

There was yet another crash of lighting, that struck the ocean. Shockwaves shout out from the point of impact, causing the X-terminator to list greatly to port.

Mac shouted as he and Johnson both were thrown off the deck, towards the sea.

"MAC!" Bloo shouted, peering over the rail.

But in him moment of worry, a single blow to the top of the head, curiously of Lord Crump, rendered him on the ground, unconscious.

Mac and Johnson continued to fall, closer and closer to the raging waters below, until-

SPLASH!

Eddy dove into the pool, headfirst. The rush of water had quickly washed away every noise that was above, causing an eerie silencing sound.

He was swimming in complete blackness. He had almost no sense of direction in the pool.

There were odd crackling sounds coming from below him. A light continued to flash on and off as well, sometimes as fast as lightning. Though Eddy was able to recognize the light instantly.

Goombella's helmet light acted as his guide to deeper water. Already, he lungs felt tired, and yet the ominous crackling sound from down below gave him a sense of worry.

He continued to delve deeper and deeper into the abyss. The sounds of the crunching and churning grew louder, the flashes of the lowly light grew brighter, and the sense of danger grew stronger.

His lungs were nearing total exhaustion by this point. He felt the front of his body hit stone, signaling that he had reached the bottom of the pool… but where were they?

The light flashed again, this time long enough for Eddy to see it. The Kraken's entire body, an enormous leviathan, much of it was hiding in a larger cavern underneath. He could see it's huge face though, and starred down at it's eyes. In one of it's many tentacles were Zoro, Goombella, and Nami, still bound and immobile. Goombella and Nami both looked like they had fallen unconscious, though Zoro still seemed likely, attempting to break free, with the third katana he held in his mouth. Both of his other blades looked as though they had fallen down to the bottom of the pool.

"MM!!" Eddy exclaimed, unable to open his mouth without drowning. His heart began to beat faster at the sight of the monstrosity.

Sanji moaned and fell down onto his knees, then onto his chest, losing consciousness.

"Sanji! C'mon!" Usopp shouted.

"We cannot push him further." Double D said. "He's done."

"Then it's about time I tried!" Luffy shouted, running into the battle.

"Ah, the captain. This should be fun." Beldam remarked from the rafters.

"Shut up!" Luffy shouted up at her. "You're next!"

Luffy readied his own punch.

"Gomu Gomu no-"

"Incinerate!"

Double D gasped. "Incinerate is my most powerful attack! Luffy, run!"

A red explosion occurred surrounding the Fisherman. Luffy, being the closest, shouted and skyrocketed backwards, along with Sanji's unconscious body.

"Viente Fleur!" Robin summoned twenty arms to heir aid, ten that caught Luffy and the other which caught Sanji. Though even the rest of the group was forced backwards.

"Quickly, someone give me a weapon of some kind." Double D said to the remaining 4 Pirates.

"I don't know." Usopp said. "The 4 of us are pirates, we might be able to handle this better then you at the moment."

"What about you?" Double D asked Chopper. "Do you have any sort of weapon?"

Chopper worriedly shook his head.

"He possesses my power!" Double D said. "If anyone knows how to counter it, it's me! Somebody hand me a weapon!"

"Here." Usopp sighed. "It's just a simple rod. It's a prototype for Nami's own weapon, but it's all I have on me."

"A rod, perfect!" Double D shouted. "I used to use one until I honed my fire abilities."

Double D turned to face the Fisherman again, with the rod in hand.

"When I subdue him, someone please be at the ready to deliver the final blow." Double D stated. He turned back towards the Fisherman once more.

"C'mon then!"

Mac was forced back up to the surface. He gasped by reflex as he reached the top. However, Mac was completely unaware as to exactly what had carried him up to the surface of the sea.

"Next time, swim, you idiot." said a familiar voice. "You would have drowned."

Mac looked back and saw the X-naut named Johnson swimming aside him.

"You!" Mac shouted. Both of them were forced under the ocean once more the waves, only to return again seconds later.

"Yes, me." the X-naut said. However, his voice had changed again, to sound more feminine.

"..what?" Mac asked.

"Oh, right." said the soldier. It reached it's head, and swiftly took off the mask.

"Is this some kind of trick?" Mac asked.

"Nope." Stated Adelle. "I was a double-double agent!"

"How many masks were you wearing?" Mac asked.

"I'll explain later!" she said. "Let's get back on deck quickly!"

The two of them swam to the side of the sinking X-terminator. By now, the front of the boat was under the sea, allowing them to swim to the front and onto the deck freely, then walking up it like a ramp, back towards the battle.

"Too simple!" Crump stated. He held Bloo in both of his arms, dangling him over the side of the deck. "To the depths with you!"

"Lord Crump!" Adelle shouted.

Crump turned around, watching the X-naut mask fly at him. It smashed into his face, causing him to fall backwards. Bloo fell backwards, back onto the deck. Mac and Adelle arrived.

"Talk about too simple." Adelle said. "He turned out to be a weakling all along."

Mac and Adelle both turned to look at Bloo. Mac put his own hand on Bloo's heart.

"He's alive, just knocked out." Mac said. "Thank goodness."

"Goodness says "you're welcome."" Adelle said.

"And thank you too." Mac replied. "We owe you one, big time."

Adelle nodded. The two of them briefly stopped to catch their breath. The weather had begun to take it's toll on them. Both of them had wet hair that semi-blocked their eyes, and the wind continued beating on them.

However, they had quickly turned active again. They looked down at the feet, as salt water met their ankles.

"The X-terminator is sinking fast!" Adelle shouted. "Quickly, take Bloo! We'll make a run for the escape helicopter!"

Eddy's increased heartbeat alone had almost depleted all of his oxygen. The Kraken roared loudly, raising a different Tentacle upwards, preparing to strike with due force.

Eddy's eyes widened, as she scrambled to swim out of the way. He finally dodged the tentacle, but found himself out of time. He began to race upwards, desperate for a breath of air. He had only seconds left-\

"GAAAAAAAAASSP!!"

Eddy returned to the surface, and took the largest breath he had taken in his life. He took another deep breath again, and a harder one out.

"Oh geez!" he shouted. "How the heck am I supposed to fight that?"

However, he felt something tug at his shoe. Eddy gasped, only to be pulled back underneath again by the Kraken's tentacle.

He spiraled and struggled underneath the waves once more. The further he was pulled back down, the more worried he got, trying everything in his power to break free from it's clutches.

Loudly, the tentacle that grabbed him hit the bottom of the pool. He looked forth again. The beast had pulled Eddy right at it's face, so that Eddy starred down at the Kraken's eye, which was only inches away.

Eddy looked down, to the bottom of the pool, which was illuminated solely by Goombella's flickering light. One of Zoro's katana was within reach from where the tentacle pinned him down. Eddy reached and grabbed the katana quickly, and swiped the Tentacle that bound him.

The monster screeched and thrashed about. It threw Eddy upwards and released, causing him to float in the center of the pool once more.

He looked back down again, still carrying sword in hand. The creature remained looking at Eddy, holding two tentacles towards him, one of which contained it's captives. Goombella and Nami remained uncurious, in a state of drowning, whilst Zoro, still somehow managing to focus his breath, watched.

Eddy realized that he had to act fast. He closed his eyes and concentrated.

"What do I do?" he thought to himself.

Rapidly, it began. His head felt like it was going to explode. Images races through his mind. A picture of him, with a sword in hand, was running forward. With a suddenly high leap, the image of him in his mind swung the sword, exclaiming a sentence.

The imagery ended, almost as rapidly as it had come to him. He kicked forth in the water, held the katana backwards, then slashed it in front of him. In spite of being in water, Eddy exclaimed with his only breath:

"Sword Beam!"

The katana sliced through the water itself, creating a visible, crescent-shaped, white-glowing beam of energy. It shot across the water, perfectly slicing directly through the tentacle that bound it's three captives.

The Kraken gave a horrible screech upon impact, causing it to shake and twist violently. It's thrashing began to cause the water to react as well, making everything around them more unstable.

Zoro broke free from the severed tentacle, carrying Nami on his way to the surface. Eddy rushed back down to the floor one more time. He grabbed Goombella, and used the remainder of his breath to kick back up to the surface.

Zoro surfaced first, taking a large breath. He then dragged Nami over the side and into the ground. She began spitting out water the second the reached the surface, then gasping heavily for air. The two of them collapsed onto the ground, completely exhausted.

Eddy surfaces next, taking Goombella long with him.

He threw himself onto the floor, taking Goombella with him and setting her down on the ground. Both of them were breathing heavily, but alive.

"How…" Zoro gasped. "How did you do that?"

Eddy, who was also gasping for breath, muttered: "I… have… no… idea…" Before falling into a state of unconsciousness.

Zoro's attention turned back towards the other battle that was occurring.

Double D and the Fisherman were in a battle of endurance. The old man continued to bombard Double D with a series of fire attacks. Double D continued swinging and slashing and spinning the rod, all to block the fire blasts.

The fisherman seemed to be losing some of his endurance, though. He pointed at Double D again, exclaiming:

"Fireball!"

This time, Double D knew what to do. He held the rod like a bat. His eyes glanced around the room, spotting Beldam, who had still been watching the entire battle commence.

He readied, and then promptly swung at the fireball. It struck off the top of the rod, and flew backwards, into the air, just like a foul ball.

Beldam gasped and jumped off of the rafter, to avoid the rogue fire blast. She landed safely on the ground, next to the pool.

"Watch it, you idiot! You almost hit me!" she shouted.

The fisherman turned his head to look at the possessed girl.

With him distracted, Double D rushed inward. He grabbed the Eye of Wisdom swiftly, then turned around and ran away.

"NOW!" he called as he ran.

"Gomu Gomu no…"

The old man turned around to realize that his relic was no longer in his possession.

"PISTOL!"

An elastic arm burst from the remaining heroes, smashing dead-center into the main's face. He silently flew into the air, and crashed into the wall, with enough force that the wall cracked on impact.

"Argh!" Beldam shouted, as if in his behalf. She watched as the man, wordlessly got on his knees moments after, and back onto his feet, almost effortlessly.

"Hm… ha ha ha…" Beldam laughed. "My minions, once under my control, cannot be hurt by normal means."

Double D rose an eyebrow. "Oh dear… what to do now?"

"Just submit." Beldam stated. "Submit and I promise everyone will get out alive."

"That's a question you ask a lot too." Double D said. "And my answer will always be no."

"Then, children… prepare yourself for the next world. Fisherman, go and-"

"Bravo, Bravo…"

Everything stopped cold. The room turned completely silent. Thunder called in the background.

Even Beldam looked scared. "What are you doing here?"

A figure suddenly appeared in the air. It's appearance was that of a darkened court Jester. He wore a purple and yellow striped hat and tunic, with small golden bells on the three corners of his Jester hat. Both his arms and legs appeared as nothing but shadow. His face was perfectly concealed by a mask, one that resembled the two theatre masks, the one of joy, and the one of sorrow. This mask managed to display both of the emotions at once.

"Good evening." said the mysterious newcomer. "I'd just like to congratulate all of you in your spectacular performance, if I may say so."

"Get out of here." Beldam stated. "This doesn't concern you."

"Who is that?" Luffy asked raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, my sincerest apologies." the Jester man spoke in a tone that perfectly resembled a more charming, mature version of Double D. "Why, I am Dimentio, at your service." He bowed curiously. "Don't worry though, I know who you all are. I've been watching your performances. Indeed, these last 6 years of all of your exploits have truly been an amusing show to watch. I thank you all for keeping me entertained."

"You have been watching us?" Double D asked. "…but this hasn't started until 4 years ago."

"Did it now?" Dimentio asked. "If memory serves, your display with the Star Rod was most invigorating."

Double D began to become suspicious. "What Star Rod?"

"Oh, I'm sorry." Dimentio said. "I hope I didn't spoil anything. It's just that I have been such a fan of your exploitations."

"Quit it, already, Dimentio." Beldam said. "I'm in the middle of this battle."

"Oh yes, about this battle. It's over." Dimentio said.

"What do you mean?" Beldam asked. "I have them all on the verge of death, and you just want me to stop?"

"I do, and you will." spoke Dimentio. "And you will address me as Master, or have you forgotten?"

"I haven't." She said, looking down.

"Who… exactly are you." Double D asked.

"Why, I'm but a humble Magician. Just like you other magic wielders." he said. He turned back to face Beldam again.

"We are leaving, Beldam. We have the star, and we still have our captives. We must leave for now."

"I can't believe-"

"Come." Dimentio stated. "An order is an order."

Beldam waited, but nodded.

Dimentio, looked towards the pool, and snapped his finger. A green, glowing portal appeared directly above it. The Kraken, albeit severely injured, lacking one of it's tentacles, rose through the portal and vanished.

"Oh, and I would like you to give them some of their group back." Dimentio said.

"What?!" Beldam asked.

"Not all of them at once. Just three will do." Dimentio said.

"But-"

"Do it." Dimentio stated.

Beldam sighed and nodded again. She held her medallion outward. Three rays of light shot forth, back onto the ground in front of her. The twirled and took form, eventually revealing Mario, Vivian, and Goombirro, all of them asleep.

"I guess since these three captives are the most useless, I can give them back." Beldam said. "But they are all you're getting for now. The others will stay with me."

"No, give them all back!" Double D shouted.

"Hm… no, no. That won't do." Dimentio sighed. He snapped his own finger again.

Double D's eyes suddenly rolled over, and he fell, face first, into the ground.

"Double D!" Luffy exclaimed

"When they awaken, give that Vivian traitor this." Beldam said. She reached into her pocket, and threw a small box towards the ground. Luffy caught it, and looked at it in curiosity.

"Come, we're done here for today." Dimentio said, flying towards the portal.

"Wait." Beldam said. "Master, I want something in return for those three I gave to them."

"Of course." Dimentio said. "Take whatever you want from them."

Beldam grabbed her Medallion again, this time pointing it towards the group.

"Come to me now." She stated.

There was a quick and abrupt flash. Chopper, Robin, Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp all began to glow at once.

"Whoa!" Chopper exclaimed. "What is going on?!"

Robin and Usopp exchanged horror-stricken expressions, whilst Sanji and Zoro remained in a state of unconsciousness.

All five of them quickly transformed in rays of blue light, that spiraled around the room, then shot at Beldam's Medallion and vanished as they struck it.

Luffy's eyes widened, after realizing he was the last of the heroes still standing. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY CREW?!"

"Consider it a trade." Beldam said. "But don't worry, we'll meet again. You'll see these five again very soon… but if they will be the same is a matter of fate."

"GIVE THEM BACK!" Luffy shouted.

"No way." Beldam said. "A trade is a trade." She looked towards the Fisherman, who was also lying in a seriously injured state on the floor. He transformed into a ray of light as well, returning to Beldam's medallion and vanishing as well.

"Gomu Gomu no-"

But it was too late again. Beldam lifted off the ground, and soared underneath the portal. "Don't forget now, give that box to Vivian." She gave a sinister wink, flew into the portal, and vanished.

Dimentio turned to look at the aftermath. He chuckled, then bowed towards Luffy. "How spectacular. I wonder how this will unfold…"

With that, the mysterious magician shot upwards, flew through the portal, and vanished. As he did, it closed behind him, leaving nothing but an ominous silence.

Author's Notes: Wow, with over 200 pages, more reviews then my completed Edventure story now, and the introduction of a new, more powerful character then Beldam, the second story arc draws to a close with a twist. That new guy, Dimentio, is indeed a pre-created character, from a certain new Mario game. But the things I have shown here, other then his name and personality, are nothing, compared to his own "performance" in the game, so rest assured that nothing major is spoiled.

The next chapter will take us back to another group of heroes back at the Mushroom Kingdom, then a nice old check up on a man clad in green and a certain, dork-hating jock. Twists and turns await as the story presses onward!