Author Note: Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door spoilers are in this chapter.
The Starship Phonix lands on Planet M-Shrooma, and the Soul Princes (and Peach) get boat tickets to the town of Rougeport.
Ratchet speaks first. "So, Mario, Luigi, Peach. You said during the slideshow that you have a history with where we are headed." Peach responds with, "It's a long story. But it seems like we've got time."
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"It started when I sent a letter to Mario asking him to come to the town that we're going to right now. But when he arrived, he got involved with an evil organization looking for 7 Crystal Stars so they could open a door that only opens once every thousand years. According to the magic map he had, the first one was near a Koopa town in the Petal Meadows." Rayman comments, "I assume it wasn't that easy to get it?" "It was in a castle guarded by a dragon. Enough said." "Oh. Well then." "Sly comments, "Where was the next star? I gotta say, I'm already into this story." "A tree home to forest creatures. Mario had to guide a big group of them around. If I remember right, it was kind of annoying." "I can imagine."
"For star number 3, Mario needed help help from a Baby Yoshi during the Glitz Pit fighting tournament, which eventually ended with Mario taking the next Crystal Star from a evil promoter who faked the championship belt.
"Wow, Mario! I can imagine you fighting pretty easily."
Peach says, "The next Crystal Star was even crazier. But before that, I snuck through the enemy base on the moon and stole a data disk."
Sly comments, "Ah, recon."
Peach continues the story, "I call this next chapter "For Pigs the Bell Tolls." It's probably the darkest part of the story. Mario went to a town called Twilight Town, and ended up being possessed by a ghost." Sora says, "You're joking about that name." "I wish I was. Anyway, Mario fought it off using his true name, and I finally found out what was behind the Thousand Year Door."
Rayman comments, "What was it? I'm on the edge of my seat!" "Only a 1000 year old demon that the enemy wanted to bring to life."
Ratchet comments, "And here I'd thought my adventures were crazy."
Peach continues, "Speeding things up a little bit, after a trip to a exotic island for the next Crystal Star, during which he fought off a pirate spirit, looking for a treasure, Mario took a 3 day train trip that turned into a classic mystery to get another star, and then took a cannon to the enemy's moon base for the last star. With the enemy moving against him, he went beneath Rougeport and opened the Thousand Year Door to find a massive palace. Racing to the demon's chamber with me following, I ended up being possessed by the "Shadow Queen." Mario bravely fought against it." Rayman asks, "And that's when you won, right?" "Yep. It was a challenge, but not as difficult as that undead dragon… we should be coming up on Rougeport now. Professor Frankly should be in his lab on the east side of town. If anyone knows where in the Shadow Realm to search for the World Ring, it would be him."
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The Soul Princes disembark at Rougeport's, well, port. Waiting for the Soul Prince of Flame and the others is…an old friend of Mario's. The University of Goom's recent graduate, Goombella.
"Mario! Peach! It's been a long time! How have you been?"
"To say things have been crazy would be an understatement. Did you know Mario is a Prince now?" "No kidding?" "Nope. It's a long story, and we don't have time to explain why we don't have time to explain. Anyway, we're looking for a sacred artifact, and for all we know, Frankly knows where to start the search." Sonic says, "Just tell me where to run to. That boat made me queasy." "New friends?" Peach responds, "More like work partners. From left to right, Sora, Sonic the Hedgehog, Ratchet, Link, Sly Cooper, and Rayman." "You're SO going to have to fill me in later. Frankly's lab is in the same place where it was last time you were here, Mario…"
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"Frankly! We have a visitor!" "Ah, Mario. It's been a while since the Thousand Year Door incident. What brings you back to Rougeport?"
"We're looking for a "World Ring." Sacred artifact, like the Crystal Stars. We think it might be in the Shadow Realm." "Haven't heard that name in a long while… that's not a place you want to be going."
The Soul Princes stand firm.
"Yes. Well. I actually have a colleague currently in the Shadow Realm. I believe he's looking into matters of the heart. Something about "Project Luigi?" He might be able to point you in the right direction." "What's his name?" "I don't know. He only went by "Professor R." Ratchet comments, "Why can I not shake the feeling that this is Soul Prince related?" Rayman responds, "I guess we're going to the Shadow Realm then." Frankly clarifies, "In that case, there should be a portal near Shadow Queen's old palace."
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(After gameplay, the Thousand Year Door is reached.)
"Sora, you should be able to open the portal using your Keyblade." A beam of light comes out and a portal opens.
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"So, this is the Shadow Realm." Looking around, the Soul Princes see darkness and Heartless as far as the eye can see. Sora comments, "I guess this is what Aqua dealt with after the events at the Graveyard. I can see why it was so difficult for her to stay sane." "…Halt! By order of the Shadow Sirens!"
A familiar face, Vivian comments, "…Sorry about this, Mario."
The Soul Princes are knocked out as the Chapter ends on a cliffhanger.
To be continued.