Pure Hearts Be True

Tippi and Count Bleck

A frigid wind blew through the dim and drafty corridors of Castle Bleck. Bowser, Peach, Luigi, and Violet were all gone. Mario was the only hero left. It was up to Mario to stop the dark prophecy. Every world hung in the balance. What thrilling conclusion awaited our hero? Mario ran to the count's inner sanctum, his mustache fluttering in the breeze...

...

Tippi commented, rather quietly, "So it's just us left now, isn't it? It reminds me of the first time we met..."

Mario stated, "I miss them too, Tippi. One of them was even my own flesh and blood..."

Tippi replied, "I know... I'm so sorry, Mario."

Mario looked at her and asked, "For what?"

Tippi answered, "I promised you that I would help you find your friends... And now... All of them are gone forever..."

Mario responded, "I really don't think anyone could end Luigi, Peach, Violet, and Bowser's games. I believe that they are still alive."

Tippi questioned, "Think so?"

Mario nodded and explained, "Know so. It'll take more than a jester and a king of all boos to end my brother's game."

With an utter silence, Mario and Tippi continued through the castle. Eventually, after getting out of a long and confusing maze, they got to the count's room.

Tippi commented, "I feel... I feel something very, very powerful... Is it the Chaos Heart?"

After hearing some chuckling, the two of them saw of them saw Count Bleck in the room.

He said to Mario, "I see you've come at last! So you really are the hero of the Light Prognosticus."

"You," Mario hissed.

Count Bleck stated, "But you are far too late to stop the Dark Prognosticus and me...Count Bleck! All worlds will soon end. Come to grips with that now, for you cannot stop it. I suggest you make yourself comfortable and enjoy this one, final spectacle!"

Tippi questioned, "But...why? Do you really want to destroy everything? Why would you do this?! How...COULD you do this?!"

Count Bleck explained, "Count Bleck does not care about any world! They are all meaningless. Better that I destroy them! Better yet, I shall make it as if they never existed at all!"

Tippi asked, "If the worlds have no meaning, was our meeting meaningless as well? Answer me, Blumiere!"

"Blumiere," Mario breathed, puzzled.

Count Bleck lowered his hat over his eyes and explained, "You know the answer, dear Timpani... Count Bleck does not have to tell you... But the hour has grown late. You should know that by now."

Mario breathed, still puzzled, "Timpani...?"

Tippi ignored Mario like Count Bleck did and whispered, "Blumiere... My love, Blumiere... Or rather, Count Bleck... The only way we can stop you this is to defeat you... And that is exactly why Mario and I here... To stop this."

Count Bleck chuckled as he replied, "Very well! But I will also do what I must! Count Bleck is the deleter of worlds! My fate is written in the Dark Prognosticus! Do no think for a moment that I will hesitate to strike you down. ALL NOW ENDS!"

Tippi wept, "Blumiere... My Blumiere..."

Mario questioned, "Boyfriend?"

Tippi answered, sniffling, "Fiance."