Super Paper Mario with Lianna the Bunny!

Chapter 9: Meanwhile with Count Bleck #2

Meanwhile...

All of the minions have gathered up in the room.

“Yeah. So guys, huddle up, ‘K? We’re going to have a quick new-minion orientation. Her name is Ms.L, and she comes to us from one of our key competitors.” Nastasia introduced Ms.L.

Ms.L gave everyone finger guns. “Can’t day I’m impressed with the minion quality. We got, bearded guy who has no brains, psycho spider girl and psycho clown demon. You guys all are JUNIOR minions!” Ms.L taunted.

"What?! C'mere and I'll introduce ya to Fist Jr and his friend Slappie! I ain't afraid to hit a woman lass!" O'Chunks shouted.

“Gosh, Ms.L, But didn't you get pretty spanked too? So maybe YOU’RE the junior! And take back that insult!” Mimi snapped. “Spanked? I was merely scouting, but I'll get them next time!” Ms.L explained. She did her ‘L’ pose.

“Wait till the Lime Lightning strikes twice! I have to get working on Bunnybot again, so see you L-ater!” Ms.L said, heading off. Dimentio laughed. "I like her. She has sass. It gives me much laughter." He said happily.

“‘Though a man in red and his brother in green shall wield formidable powers, one shall stand against them. A bunny in green shall use the Chaos Heart’s power to bring darkness to all.’ Bleh heh heh heh, so it is written in the Dark Prognosticus.” Count Bleck explained.

"So what you're saying is, the 'bunny in green' is our minion-in-training Ms. L?" Dimentio asked. Count Bleck nodded in response. "Whut?! That makes as much sense as a beef an' broccoli sandwich!" O'Chunks replied.

“Calm yourself, O’Chunks. Make ready. Count Bleck is sending you on a new mission.” Count Bleck told O’Chunks. "Ah! Now that makes total sense! I'll carry it out, I swear to ye'!" He replied, O'Chunks leaves.

"Oh my, aren't we hot-blooded. I think I shall leave to my own projects." Dimentio replied, he then leaves.

“So poor little Mimi doesn't get to be in the fun? This stinks.” Mimi said, leaving.

“Yeah. I hate to seem like a whistle-blower, but O’Chunks may not... actually, even Dimentio, Mimi AND Ms.L may not be up to this... That hero’s gonna collect all the Pure Hearts and come here he'll come for you.” Nastasia said.

“Bleh heh heh heh heh. All is according to plan, Count Bleck assures you.” He said to her. Nastasia gets an upset look on her face. “It’s strange... Nobody ever, um, cherished the universe the way you once did... and yet, you've been made to destroy it...” Nastasia spoke.

“That’s quite enough, Nastasia.” Count Bleck stopped her. “If I could... um, I...” Nastasia said quietly. “You’d what?” Count Bleck asked her. “If only I could have, y’know been that girl... things would have been different...” Nastasia said sadly. He shook his head. “She cannot be replaced. You cannot hope to do so, Nastasia.” Count Bleck told her.

“Yeah, um, I’m very sorry. That just slipped out.” Nastasia replied. Count Bleck held his hat over his eyes. “To be sure... She is gone... gone from all worlds, never to return...” Count Bleck said, leaving with the Dark Prognosticus and leaving Nastasia all alone.

"What... What are you thinking? There's no possible way... No one would allow it!"

"If we can't be happy here, we must leave for a place that will accept our love."

"But, Blumiere, is there such a place? Think... I can't bear to see you hurt again."

"If our love has no home... let us spend our lives searching together!"

"So I get it you again... Timpani, marry me! I promise I will make you happy."

"You... just won't give up, will you? Off all The crazy... stubborn... foolish men..."

"Timpani, answer me, please!"

"Blumiere, I love you. Take me away. Take me to a world where we can be happy."

The heroes exited the green door. "We have 5 Pure Hearts now. This is turning out to be quite the collection." Tippi replied.

"Gwah ha ha! See? You've got the king of all evil on your side! Nothing can stop us!" Bowser called out happily.

“Yeah. But didn't that bunny seem a little, strange? Like she looks... familiar...” Peach said. "Yeah... I noticed that too..." Luigi replied, he looked away. Mario looked at Luigi confused.

“You okay, bro?” He asked Luigi. "I just had a thought that I wish wasn't true..." Luigi said sadly. “What? You can tell us...” Mario said. Peach thought for a moment... “I remember I could've been brainwashed if I wasn't saved...” Peach said. "M-me too... No, it can't be..." Luigi said with a worried tone.

“Oh no...” Peach said worried, Mario took off his hat and frowned. Bowser looked confused. "What? You know her?" He asked them. “Yeah... that was Lianna the Bunny, That one bunny from the wedding?” Peach asked.

“The one who teamed up with us and tried to stop you...” Mario said. "Oh." He responded, Bowser remembered. Luigi looked down. Mario sighed. “We have to save her...” Mario said. "We're gonna save her!" Luigi clenched his fist. "We will!" He shouted.

Mario put his cap on his head and looked at Tippi. "Tee hee..." She giggled. Mario looked confused with Tippi. "Sorry, ever since you rescued me, I've been so happy. I feel like I could hang out with you forever." Tippi replied. Mario pointed to himself curiously.

"Oh ho." A voice called out, Merlon entered. "So you're back. How was it this time? Did you find another Pure Heart?" Her asked. "Yes, we did. And this time, we-URK!" Tippi yelped. Tippi fell to the ground and passed out. Mario and Peach gasped as Tippi fell onto the ground.

"Tippi!" Merlon cried out, he picked her up. "All of you, to my house at once!" He ordered. They headed to Merlon’s place and watched Tippi in worry. Merlon checked on her. "Oh dear... She may not be able to maintain her pixl form much longer..." He said in worry. Bowser tilted his head.

"Her pixl form?" Bowser asked in confusion. “You mean she wasn't an actual Pixl in the beginning?” Peach asked. "Yes. I found her wandering between dimensions, cursed. She was barely alive. I didn't know what else to do, so I used my ancestors magic to transform her into a pixl, and she became Tippi." He explained.

“Oh dear... should we attempt to find the next Heart Pillar?” Mario asked. "That would be best for you to do. Our time is running short. Make haste!" He instructed.

Mario and company realized that there were no more pillars in Flipside, with enough traveling, they arrived in the alternate town, Flopside.

“I welcome you!” A voice called out, an old man shown up, he looked like Merlon, but it wasn’t... “I knew you would come eventually!” The man said. Mario was confused. “Ho oh! I can see that you would like to ask me where in the world are we? Ho oh oh oh! This place may seem like Flipside, but do not be mistaken! You WERE in Flipside, but then you flip-flopped sides... friends, you are in Flopside!” The man explained.

“Which means that I am not the Merlon you know. I am the Flopside version, a different Merlon entirely... you may call me Nolrem!” Nolrem replied. Mario thinks. “Don’t you see? Ours has always been a story of two towns... but the only ones who know about this flip-floppery are Merlon and I!” Nolrem replied. Mario responds.

“You seem a bit surprised, ho oh oh ho... there is a front and back to all things, young ones. Now the Heart Pillar is one floor up! Go and place the Pure Heart within it! See you!” He said.

Mario then went to the Heart Pillar and placed the Pure Heart inside. “You appear to be performing your duties effectively!” A voice called, it was Nolrem.

“I just got a message from Merlon. Tippi’s been revived! They are waiting for you at the top of Flipside Tower! Hurry! You must go there!” Nolrem leaves and Mario uses the Return Pipe to reach the tower quickly.

"There you are. Let's go." Tippi replied, she seemed fine now. “Tippi! You okay?” Peach asked. "I'm fine. This is no time to be resting in bed. Besides... I-I want to be with Mario..." Tippi said. Mario blushed and they decided to venture into the door.