Super Paper Mario with Lianna the Bunny!

Chapter 16: Preparing for the Final Battle

Meanwhile at Castle Bleck...

"WHAT?! ...Spat Count Bleck in utter disbelief. Surely this news cannot be true! The heroes still live?" Count Bleck asked. "Ah ha ha. I'm afraid so my count. I've heard they even found all Pure Hearts and the last prophesized hero. They might be arriving shortly." Dimentio reported. "The one that somehow looks just like our passed Ms.L? The one that you really like?" Count Bleck asked. Dimentio froze. "I do not like to recall her Count... It makes me think of her fall..."

 "Is that true?! They be comin' 'ere?! Let me throw them a welcome party Count! I'll bring the punch!" O'Chunks chuckled at his pun. "Ooh, I wanna party with those party poopers, too! Wait up, O'Chunks! Mimimimimimi!" Mimi called out, heading out with O'Chunks. Dimentio smiled. "Hmm, a party would help me feel better... Oh, but before I part Count, does the name Blumiere ring a bell to you?" He asked Count Bleck. Count Bleck was surprised by his words. "Where did you hear that name, Dimentio?!" He asked. "Oh, that pixl just kept rambling on about stopping someone named Blumier. I was simply curious." He said.

Count Bleck watches as Dimentio left. "Count Bleck! If... Um... If that Pixl is who you think it is... There's still time! You can still stop the prophecy from destroying everything! Yeah, because, if that's really her... If she's alive, you have to stop all this!" Nastasia called out. "You know not what you are saying, Nastasia. The prophecy can no longer be stopped by Count Bleck. No one can stop it." Count Bleck replied. "Yeah, I'm on board with what you're saying...but there must be a way. There must... Lord Blumiere!" Nastasia called out.

"Bleh heh heh heh heh... The man known as Blumiere died long ago. Now there is only Bleck! The Dark Prognosticus's choice to fulfill the prophecy! Nothing more!" He called out. "But..." Nastasia replied. He spreads his arms out. "Come to Count Bleck, heroes... If you hope to save these worlds, then come... BLEH HEH HEH HEH! BLECK!" He cackled. 

"Blumiere, my son, don't! Even your ancestors could not handle that dark book..."

"If you open it...there's no telling what might happen!"

"I do not care, Father! A world without her is empty. A LIFE without her is empty."

"Speak, Dark Prognosticus! Teach your dark history! I await your command!"

"BLEH HEH HEH! BLECK!"

"Blumiere... What have you done?"

"Silence! The first prophecy beckons. I will erase every inch... of this blasted world!"

"Blu-Blumiere! Don't do this! Blumiere!"

"Blumiere is no more! I am Count Bleck! And no one shall stand in my way!"

"BLEH HEH HEH! BLECK!"

"No! Blumiere! You mustn't! Darling... How could you... Oh... Darling... You... Why..." Tippi spoke to herself. "Hey, Tippi! Snap out of it will ya?!" Bowser yelled. "...What?!" Tippi asked in shock."Tippi? You okay... You keep talking to yourself about this 'Blumiere' guy.." Lianna spoke up. "Oh... I'm fine Lianna... Really..." Tippi replied. "So, should we head to Merlon's house? We should tell him we found the last Pure Heart!" Luigi suggested. Lianna nodded. "Yeah, let's go!" Lianna called out.

Mario lead the others to Merlon's place."So... We've gathered all Pure Hearts and the five heroes it seems..." Merlon said. "Gwah ha ha! Time to give that count the boot!" Bowser explained. "Yeah! I want to kick his butt!" Lianna called out. Deep down inside, Lianna felt nervous if she would confront the other guy who seems to love her...

"Yeah, we'll beat him, and save all worlds!" Luigi added. "Should we find the last heart pillar?" Lianna asked, holding up the White Pure Heart. "Yes. You should do that, then proceed to the black tower in Flopside." Merlon explained. Lianna nodded, she and the others headed to the final heart pillar with Lianna placing the final Pure Heart into the pillar. A big purple door appeared at the black tower.

Lianna and the crew headed out. "So, the time has come..." A voice called out. Nolrem appeared. "Heroes... The last door is at the top of Flopside Tower in the center of town! I'll go ahead there and wait for you... Once you've prepared for the battle that waits beyond that door, come to me..." He said. Lianna and her friends gathered enough items for healing and offensive. They headed up the elevator to see the ominous door. "This is the final door. Eight Pure Hearts versus the Dark Prognosticus... Castle Bleck awaits." Nolrem said.

Merlon was there. "There was one last page of the Light Prognosticus. Only those who have not abandoned hope shall turn back the prophecy of doom." He said. "You have fought all this way because you believed the future could be bright... I can't go through this door with you, but I send you with all the hope in my heart." Nolrem replied. "I know you can do this. I too, believe with all of my heart." He said.

"Thank you, both of you." Peach said happily. "We know we can do this." Lianna said happily. Lianna's stomach was filled with butterflies, she knew she would have to probably fight Dimentio, she didn't want to face against the one who killed her, but she must get revenge on him. "Leave it to us!" Luigi smiled. "Oh, come on, are we gonna have a little group hug now? Can the pep talk gramps, I'm only doing this for ME!" Bowser snapped. Lianna looked at Tippi concerned. "Tippi, you sure you are going to be okay? What if you start to daze off and talk about this 'Blumiere' guy again? " Lianna asked her concerned.

Tippi looked surprised. "Oh, no, I'll be fine. I'm coming with you." She said. "Okay... I guess this is farewell for now, Merlon." Lianna replied."You will return safely, yes?" Merlon asked."Yes. We will. And we promise." Lianna said, giving him a farewell hug. Merlon hugged her back. "May I tell you something before you go?" He asked. "Yeah, sure. Go ahead." Lianna replied.

"There is a page in the Light Prognosticus that I didn't understand before, but I think I've figured it out now. 'Whether the Light or Dark prophecy comes true will be determined by a woman in green'. I think I finally know who that woman is." He said. "A woman in green, something about the Light and Dark prophecy..." Lianna said. "Okay, I will remember that." Lianna said. "I trust you will make the right decision when the time is right." Merlon said with a smile. "I will. I know right from wrong. I will hopefully try to promise you." Lianna replied.

She took a deep breath. "Ready guys?" She asked. Luigi nodded, holding her hand. "Let's do this together." He said. Lianna and her friends entered the door.