Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door -- Interlude After Chapter 5 -- Part 3

Go to the Thousand-Year Door to get the location of the next Crystal Star. Professor Frankly says he has great news, because the Crystal Star is in Poshley Heights. Mario's ally says that only the rich and famous live there. Frankly says there's also a shrine to the stars there, the Poshley Sanctum. It's not a dungeon or area filled with monsters, but a tourist attraction. This sounds like a delightful change of pace. To reach Poshley Heights, they need to ride the famous train, The Excess Express, which should be easy. Mario's ally thinks they need wealth or fame to ride the train. Mario certainly has fame. Frankly tells them to ask Don Pianta again. The ally doesn't want to go through that channel again, but says they'll do it if they must. Frankly tells them to hurry, as they may not have much time.

Go to Don Pianta's office through the back door in the west side shop. Don Pianta's lying in bed, sick with loneliness since Francesca left. The associates say that they're losing jobs as a syndicate to the Robbos. Mario asks the associates for a ticket for The Excess Express. They can't help him, but the Don Pianta can. They want to know where his daughter and son-in-law are. The ally says they're in Keelhaul Key. They want Mario to bring Francesca back here and they'll help him get the ticket.

Go to Keelhaul Key and you'll find they're no longer at the camp. Go east into the jungle and you'll find them. Mario says that Don Pianta's sick. Francesca and Frankie are worried and want to go back to Rogueport, but Francesca lost her wedding ring and must find it before they leave. She says it's between here and Skull Rock. Frankie tries to convince her to leave, but she thinks this means he doesn't love her. To prove his love for her, he must say he loves her 100 times. You have to listen to all of it. Once that's over with, go to Skull Rock. The wedding ring is near the back, between the west exit and the tree Bobbery was in. Return the ring and meet them at the dock.

Return to Rogueport and Don Pianta says he's feeling better now that they're here. He was stubborn and asks the couple for their forgiveness. He wants them to stay with him as he needs peace and can't be away from them. He realizes he can't escape old age and will stop being a bother. He declares his retirement as boss of the Pianta Syndicate and names Frankie as his successor. Frankie tells Don Pianta he can still be the boss. Don Pianta says he's thought about retiring for  along time and tells him to take care of Francesca and the syndicate. Don Pianta thanks Mario for the favor and his associates sheepishly mention that they promised Mario train tickets for helping. Don Pianta says it's no big deal and gives Mario the ticket. He says to come back anytime. He is now retired and leaves. Francesca says she'll keep Frankie in line and has had enough of his pet names for her. He is to call her either "Francesca" or "Miss Boss". The associates declare their loyalty to Frankie and thank Mario. They ask him to join the syndicate.

Leave the office and start heading for the train. Mario's ally says they should go to Poshley Heights and Beldam overhears them. She now knows where the next Crystal Star is. She won't fight Mario now, as she's alone, but will be in Poshley Heights. She leaves. To start the next chapter, hand your ticket over to the ticket-taker at the train station.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door -- Interlude After Chapter 5 -- Part 2

On the shores of Keelhaul Key, Cortez says Mario distinguished himself in battle, making him worthy to use his ship anytime. The Toads are looking forward to returning to Rogueport, which is all the treasure they need. Frankie and Francesca will stay behind, as they like the place. Frankie says to give their regards to Don Pianta. Patch and some of the other sailors decide to stay behind as well, as Keelhaul Key will be a nice place without the ghosts. Mario's ally says they'll be fine.

Flavio's diary reads that the adventure came to an exciting end. They enjoyed smooth sailing and he's satisfied, even though he didn't find treasure. He found something more precious.

When they arrive in Rogueport, Flavio says they returned solely due to his courageous efforts. The Toads agree, but leave. Flavio tells Mario he may surpass the great and fabulous Flavio in greatness and fabulousness. Cortez says he'll take Mario to Keelhaul Key anytime. Flavio curtly tells Cortez that his time in the spotlight is over.

Walk off the dock and Peach's email arrives. She says she's cooperating with an odd computer named TEC and she obtained some X-Naut data. She trusts TEC, which is analyzing the data currently. She'll provide details when she gets them.

At the dock is Luigi, accompanied by a green Dayzee. He says he went to Jazzafrazz Town, which was filled with glitz and glamour. It's a lively place with tons of Dayzees that are always smiling. He met a hip one named Hayzee, a producer looking for actors to go onstage with him. Luigi declined, but Hayzee said he could win the compass piece he needed in the Drama Slam. The Dramalama Plaque might be a compass piece. Luigi rehearsed with Hayzee's troupe and they hit the stage with their musical, "The Mystery of the Fiery Hat of Social Awareness." It had a great script, but Luigi was sadly cast in the role of grass by the side of the road. He was sprawled out on stage and remained silent throughout the musical. He was cast because he was wearing the color green. Fortunately, the musical was the talk of Jazzafrazz Town and won the Drama Slam. Luigi got the compass piece from the Dramalama Plaque, but he wasn't very happy. The huge after-party bummed him out, so he snuck out back, where he was swarmed by his fans, fans of grass. He was ecstatic. His compass pointed north to the Rapturous Ruins in Grimble Forest. He heard the voice of Princess Éclair again. He says he would be grass for her. He'll find her and stand by her side, and be her Luigi. Hayzee is standing next to him. He says Luigi is one of the finest actors he's seen, and, after Luigi's adventure, they're going on tour to appear on stages everywhere. Hayzee will be known as "The Red Miracle" and Luigi will reprise his role as grass. It seems for once Luigi was telling the truth and someone's sticking by him for positive reasons.

Now that Mario has the ability to turn into a boat, he can go a few more places in Rogueport. Use the boat panel near Luigi and sail to the left. You'll find what looks like somebody's house on the other side of the wall. There's a chest with the HP Drain badge and a Star Piece behind a barrel. Go on the east side of town and flip sideways to go between the Trouble Center and Bobbery's house. Use the boat panel and sail back to the other side to find a chest with the Double Dip badge. Go to the west side of town and have Bobbery blow up the wall to the left of the shop. There is a Shine Sprite back here.

Go back to Hooktail Castle and go to the room where the Black Key was. In the room, on the right wall, is a crack. Have Bobbery blow it up and walk east to a room with a blue switch. Hit it to reveal a chest with the Up Arrow. Return to Rogueport and talk to Merlon, who's outside his house. He saw a sign for Mario when he was consulting his charts. It says in the house of the flying dragon, beyond the reversible stair, near the empty black chest lies a clue to help allies learn. Merlon says Mario must figure it out. Go inside and give him the Up Arrow. Merlon goes up into his attic, a crash is heard, and the Ultra Stone drops down. He picked it up at a flea market years ago and forgot it was there. He can now power up allies even more. He makes the Ultra Stone his crystal ball. There were many Shine Sprites on Keelhaul Key, so we can get Bobbery, Goombella, and Ms. Mowz to Super Rank. There may be enough to make one partner reach Ultra Rank. I chose Flurrie.

There are a couple new troubles at the Trouble Center.

Eve wants to tell someone something. She will meet you in her house in Twilight Town. She lives on the east side, in the left house. She has three children. She wants Mario to help her meet her former love, Podley. They both had a dream to be stars of the musical stage. They lived in a cramped apartment, poor, but happy. She got a role in a Broadshroom play as the leading lady, but Podley left her, leaving a note that said he's only dim her bright future. She wanted to be with him, not a lone star. Success meant nothing to her without him. She left the production during rehearsal and forgot both Podley and her dreams. She got married and now lives as a housewife with three beautiful children. Her happiness is complete and she forgot those days, but she heard a rumor that he was running a Chuckola Soda shop in Rogueport. Eve wants Mario to tell Podley she hasn't forgotten him. She tells Mario her stage name of Purehearted Eve. Go to the inn in Rogueport and talk to Podley. He is startled, but says he doesn't know her. He says to tell her to live in the moment. Go back to Twilight Town to report back. You can either tell her the truth or make something up. Either way, she'll give you a Meteor Meal as a reward.

Goom Goom needs a girlfriend. He's located in the storeroom in Keelhaul Key, the one with all the barrels. He says he feels lonely with no one to date on the island. He wants Mario to introduce him to a nice, petite, younger, pretty, but not drop-dead gorgeous Goomba. Bring out Goombella and he says he likes her. He confesses his love for her and asks if she believes in love at first sight. He gives her a Couple's Cake. Goombella thinks the situation is awkward and says she's dating Mario. Goom Goom's had enough and leaves. Goombella thinks Mario should keep the Couple's Cake as a reward. Return to Rogueport and head for the Thousand-Year Door.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door -- Chapter 5: The Key to Pirates -- Part 3

Mario has reached Cortez's ship in the Pirate's Grotto. Go inside the ship and there's more groaning. The warnings have been ignored. If Mario goes through the next door, he will be lost in darkness. Go inside anyway. On the other side of the door is a room full of treasure. A skull appears and decides to stop groaning, because pirates don't do that. He's a cold-blooded villain who robs innocent people of their lives and loot. He thinks Mario's after his treasure and will use his mustache as a bone polisher.

In battle, Cortez has 20 HP, 4 attack, and 1 defense. His low health may not seem like much, but he can come back multiple times after his health drops to zero because he's a spirit. He has many attacks and can charge his attack power to 8. Keep attacking and you'll eventually defeat him. He holds four weapons he can use to attack. Once his HP drops to zero, he'll change his form slightly. There's a pile of bones you can hit with a ground-based attack to do damage if he's out of reach. When his HP reaches zero again, he'll change forms. He'll be a floating skull and his weapons will float in the air with him. The weapons have 4 HP each and have their own way of attacking. The sword can attack one target twice, the sabre hits one target once, the hook hits one target with a chance of poison, and the rapier his both targets. Cortez will bite one target. All of them will attack on Cortez's turn, so try to defeat the weapons temporarily with an attack that hits all targets. When his HP is low, Cortez says he can't take much more of this, so he'll do something special, showing the true might of his spirit form. He'll inhale the spirits of half the audience, who disappears. This will restore his health. Drop his HP to zero and you'll win and get about 30 SP.

Cortez panics about his treasure and shrinks, saying he's done for. He comes back, saying he's an enduring spirit tied to his treasure. Mario can't hurt him. He says guarding his treasure is boring. Mario explains he's not interested in Cortez's treasure and just wants the Crystal Star. Cortez can bring himself to part with it, as he didn't like it anyway. Mario's Star Power increases and he gets the move Sweet Feast.

End of Chapter
Cortez, scourge of the seas... Mario soundly defeated this fearful spirit and claimed the Crystal Star. Perhaps the peaceful citizens of the world no longer need fear Cortez and his fell ship... The only problem remaining is how Mario will escape this isolated island... And could there be another problem still, hiding beneath our hero's nose?

Cortez opens the back window in his ship, sending them on their way if they don't need anything. Flavio writes in his diary that he heard the treasure has been discovered. Mario is kicked out the back window. Heal and save, then go west. The Toads say that they felt something like an earthquake while Mario was gone. They want help to get out of the area now that Cortez has been defeated. When the ground shook, the back wall cracked and a Toad feels a breeze coming through the crack. Have Bobbery blow up the wall to reveal a hole. The Toads, Frankie, and Francesca leave, saying they'll never forget him. Go through the hole in the wall and it leads to beach, near Whacka.

Walk towards the camp and Flavio asks how the expedition went. He's upset when Mario tells him he left the treasure, but says that's what he likes about Mario. The Toad that came in search of his brother is reunited with him, but everyone realizes that they're stranded. Suddenly, shots fire. An X-Naut ship is firing cannonballs at the island. Standing on the cannon is Four-Eyes, thanking Mario for getting the Crystal Star for him. He reveals his true identity to be Lord Crump. He wants the Crystal Star and subjects the water in front of the beach to cannonade. Flavio thinks Lord Crump was a pirate and decides to flee. They can't do anything without a ship, so he suggests Mario take him to Cortez so they can use his unstoppable ship.

Go back to Cortez and Flavio stammers, pleading his case. Cortez asks why he'd lend his ship, which is not for pleasure cruises. After the situation is explained, Cortez explains that the ship is magical and can't move right now, because the Skull Gem which powers it is missing. Flavio reveals it and Cortez gets upset because Flavio's ancestors stole it from him and calls him a strutting peacock. He says Flavio is brave or foolish to ask for a deal. Flavio threatens to have Mario defeat him again and he'll throw the Skull Gem into the sea. Cortez agrees and Flavio touts his negotiation skills. Cortez was annoyed by the cannon fire anyway. His ship, the Black Skull, will sail again. Go outside and you'll find everyone else on board. Cortez announces that this will be the first time the Black Skull has set sail in a millennium. The Embers come along.

Outside, Lord Crump boasts that he has ammo to spare. Cortez says he has some nerve firing cannons without his permission. The Black Skull breaks through the rock and the ships circle each other. Crump says he'll sink Cortez's ship. The Embers and X-Nauts battle. Flavio tells Mario to battle Lord Crump.

In battle is a group of X-Nauts with 6 HP. Lord Crump has 30 HP and 3 attack. His attacks are normal, but he also commands the X-Nauts, which are a force to be reckoned with, when Crump is around. Defeat him and they'll give up. They'll flood the stage after a few turns, but keep your focus on Crump, as he can send in more of them. The X-Nauts can hang from the rafters and shake down forks. Once Crump's health drops to zero, he'll run offstage to heal and return with more X-Nauts. The many X-Nauts will form a ball and roll over both Mario and his partner. Drop his HP to zero again and you'll get around 20 SP. He hates losing and needs to think of a new excuse for Grodus. He leaves and everyone congratulates Mario.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door -- Chapter 5: The Key To Pirates -- Part 2

Flavio writes in his diary that the explorers have entered the cave and he wonders if they'll find the treasure.

Mario has discovered the Pirate's Grotto. There's a Ruin Powder behind the barrel near the entrance. Save and go east. Someone's groaning echoes throughout the cave. Drop down twice, then go east. There are Lava Bubbles here. They're like Embers, but have 6 HP and 4 attack. Jump over the water to the shipwreck, then walk onto the bow. Jump for a hidden Shine Sprite. Use Koops to get a Star Piece on an island. Walk to the back and use Vivian to cross to the right, avoiding the spikes. Go east.

Here you'll find Bullet Bills, which have 2 HP, 4 attack, and 1 defense, and the Bill Blasters that fire them. They have 5 HP and 2 defense, and only fire Bullet Bills when battling. The Bullet Bills will hit you and disappear. Go east again and jump across the broken bridge, then cross the water on the higher rock near the waterfall with Yoshi. There's a winch that controls the sluices here, but the handle's missing. There are Bulky Bob-ombs in the area. They are large, pink Bob-ombs that will explode when their fuses are lit. They have 6 HP, 2 attack, and 1 defense. They never attack, but when they explode, they'll hit with 2 attack, unless they charge their attack up to 8. The explosions hit both Mario and his partner.

Go east and you'll find a Save Block and a locked door. Climb up the rocks and you'll find Parabuzzy Beetles. They have 5 HP, 3 attack, and 4 defense, but if flipped over, their defense drops to zero. Use Bobbery to reach the Shine Sprite over the rocks. Jump across the water and throw Bobbery on the ledge to hit the switch. This raises the metal door so you can go west. Go up and across the waterfall, then go west again. This takes you to a rom with a crate floating in the water and a platform attached to a counterweight. With good timing, throw Bobbery onto the crate, as it's moving away, so Bobbery can hit the switch in the middle of the water. While Bobbery is walking, run to the platform. The switch will make it rise up, so go to the right for the Grotto Key. Hit the switch again and jump to the counterweight. Wait for it to rise up to the top shelf of barrels, where there's a Shine Sprite. Go back east, save, and unlock the door.

There are more Parabuzzies on the other side of the door. Go through the hole in the front wall and use Koops to get a Shine Sprite. Roll up into a tube and roll left under the spikes. Some of the spikes are at ground level, so be careful. Go west. There's a Shine Sprite just out of reach. There's an invisible block below it, so you can reach it. Cross the barrels and shipwreck to a broken bridge with an Ember and a Lava Bubble. Use Bobbery to blow up the door on the left wall and go west. Jump left and you'll come across a shipwreck. Enter it and you'll find the P-Down, D-Up badge behind a Black Chest. The Black Chest thought no one would come. Mario just wants the curse. The chest says it practiced a speech, but Mario says that this one is the fourth chest he's come across. The chest thinks Mario is jaded and wanted to see the face of the unlucky fool it got to cruse. It says there's a ghost nearby with the key, so Mario should get it so they can get this farce over with. an Ember appears. Beat it and the Black Key drops down. Unlock the chest and it delivers its spiel. Mario is cursed forever. It forgets a part of its speech and, after cursing Mario, asks if the curse really hurt him. It tells them to squirm and suffer like socially awkward worms. For this curse, press (Y) on boat panels to turn into a paper boat. He will float on the water and people will laugh at him. It only works in certainly places, so the chest thinks it isn't too bad. Approach the panel and press (Y) in the water to return to normal. It thanks Mario for letting it do its think and it feels better. Mario's partner thinks this chest may be on their side.

Sail east to the other side and return to the area with the Save Block. Climb up the rocks and go west. Change into a boat and sail east, then go under the waterfall. To the right is a chest with the Defend Plus P badge. Go back west and drop down the waterfall. Sail west twice to the area with the rising spikes. Return to normal, then jump to the ship. It has the Gate Handle you need to operate the floodgates. Walk back there and raise the floodgates. Go back up to the waterfall above the floodgates and turn into a boat. Sail down the waterfall again and sail through the floodgates. Sail east to the area with the spikes coming out from the walls. There are large waves here. Avoid them, or you'll sink and have to start back on the left side. Fortunately, you won't take damage.

Go east and someone notices the boat on the water. It's one of a bunch of Toads stuck on a shipwreck, asking to be saved. Sail past them and they'll be disappointed that it's just a paper boat. On the left side is a pipe. Go through it and it takes you to the background. Go over the ship and to the far left to reach another pipe. This brings you back to the foreground, near an airplane panel. Fly a short distance to the right for a pipe. It takes you to the background, where a switch is. This makes barrels appear to the right of the pipe. Go left to the pipe to the airplane panel and fly farther to the right for another pipe. This switch makes barrels appear between the shipwreck and the pipe. The Toads can cross to the other side now, and as they do, you'll see Frankie and Francesca among them. Fly and jump to where they are and the Toads thank Mario for saving them. They were looking for the treasure when they were surrounded by ghosts. Francesca recognizes Mario, saying she and Frankie took a trip, but their ship got too close to the island. She's relieved to hear Mario isn't here to take her back under order of Don Pianta. She thinks that Cortez is nearby and the rumors are true. They were trapped on a raft, so she asks Mario to deal with Cortez. The Toads will figure out a way out of here if Mario will deal with Cortez.

Go east to an area with a ship and Four-Eyes walks in. He says he followed Mario and got lost. He tells them that the Crystal Star and Cortez are in the ship. Mario can take him and they're counting on him, especially him and Grodus. Heal and save, then enter through the door on the ship.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door -- Interlude After Chapter 2 -- Part 2

At the entrance to the Great Tree, Punio thanks Mario, saying the Punies can return to their peaceful way of life. The elder is sad to see Mario leave, but tells him she loves pontificating, so he should stop by for a chat. Petuni says to visit sometime. Punio says the Punies will work together to prevent something like the X-Naut takeover from happening again. Mario leaves the tree and gets an email from Peach. She's still fine and worried about him. The X-Nauts are searching desperately for the Crystal Stars, so she will try to learn more about them. She'll email any information she finds. Peach misses Mario and dreams of their carefree days back at the castle. She hopes to spend more carefree days there soon again.

Go to the underground city. Near the grates that leads to the Boggly Woods, the wall is peeling. Blow the peeling part of the wall away to reveal a chest with the Happy Heart P badge. Go to Rogueport and check the trashcan in Frankly's place for a scrap of the Tattle Log. You'll get an email from Koopook saying he's hiding in Goomstar Temple someplace cold. He'll have to wait for now. Go to Merlon's and upgrade Flurrie.

Go to the center square and you'll find Luigi and an orange Blooper. Luigi says he went to Rumblebump Volcano and got a Marvelous Compass part. Ask him about what happened and he'll tell you the tale. He spent several days fording through dense jungle with many scary beasts. He thought he was done for and screamed a lot, to scare them off. A Blooper named Blooey heard him and found him in a town. Blooey was on a journey of his own, but decided to join Luigi. Others called Blooey a madman, the "White Torpedo". He helped Luigi fight his way to the volcano with bubbling lava pools and intense heat, as well as evil traps designed to protect the compass part. There was a 100-foot tall statue that stomped around, but had a weak spot in the red gem on its forehead. Luigi has a high jump, but it's not that high. He planned to have Blooey hit the weak spot, so he threw him up there and nailed the shot. The stone statue toppled and crumbled. He went to the treasure room, but did not find Princess Éclair. The compass pointed west to the Plumpbelly Village on the Strudel Continent. He's in Rogueport to recharge. Talk to Blooey and he'll call Luigi a total liar. Luigi did try to throw him at the stone statue, but Luigi tripped and Blooey ended up in the lava. His formerly pale skin is now crispy. He's hanging around only to make Luigi pay, even if it takes his whole lifetime.

There are a few more troubles at the Trouble Center:
The Puni elder was a Life Shroom. If you don't have one, they sell them in the shop on the west side. She'll be waiting in the Great Tree and will give you 60 coins.

Lahla announces the Pianta Parlor's grand opening. Talk to her to get something. Go to the parlor and talk to the Boo wearing cat ears. She'll give you 10 Piantas, the currency used in the Parlor.

Pine T. Jr. wants someone to help his father. He'll meet you at the Pit of 100 Trials. You can get there by flying west of the Thousand-Year Door or by dropping down the grate on the west side, then going through the pipe on the floor, then through the pipe that's behind the peeling wall. Talk to the young Toad and he'll tell you that his father went in search of the treasure here after he lost his job, but never returned. The Pit of 100 Trials is a series of battles spanning 100 floors. Most battles will only give you one Star Point, but feature a variety of enemies. Try to get the first strike to get an advantage in battle. Some of enemies you'll encounter are the Gloomba and Paragloomba (7 HP, 3 attack power) and the Pokey (4 HP, 3 attack power), as well as enemies you've already encountered. Every few floors, you'll get a break or find a Mover Puni who'll take you places for some coins. There are also merchants with items for sale that can help in the battles ahead. On floor ten is a large chest with the Sleepy Stomp badge. On floor 18, you'll find a Toad collapsed by the back wall. Talk to him and tell him about his son and he'll fallow you. He won't get in the way of your battles. On floor 20, you'll find the Fire Drive badge in the large chest, and a pipe to the exit. Talk to them once out of the pit, and Pine T. Sr. says he knows that his health and family are more important and will look for more work. Pine T. Jr. will give you his treasure, a Silver Card for Paper Mode in the Pianta Parlor.

Go east and hold the map aloft in front of the Thousand-Year Door. A floating area appears with the gold Crystal Star. Frankly says that the underground ruins have been intact for a thousand years and that the Thousand-Year Door was sealed for that long by the Crystal Stars. All of them are needed to open the door. Mario's partner asks why the door was sealed, but Frankly neither knows why nor what caused the town's demise. All that is written is that the sky grew dark and a cataclysm rained down. They can't assume anything. The map points to a floating area, which Frankly informs them is Glitzville, a floating arena where great warriors engage in furious battle. Families vacation there to lounge and enjoy the fights, but behind the scenes, the richest people in the world bet on the matches. The partner wonders how to reach Glitzville and Frankly tells them that they'll need to take a special blimp that departs from Rogueport. They'll need a ticket, obtained through certain "channels". Don Pianta controls access to blimp tickets and is located on the west side of Roguport. He's the head of the Pianta syndicate and Frankly's heard scary rumors about him. Don Pianta is reclusive and getting an audience with him will be difficult.

The way to reach Don Pianta is to talk to Ishnail, the Robbo's boss. Flip sideways to go between the Trouble Center and the locked building. Back here is his lair. Talk to him and he'll say that he hates Don Pianta, who makes criminal life difficult. Pay him 64 coins and he'll tell you the secret: go the west side item shop and buy a Dried Shroom and Dizzy Dial in that order. When asked your favor color, say "Yellow". Do as he says and the Boo running the shop will have the backdoor to the shop opened. Go outside and up the stairs to his office.

Don Pianta's at his desk, in a bad mood. He thinks it's funny Mario had the guts to come up to his office and ask for a blimp ticket. His associates ask what they should do with Mario, but Don Pianta says to leave him alone. He likes Mario's gumption. He asks Mario why he wants a blimp ticket and Mario explains that he's trying to help a woman who's been kidnapped by collecting the Crystal Stars. Don Pianta likes guys who want rescue girls, so he decides that if Mario does him a favor, he'll give him a blimp ticket. Don Pianta explains that his daughter eloped with one of his associates and the two of them vanished not too long ago. He wants Mario to find Francesca and Frankie and bring them back to his office, or tell him where they are and he'll settle the matter with extreme prejudice. He tells them what they look like and that Mario's luck may turn terrible if he doesn't find them.

Go to the port and you'll find them at the dock. Talk to them and Francesca freaks out at her father looking for them. Frankie thinks they should talk to him and she disagrees. He says they can't run forever. Tell them you'll pretend you never saw them and leave. Go back to Don Pianta and tell him, and they'll enter the office. Frankie begs forgiveness. Don Pianta is disappointed. Both of them try to take the blame. Don Pianta tells them to be quiet, saying Francesca used up her last favor long ago and that he can't believe Frankie did this to him after he treated Frankie like a son. He doesn't want to see them ever again and that they can do whatever they want, including getting married. They both leave happy. Talk to Don Pianta again to get the Blimp Ticket. He says he's happy she's happy and he doesn't want to see Mario again, either.

Go north of the west side of town and show the Blimp Ticket to the Cheep-Cheep. Go to the pipe and check behind it for a Star Piece. Go through the pipe to the background and walk up to the blimp. It will take off, with some nice music to start the chapter.