Super Paper Mario -- Chapter 8-4: Tippi and Count Bleck

A frigid wind blew through the dim and draft corridors of Castle Bleck. Bowser, Peach... and even brave Luigi were 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 says it's just her and Mario now, which reminds her of the time they first met. She apologizes, saying she promised to help Mario find his friends, who are now gone forever. Mario disagrees. Tippi thinks he may be right that they survived. They are heroes and she's going to believe in them, and HIM most of all.

In Castle Bleck's Inner Sanctum, you'll find Coptas, Poison Pokeys, and Cursyas. You'll also find some Mushrooms in item blocks. Go through the door and you'll find Magiblots and no way out. Use Tippi's power to find a hidden door. In this room, you'll find rising platforms, along with Parabuzzies and Spiky Parabuzzies. You'll come to a dead end. Flip to find a path around the tall platforms, then go through the door.

There are infinite platforms in this room. In the middle of the room, when you reach solid ground, flip to find a pipe. Flip and use Dottie to shrink to pass through a tiny hole in the wall. This leads to a chest with a key. Return to the infinite platforms to unlock the door. The door leads to a room with many Mega Muths, with 200 HP and 8 attack. Some of them are in 3D.

Go through the door and you'll find a hallway that dead-ends. Flip and you'll see several doorways to your right and left. These lead to different hallways, some with items and most with enemies. From the door, go right four times to find a chest with a Shooting Star. From the door, go left once to find a door.

From the door, take the first right to find a chest with a Super Shroom Shake. To reach the next door, from the door, go left three times. In the next set of hallways, take the first right, then the second right, then walk backwards to take the first right to find a chest with an Ultra Shroom Shake. Go through the first right to reach a door. The door leads to some stairs with an Ultra Shroom in an item block and a Save Block. When you're ready, go through the door.

Tippi feels something powerful on the other side of the door and she thinks it may be the Chaos Heart. Count Bleck and Nastasia are here. "Bleh heh heh heh heh... I see you've come at last! So you really are the hero of the Light Prognosticus. 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 asks why he wants to destroy everything and how could he do this. "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 asks Blumiere if their meeting was meaningless as well. "You know the answer, dear Timpani... Count Bleck does not have to tell you... But the hour has grown too late. You should know that by now." Tippi knows the only want to stop this is to defeat him, which is why she and Mario are here. "BLEH HEH HEH HEH! BLECK! 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 not think for a moment that I will hesistate to strike you down. ALL NOW ENDS! Leave me, Nastasia! I will deal with these two ALONE." Nastasia tries to object, but he says, "Count Bleck demands it! I will not say it again." Nastasia leaves and he continues, "Are you prepared, hero? Our duel will be worthy of the last clash the world will ever see!"

Count Bleck has 150 HP and 8 attack. He shoots out blasts of dark energy. He's also invincible, guarded by a shield of the Chaos Heart. "How laughable! Is that all the heroism you can muster? Let me show you true power! You can't so much as tug on the cape of Count Bleck! You have failed! Bleck! I expected more potency from the hero of the prophecy! I will watch your game end, and then your precious worlds will end soon after!" He prepares a huge energy blast. Tippi wonders if this is the end. Someone asks if they're giving up already? It's Bowser, telling Mario to man up, as he never gives up this easily when he attacks his castle. "Bleh heh heh heh heh heh... So you ARE alive, then!" Peach and Luigi show up. Peach says they'll never let him destroy everything. Luigi says they won't let him get away with this and that they're not giving up. Count Bleck will never win. Tippi asks how they got here. Bowser fell through the floor before the ceiling could crush him. Peach landed on Bowser, which was a surprisingly soft landing. Luigi doesn't know what happened, but Peach found him unconscious. He's ready to defeat Count Bleck. Bowser says Count Bleck will have to deal with all of them.

"Bleh heh heh heh heh heh... 'When the four heroes are united...' It is all as foretold." Light flashes. "What... What's this?" The heroes start glowing. Peach asks what's happening to Count Bleck. Pure Hearts appear around him and shatter the Chaos Heart's barrier. "Bleh heh heh heh... huh?! My barrier... is gone?!" Tippi quotes Merlee, saying, "Four heroes unite, their hope burns forth light to shatter the walls of blight." "So be it... says Count Bleck! But don't celebrate just yet. Your precious worlds aren't safe until my last breath! Let us finally end this! Now the true battle beings... with Count Bleck!"

You can now damage Count Bleck and select from the four heroes. Count Bleck likes to move around and flip to change his location. Hop on the platforms to reach him. You'll want to stomp him, then get out of the area to avoid any attacks he has up his sleeve. He can summon a black hole that will slow you down and do a lot of damage if you get caught up in it. Run away from it until it goes away.

When you defeat him, he says, "BLEHHHH!" The Chaos Heart disappears, then reappears near the floor. Count Bleck appears near it, looking worn out. "Ex... Excellent..." Nastasia appears near the count. He says, "You have won... Now finish Count Bleck. Dispatch me and the Chaos Heart will disappear. The prophecy will be undone..." Tippi asks why it has to end like this. "Timpani... when you vanished, I searched long for you. I never gave up looking... I searched and searched... But I never found you. Without you, the world had no meaning or joy... So I used the forbidden prophecy of the Tribe of the Ancients to end all worlds. I wanted to destroy everything that had taken you away from me..." Tippi says that she's here now and none can keep them apart anymore. "It is too late. Count Bleck has done so much evil... It must end. Just knowing that you are still alive... And knowing that the world you still live in will continue... It gives me peace. I do not have long to live. You must end my game before The Void destroys all..." Tippi protests that they're together again.

Nastasia looks shocked and tells Count Bleck to look out. She's hit by a familiar-looking blast. "Na-Nastasia!" Someone calls her a silly assistant for absorbing the attack to protect the count. They call it an adorably hopeless gesture. It's Dimentio, saying he was about to give the count the everlasting peace he desperately wants. Tippi is shocked that Dimentio's alive. He says this is his moment. Even if the count dies, the Chaos Heart won't disappear if he continues to control it. He needed the Pure Hearts to beat Count Bleck, something he couldn't do on his own. Instead, he has the heroes do all the sweaty labor for him and they even used up the Pure Hearts to defeat the count. If they make greeting cards to thank people for helping with evil plans, he owes them one. Now, none of them hold any value, so he's ending their games. He tells Mr. L that they're all his. He snaps his fingers and Luigi starts flapping his arms against his control. A sprout appears on his head and he says, "I AM MR. L! Master Dimentio, what is your bidding?" Dimentio explains he sent Luigi here after planning a seed in his unconscious, which has now sprouted. He sends Luigi off to prepare for his big entrance. Dimentio takes the Chaos Heart, saying, "Get ready for the greatest magic show you'll ever see!" Both are absorbed into the darkness. Someone says "GREEEEEEN!" Something gigantic appears with Luigi's head and feet and Dimentio's torso. Dimentio explains that the Dark Prognosticus says Luigi's the ideal host for the Chaos Heart and he added his own power to the concoction. "No... Stop!" says Count Bleck. Dimentio makes Count Bleck, Tippi, and Nastasia disappear, saying he'll squeeze the life out of them later. He tells them to wait in the dimension he sent them to. He enters the robot, saying the Chaos Heart is his. He'll destroy all worlds, create perfect new ones, and become king of all worlds.

The platforms in the room start moving and making faces. This is Super Dimentio, with 200 HP and 6 attack, but he's invincible right now. He'll target the heroes and either land on them or shoot at them. Keep moving so he can't hit you. He can also punch you. The platforms also shoot at you, so be careful. After a while, Super Dimentio announces it's destruction time and he'll begin with the heroes as they wallow in helplessness like upside-down turtles. He calls out, "L-POWER!"

On Flopside Tower, Merlon says the worlds are trembling. He wonders if the end is nigh. Norlem calls this unfortunate. The worlds that the heroes have visited start warping. In Dimension D, where Dimentio sent Tippi, Count Bleck, and Nastasia, Tippi says they have to do something to save Mario and the others. "We cannot. Without the Pure Hearts, there is not way to counter the Chaos hHEart. All we can do is give up." Tippi is shocked that Count Bleck would give up after promising long ago that they would find happiness together. She asks if it was just a lie. "It was no lie. But without the Pure Hearts, all worlds are doomed. What can we do?" Tippi tells Blumiere to snap out of it, asking how he can think that after they've suffered apart from each other. They found each other because they stayed alive, so she can't believe he'd admit defeat. She's not giving up because he promised they'd find happiness. Someone says Tippi's right. Mimi and O'Chunks flip in. "My minions... How did you find us here?" Mimi says they followed his smile. O'Chunks says that Nastasia said they'd be here. "Nastasia..." O'Chunks says Nastasia sacrificed herself to save him. He also promised the count his life and will live up to that promise. Both he and Mimi want to help, declaring their loyalty. "My... My loyal minions..." Black hearts appears, then reveal themselves to be Pure Hearts. "Hmm... What's this? Pure... Hearts?! But why?" Tippi explains that they are the feeling of our souls. As long we feel love, they live on. Tippi says she'll take them to Mario.

Dimentio says they should stop wasting time and finish this. Lights flash and the Pure Hearts surround Super Dimentio. He thought the heroes wasted them fighting Count Bleck. Super Dimentio is no longer invincible and the heroes are fully healed. Tippi rejoins them, saying the Pure Hearts have given them power. Now that you can attack, attack the head. Once you defeat him, he asks how they did it. He wonders how he could lose with the power of the Chaos Heart and Luigi. He asks if the prophecy has been undone. Peach says the prophecy was wrong all along. Bowser says Dimentio believed in the prophecy and they believed in mopping the ground with him. Tippi says nothing is decided entirely by fate and that everyone can choose their destinies. She bids him farewell. They'll add a footnote about his failure to the prophecy. Dimentio says this isn't finished. They can't stop this or escape. He has one last surprise. Super Dimentio spits out the Chaos Heart and Luigi. Luigi wonders what he's doing there. The Chaos Heart disappears.

Count Bleck, Mimi, and O'Chunks appear. "So it seems the end of all worlds is really upon us..." Tippi asks if defeating Dimentio wasn't enough to stop it. "I thought the Chaos Heart would disappear if the person controlling it fell... Dimentio... must have left behind a shadow of his power to continue controlling it. It won't last long... but it may be enough to ensure the end of every world..." Bowser asks what they should do now. "There is only one thing left that we can do." Count Bleck summons a large, cracked door. "This way!"

The door leads to the alter where the wedding ceremony between Peach and Bowser was performed. Count Bleck asks, "Timpani... Do you still... Do you still love me?" Tippi says she does. "Then you must come with me." O'Chunks asks what they're doing and he explains, "We will use the Pure Hearts again, this time to banish the Chaos Heart. All we need is true love... And that is something I am lucky enough to possess... But... With the Chaos Heart gone, the Pure Hearts and those linked to them... They may cease to exist." Mimi doesn't want him to go away. "All of this is my fault. It is my price to pay. I do not have long to live anyway. But you, Timpani... It pains me to know this may cut your game short... Still... There is no other way to end this." Tippi understands. "Timpani..." She says nothing else matters as long as they are together.  The ground shakes violently. Luigi announces that the end is happening. "We must go, Timpani..." Tippi agrees. They fly up to the alter, where the Chaos Heart is. "There were so many things I wanted to say to you.. but I could not find the words." Only one thing matters to Tippi: she never got to return his question. She asks if he loves her. "Of course... I have thought about you every moment since you disappeared... But I have caused you so much suffering..." Tippi says her life would have been more carefree if she hadn't met him. "But I had to be with you, Timpani. I will never apologize for that..." Tippi knows that and says she loves him. "And I love you, Timpani... Hundreds of thousands of years from now, that fact will not have changed..." Pure Hearts surround the Chaos Heart and engulf it. The world starts shaking. Bowser wonders if they're too late. Luigi hears something. They all hear bells chiming. The ground stops shaking. Peach says the bells are giving their blessing to Tippi and Bleck. In the worlds they've visited, The Void slowly disappears and the worlds are restored, including the Sammer Kingdom.

Blumiere: Timpani... do you remember the promise we made to each other that day?
Timpani: Yes, I remember...
Blumiere: If there was a place where we could be happy together, we would find it. Will you come with me to that place now?
Timpani: Blumiere... Of course... I will always be with you...

Back on Flipside Tower, Luigi wakes up Mario. Mimi, Nastasia, and O'Chunks are with the heroes. Nastasia wakes up, thrilling O'Chunks.  Peach draws their attention to the sky, where The Void is closing. Someone says it's a sign that the Prophecy of Destruction has not come to be. Merlon appears, saying all worlds have been saved. He thanks them for a job well done. He looks around, wondering where Tippi is. Mario explains what happened. Merlon accepts that she is gone under the guidance of the Pure Hearts. Peach wonders what happened to Count Bleck and Tippi and Merlon thinks they were lost when the prophecy was nullified. Nastasia disagrees, saying they're alive, fulfilling their old vows after overcoming time. She starts crying that she's all alone. O'Chunks agrees they're alive but says she shouldn't shame the count by crying. Mimi says they're still together, so they can build the count's world. Nastasia agrees that the count wouldn't approve of her crying. She also wants to create the count's world of love and not war. She suggests they pencil in an appointment for hope. Merlon comments on how farewells are bittersweet, but unavoidable. To feel sadness is to live, but the future is a blank page. After that profound musing, Merlon announces that he is hungry. He asks Saffron to make some snacks. Bowser likes this plan and starts heading for the elevator with the minions. The bros and the Pixl leave as well. Peach starts to leave, but stops when Merlon mumbles something. He wonders if Lady Timpani is truly happy. Peach says she is. Merlon agrees and they leave to get some snacks.

So the dark prophecy was averted and peace reigned. The Dark Prognosticus again faded into history... Count Blumiere and his love, Lady Timpani, both vanished. Where did the pair go? None know. And so the story of the lost book of prophecies comes to an end... May we meet again in another time and place...

Roll credits! After the credits roll, you'll see Lady Timpani and Count Blumiere, standing in a field together near a tree.

Super Paper Mario -- Interlude After Chapter 6

In Castle Bleck, Nastasia informs Count Bleck that Dimentio reported that Mr. L was insubordinate by taking on a hero-fighting initiative. She accepts full responsibility and says her administrative breakdown allowed it to occur. "I see, remarked Count Bleck... Well, what is done is done. This prophecy will not be fulfilled without sacrifice." Nastasia reports that Mimi also left the castle. "Did she, now? Well, Count Bleck will leave you to dispense the minion discipline." Nastasia remarks that Count Bleck seems different. She asks if he got a new monocle or if something happened. "Count Bleck feels fine... Leave me..." She leaves, and he monologues, "......Could that Pixl have been... Timpani?" He shakes his head, saying, "No, no completely impossible. I should know that better than anyone. Besides, it's far too late to do anything now. The prophecy has been set in motion and no one, not even I can stop it. No one can stop this now..." He leaves after referring to himself in the first person.

We now return to our serial drama of Timpani and Blumiere.
Blumiere: Timpani! What did you do with her? I must see her!
Blumiere's Father: Still your tongue, Blumiere... Can't you see you've been duped by a dirty human? You have brought shame to my name... and to the entire Tribe of Darkness!
Blumiere: And so what if I did? That doesn't matter to me! She's my entire world!
Father: Well, then it will interest you to know... that she no longer resides in this world.
Blumiere: What... What do you mean by that?!
Father: This is the price those who resist their own fate must pay, my son.
Blumiere: She... No... It can't be so!
Father: Someday you will see, Son. Our kind and humans must never mix.

The heroes have returned to Flipside. When you're ready, go to see Merlon. He asks if they have the seventh Pure Heart. Tippi asks him to look at it. He asks what happened and Tippi explains that The Void consumed the world and left the Pure Heart like this. Merlon says he can't feel the typical energy from it and says it will do nothing if placed in a Heart Pillar. Tippi asks how they can save him, and everyone, from destruction. Merlon says they must defeat Count Bleck, but they need eight Pure Hearts.

Dimentio appears, saying how forlorn the group of heroes cries. There is no way in this world to restore the Pure Heart, making all their hard work in vain. Bowser remarks that that stinks. Dimentio offers a consolation prize by drawing boxes around Mario, Peach, and Bowser, then sets off explosions in each of them. The three heroes disappear and Merlon freaks out, asking what happened. Tippi asks where they went and Dimentio says he fulfilled their wishes and sent them to the next world. He introduces himself as their enemy who serves Count Bleck and leaves.

Super Paper Mario -- Interlude After Chapter 5

In Castle Bleck, O'Chunks is singing for Nastasia. It's a song about Count Bleck's greatness. Towards the end, he runs out of steam. Mimi appears, telling him to stop, saying he's breaking windows. Nastasia explains that she made O'Chunks come up with a nice motivational tone as a punishment for being defeated again. She's making him sing it 1,000 times. Mimi says Nastasia's more evil than she thought. She asks where the count is. She hasn't received a call to do anything and is bored. Mr. L drops in, saying Brobot is gassed up and ready to fight. Nastasia loves the enthusiasm, but tells him to shelve the robot action plan for the time being. Count Bleck left specific orders to stand by. Mimi can't believe they're supposed to wait for the hero to come get them. Mr. L says he'll leave to do other things if he's not needed. Nastasia is agitated, saying they aren't going anywhere, as Count Bleck's orders are absolute. She leaves. Mimi's bored and Mr. L says Brobot craves a daily smash and there's no action here. Dimentio says it's hard to stay still when one pines for sweet vengeance, but the count's orders are absolute and without exception. They shouldn't dare think about executing a secret sneak attack, even though defeating the hero would please the count. They MUST follow orders. Mimi remembers she has something to do and Mr. L says he must deflavorize Brobot's Flavorizer and they both leave. Dimentio says he must leave as well.

We now return to our serial drama of Timpani and Blumiere.
Blumiere: Look, Timpani. The stars are beautiful, aren't they?
Timpani: There's a tradition in my village. We believe that wishes on stars come true.
Blumiere: Oh, is that so? In that case, we'd better get wishing, don't you think?
Timpani: I don't need to wish anymore.
Blumiere: Mmm?
Timpani: I already have everything I need right here.
Blumiere: Timpani... Aren't you cold?
Timpani: Not at all. I'm very warm... Can we stay like this? Just a little longer?

Back in Flipside, Peach calls to Tippi, saying she's a little out of it. Tippi asks if they just heard something, but none of them did. She thought she remembered something very important, but the ground shakes and The Void grows larger. They need to open the door to the next world quickly. On the second floor and Merlon says they're back. The Void grows larger and some worlds may have started to decay already. He wonders how long Flipside will be spared. Tippi asks if the Light Prognosticus says how much time they have left and Merlon says it was only written to counter the Dark Prognosticus, so it's not truly prophetic. It's hard to say how much time they have left, but it's probably not much. Tippi says they can only go forward and can't wait for worlds to end. Merlon has a message from Nolrem, saying that a Heart Pillar has been spotted on the outskirts of Flopside. In the meanwhile, he'll look into the Light Prognosticus for clues.

On the second floor of Flopside, go into the Fortune Teller's house and you'll find Merlee's moved in. Merlee asks them for a favor: she lost her crystal ball in her move over here and Merluvlee in Flipside uses the same kind. She wants the heroes to ask her for one. She says this won't take long, but it's a long sidequest. Merluvlee says she's in training and Bestovius has some useful equipment. She asks them to get it for her. Go to Chapter 1-1 and ask Bestovius for the Training Equipment. He says he lent Old Man Watchitt a You-Know-What and wants it back. Go to Chapter 1-2 and go to Watchitt's house. He says he's been seeing a strange lady in his dreams who talks a lot and needed help with something. He describes her as looking like Merlumina. He says she needs to get out of his dreams and if the heroes help her, he'll give them anything. Since she's been in his dreams many times, he's become a fan and wants her autograph. Go to Chapter 1-4 and find Merlumina again. She says it's a pleasure to meet them again. They ask why she's still here and she says she couldn't fall asleep after sleeping for so long, so she sent out her frustrations telepathically. They reached someone in a nearby town of Ancient blood. She says she did it when she was single to meet people. She tells a long story, which makes the heroes fall asleep. She thinks that Watchitt is hard of hearing, which made her sad and unable to sleep. She says she used to fall asleep to lullabies and tells another long story. All this talking is making her drowsy and the heroes' plan to make her sleepy by making her talk was brilliant. She starts fading, but the heroes remember to ask for her autograph. Give it to Watchitt, who gives you Bestovius's You-Know-What. Give it to Bestovius for the Training Machine and give that to Merluvlee, who gives you the crystal ball. She says to tell Merlee that they're even now. Merlee give you a free charm and a Random House Key. Get your charm first and go for the Special Package, as it lasts the longest. Go to the first floor of Flopside and unlock the locked house. There's a large chest. It's time to get funky. A Pixl says, "Doodly-doo!" then makes animal and car noises. All things sing and to live is to make music, according to the Pixl. Her name is Piccolo and heard their footsteps, which isn't their essence. She joins the party with the ability to make different music based on the character, with the ability to remove curses.

Go to the third floor of Flipside using the pipe on the second floor. There's a red rock with Piccolo drawn on it. Use her power near the rock to reveal a chest with a Merlee card. Go to the second floor of Flopside and use Tippi's power to reveal some blocks under the pipe. Use the pipe to reach the third floor and go to the left to find a similar block. Use Piccolo's power to reveal a chest with the Nolrem card. Go to B2 and flip to find Welderberg on the right. He'll build you a pipe from here to the second floor of Flopside for 100 coins. Go to the outskirts on the second floor and use Cudge to break the yellow block. This makes a pipe appear. Take it down to the first floor outskirts. Take the pipe in the area down to B1, then another to B2. Behind the pipe is a yellow switch that makes the wall disappear. There's a large chest with the Power Plus. Use it to permanently boost your attack by 1. Drop down the gap to the left and you'll find a chest with a Barry card.

Go back to the first floor outskirts and flip in front of the sign. Follow the path and use Dottie to go under the rock formation. There's a square stone that's actually a yellow block. Hit it to make a red switch appear. Stand on it to make a Heart Pillar appear. Place the Pure Heart to make a blue door. Nolrem says at the Duel of 100, the hero will meet with dark powers of purest chaos. If the hero falls to the 100, the chaos world grows and the Purity Heart fades. The hero will falls to the world where games are ended. He deciphered this part of the Light Prognosticus, which says that if they fail to pass the duels, all worlds are ruined. Their lives and the Purity Heart will be lost. Although this message may discourage them, he must still send them forth as they can not nothing else. Stock up on healing items before going starting the next chapter.

Super Paper Mario -- Interlude After Chapter 4

In Castle Bleck, all of the minions have gathered. Nastasia introduces Mr. L, a new minion from a key competitor. Mr. L's not impressed with the minion quality here and says the other minions were trounced because they were "Junior" quality. This enrages O'Chunks, who says he'll introduce Mr. L to Fist Jr. and his pal Slappie. Mimi says Mr. L was soundly defeated, so maybe he's "Junior" quality. Mr. L says he was scouting his target and that he'll win next time. The heroes shall know the fury of the Green Thunder, but in the meantime, Brobot needs repairs and modifications. He leaves, saying "L-ater!" Though the mad in red shall wield formidable powers, one shall stand against him. The man in green shall use the Chaos Heart's power to bring darkness to all. Bleh heh heh heh heh... So it is written in the Dark Prognosticus," says Count Bleck. Dimentio asks if the "man in green" the prophecy mentioned is the new minion, Mr. L. O'Chunks thinks that makes no sense. "Calm yourself, O'Chunks. Make ready. Count Bleck is sending you on a new mission." This makes more sense to O'Chunks, who says the hero has a hot date with his feet. He leaves. Dimentio calls O'Chunks hot-blooded, which may be something to be admired. He leaves as well. Mimi's upset that she doesn't get to participate this time and leaves.

Nastasia hates to seem like a whistleblower, but trails off saying something about O'Chunks possibly being inadequate. She thinks the other minions may not be up to the task as well. She thinks the hero will collect the Pure Hearts and come here to deal with Count Bleck. "Bleh heh heh heh heh... All is according to plan, Count Bleck assures you." Nastasia says it's strange that Count Bleck was made to destroy the universe, as no one ever cherished it like he once did. "That's quite enough, Nastasia." Nastasia mumbles about something she could have done. "You'd what?" asked Count Bleck. She says things would have been different if only she could have been that girl. Count Bleck shakes his head, saying, "She cannot be replaced. You could never hope to do so, Nastasia."Nastasia apologizes, saying the thought just slipped out. "To be sure... She is gone... Gone from all worlds, never to return..." He leaves and Nastasia lowers her head in disappointment.

We now return to the serial drama of Timpani and Blumiere.
Timpani: What... What are you thinking? There's no possible way... No one would allow it!
Blumiere: If we can't be happy here, we must leave for a place that will accept our love.
Timpani: But, Blumiere, is there such a place? Think... I can't bear to see you hurt again.
Blumiere: If our love has no home... let us spend our lives searching together! So I beg of you again... Timpani, marry me! I promise I will make you happy.
Timpani: You... just won't give up, will you? Of all the crazy... stubborn... foolish men...
Blumiere: Timapni, answer me, please!
Timpani: Blumiere, I love you. Take me away. Take me to a world where we can be happy.

Back in Flipside, Tippi calls the five Pure Hearts they have quite a collection. Bowser says they can't go wrong with the king of all evil on their side. Tippi is grateful and says they owe Squirps. Peach says there's something different about Tippi recently, saying she's more cheerful, which is a nice change. Tippi says she's feeling really good ever since they saved her from Francis and could hang around Mario forever. Merlon asks if they found the Pure Heart in space. Tippi is about to answer, but suddenly flashes, and, in pain, falls to the ground, twitching.

Merlon brings everyone to his house, concerned that Tippi may not maintain her Pixl form much longer. Noting their confusion, he explains that Tippi was not always a Pixl. He found her in her true form, exhausted, barely alive, cursed to wander through dimensions forever. Merlon took a desperate measure and used his ancestors' magic to transform her soul into a Pixl. Tippi lost her memory and Merlon had no idea who she was or where she was from, but knew she was not there by chance. The ground shakes and Merlon says The Void is growing larger and such tremors are common. The situation grows more dire. Merlon wonders if the Light Prognosticus's events really forestall the foretold doom. He'll watch over Tippi while the heroes find the Heart Pillar.

Go to the first floor of Flipside and flip to go to the back area, where the card shop is. Flip the Space Rift on the wall for a switch that reveals a doorway. Flip to go through it and you'll reach the entrance to Mirror Hall. In here are eight switches and stained glass windows of the Ancients. Hit each switch only once, in whatever order. The mirror shatters allowing you to flip through the doorway. Go out through the other door.

The music here is an octave lower. This place looks like a mirror image of Flipside. Flip to leave the Mirror Hall, then flip to go through the left side of the wall. Go into the house on the left side and flip to find Cooking Disk Y on the table. Go up to the second floor and you'll find Merlon wearing a gray robe. He welcomes them, saying he knew they would come eventually. He explains that they are no longer in Flipside because they flip-flopped sides. They are now in Flopside. Because of this, he is not the Merlon they know, but an entirely different version. They can call him Nolrem. The story here was always of two towns, but only he and Merlon know that the other town exists. He says there's a front and a back to all things.

Flopside is similar to Flipside, but its residents seem a little more laid-back and carefree. Flip on the second floor to find Welderberg. He'll charge 300 coins to build a pipe connecting the second floors of Flipside and Flopside. It's a good idea. Go up to the third floor and you'll find a Heart Pillar to the right. This makes a light blue door appear on Flipside Tower. Nolrem delivers a message from Merlon, saying Tippi has been revived and they're waiting on Flipside Tower. Go over there and Tippi says she's feeling better and wants to continue on in the adventure. She says there's no time to stay in bed and she wants to be near Mario. Merlon will not hold her back, as the heroes need the knowledge she possesses. He bids the heroes to take care of her.

Super Paper Mario -- Interlude After Chapter 3

In Castle Bleck, all of Bleck's minions are present. Dimentio explains how he was defeated by the heroes, saying that they're very strong. He thinks they may be able to defy the prophecy. "Spare Count Bleck your theatrics. The Light Prognosticus is false. The Dark Prognosticus holds the answer to eliminating heroes that rise to stop us." Dimentio says it's the first time he's heard something like that and wants more information. "Bleh heh heh heh heh... In due time, Dimentio. In due time. Oh, Nastasia? It's time we set "him" on these pests." Nastasia says she'll take care of that. "Lovely, exclaimed Count Bleck. Return to your posts, my dear minions." The minions hail him and leave. Nastasia mumbles something. "Does something trouble you, Nastasia?" She says there's still time for him to change his mind. "That is enough, Nastasia. We've already come this far, so we shall forge on! But you needn't stay by Count Bleck's side. You can depart with my blessing." She says she'll stay until her game end, as her life was sworn to him since the day he saved her. "If that pleases you..." Both of the leave. Someone says that Nastasia and Count Bleck have such deep conversations. It's Dimentio, wondering what the count is playing at. In the meanwhile, he'll attend to his own projects.

We now return to the story of Timpani and Blumiere.
Blumiere: Timpani, why? Why do you avoid me?
Timpani: Ow... OW! Unhand me!
Blumiere: Huh? You're crying! Why? Timpani, you must tell me what has happened!
Timpani: It's nothing... Don't worry about it... Just forget it...
Blumiere: Oh no... Timpani, is my father behind this?
Timpani: I'm... I'm just an ordinary girl. No matter how much I love you, we must part.
Blumiere: Timpani... I...
Timpani: This is good-bye, Blumiere. There's no other choice. This is our fate...

The heroes return to Flipside through the yellow door. Tippi says things were weird for a while, but they got through it okay. She apologizes, saying what happened was her fault and thanks them. Bowser says she can thank him by staying out of his way. Peach wonders if Bowser is their third hero. Merlon, who has been waiting for them, asks if they found the next Pure Heart. Mario explains that it appeared when they saved Tippi. Merlon finds this interesting, explaining that Fort Francis once was a dwelling of the ancients. He says his ancestors roamed far and wide in their dimensional travels. He quotes the Light Prognosticus, which says that in a castle beyond a great sea, they hid a Pure Heart and sealed it. The seal can only be broken by a powerful pulse of love and trust. Peach thinks they found the Pure Heart because Tippi began to trust them. Merlon says they now have three heroes, but he does not know the identity of the fourth. He'll keep searching. Bowser says with him, they don't need anyone else. Merlon's happy Bowser will help protect the group, when The Void expands. Their time grows ever shorter. Tippi says they must find the next Heart Pillar and Merlon says he'll keep searching through the Light Prognosticus.

Before finding the next Heart Pillar, go back through the yellow door to 3-1. Check the shrub to make the Pixl appear again. He asks if they want to hear the tips again. Tippi says it's not necessary, since she has been saved. He can't believe they defeated Francis, which is huge news. He's glad to have helped, but since there's not need to stay here and give out tips, he has nothing to do now. He decides to join the party, like it or not. He's Barry, who'll create a spiky barrier around the heroes, which can damage enemies and block attacks. Return to Flipside.

Go to the second floor outskirts and you'll find posts to pound with Thudley. Flip to see which posts should be up and which should be down. They should be down, up, down, up, down. This makes a Heart Pillar appear. Place the green Pure Heart in the Heart Pillar and a green door appears on Flipside Tower.

Super Paper Mario -- Interlude After Chapter 2

In Castle Bleck, Nastasia has a brief memo from Mimi, saying, "I messed up bad". "Bleh heh heh heh heh... She failed to best him, even with my gift of power? A Light Prognosticus hero... Descendants of the ancient tribe... Their strength grows," says Count Bleck. O'Chunks wants to whale on the hero again and will defeat them this time. Nastasia asks him if he's finished his report on his own inadequacy. O'Chunks is working on the conclusion, saying his writing takes time and that 1,000 pages is a lot. "O'Chunks, calm yourself. Take a minion time-out. Count Bleck will send... Dimentio! Come to me... Count Bleck!" Dimentio arrives like a sudden windstorm at a kindergarten picnic. "Bleh heh heh heh heh... You'd like some playtime, I imagine, Dimentio? So you shall have it, but do not disappoint Count Bleck. Dispatch this hero." Count Bleck's wish is Dimentio's command and finds the hero to be an amusing challenge. He leaves. Nastasia asks O'Chunks why he's still not writing his report. O'Chunks remembers his task and leaves. Nastasia then informs Count Bleck that she still has to find a few unconverted rogues left in the castle and leaves. "Heroes... Trying to save these pathetic old world. Bleck, says Count Bleck! Bleh heh heh heh heh heh... Their efforts are in vain. No one can stop Count Bleck!" He leaves, then says, "Just as no one can ease the tempest that rages in my suffering heart..."

Somewhere in Castle Bleck, Luigi is lying on the ground. His head hurts and he wonders where he is. He remembers trying to save Peach, but screwed up. Someone asks if he's awake. It's a pair of Goombas. Luigi asks if they're doing alright. The Goombas are okay and say they are glad to see he made it. Under their breath, they say they figured he was done for and he's tougher than he looks. Luigi asks if they've seen Peach or Bowser? The Goombas say he's the only one lying around, but hope they're okay. Under their breath, they ask who cares about his friends. They say other minions were captured and that they're probably next. They wonder under their breaths how Luigi can be so calm when they're behind enemy lines. They want to get out, so they suggest clearing a path, then all of them bailing out. Luigi says he has to save the Princess. The Goombas didn't expect Luigi to say that, after hearing all those stories about the Great Luigi's daring exploits as the defender of the helpless. They have no one else to turn to. Luigi is shocked to learn of this reputation, but says he has no choice and must spring into action, as his fans need him. One Goomba calls him the BEST, then mutters that that was too easy. They'll be right behind him, but mutter that if the going gets rough, they'll bail.

Luigi tells the Goombas to follow him. Go through the door on the left, down the stairs, then through the door on the left. If you talk to the Goombas, they have so interesting things to say, like wishing Peach or Bowser were there. Peach is easier on the eyes and they prefer Bowser over the "Great Dweeb". Keep going left until you reach a dead end. Luigi wonders what to do next. The Goombas say they should look for another way out and mutter that Luigi is useless. If they stay put, they'll be spotted. One of the Goombas, Gary, is brainwashed. Nastasia appears, saying she was looking all over for them. She says Luigi wasn't a team player at the wedding and needs disciplinary action. The other Goomba decides to Goomba up, which involves defecting to the other side. He asks to join Count Bleck. Luigi asks what he's doing and he says he's joining the winning team. Nastasia loves the enthusiasm and tells him to swear his undying allegiance to Count Bleck. He does and Luigi calls him a dirty traitor. Nastasia orders the brainwashed minions to hold Luigi down so she can get his priorities on track. Luigi calls to Mario for help as Nastasia lifts her glasses.

We now return to Timpani and Blumiere.
Timpani: You're late. Did something happen?
Blumiere: Yes, my father caught me. Sneaking out of the castle wasn't easy after that.
Timpani: I was worried you wouldn't come...
Blumiere: You are a strange girl... You know what I am and yet you don't seem afraid.
Timpani: I don't care what you are. I just wanted to see you. Is that... Is that so wrong?
Blumiere: No. No, of course not. I wanted to see you, too.
Timpani: Blumiere... Do you mind if I sit next to you?
Blumiere: Please do, Timpani. Let's return to our conversation. I must know more of you...

Mario and Peach return to Flipside and Merlon welcomes them on the tower. He asks if they found Merlee and the Pure Heart. Tippi tells him that Merlee said they need four heroes' power to save the world. Merlon's surprised they need more than one hero. He says they only need to find two more heroes. The ground starts shaking and The Void grows. Merlon says that time grows short and tells them to seek the next Heart Pillar. He says that one person determines whether the Light Prognosticus or the Dark Prognosticus predicts truly: "the man in green". Merlon doesn't know what that means. It isn't Link.

Go to the first floor and blow up the crack in the wall. Flip to go through it to find another part of Flipside. There's a sparkling zigzag on the wall. Also here is the card shop. You can buy Catch Cards and Card Bags, which contain a random card. You can also sell your cards. Flip to the front part of the first floor and take the elevator to Basement 1 (B1). There's a milk shop where gossip and stories are traded. Flip and go to the left to find the entrance to the Underwhere, an arcade run by the InterChet. Purchase Flipside Tokens to play the games, but you can't turn the Tokens into coins. If you get a good score, you get more Tokens, which can be exchanged for prizes. Go outside and flip to find a chest hidden across the water. It contains the InterNed card. Drop down into the water and swim to the other side of the channel and you'll find a tiny shop and Flim, a guy who has a random assortment of items for sale. Some of them are Caught Cards.

Outside the Underwhere, you'll find an elevator to Basement 2 (B2). Flip and go to the left and you'll find Welderberg in 3D. He forges pipes for getting around. He'll make one for this spot that leads to the base of the tower (Floor 2) if you'll finance it for 100 coins. Go the second floor Flipside Outskirts and you'll find a pipe. This takes you to the first floor Outskirts. To the left is a pipe blocked by brick blocks. Blow them up and go through the pipe. Flip and use Slim to slip through the right wall to find the Heart Pillar. Place the Pure Heart in it to make a yellow door appear on the tower. Go through it to start the next chapter.

Super Paper Mario -- Interlude After Chapter 1

In Castle Bleck, Nastasia asks O'Chunks if the hero stomped him and sent him back here. O'Chunks begs forgiveness and says he failed the count. He's never felt less chunky in his life. "Bleh heh heh heh heh heh... So our hero is real... Yes... A force to be reckoned with... Nastasia, the prophecy. Consult it and learn where the hero will go next... We will lay a devious trap for him and bring him to his very KNEES! BLECK!" Nastasia reports that she sent Mimi to that site for that purpose. "This pleases Count Bleck. Excellent work, Nastasia. I have granted Mimi powers potent enough to ensure that she will obliterate this hero. Yes, he will be helpless against her. I depart! Alert Count Bleck when this "hero" is no more! BLEH HEH HEH HEH! BLECK!" After referring to himself in the first person for once, he flips and leaves. Nastasia will send a memo on that, but she has another item on her agenda: some of Bowser's minions are resisting assimilation, so she's going to squash the resistance. She tells O'Chunks to stay there and think about his recent job performance. This tweaks O'Chunks's chin hairs.

In someplace dark and spooky, Peach lies on the ground. She wakes up, wondering how she ended up napping there. She remembers Count Bleck making her marry Bowser and that Luigi did something. She calls out to both of them, but gets no response. She looks around, asking if anyone's there. Someone says she's the only one left standing of the wedding party. It's a Hammer Bro and a Koopa. They say she finally woke up. Peach asks if they're all right and they say they're fine, but they don't know what happened. The wedding was crazy. They can't find Bowser or the guy with a mustache that may have been wearing a green tuxedo. They don't know where they are now and most of the other minions have been brainwashed by Count Bleck's assistant. Everyone's half nuts and they're not safe here. They must clear the area quickly. The Hammer Bro assigns Private Koopa to escort Peach out of the area, while he goes help his men. Bowser would burn him to a crisp if he left a Koopa behind. He wishes them luck, then hails Bowser.

Private Koopa says they have to evacuate. Go through the door and someone says to give up. Peach and Private Koopa watch from above. Some brainwashed Koopas tell the Hammer Bro there is no hope for escape and that he should hail the glorious count. They tell him to not resist and submit to his rule, which he will love. The Hammer Bro calls this insubordination, as he's their captain. He tells a Koopa named Johnson to drop and give him twenty. Nastasia walks in, saying his orders mean nothing, as they've sworn their eternal allegiance to Count Bleck. She'll pencil him in for a 10 o'clock brainwashing. The Hammer Bro prepares to throw his hammer, saying she's messed with the wrong Koopa, as he serves Bowser. Nastasia slightly lifts her glasses to brainwash him. The Hammer Bro hails Bleck. Nastasia orders them to round up the problem minions who haven't sworn allegiance and they obey readily.

Private Koopa is freaking out that things are going downhill. He can't believe they broke the captain. He says they must clear the area or it's game over. Go left and through the door. Go down the stairs. You can jump and hold (2) to open up the parasol for a controlled descent. You can also hold "Down" on the Control Pad and she'll cover and protect herself with her parasol. Go through the door in the middle, as the one on the far left has enemies on the other side. It leads outside to a dead end. Peach suggests turning around and looking around some more. Nastasia announces that this is a dead end for them. There are brainwashed minions around her. Private Koopa tells Peach to take cover, as he is trained to handle scum like this. Nastasia brainwashes him and he gets a pair of sunglasses. Nastasia calls Peach lucky to survive the wedding explosion. Unfortunately, it's the end of the road for her and she needs to serve Count Bleck. Peach refuses, but Nastasia says her hypno-powers say otherwise. Before Nastasia can brainwash her, Peach disappears, in a familiar manner. That wasn't on Nastasia's schedule. She's pretty calm about it, saying it's not a deal breaker. The prophecy fulfillment is running smoothly without her and it doesn't matter where she runs, as all worlds will soon fall.

Another story is told, solely through words.
Timpani: (I remember that day well... The room was warm. The whole place was at peace.)
Blumiere: Ugh... Uuugh...
Timpani: You're awake at last?
Blumiere: Where... am I? This this... a human's home? Bleccch!
Timpani: Don't wiggle like that. I found you at the cliff base. You took quite a fall.
Blumiere: You're a human, correct? I don't... repulse you? I am of the Tribe of Darkness...
Timpani: Why would that matter? Anyone with a heart would not ignore an injured soul!
                (That was the day our paths crossed. That day... That was the day our tragedy was set in motion.)

Back in Flipside, Mario appears from the red door. Now that he has a Pure Heart from that area, he can visit specific sections in that chapter. Merlon is standing on the tower, saying they returned quickly. He can tell it went well. He'll meet Mario in his house for the details. Before going to Merlon's house, go to the first floor, to the shop with a sign with a pot on it. This is Saffron's Sweet Smiles. She can cook for you, but only one ingredient at a time. Give her a Fire Burst to cook and she'll make some Spicy Soup. Since it's a new recipe, she'll add it to the list. Go to Merlon's house and he'll say the Pure Heart Mario found is truly a piece of the Purity Heart. Tippi says Merlumina gave it to them. Merlon says she was one of his ancestors who wrote the Light Prognosticus to counteract the Dark Prognosticus. His ancestors also built this town, which is why the residents are here. A resident interrupts, stammering that a girl fell out of the sky. Merlon must come up to see her. Merlon suggests that Mario come along. Take the elevator to the third floor.

The resident says the girl fell out of nowhere. Peach is lying on the ground. Merlon doesn't recognize her, but Mario is startled. He explains the situation to Merlon, who says she had a rough time and is unconscious and shivering uncontrollably. Merlon tells Mario to go to Saffron's on the first floor for a warm, revitalizing recipe so they can question Peach when she revives. Give Peach the Spicy Soup and she wakes up, saying she dreamed about eating the most delicious food. She's happy to see Mario and asks where they are and who everyone is. Merlon takes them back inside his house.

Peach tells them what happened to her, which Merlon calls a tale of woe and troubles. She wonders about Luigi and Bowser, but concludes there's no way to know. Tippi wonders what to do next. Merlon says one Pure Heart leads to the next and that there are more Heart Pillars in Flipside. If a Pure Heart is set into a Heart Pillar, the door the world with the next Pure Heart appears. He mentions that this one may lead to the mysterious Merlee, one of the ancients, who is like his long-lost cousin. Like Bestovius, she guards an ancient, secret treasure, which may be a Pure Heart. The Light Prognosticus speaks of her magical powers. Peach asks about finding her and Merlon asks if she's going along. He says not to tax herself as she only just recovered. Peach won't sit here and let everyone else go off. She says that The Void is her fault, and Bowser's. Her mind's made up and she joins the party, so you can now control her. Tippi says they need to find the next Heart Pillar. Merlon finds it refreshing to see such a headstrong princess. He gives them the Old Key, which unlocks something in town. There are secrets in Flipside that even Merlon doesn't know about and he thinks this key can help uncover one of them. He thinks it can be used near his house. In the meanwhile, he'll continue reading the Light Prognosticus for clues.

Go outside Merlon's house. You can switch characters on the menu screen or on the quick menu screen by pressing (1) and (2) simultaneously. While Peach can slow her fall, she can't flip. If you're in 3D and switch to her, you'll flip back to 2D. Flip outside Merlon's house and you'll find a locked gate in front of the elevator to the tower. Unlock it, go through it, then flip and go to the outskirts of town. Take the pipe to the right to the First Floor Outskirts, then drop down the first gap to the left. You'll find a spring and two chests, one with a Merluvlee card and the other with a Merlon card. Spring back up and walk to the left. Flip to go out farther, then flip so you can reach the sign on top of the rocks. Switch to Peach, then jump and hover to the right until you reach the Heart Pillar. The orange gears from the orange Pure Heart make an orange door appear. Go through it to start the next chapter.