Meanwhile back at Castle Bleck, O’Chunks had failed his mission. “Yeah, So... I guess the hero went ahead and stomped on you and sent you back here?” Nastasia asked O’Chunks. O'Chunks fell to his knees. "Yeh gotta forgive me, Count! I've failed yeh! I've never felt less chunky in my life!" O'Chunks cried out.

“Bleh heh heh heh heh... So our hero is real? Yes, a force to be wrecked with...” Bleck said, turning to Nastasia. “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!” Count Bleck instructed Nastasia.

“Yeah um, I already sent Mimi to a sight picked for that purpose....” Nastasia replied. “This pleases Count Bleck. Excellent work, Nastasia. I have granted Mimi powers potential enough to ensure that it will obliterate this hero. Yes, he will be helpless against her.” Count Bleck explained, spreading his arms out.

“I depart! Alert Count Bleck when this “hero” is no more!” Count Bleck explained. He laughed, then left and took the dark prognosticus with him.

“Yeah, I'll fire off the memo on that... but for now, we have another item on the agenda. O’Chunks, you got a second? Yeah, some minions in the Bowser Organization are still resisting assimilation? So I’m heading out to squash the resistance... and while I’m gone, I want you to stay here. Yeah... you just sit here and think about your recent job preference, ‘K?” Nastasia asked, walking off. "Aw... I... Gah, this really tweaks me chin hairs!" O'Chunks cried out.

Meanwhile, Princess Peach is seen on the ground, unconscious. She wakes up.

“Nnnn... hmm?” She asked. She got up and looked around. “What? How did I end up napping here? Wait... didn't that nasty Count Bleck try to force me to marry... BOWSER?! And then Luigi and Lianna, they....” Peach said, then noticed something. Her friends weren't there. “LIANNA! LUIGI! BOWSER! ANYBODY THERE?” She asked out loud.

"Uh... no. You're the only one of the wedding party left standing, it looks like." A voice was heard. There was a Hammer Bros and a Koopa Troopa.  “So you finally woke up, Princess?” The Hammer Bro asked. “Oh! You guys! Are you alright?” Peach asked the Hammer Bro and Koopa Troopa. "Yeah, but who knows what happened. That was one CRAZY wedding! We can't even find his groomness! You remember... King Bowser? Oh... And that guy with the mustache and a talking rabbit... I think they were wearing green? Yeah, erm... Luigi, and... Lianna, that's them. We dunno where they ended up either." the Koopa Troopa replied.

“The thing is, most of us minions got brainwashed by that Bleck Guy’s assistant. Yeah, everyone is half-nuts! It’s not safe here, we got to clear this area, NOW!” The Hammer Bro warned. He talked to the Koopa Troopa. “Private Koopa here will escort you, Okay? You guys make a break for it.” Hammer Bro instructed.

“But what about you?” She asked the duo. “What am I going to do? I'll TELL you what I’m gonna do! I’m going to go help my men! King Bowser would burn me to a crisp if I leave them! Leave no Koopa behind! Good luck out there, Princess. Hail Bowser!” Hammer Bro called out, leaving. “Farewell.” Peach bid farewell to Hammer Bro.

Koopa stepped forward. "Ok lady, we've gotta EVAC this zone! Let's roll!" Koopa Troopa commanded. Peach followed after the Koopa Troopa. She went into another room with the Koopa Troopa and heard a voice talking.

"You. Give up. There is no hope for escape." A brainwashed Koopa Troopa said in a monotone voice. “What is this insubordination? Johnson, I am your CAPTAIN! Drop and give me twenty!” Hammer Bro demanded. "Yeah, you know what? I'm gonna have to tell you that your orders mean nothing." Another voice said out loud. Nastasia stepped forward.

"See, they've already sworn eternal allegiance to Count Bleck, 'K? And now you need to, so I'll just go ahead and pencil you in for a 10 o'clock brainwashing." She said. Hammer Bro got his hammer ready. “You just messed with the wrong Koopa! I serve Bowser! You tell this “Count”...” He started, before being brainwashed. “HYUUUUK!” He yelped. “HAIL BLECK!” He said in a zombie-like tone.

"Hm-mm-mm... Yeah, there, isn't that better? So listen, there are still a few problem minions that haven't sworn allegiance... You, be a lamb and round them up for me... 'K? Thanks." Nastasia ordered. “Yes ma’am!” Hammer Bro explained.

They exited the area. "Oh, man, this is going downhill fast! Did you see that?! They even broke the captain! Look lady, if they find us, it is GAME OVER! We've gotta clear this area ASAP!" Koopa Troopa ordered. Peach nods and continues on the door through the left, then heads down the hall and enters another door. This leads to an outside area, and then a dead end.

"No... NOOOOOOOOOOO! Dead end!" Koopa Troopa cried out. Peach walks up a bit. “Well, staying here won’t do us any good.... let’s turn around and keep looking.” Peach suggested. "Oh, turn back? Yeah... no. Your friend there had it right. This is your dead end." A voice was heard. Nastasia was there with other brainwashed minions.

“W-Who ARE you anyway?!” Peach asked out loud.The Koopa stood in front of her. "Find cover lady! I'm trained to handle scum like this!" The Koopa Troopa cried out. Nastasia then zapped him with hypnosis. "BYOOOOORT! ALL HAIL COUNT BLECK!" He said in a monotone voice.

"Wow princess, you sure are lucky. I thought the wedding explosion finished you... Yeah, but this is the end of the road... and your luck runs out... right here. It's time you came over and got with the program... Come and serve the count!" Nastasia demanded. “Never!” Peach spat back. "Yeah, that's great and all, but my hypno-powers kinda say otherwise. Just sit tight a sec, 'K? Cause I've just got to brainwash you real quick." Nastasia replied.

Just as Peach was about to be brainwashed, a box formed around her and teleported her to safety. "What?! That wasn't in my schedule! Where'd she go? Well, that's not really a deal breaker. Our prophecy fulfillment plan is running smoothly. We have no need for her. Yeah, and it doesn't matter where she runs, since all worlds are about to fall..." Nastasia said.

"I remember that day well... The room was warm. The whole place was at peace."

"Ugh... Ugh...."

"You're awake at last?"

"Where... am I? Is this... a human's home?"

"Blecch! Don't wiggle like that. I found you at the cliff base. You took quite a fall."

"You're a hunan, correct? I don't... repulse you? I am of the Tribe of Darkness..."

"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."

Mario then entered out of the red door, a little red heart appeared over the door, signifying the world has been cleared. "First, to Merlon's place..." Tippi said. Mario nodded and headed down the elevator to meet up with Merlon.

"Back so soon?" Merlon asked, he was waiting for them outside of a blue house. "I can see from your faces that it went well, indeed... Let's go back to my house so you can tell me the details. Please, step right in." He said, he entered the house.

Mario and Tippi followed Merlon inside. "So, how was it, dear friends? Did you find a Pure Heart?" Merlon asked. Mario nodded and held up the orange pure heart. "Oh ho, such pure brilliance... This is a true piece of the one true Purity Heart!" Merlon explained. "Yes, we met Merlumina... She gave it to us..." Tippi replied "Wh-what?! Lady Merlumina?! You were well met. She is an ancestor of mine. She was a great leader and was revered as the wisest of the ancient sages. Merlumina and those who followed her built this town. They are why we are here." Merlon explained.

“M-MASTER MERLON! B-BAD NEWS!” A villager cried out, bursting in. "What is it?! Get a hold of yourself lad..." Merlon spoke. “Y-Y’See... um... um... um.... um... um... um... um... um... um... um... um... um... y’see, a girl fell out of the sky!” He cried out loud.

"What? A girl fell out of the sky? What in the worlds?" Merlon asked. “I dunno! Just, please. Get on the elevator and come up there to see her!” The villager cried out. "So it shall be! And you, Mario, come along. We may need your presence as well!" Merlon instructed.

They set off, with Mario and Tippi following the two of them until they arrived next to a passed out Peach. “Um... yeah, so I was just looking up at the tower, and she fell out of nowhere!” The villager cried out. "Hmmm... She does not look at all familiar to me... Who could this be?" Merlon asked. Mario walked up to Peach, and instantly recognized her. Tippi looked at Mario. "What's the matter?" Tippi asked. Mario explained that he knew Peach. "Princess Peach?! So this is the princess that Count Bleck kidnapped?" Merlon asked. Mario nods. "Well, the poor girl seems to have had a rough time, of that we can be sure. She doesn't appear to be conscious... And she is shivering uncontrollably... What could the problem be?" Merlon asked.

Suddenly, Merlon had an idea. "Oh ho! I know! Mario. You must go to the chef named Saffron on the ground floor of Flipside. I am sure she knows a warming and revitalizing recipe for this poor girl... Once she revives, we will be able to ask Princess Peach exactly what happened. Now, off with you! Find Saffron the chef on the ground floor!" Merlon instructed.

Mario nods and heads to Saffron’s place on the ground floor. “Welcome to Sweet Smiles! Ooh, Sugar, our dishes will turn that little frown upside down.” Saffron welcomed Mario. Mario then explained to her about Peach. “What? A friend of yours is out cold? Oh, mercy! Well, listen here sugar... she sounds like she needs some Spicy Soup! All I need is a Fire Burst to make a pot of soup that'll warm her up in a jiffy! Some stores sell Fire Bursts, so just check the shelves wherever you like to shop. You bring me one, and I will make you some tasty Spicy Soup!” Saffron instructed.

Mario went to purchase a Fire Burst and Saffron made it Quickly. She hands the soup to Mario. “This outta wake that sleeping beauty of yours, sugar! Get it to her as quick as you can!” Saffron instructed. Mario went back to Peach and gave her the soup. “Ugghhhh...” she groaned as she at it.

"Oh ho! I see the soup is working." Merlon called out. Peach then gets up and yawns. “Mmm... I felt like I just ate the most delicious thing... I haven’t had a dream about such tasty food in ages...” Peach explained. Mario then responds and then Peach becomes aware and noticed Mario. “Oh! Mario?! You’re OK?!” Peach asked in awe. She looks around. “But where exactly are we?” Peach asked, confused."This is Flipside." Tippi explained. Peach looks around some more. “Umm... okay, and who are you?” Peach asked. "My dear, I am called Merlon. That right there is what's known as a pixl. Her name is Tippi. Come, let us adjourn at my house. I'd love for you to tell us more there." Merlon replied. They went to Merlon's house, where Peach explained her whole story.

“...And before I knew it, I awoke and saw Mario and Tippi.” Peach just finished her story. "Well my dear, that is surely a tale of troubles and woes..." Merlon replied. “Oh Mario... What do you suppose happened to Lianna, Luigi and Bowser?” Peach asked Mario. Mario responds. “Mm, I supposed You’re right... There’s just no way to know. I just hope they’re safe.” Peach replied. Mario thinks for a moment. "Merlon, what should we do next?" Tippi asked him.

"'And one Pure Heart shall lead to a another.' That is what's written in the prophecy. There are still more heart pillars to be found in Flipside young ones. When you find the next heart pillar, you must set the Pure Heart in it. And when you do so, a door leading to a dimension with the next Pure Heart will appear. And my intuition tells me that it will take you to the mysterious Merlee. Like Bestovius and I, Merlee is one of the ancients. We are like long-distance cousins. Yes... I have heard that Merlee has been guarding a sacred treasure. If my instincts are correct, that should be the Pure Heart we seek. I must tell you, the Light Prognosticus speaks of her magical powers..." Merlon explained.

“So... we just need to find this Merlee person, is that it?” Peach asked. Merlon was surprised by this question. "Oh ho. So you are going as well? You should not tax yourself. You are still recovering... and... it could be dangerous." He suggested.

“Well, I can’t just sit here and let everyone else go off to save the worlds, now, can I? After all, the void that is spreading in the sky is my fault. Mine and Bowser’s...” Peach replied, she turned towards Mario, and he shakes his head. “So I’m going, and that’s final! I've made my decision!” Peach explained. Peach has joined the party!

"I guess we need to find that next heart pillar..." Tippi said. "Hmm, this princess is headstrong. Very fascinating... I insist you take this." Merlon said, he gave them an old key. "There are secrets in this town even I don't know. This may be one of the keys to uncover them. Quite literally in fact. Please use this key wherever it fits in town. My intuition tells that you should be able to use it near my house. I will continue to study the Light Prognosticus and see what I can find. I'm sure that musty old tome has still much to teach us. Yes indeed. Now, Mario, Peach, do what you must to stop the Count's evil plans!" Merlon ordered.

“Let’s go, Mario! C’mon, Tippi!” Peach explained, so they ended up using the key to help open an unlocked door and found the Pure Heart Pillar, spawning in an orange door. They headed back to Flipside and entered into the Orange Door.