With Princess Peach at his side, Mario set out once again, bound for adventure. This time, our heroes were tasked with finding the muster charmer, Merlee. If Merlon was right, then Merlee was the key to finding the next Pure Heart. Never one to flinch from danger, Mario set out to find Merlee's mysterious mansion. But little did he know, the evil works of dastardly Count Bleck awaited at every turn...

Chapter 2-1: Bogging to Merlee's

The pair of heroes arrived at some plains in the evening. "The Pure Heart must be ahead. It might be far though... Let's go." Tippi ordered. Mario nodded and they explored Gloam Valley, avoiding obstacles and swimming through orange-juice waters.

They solved some puzzles and eventually came across a large chest within a dungeon area. They opened it. "SSS-BOOOM!" A voice called from the box. A bomb-shaped figure came out of the chest.

"Good vibes! Them vibes set off my blow-stuff-up sensors! You like exploding? Sss-POW! I ain't sensed real good blow-stuff-up vibes in... 1500 years! Sss-POOOM! I gotta check those vibes out a little more close-like! Sss-CRAAACK! Check it out: just answer a couple questions real quick. Sss-BLAAAM! Ok? Here we go, sss-BWAMMO! You stay up wondering if anyone ever gives presents TO Santa Claus?" He asked.

“Totally!” Mario replied. "For some reason, you clean your room before a test." He asked. “Absolutely!” Mario replied. "When someone says, 'Let's just be friends,' you think, 'Yeah, whatever.'" He asked. “No doubt!” Mario replied. "You don't really understand why I'm asking you all these weird questions." He asked. “Truer than true!” Mario replied. "You think shopping online is a wonderful and magical experience." He asked. “All my life!” Mario replied. "You once put on a shirt inside our but didn't bother reversing it before going out." He asked. “All the time!” Mario replied. "You wanna be sleeping when you're awake, but when you're tired, you wanna wake up." He asked. “Exactly!” Mario replied.
"You're getting real tired of these questions." Boomer asked. “You said it, not me.” Mario replied.

"Got it, got it, GOT IT! SSSS-BOOOOOOOOM! You got some tasty vibes! Ssss-BLAM! My mind's made up now! Ssss-BLAPPOW! You guys... are worthy of my power!" Boomer called out loud. The explosive Pixl named Boomer is now Mario's friend!

Mario then used Boomer to help get him through the rest of the puzzle, until he hits a switch and rumble was heard. "That was awfully rumbly... Something must have happened outside..." Tippi said. Mario and Peach exited out of the dungeon area and proceeded through the rest of the valley until they soon came across a big mansion.

On the far side of a beast-ridden swamp, Mario and Co. found an imposing residence. "This must be Merlee's mansion!" squealed Princess Peach with glee. If our friends could only find the Pure Heart quickly, their question here would end. But when has fate ever set Mario on such a simple path? Brimming with  anticipation , our plucky heroes plunged into Merlee's Mansion.

Chapter 2-2: Tricks, Treats, Trap!

Mario and company arrived at Merlee's Mansion. They entered, narrowly avoiding the guard dogs. They entered into a specific room and see a cute little green skinned girl with pigtails and a maid’s outfit on.

“Well hi there! Big welcome! Welcome to Merlee’s mansion! I’m Lady Merlee’s handmaid. My name is Mimi, but you may call me Mimikins if you’d want! You’re here to see Lady Merlee, aren't you?” Mimi asked with a warm smile. Mario nodded in reply.

“How super of you! Well, Lady Merlee is on the second floor, in the farthest room... just head on up there whenever you’re ready! Oh golly, but listen, DON’T YOU DARE GO INTO ANY OTHER ROOMS BY ACCIDENT! OR ELSE! Enjoy your visit, Okay?” Mimi asked.

Strange that she snapped at him. Mario then proceeded to go into the room he was told to go into, which was a trap. Spikes started to come down from the ceiling to crush him, but he managed to sneak out alive with a key.

Mario returned to Mimi. “Hmm? Lady Merlee wasn't in the room I directed you in?” Mimi asked Mario. Mario nodded. “Oh jeepers... Mimikins, you deserve a good spanking! Why must you be so silly?! Lady Merlee must be in the CLOSEST room on the first floor! Yes, of COURSE! Please head in and go allll the way to the back!” Mimi instructed.

Mario did so, but it was just another trap. He returned to Mimi. “You can’t find Lady Merlee?” Geez, that’s a real head scratcher, huh? I KNOW Lady Merlee is somewhere in this mansion, look wherever you can!” Mimi explained.

Mario went over to the door with the lock and the big scary dog over there, and he unlocked the door. “GwwARRGH!” The monster dog barked. “EEEEEEEEEKKK!” She screeched out loud as it chased her.

"I wonder why that savage thing went straight for her and paid us no mind... I'd like to think we look rather tasty... What do you suppose it means? This mansion is quite odd... I feel it holds many secrets..." Tippi said, they entered the door.

Mario and his friends kept up their search, delving ever deeper into the mansion. Wherever they looked, though, they found no sign of Merlee. Where was this mysterious women? "Ah, maybe... this way..." So said Tippi, trying to sense the Pure Heart's location... With dread dangling like a broken chandelier, our heroes hurried through corridors...

Chapter 2-3: Breaking the Bank

Mario heads on forward, he sees a coin block, but there is a vase on top of the coin block. He bashes the block, breaking the vase. There was the sound of a door opening. Mimi screamed. “NYAAAHH!!” She screamed, charging towards the heroes.

“You broke it! You broke my most favoritest vase!” She screamed. “DOOFUSES! I loved that vase more than ANYTHING! And you BROKE it! NYAAAAGH!” She screamed. “Oh you'll pay for that! Yes, you will... I'll have you know that that vase cost 1,000,000 rubees!” She screamed. “So hand over the money! Now! Or you’re DONE FOR!” She snapped.

"Rubees? Oh, I don't believe Mario carries any of that particular currency... I don't suppose those are anything like coins, are they?" Tippi asked. “Coins?! No one uses COINS anymore, you peasants! I SPIT on your coins! ...So what are you saying? Are you telling me that you don’t have any rubees at all?!” Mimi asked in shock. Mario nodded.

“Well guess what? You’re just gonna have to work it off, then! Until you work off your debt, you naughty little things, I owe you! ENJOY LABOR!” She snapped, turning to walk aroundoff. “Yes, So you can earn rubees in the generator room at the top floor. Once you earn 1,000,000 rubees, you come pay it off in the room in the back. You can also check your balance of your debt there. So! Get to work, servants!” She instructed, walking off.  Now Mario and Peach have to work their butts off with the loans!

"Well, we have to get that Pure Heart, so let's make this quick." Tippi said. Mario then entered a room where lots of prisoners are working on jumping to produce electricity. "JUMP, LITTLE FLEAS!" A man was whipping them. "Work those skinny little flea legs! Unh! Make it burn! Jump like you mean it! Boss Mimi hates the dark like she hates Brussels sprouts! So WORK IT! MOOOORE POWER!" The warden called out.

Mario went over to talk to the man with the whip. "Yeah, this is the generator room. Hit blocks, make energy, earn Rubees! Unh! Rubees make the world go up, down, round and round! You wanna work here too?" He asked Mario. Mario nodded. "Unh! LOVE the energy kid! Just find an unused block and jump like you mean it! Another day, another Rubee! Unh! Rubees are life! Unh! Jump! Rubee! Jump! Rubee! When you're done, talk to me, and I'll tell you the amount you've earned. Oh! And watch out for our, 'motivational sparks' that travel along the floor!" He turned to Peach. "You want a go too lady?" He asked Peach. Peach nodded too.

"Alright then! Jump like you mean it!" He demanded. Mario and Peach then proceeded to jump up and down, up and down. Tippi watched them jump. They kept on jumping, making sure they would hopefully get enough rubees. Tippi looked at the poor workers. "How long have they been here?" She asked worried.

Mario shrugged. He felt like if Luigi and Lianna were here, this would be easier. They continued to jump for a while until they asked the warden about some rubees. "Want your Rubees, do you little flea? Well, fine. For your utterly average work, here's an average sum of Rubees." He said, he then gave them 105 Rubees.

They checked out one of the prison rooms and talked to a prisoner in blue. "New flea huh? Hey, didja know there's a VIP room as well as the normal one? You can earn Rubees WAY faster there than in the entry-level, flea-jumping room. Here's the problem though: you need a passcode to get in, and only members know it. Man, if only I knew that passcode..." He said.

They searched around for whichever prisoner would exchange 100 Rubees for the code. However, they found a large chest behind a hidden wall.

Mario comes across a big chest. He opens it up. “Want to know a secret?” A voice asked quietly. Mario gets confused, then a Pixl comes out. “CUZ’ I DOOOO!” He explained. “So, do you know the secret or not, pard? Well? Do ya? Iffen you close yer peepers... and imagine real hard.... that the world’s gone.... Why, it’s just about the biggest darn thrill ever!” The Pixl explained. “WHUH-HUH?! My senses are tellin’ me that you’re the hero! Woah... Hey, welcome pard. Got some bad news, though. Looks to me like yer a bit lackin’ in thrills. I can’t give my power to anyone who’s too skinny in the thrills department. So here’s what we do, pard! I'll recharge yer thrill gauge over the next ten seconds!” The Pixl said happily, starting to count. “One....Two....” He started, Mario started to fall asleep. “Three....Five...Four....Seventeen...Three point One Four.... One Marzillion... Ten!” He called out, Mario snapped awake.

“Now yer all chargified, pard! Yepper, now you've got yer thrills. Now remember, we Pixls got loads of power, so you’d best be real careful with us! We had a little dustup with these ancients 2,000 years ago... but we’re pards now. So let’s go have us some thrills, huh? C’mon!” He called out, Slim has joined the party. “So now yah now the secret, huh, pard? Don’t ya? Playing hide and seek is the biggest thrill you can find! You outta try it!” Slim said.

They continued to search, until they found a red slave. "Hey, new gerbil. You wanna learn a little secret? Yeah, I betcha you do... Just slip me 100 Rubees. I'll tell ya something good. Honest. It's prime info." The red slave said. Mario happily gave the guy 100 rubees out of 105.

"Your mom taught you to trust strangers huh? Yeah, solid parenting right there. Well, turns out she was a smart cookie. I'm gonna give you the VIP room passcode. The secret code is... 5963! What good is it? That's a secret! Duh! Just remember 5963 gerbil. Thank me later." He said in response. Mario nodded and typed in the code 5-9-6-3 into the code and saw a room full of giant hamster wheels.

There was an empty yellow and an empty green one. "RUN, GERBILS! Round and round and round she goes! When I'll retire, nobody knows! Big Boss Mimi hates the dark more than old ham! So move those gerbil legs! POOOOOOOWERRRR UUUUUUUUP!" He said. Mario and Peach went to talk to the Warden in this room.

"This is the VIP generator room. Run in a wheel, make volts, earn some cash! Yeah, major upgrade from that other room! You'll earn crazy Rubees in here! Unh! So, a new gerbil huh... Hungry for Rubees gerbil? You two wanna work here?" The warden asked.

Mario and Peach nodded in agreement. "Great, great, just hang on for one second for me... MOOOOVE, GERBILS! MOVE! Y'know, sometimes I wonder why I do this... but it's simple: work is fun! You ready?" He asked the two. They nodded in response. "Good answer! Now get in there gerbils! MOVE!" He demanded.

They hopped into the wheels and started to run. They ran for a good few minutes. They ran and then soon stopped to see how many Rubees they got. "Awww, what's the matter? Tuckered out little gerbils?" He asked them.

They nodded in response. "Hmm... not the best work in all gerbil-kind... but that wasn't too shabby. Cmere. It's not exactly a gerbil banquet of Rubees, but it's nothing to sneeze at." He said, the wheel opened. They jumped out and collected their rubees. He gave them 11,372 Rubees.

They smiled and exited out of the room to find this one guy who will give them a secret passcode. "Fine timing, friend of mine! I just got hold of some verrry delectable info! You're timely, so it's yours! I was gonna charge 10,001 Rubees, but for you... 10,000! Sound good?" He asked them. They nodded and handed over the Rubees.

"Thanks, buddy of mine! Listen, and listen good. Mimi was napping, OK? And I heard her start sleep-talking... And she whispered... 41262816... Think it's her boyfriend's number or something?" He asked. Mario obtained the passcode and snuck into the secret vault and snagged 1,000,000 rubees. Mario then went to go pay Mimi.

They went downstairs to the room she was in. “Oh hi there! Big welcome! So happy to have you here at Rubee Savings and Loan!” Mimi explained. Mario talked to Mimi. “First off, THANKS for taking out a special rubee loan! Now, what can I do for you?” Mimi asked. Mario decided to pay off some rubees. “Super! Just let me take all those rubees off your hands! There you go!” Mimi explained, taking all of the rubees.

“Well, thank you SO much for paying off your Rubee lone in... full....?” Mimi asked, then she was in complete shock. “WHAAAT?! How did you earn enough Rubees to pay it off?! That’s not supposed to happen! Nooo.... you've broken my wonderful curse!” She cried out, floating into the air. “NYAAAAGH! I'LL GET YOU!!” She screamed, a light shined. “Aaaaa...” She said, before blowing up into a million pieces.

"So, that young imp put a curse on this mansion then... But who was she, really? I'm worried about Merlee... We must hurry to her aid..." Tippi replied. Mario nodded and snuck into the next area.

The mysterious handmaid Mimi disappeared in a bizzare explosion... What exactly was her plan, and why did she try enslave Mario and his friends? After the incident, Princess Peach noticed stairs going down. "Here we go!" She said. "I wonder if Merlee is down here?" Thought our heroes as they traded worried glances... The two solemnly made their way down, knowing there was no other path to follow.

Chapter 2-4: The Basement Face-Off

They arrived at the basement stairs. "The Pure Heart is near... I feel it's tremors so much more strongly down here..." Tippi explained. "Ah! Hooray! Whoopie! Thanks for coming to look for me!" A voice called out. Mario looked around and then up. A faint image of Merlee appeared.

"Beautiful, mysterious Merlee! Mistress of the house, it's me! So glad it's you I see! So long I've waited for you. Your arrival is well past due. But we can't meet like this, oh no, something's amiss. An evil one is after me, and safe and sound I cannot be. In the basement do I dwell, maze-like rooms are my cell, you will find me, I can tell... And... if you do, take care... For... your eyes... may err... Trust nothing... foul... or fair..." She started fading. "No... I cannot... last... My power... is... fading... fast... The distance... is... too... vast... Are... you... ready to find me? Beware... if you do, I plea..." Merlee pleaded. She faded away.

"She's gone... Was that apparition really Merlee? Why do you suppose she was telling us to be so careful when we find her?" Tippi asked.

Mario goes through the basement maze and then meets up with “Merlee”.

“Ahh, yes, how very sweet... thanks for coming! Thank you twice!” Merlee said out loud. Mario noticed her and approached her. “Mysterious and so lovely, mistress of the house you see... It’s me, Merlee! I shine on, Such is my lot, a sun to those fate to me brought... And I knew that soon I’d see you buzz on by, little bees. Hee hee hee hee hee!" She explained with a smile.

Mario walks up to her and responds.

“Oh yes, of course, I know! The Pure Heart for Mario! .... and Co!” Merlee explained. Mario nodded. “For you, yes. I'll gladly Part with that purest Pure Heart. Mmm, but there is a wee fee: yes yes, 10,000,000 rubees! Quite a bargain, you agree? So, folks, if you be dears, sign this dotted line here, and it’s yours, free and clear!” Merlee explained, Mario refused.

“If you lack the Rubees now, a smallish loan I could allow. You can work it off somehow. Just sign here, my dear...” Merlee bribed. Mario still refuses.

“Okay, here’s what we'll do. Have I got a deal for you! Sign here for a loan and boom! A free gift! Away with gloom! A Super Mega Ultra Shroom! Just sign here, my dear...” Merlee bribed more. Mario still refused. “Ugh, fine, you bargain hard, I’ll also throw in Breadward, a Pixl made of oats and lard... Isn't that so nice of me? I’m the best, don’t you see? Here dear, sign and cheer...” Merlee bribed more.

Mario still refused. “NYAAAAGH! Idiots, the lot of you! Turning down such a coup! None of you have a clue! Here it is: your last shot! Just sign right now, on the dot!” Merlee bribed more. Mario refused, realizing that Merlee was a fake!

The real Merlee appeared. "Good choice, for my sake... This Merlee's a total fake... Listen not! She is a snake!" She said, then she faded.

“Mimimimimimimmimimimi... No point in trying to fool anyone now...” Mimi said, changing back to her identity. “Gee, lookee here! The girl you thought was a handmaid or a Merlee imposter... she’s actually the faithful serpent of Count Bleck, master impersonator, Mimi! Golly, I was hoping we could settle this peacefully, but... TOO BAD!” She shouted and jumped.

“Oh, you want to make things ugly, huh? Well, that’s super. Let’s get ugly! TRUE MIMI, COME FORTH!” She screamed, snapping her neck and twisting it, until she transformed into a horrific spider.

“Mimimimimimimimimimimimimimimimimimi!!!” Mimi called out. "YUCK!" Tippi cried out. Merlee emerged. "Please my friends, beware, for a barrier protects her there. In fact, it's everywhere. I think attacks may be useless against one such as she." Merlee replied. "Attacks won't work? Ugh... What can we do?" Tippi asked. “Mimimimi!” Mimi called out. "I suggest you flee. Come and find the real me. I am hiding, look and see! If you can, my magic can weaken her and win the day! Hurry, hurry, don't delay!" Merlee cried out loud.

Mario then runs for his freaking life through the maze, until he stumbled upon a set of bathrooms, he went into the men’s room, then snuck into the girl’s bathroom, then jumped when one of the toilets, talked?

"Hee hee hee hee hee!" A voice called out. Mario looked into the toilet. Merlee jumped out of the toilet. "Hee hee hee hee hee! Found me! The real Merlee! I shine on such is my lot, a sun to those fate who brought..." "The real Merlee? Truly? In a place like this?" Tippi asked.

"I'm afraid that Mimi was too robust, and I, too weak... The Pure Heart I quickly took and hid where she would never look... But now you're here, hooray! This bad tide will turn today! Soon, that awful Mimi pays... You and I can join up, to teach that tiny, bratty pup a lesson: now let's power up!" Merlee cheered out. Mario nods.

“Ooh, I don’t think so...” A voice called out. Mimi entered the room in her spider form. Mimi walked towards Merlee, a light flashes across the screen. “Mimimimimimimimimimi!” Mimi called out. Two Merlees were in the same room!

"Stop pretending to be me! Everyone knows you are Mimi! Come on friends! Attack! We can drive her back!" Merlee called out. “What is this you talk about? You’re the faker! And a lout! Don’t be fooled by her act! Now! Attack!” Merlee cried out. "It's me! The real Merlee!" Merlee called out. “No, It’s me! The true Merlee!” Merlee cried out. Merlee turned to Mario. "Look at look at us closely. One of us has real beauty... the other one is as fake as can be." She said. “Oh please, you make me gag. I am hot, no need to brag, you... well you’re a hag.” Merlee taunted. Merlee stomps her foot. "Grrr! What a fib-maker! You're such a fake faker!" She shouted. “Oh, now, come off it, dear! You’re a dog from eye to ear! And your breath reeks, I fear.” Merlee taunted. They continue to argue, but eventually stop. "This is getting us nowhere, see..." She points to Mario and Peach.

"Let's let them pick a Merlee and settle it, do you agree?" She asked. Sounds like a good thought. ‘Cause I’m the real me (hot) and you really aren't (not).” Merlee taunted. "Hee hee hee hee hee... Oh how much you amuse. You're a fake! You will lose!" Merlee laughed. “Hee hee hee hee hee... you’re fake, you stupid fake! We all know you’re the snake!” Merlee hissed. “IT’S ON, CON!” Both Merlees snapped.

A quiz arena formed around them. A computer tuned it's voice box. "Iiiiit's the 66th annual... 'That's my Merlee!' show! How are you folks doing?" The crowd cheers. "Let's get going! These two here are going to ask a total of 5 questions! Listen closely, cause at the end, you gotta decided who's the real one! But choose carefully, cause if you guessed wrong, there will be some di-SAS-trous consequences! Now, for your first question!" The computer called out.

“When is your birthday?” Mario asked. "What day did I arrive? Oh, yes, March, day 25." Merlee said. “I bloomed in May, the 5th was the day!” Merlee explained. "Ooh, VERY interesting. Next question!" The computer called out. “What’s your favorite animal?” Peach asked. "A little bear cubby. Just as cute as can be." Merlee replied. “An adorable little demon, all sweatin’ and steamin’!” Merlee replied. "Oh, interesting, interesting. Next question!" The computer explained. “What are you into?” Mario asked. "Catalogues for crystal balls, that's where my interest falls." Merlee replied. “I like to watch rerun shows of “Super Ultra Goomba Bros.” Merlee replied. "Well, what do you know. Next question please!" The computer announced. “What do you want most?” Peach asked. “I want a boyfriend, please! I’d love a guy to squeeze!” Merlee called out. "Now for our final question folks! What will it be?" The computer asked. “What’s your nickname?” Mario and Peach asked together. "It is not a name to boast, but I was the 'bashful ghost'." Merlee replied. “Not to go and make a fuss, but I was the “Odd Porpoise.” Merlee replied.

"That's all 5 questions folks! Now... who's the real Merlee?! Search your minds!" The computer called out. Mario guessed the one with the fly buzzing around here, and he got it right! "Hee hee hee hee hee... Well, obviously. No one can copy me." The real Merlee said happily.

“Stupid-Heads... I mimicked her perfectly! You know it... I guess I'll congratulate you... by tearing you into little bits like stupid confetti!” The fake screamed, then turned into Mimi, snapped her neck again and turned into that giant spider again. “U-urk... URK! URK!” Mimi called out loud. Merlee ran to the corner of the room. "I will cheer from here! Rah! Rah! Whoosh-ring-bah! Hit her in the knee! ... If she has one. Does she?" She asked in rhyme. “Hehehehehehe.... she’s a fast one, isn't she? Oh, golly, well, whatever. I'll finish you off first! Mimimimimimimimimimi!” Mimi called out.

The battle began and then, Mimi took a hit. Merlee used her magic to break the barrier protecting Mimi. “But... what? Why can you damage me?! I’m supposed to be all INVINCIBLE! Count Bleck’s powers are supposed to protect me!” Mimi cried out loud. "Rah! Rah! Whoosh-bing-bah! You can now hit her dear, for this is no normal cheer! This has magic, woo! Her magic barrier is through!" Merlee cheered.

“WHAAAAAAAT?! When did this happen?! EEEEEEEEKKK! I feel completely naked! How could you?!” Mimi cried out. They attacked her more, breaking off her legs as they hurt her more.

Soon after a while, Mimi was defeated. “Mimimimimimimiughhhhh.... B-but how could you... it’s impossible... How...” Mimi cried out weakly, then changing back to her normal self. “Urk-urk... URK! URK! Don’t think you've beaten me for good, dummies! Next time you won’t be so lucky! Remember that... Stupid-Heads! UUUUUUUURRRRRKKKK!” Mimi floated up and disappeared.

"Fine job on that Mimi, yes! The Pure Heart's safe, evil's repressed. You know, the tenants here guarded it for 1,500 years, waiting for you to draw near! Finally, that duty's done, and I'm ecstatic, for one. But wait, ere we finish up. I must tell you something, yup. So, the Light Prognosticus was read by you, yes? It was written there that I and my ancestors waited by the Pure Heart, staying spry... But something wasn't written there, and of it you must be aware. There is another prophecy: a heart of chaos can only be beaten by four of mystery... Five heroes unite, their hope burns forth light to shatter the walls of blight. That is how despair, it dies, such as that we prophesied here in the home of the wise." Merlee explained. “Five heroes...” Peach said out loud.

I'm sure the pair of you, Mario and Peach, you are the first heroes, two. And so, it falls unto thee, to find the other heroes three. I would guess, if I had to, that they are known to you. Now finally, let me be! I will perform my sworn duty! There! From me it parts! Here heroes! The Pure Heart!" Merlee called out loud.

She took out the yellow Pure Heart and gave it to Mario. Slim, Boomer and Thoreau danced around Mario, he has obtained the third Pure Heart!

Count Bleck's servant Mimi has laid a trap for Mario and friends... But with the help of Merlee, faithful defender of the Pure Heart, the day was won. But who were the other three heroes mentioned by Merlee? With five Pure Hearts to be found, Mario knew this adventure had only begun...