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Unable to persuade Bowyer, another member of the Smithy Gang, Geno enters combat, and Mario and Mallow join him. Without the Star Road, wishes cannot be granted. It is revealed that the Star Pieces are parts of the Star Road that has been destroyed by Exor. Geno tries to get back the Star Piece that Bowyer holds. The next day, Mario and Mallow follow Geno's path through the Forest Maze, eventually meeting Bowyer, a bow-like creature who fires the paralyzing Aeros. While everyone is in bed, a star possesses the Geno doll and walks into the origin of the arrows, the Forest Maze. However, Mario is knocked out by a stray punch from the toy. As the game continues, Gaz brings out his favorite doll, Geno. There, Mario plays with the innkeeper's son, Gaz, and his Mario, Bowser, and Toadstool dolls. Paralyzing arrows are shot from the nearby forest.
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As Mario and Mallow arrive in Rose Town, it is under attack. He has a group of minions with him and tries to get his castle back from the Smithy Gang, marching ahead of them. During their travels, they nearly run into Bowser and spy on him from the foliage. Mario and Mallow then travel to Rose Town via Rose Way. He tells Mallow to travel with Mario and find his true home. At Tadpole Pond, Mallow's grandfather Frogfucius reveals that he found Mallow floating in a basket as a baby, and is not really his grandfather. After Belome is defeated, the sewers are filled with water, and Mario is flushed down the Midas River. On their way, they travel through the Kero Sewers and encounter Belome, a giant, dog-like enemy. Mario and Mallow now head to Mallow's home, Tadpole Pond. Mario takes it, not quite knowing what it is. Mario and Mallow enter the Mushroom Castle and meet with Mack, a member of the Smithy Gang, in the throne room. When they return, Mushroom Kingdom is dark and overrun by monsters. Mario assists him by chasing after Croco, a thief, to recover a frog coin that was stolen from Mallow. After talking with the chancellor, he meets Mallow, apparently a frog from Tadpole Pond. Mario and Toad then travel to Mushroom Kingdom to inform the Chancellor of the Princess's kidnapping. Exor destroys the bridge and Mario narrowly escapes. However, when he arrives he is unable to enter the castle and Exor, the giant sword, tells Mario that the keep is now the property of the Smithy Gang, taken over to help with its quest to take over the world. Mario has no idea where she or Bowser are, but goes to check the castle. When Toad discovers that the princess is not there, he asks Mario to go back to Bowser's Keep to bring her back. Mario ends up landing back at his house where Toad has been searching for Toadstool. Mario views the damage done to Bowser's Keep by Exor.
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