Starlight and her group continued to walk through the empty streets of the deserted village after defeating the giant R.O.B. in a spirit battle to free the guardian spirit.
"How long is this street?" asked Smoky Progg.
"Not long as you think," said Mario pointing a finger in front of him. The group noticed a gate leading out of the village. Standing outside of the gate was a small child With brown hair and a big smile on his face. He wore a red T-Shirt with a blue 1 imprinted on the center along with black shorts and blue sneakers.
"That's him isn't it?' asked Starlight.
"Sure is," said Mario. The Villager stared back at the group with his menacing red eyes. Starlight felt a chill run up her back. She always believed that kids were supposed to be innocent and cute, but the way Villager was looking at her made Starlight feel uneasy. The smile on his face only made the red glare all the more intimidating. "Hey Starlight you ok?" asked Mario.
"What?" asked Starlight. It was then that she realized she was sweating. "Oh uh yeah I'm fine," she said wiping the bead of sweat off her forehead.
"Here we go again," sighed Eevee. Mario looked at Eevee with a confused look.
"The same thing happened right before Starlight fought you at the village's entrance," explained Celeste.
"Celeste don't tell him that!" Starlight hissed.
"Sorry," apologized Celeste.
"Well either way we gotta free Villager," said Mario.
"Poyo," said Kirby. The spirits got into position as Mario, Kirby, and Starlight stared at Villager.
"Ready?" asked Mario.
"Ready," answered Starlight.
"Poyo," answered Kirby.
"Let him have it," Mario told Starlight. Although nervous, Starlight took a deep breath and refocused her attention on the target. She crouched and lunged forward running at Villager. He said nothing and quickly planted a tree in the ground as Starlight ran face first into the tree.
"Starlight are you ok!?" Sylveon gasped. Starlight pulled her face off the tree and began rubbing it in pain. She let out a muffled ouch as she massaged her face. Meanwhile, Villager took out an axe and began chopping down the tree. By the time Starlight refocused, the tree was coming down. "Why me?" she whimpered. But before the tree could crush her, Mario ran in and grabbed her, running out of the way as the tree fell. He gently set Starlight down.
"You should be more careful," said Mario.
"I know that," groaned Starlight. Mario was about to say something just as Villager grabbed him with a butterfly net. "Mario!" Starlight gasped.
"Well shit," cursed Mario. Villager pulled him and threw him into the wall of a nearby building.
"What the hay, how can one child be so strong!?" asked Starlight.
"I don't know, but be careful," said Sylveon. Villager turned his attention towards Starlight and pulled out a slingshot. Starlight rushed Villager as he opened fire on her, flinging stones in her direction. Just as she got close enough to attack she quickly teleported away. The panicked Villager looking around trying to find her. With his back facing her, Starlight appeared behind him and kicked him in the back with all of her force launching him. Mario jumped out from his resting spot and landed a solid punch into Villager and sent him flying into the walls of the building across from his.
"Nice teamwork," said Starlight holding up her hoof. Mario smiled and gave her a fist bump. The two quickly turned their attention to Villager as he crawled out from the hole in the wall. "Oh he's going to get it now," said Starlight rushing him.
"Go get him girl!" Mario cheered. Starlight grabbed Villager and began pounding her hoof into him. After several punches she hurled him across to where Mario was who gave him an uppercut. Villager fell on the ground but immediately got to his feet. He was looking really exhausted but for the first time, Starlight was eager to keep fighting. After a while Villager glared at Mario and Starlight with his red eyes. He ran towards them going in for an attack. Mario and Starlight got into stance until something zoomed past them.
"What was that?" asked Starlight. Suddenly Kirby appeared and kicked Villager in the face sending him flying backwards.
"Poyo!" Kirby exclaimed.
"Nice work Kirby," complimented Starlight.
"Poyo!" Kirby said cheerfully turning back to Mario and Starlight. Meanwhile, Villager was starting to get back up.
"Let's finish this," said Starlight rushing forward.
"Right behind you," said Mario following her. Starlight ran towards Villager and attempted to strike him with one of her magical blasts. Villager realized what she was planning and held up his hands as a small silver orb appeared around Villager. Not wanting to wait Starlight opened fired and as the blast came in contact, shattered Villager's shield and knocked him down. He got up looking dizzy and dazed. Starlight stopped in front of him and pointed her horn at him and began charging up an attack. Once Villager regained his senses, Starlight thrusted her horn into him and let the magic explode. Villager fell on the ground as light burst out of his body. Mario and Kirby quickly ran to her side as Villager's limp body lay on the ground in front of them.
"Did you do this?" asked Smoky Progg.
"You know I did," said Starlight.
"Nice work," congratulated Sylveon.
"Thank you," said Starlight. Villager groaned as he sat up.
"Ouch," he said putting his hand to his head.
"Looks like he's back to normal," said Celeste.
"Hey buddy you alright?" asked Mario helping him up.
"What happened?" asked Villager. He looked up at Starlight. "And who are you?" he asked. Starlight quickly introduced herself and explained to him what was going on. "Uh huh so you're going to Galeem in order to defeat him?" asked Villager.
'Yeah pretty much," answered Mario.
"Well that's interesting, but can you REALLY do it?" asked Villager.
"We won't know unless we try," said Starlight.
"You know what, I like that I think I'll join you on your adventure," said Villager.
"Really?" asked Starlight.
"Of course, it's not like I have better stuff to do anyway," said Villager.
"Welcome to the team," said Mario.
"Hey by the way, before we go any further, just one quick question, and I don't mean to insult or offend you but isn't taking care of spirits a lot of work?" asked Villager.
"Yeah it is , but I have nowhere else to keep them," said Starlight.
"Well then you're lucky you ran into me," said Villager. 'I happened to find this when I was back in my world," The group stared as Villager pulled out a big leather book with the Smash logo imprinted on the cover.
"An album?" asked Starlight.
"Not just any album, one that's made especially for spirits," replied Villager. "It's made of special material that can transform spirits into stickers, so now you can put all the spirits you've collected and put them in here,"
"Great thanks," said Starlight. She opened the book to the first front page. As expected it was blank. "Alright guys you're new home,"
"'In we go," said Eevee.
"If you need us just call," said Smoky Progg.
"Bye," said Celeste. The guardian didn't say anything and went into book without hesitation. As the light burst out of the album, the spirits that had followed Starlight were now stickers.
"Dang it actually works," said Mario.
"Great it's your turn Sylveon," said Starlight.
"Actually I think I'll stay out here," said Sylveon.
"You sure?" asked Villager.
"Yeah," replied Sylveon.
"Suit yourself," said Villager. "So now that's done, how about we keep going?" Starlight, Kirby, and Mario looked at each other and nodded.
"Let's go," said Starlight as she walked past the gate. Meanwhile Kirby, Mario, and Villager following behind