Axel and Mariya exit in the marketplace. They look around and see the weathered shops. "It's kinda depressing." Mariya says.

Mario and Xildus step out and look around. "Hm...I wonder what happened," Mario states. "This village looks like it was a very lively place up until it was abandoned. What could have made an entire community just up and leave?"

"Well let's investigate." Mariya says, looking around. She notices a castle. "Let's start there." She sujests.

Mario sees the castle and nods. He begins to make his way up there.

Xildus, meanwhile, looks to the Nobodies. So, what are your first impressions?

It is interesting so far. One says. They then follow Mariya and Axel.

Once at the castle Mariya approaches the door, but before she can knock, she see's a note on the door. She takes it.

Gone to Work at Disneyland™ Paris.

Mario blinks when he sees the note. "...I hear it's pretty nice this time of year."

"So lets get this straight....all thse people....left a good world to work at Disneyland™?!" Mariya asks.
"

"So it seems..." Mario states. He then sees another note, part of a small newspaper clipping. "Wait, there's more."

Property and Norsh helmet values plummet to new low! With a dwindling tourism base in the village of Maelstrom Peak, it might not be long before this beautiful seaside town is driven into bankruptcy.

"Now theres a logical reason." Mariya says. "Welp, guess this place is deserted."

"Yeah..." Mario looks around. "...Hm...I wonder..."

"You think the Nobodies would like it here?" Mariya asks. She looks to them to find them gone.

The nobodies are inside the castle, looking around.

Mario blinks and looks around. "Well, they're definitely exploring, I guess, so that might be a yes. But also, perhaps we could flip this world, if that makes any sense," Mario responds. "Think about it; we revive this world, restore its economy and use it as an off-world base, sorta like Twilight Town and Tranverse Town. However, this world could also act as a secret base for the Nobodies."

"Good idea." Axel says. "Welp, hope the old Restoration committe is up to this."

"Oh please, they're more board then a tree." Mariya says.

"Alright then," Mario responds. "I guess I'll try to catch up to the Nobodies then." He then rushes into the castle.

Xildus, meanwhile, has caught up with the Nobodies, having been exploring the castle as well. Despite its somewhat primitive style, I would say that this castle is perfect for accomodating a group of any size.

Indeed A dragoon says.It is a fitting home.

Xildus nods and looks back as Mario approaches.

"So? What's the word?" Mario asks.

Xildus gives a satisfying nod and looks to the Nobodies, ready to translate for them.

It will need some work, but it will do. A samurai says.

Mario reads the translation and nods. "Alright, then welcome to your new home, guys. Excuse me while I tell the others," he says before he backtracks out of the castle to see Mariya and Axel. "The Nobodies say that this place will do. Some work might be required, though."

Axel nods, and picks up Mariya. "Common, we'll find a bed...if they left one here." He says. "She's not feeling well."

"Okay," Mario states. "I think there were some bedroom chambers in the upstairs areas."

Axel nods, and goes upstairs and lies Mariya on a bed. "Call if you need me." He says before kissing her. He leaves the room and calls Serene.

Mario approaches Axel later. "So, should we place some calls, then? One for the Reconstruction Committee, and one for the Nobodies to move in?"

"I had Serene pass on the message when she had time." Axel said. "I was about to call Erik."

"Alright then," Mario states. "So where do you think we should start?"

Axel shrugs. "The town might be an easier place to start." Axel says. He sends a quick text to Erik to send the nobodies.

"Hm, probably a good idea," Mario states. "The sooner the town is restored, the sooner this place can become more lively."

Axel nods. A moment later his phone dings. He opens it. "Alright he said everyone's on their way."

Mario nods and stretches a bit, looking over the town as he tries to picture how the town will eventually turn out.

Soon the committe arrive, and odly, Merlin and Yen Sid show up. Yen Sid nods to Mario and Axel. "Where is the Princess?" He asks.

"Lying down, she wasn't feeling well." Axel says.

Mario blinks and gets down on one knee as a sign of respect to Yen Sid. "Master Yen Sid, it is a honor to meet you." He looks up. "Although, I am a bit curious about this sudden visit."

"I thought I could lend a hand in the restoration for this world." Yen Sid says, dusting off his robe.

"As did I." Merlin says, taking out his wand.

"Well, the help would be appreciated," Mario states with a smile. "And if you want to check on Mariya, she should be upstairs in one of the bedroom chambers."

Yen Sid nods. "I will leave that to Serene." Yen Sid says.

"Show us where we can get started Mario." Squall says.

"Okay, the town should be the first priority," Mario states. "We could start by repairing the buildings and paving the way for new jobs. Once the town has been restored, we can start moving people here and return this town to its previous liveliness."

They nod, and all head to town.

Mario watches them go and then sighs, going into the castle to see if the other Nobodies had arrived.

They had, gathered in what seemed to be the throne room. Thye look to Mario and nod.

Mario nods in response, still wishing he was able to communicate with them. Xildus soon appears and gives a nod as well to both Mario and the Nobodies.

We were going to star on the castle, but there is not much we can do. A dragoon says.

Xildus translates this for Mario, and he nods. "Well, is there anything I can help with?"

We thought of at least cleaning it, perhaps you can get some supplies? We have munny if you need it. A samurai says.

"Hm, no problem," Mario states. "And don't worry, I got plenty of munny to spare." He then uses a portal to quickly return to Radiant Garden and get some cleaning supplies. He returns shortly afterward with the supplies.

The nobodies nod and take the supplies and begin cleaning.

Mario watches as they start. "Anything else I can help with?"

Not really unless you want to help clean. A Samurai says.

Serene enters, and after she takes in the sight she turns to Mario. "Do you know where Mariya is?" She asks.

Mario looks to her. "She's in one of the upstairs bedroom chambers," he responds. He then looks back to the Nobodies after reading the translation. "Throw me a mop, then."

Xildus nods and raises a wing to show his willingness to help.

They nod, and give Mario a mop, and Xildus a broom and dust pan.

Serene nods, and goes to find Mariya.

Mario gets to work immediately, starting his journey to mop the throne room.

Xildus takes the broom and dustpan, and as he sweeps, he occasionally switches between using the broom and his tail for dusting, depending on which was more convienent at the time.

Odly, one of the nobodies start whistling, the tune sounding familiar.

Mario blinks as he hears the whistling, but soon enough, both he and Xildus are whistling along, one better than the other for obvious reasons.

In a matter of hours, the nobodies move onto the hallways, and continue whistling.

Mario and Xildus move alongside them, moving from one area to the next as the place begins to tidy up.

They day soon turns into dusk, and the nobodies stop to rest.

The restoration comitte sigh, and go back to the castle.

Mario lets out a sigh as he steps outside, getting some fresh air after a day of cleaning. Upon seeing the committee, he gives a wave. "How's it coming?"

"Pretty good. With Yen Sid and Merlin's help we finished the marketplace and the village." Squall says.

"Who know magic could be so useful." Cid mumbles.

"Sounds good. I'd offer you all something to eat after today," Mario starts, "but I'm not sure how well-stocked the kitchen in the castle is, if at all."

"That's alright Mario, we were gonna head back to Radiant Garden and bring some food." Squall says. He then looks over and see's the cleaning supplies. "Want us to bring more help to clean the place?"

"Nah, we've been doing fairly well at our current pace," Mario states. "Besides, it'll give the Nobodies a chance to better familiarize with the castle. Might want to check on Mariya as well; Serene's been with her since we started, but I'm not sure what her condition is right now."

Squall nods, and Axel follows him. They go and find Mariya, and check on her.

Mario follows them, wanting to see how Mariya was as well.

Maariya is sleeping, and Serene puts a finger over her mouth as they enter. "She's resting. She has a cold. She should stay put for now. If it gets worse I'll take her home. If you don't mind, I'm going to go and get some things."

"You can come with us Serene, we were going back to." Squall says.

Serene nods and stands.

Mario nods and leaves them to their businesses, going back to see how the Nobodies are doing.

The nobodies are all resting, tired from cleaning the halls and rooms for most of the day.

Mario can't help but smile a little at the sight of the Nobodies resting in their new home. He stretches a bit before resting against a wall nearby.

The next morning.

The nobodies 'awaken', and begin cleaning again.

The committe also continue there work, working on the Arena.

Axel kisses Mariya before heading out, helping the othrs restore the Arena.

Serene gives Mariya some medicine, which Mariya takes, sipping some tea Serene had made in the kitchen.

Mario wakes up the next day a bit tired, but he quickly gets to work in helping the Nobodies with the cleaning. Xildus is up earlier than Mario, however, and is already assisting.

A few days later

The entire castle, and town are back to normal. In fact, it looks better then it may have been before. Mariya, who is better, smiles. "Wow, if I hadn't seen this place before, I wouldn't have believed it to be a wreck." She says.

"Exactly." Axel says, taking her hand.

Mario stretches a bit with a yawn. "Alright, so I guess the next step is getting people to move here. Any ideas on how to do that, because I'm no expert on immigration."

"Well, we can let people know that there's a heartless-free world out there that they can move to if they wish." Mariya says. "We'll let the other world leaders know to tell their people if they wish."

"Sounds like a plan," Mario states. "Might not hurt to look for shopkeepers for the marketplace first, though. And maybe we should also look for a 'public face' to occupy the castle."

Mariya nods. "And they have to be okay with the nobodies." Mariya says.

"Yeah," Mario states. "Hm...you think Erik would be up for it?"

"Maybe." Mariya says.

"Hm...I think he'll be the best candidate," Mario states. "He's helped me with the Nobodies for the last three years, so he's already used to them, I would think."

Mariya nods. "We'll let it up to him. If he says no...I guess we can look threw the head knight applications and see if any of them would be okay with them."

Mario nods. "Well, I guess I'll head back to Radiant Garden for now. Wouldn't hurt, after being gone for several days." He then opens a portal and steps through.

{Mario to Radiant Garden}

Xildus, meanwhile, is at the spire of the castle, looking over the entire village and the realms surrounding.

Mariya and Axel stay behind, and go to the castle.