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Pressured

Summary:

“Her magic is powerful, and she'll throw all sorts of magic powders at you. After Vivian left the trio, she pressured Doopliss into filling the third spot.”
- Beldam's second log entry in the remake

Notes:

I opted to write this in script format (like Paper Crump: Exalted Exile) because I wanted to focus on the dialogue first and foremost. And to hopefully get me back in the swing of things for Paper Crump... I haven't forgotten about it, don't worry.

Work Text:

In Twilight Town, Beldam and Marilyn stand in the bushes, looking for any sign of their sister.

Beldam: Vivian is SO very late! Where has that scatterbrain been all this time?

Marilyn: Guhhhh…

Just then, a figure rushes by them—Doopliss. Not that they know that. Teleporting ahead of the dashing Duplighost, Marilyn grabs his arms as Beldam ties him up with a rope.

Marilyn: Guh, guh?

Beldam: Of course I'm sure, Marilyn. Now hush!

The tied-up Doopliss can't do much but hop around.

Doopliss: Let me go, Slick!

Beldam: Slick? YOU'RE not very slick, Vivian. What a tacky costume!

Beldam throws his hat to the ground. 

Beldam: Did you REALLY think you could get out of a punishment?!

Doopliss: Vivian?

Beldam places her hand on Doopliss's bare head. 

Beldam: OK Marilyn, let's see who this really is!

She tries to pull off the sheet.

Doopliss: OW! That hurts, you know!

Beldam's hand snaps back in surprise.

Beldam: Ugh, this is just some freak. The wrong freak.

Marilyn: Guh.

Beldam: Just…untie him. We HAVE to find Vivian.

Free, Doopliss grabs his hat off the ground. But as he begins to walk away, he stops dead in his tracks. 

Doopliss: Wait… You two look sorta like Mario's girlfriend. 

Beldam: G-Girl…GIRLFRIEND?!

Beldam is furious. Doopliss gulps. 

Doopliss: Uhhh… It was self-defense! Yeah! She broke into my home and helped Mario beat me up! And then they nabbed my star!

Beldam: Did you say Mario?

Doopliss: You're only just noticing? Everyone thinks he's all that around here! Of course those lameos do. 

Doopliss sighs. Beldam looks as if she could explode.

Doopliss: I miss being him…

Beldam: Mwehehehehehehe… Oh, yes… Once I succeed in my goals, I'll have a far bigger punishment in store for you, Vivian… 

Doopliss: And Mario too, yeah?

Beldam: Oh…hehehehe. He won't live to see it!

Doopliss: That's a bit much...

Beldam: How? Don't you want revenge for what he did to you? 

Doopliss: Duh! I just think you could get more creative with the whole thing. Open your mind a bit!

Beldam: You can do whatever you want to him…if you join us, that is.

Beldam moves closer to Doopliss, her grin larger than usual.

Doopliss: Who even are you?

Beldam: It's not like I care who you are. So why don't we have it both ways, hmm?  

Doopliss: I, uh… Need to use the bathroom…?

Without a word, Marilyn grabs him again. Beldam starts charging up a spell.

Doopliss: Fine, fine! I'll join! Jeez, take a chill pill.

Beldam: That's it, you freak-in-a-sheet! Welcome to the Three Shadows. You will be oh so very useful to us…

Doopliss: Can we just leave this lousy town already, Slick?


In the X-Naut Fortress, the Two Shadows (and One Duplighost) are meeting with Grodus. 

Grodus: Where is Vivian? And what is…that thing?

Beldam: Mwehehe… Well you see, Grodus… That is Vivian's true form.

Doopliss: What? I'm Doopliss. DOOPLISS.

Beldam: And that is his true name!

Grodus: So, you're saying that your sister Vivian is actually some shapeshifter with no relation to you named…Doopliss?

Beldam: Yes, sir!

Grodus is silent for a moment.

Grodus: Is there anything else you're hiding from me, Beldam?

Beldam: N-No? Of course not!

Grodus: I will ask you again. Where. Is. VIVIAN?!

Beldam: With…Mario.

Grodus's staff falls out of his hands. 

Beldam: Mwe…he…heh.

As Beldam slowly backs away, Grodus picks up his staff, pointing it straight at her face.

Grodus: How DARE you lose one of your own to the enemy, witch!

Beldam: You don't need to worry, your grace! That traitor knows nothing of our plans. He— She's so dumb, she doesn't even know where this base is!

Marilyn: Guh huh?

Beldam: You don't need to know either, Marilyn!

Grodus: Fine, then. You're more incompetent than I thought. I suppose it was the right call sending Lord Crump down to Rogueport. He'll be going after Mario this time.

Doopliss: Then what are we supposed to do? I didn't sign up to watch paint dry.

Beldam: Well, the Superbombomb's still missing—

Grodus: You lost that, too?!

Beldam: V-Vivian did! So it won't happen again! I swear!

Beldam braces herself, but Grodus stays still.

Grodus: Lord Crump will be cleaning up your mess later. By then, there should only be one Crystal Star up for the taking. Don't disappoint me. 

As Grodus glances at Beldam, Beldam turns her focus to Doopliss. 

Doopliss: We won't.