Welcome, hero. My name is Merlumina. I am a dormant soul... I have waited long to give you the Pure Heart. Yes, I have been waiting for 1,500 years. Your presence here must mean that all worlds have begun to collapse.

Merlumina: We knew it had to be stopped. Our greatest minds devised a grand plan to stop the tragedy before it happened. We needed something with the pure essence of love to confront this chaos. Researchers set to work...and they created the Purity Heart. We divided the Puirty Heart into eight pieces and hid them in different dimensions. We hid them for their own protection, waiting for the day the hero would arrive. Everything was going as planned...or so it seemed. But the wheels of destiny began to spin wildly out of control. It began with a very small incident... At that time, I was young and quite beautiful... It started the day I met two very fetching young men. And, you see, my life set sail toward a maelstrom of love. You see, I asked one out, but... However... It was...well, you know... Basically...it... And then, I said... And he said... And then... ............................................................ .................................................................... .................................................................... [Mario falls asleep. Later that day...] Merlumina: .................................................................... .................................................................... .................................................................... And THAT is why we hope the Purity Heart will have the power to defeat chaos. To save all worlds, we must find the eight Pure Hearts that form the Purity Heart.

And that is all I have to say on the matter. Were you listening carefully? [Mario wakes up, then nods] Excellent... I did tell the short version, so I wasn't sure if you would fully understand. It is up to you to find the Pure Hearts, for they are our last and only hope. Go forth, hero, and save the worlds... We are all depending on you!