 In actuality , Peach has been kidnapped by the Secret Society of X @-@ Nauts ( " X @-@ Nauts " for short ) , a group led by Sir Grodus that are also searching for the Crystal Stars . While held captive , Peach uses e @-@ mail via the main base 's computer , TEC , to inform Mario about the quest and consequently help him to attain all 7 Crystal Stars and locate the treasure . However , the " treasure " is actually the Shadow Queen , a demon responsible for the ancient cataclysm that destroyed the original town 1 @,@ 000 years ago . The X @-@ Nauts had kept Peach so that her body could be possessed by the Shadow Queen in a bid to recover her full power . This happens , but the arcane power of the Crystal Stars is then used to separate Peach from her possessor . The game ends when Mario defeats the Shadow Queen and returns home with Peach . 
