Saturday, May 10, 2014

Paper Mario: Prologue -- A Plea from the Stars -- Part 3

As you head east from the crater where Peach's Castle once was, you'll notice the sky growing darker and shooting stars falling to the ground. Take the lower path to a small house. It's home to a fortune-teller, Merluvlee, and Merlow, who will trade badges in exchange for Star Pieces. He's upstairs. Go back and go up the higher path. The path spirals around the hill to Shooting Star Summit. Go to the left for a Star Piece, then right to reach the Summit.

The seven Star Spirits are waiting for Mario. They tell Mario that they grant the wished of good people. They ignored Bowser's selfish wishes, so he invaded Star Haven, stole Star Rod, which grants any wish. He's currently content with his wishes, but may wish for more. The Star Rod must be returned and the Star Spirits need Mario's help to do so. Mario's not strong enough to deal with Bowser now. He must save the Star Spirits, who will give him their power to defeat Bowser. Their strength fading, they tell Mario that they're held by Bowser's followers in the Mushroom Kingdom. They disappear. Goombario's worried about Peach.

High in the sky, Peach is worried and wishes for help. Bowser and Kammy Koopa appear, telling her that Mario can't reach them and that no wishes will be granted. Bowser says it serves them right for mistreating the Koopas. They tell her she shouldn't cause trouble, then leave. Soon after, there's a tapping on Peach's balcony window. A small Star Kid flies in. His name is Twink and he came from Star Haven to grant her wish. Peach asks him to take back the Star Rod or carry her out of the castle, but these wishes are too much for a novice Star Kid. He needs an easier wish. She asks him to find Mario and give him the Lucky Star. This he can do. She also wants Mario to know she's fine and he shouldn't worry. Twink flies off.

Mario leaves Shooting Star Summit and heads west to Toad Town when Twink bonks him on the head. He's happy to have found Mario and gives him the Lucky Star. This allows Mario to use Action Commands, timed button presses that allow Mario and his partners do extra damage in battle. Each attack has its own Action Command, which appears at the bottom of the screen when you select the attack. For the jump and Headbonk attacks, press (A) just before landing. For the hammer, hold the Control Stick left until the red star button lights up, then release it. If executed correctly, you'll see the word "NICE" appear. To reduce damage from enemy attacks, press (A) before the enemy lands the attack. Practice the Action Commands as much as you need.

A Magikoopa appears, saying he followed Twink here. He wants to defeat Mario for fame and to impress Kammy Koopa. It has 8 HP and gives you 15 SP. It will shoot magic at you, so guard with (A). After the battle, Twink says he'll stay by Peach's side, giving Mario her message. She's fine, but lonely. Go into Toad Town.

In Toad Town, a Toad tells Mario that Merlon has been looking for him. He lives in the house with the spinning roof. Go over to the house and knock twice. Merlon knocks Mario over when he opens the door. He lets Mario into his house and tells him that he, Merlon, is a wizard. He tells Mario a long story that relates to what is currently happening, but Mario falls asleep and most of the story is cut off. He can help Mario in his adventure by telling him where to go for a small fee. Right now, Mario must go to the Koopa Bros. Fortress to the east. Leave Merlon's house and try to go east. There are four Toads with black caps blocking the road. They discourage him from leaving and said it would be bad for them, or him if he asked Merlon. Go back to Merlon's house and talk to him directly, instead of across the table. Merlon is perplexed that strange Toads would block his path, so he goes outside to investigate. Follow Merlon to the Toads and stand between them. Merlon uses magic to reveal that the Toads are really the Koopa Bros. They run off to their fortress. Merlon tells Mario that to get to the fortress, he will need the help of a Koopa with a blue shell. With that cryptic clue, head east to start a new chapter.

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