Showing posts with label Count Bleck. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Count Bleck. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Super Paper Mario -- Chapter 8-4: Tippi and Count Bleck

A frigid wind blew through the dim and draft corridors of Castle Bleck. Bowser, Peach... and even brave Luigi were gone. Mario was the only hero left. It was up to Mario to stop the dark prophecy. Every world hung in the balance. What thrilling conclusion awaited our hero? Mario ran to the count's inner sanctum, his mustache fluttering in the breeze...

Tippi says it's just her and Mario now, which reminds her of the time they first met. She apologizes, saying she promised to help Mario find his friends, who are now gone forever. Mario disagrees. Tippi thinks he may be right that they survived. They are heroes and she's going to believe in them, and HIM most of all.

In Castle Bleck's Inner Sanctum, you'll find Coptas, Poison Pokeys, and Cursyas. You'll also find some Mushrooms in item blocks. Go through the door and you'll find Magiblots and no way out. Use Tippi's power to find a hidden door. In this room, you'll find rising platforms, along with Parabuzzies and Spiky Parabuzzies. You'll come to a dead end. Flip to find a path around the tall platforms, then go through the door.

There are infinite platforms in this room. In the middle of the room, when you reach solid ground, flip to find a pipe. Flip and use Dottie to shrink to pass through a tiny hole in the wall. This leads to a chest with a key. Return to the infinite platforms to unlock the door. The door leads to a room with many Mega Muths, with 200 HP and 8 attack. Some of them are in 3D.

Go through the door and you'll find a hallway that dead-ends. Flip and you'll see several doorways to your right and left. These lead to different hallways, some with items and most with enemies. From the door, go right four times to find a chest with a Shooting Star. From the door, go left once to find a door.

From the door, take the first right to find a chest with a Super Shroom Shake. To reach the next door, from the door, go left three times. In the next set of hallways, take the first right, then the second right, then walk backwards to take the first right to find a chest with an Ultra Shroom Shake. Go through the first right to reach a door. The door leads to some stairs with an Ultra Shroom in an item block and a Save Block. When you're ready, go through the door.

Tippi feels something powerful on the other side of the door and she thinks it may be the Chaos Heart. Count Bleck and Nastasia are here. "Bleh heh heh heh heh... I see you've come at last! So you really are the hero of the Light Prognosticus. But you are far too late to stop the Dark Prognosticus and me... Count Bleck! All worlds will soon end. Come to grips with that now, for you cannot stop it. I suggest you make yourself comfortable and enjoy this one, final spectacle!" Tippi asks why he wants to destroy everything and how could he do this. "Count Bleck does not care about any world! They are all meaningless. Better that I destroy them! Better yet, I shall make it as if they never existed at all!" Tippi asks Blumiere if their meeting was meaningless as well. "You know the answer, dear Timpani... Count Bleck does not have to tell you... But the hour has grown too late. You should know that by now." Tippi knows the only want to stop this is to defeat him, which is why she and Mario are here. "BLEH HEH HEH HEH! BLECK! Very well! But I will also do what I must! Count Bleck is the deleter of worlds! My fate is written in the Dark Prognosticus. Do not think for a moment that I will hesistate to strike you down. ALL NOW ENDS! Leave me, Nastasia! I will deal with these two ALONE." Nastasia tries to object, but he says, "Count Bleck demands it! I will not say it again." Nastasia leaves and he continues, "Are you prepared, hero? Our duel will be worthy of the last clash the world will ever see!"

Count Bleck has 150 HP and 8 attack. He shoots out blasts of dark energy. He's also invincible, guarded by a shield of the Chaos Heart. "How laughable! Is that all the heroism you can muster? Let me show you true power! You can't so much as tug on the cape of Count Bleck! You have failed! Bleck! I expected more potency from the hero of the prophecy! I will watch your game end, and then your precious worlds will end soon after!" He prepares a huge energy blast. Tippi wonders if this is the end. Someone asks if they're giving up already? It's Bowser, telling Mario to man up, as he never gives up this easily when he attacks his castle. "Bleh heh heh heh heh heh... So you ARE alive, then!" Peach and Luigi show up. Peach says they'll never let him destroy everything. Luigi says they won't let him get away with this and that they're not giving up. Count Bleck will never win. Tippi asks how they got here. Bowser fell through the floor before the ceiling could crush him. Peach landed on Bowser, which was a surprisingly soft landing. Luigi doesn't know what happened, but Peach found him unconscious. He's ready to defeat Count Bleck. Bowser says Count Bleck will have to deal with all of them.

"Bleh heh heh heh heh heh... 'When the four heroes are united...' It is all as foretold." Light flashes. "What... What's this?" The heroes start glowing. Peach asks what's happening to Count Bleck. Pure Hearts appear around him and shatter the Chaos Heart's barrier. "Bleh heh heh heh... huh?! My barrier... is gone?!" Tippi quotes Merlee, saying, "Four heroes unite, their hope burns forth light to shatter the walls of blight." "So be it... says Count Bleck! But don't celebrate just yet. Your precious worlds aren't safe until my last breath! Let us finally end this! Now the true battle beings... with Count Bleck!"

You can now damage Count Bleck and select from the four heroes. Count Bleck likes to move around and flip to change his location. Hop on the platforms to reach him. You'll want to stomp him, then get out of the area to avoid any attacks he has up his sleeve. He can summon a black hole that will slow you down and do a lot of damage if you get caught up in it. Run away from it until it goes away.

When you defeat him, he says, "BLEHHHH!" The Chaos Heart disappears, then reappears near the floor. Count Bleck appears near it, looking worn out. "Ex... Excellent..." Nastasia appears near the count. He says, "You have won... Now finish Count Bleck. Dispatch me and the Chaos Heart will disappear. The prophecy will be undone..." Tippi asks why it has to end like this. "Timpani... when you vanished, I searched long for you. I never gave up looking... I searched and searched... But I never found you. Without you, the world had no meaning or joy... So I used the forbidden prophecy of the Tribe of the Ancients to end all worlds. I wanted to destroy everything that had taken you away from me..." Tippi says that she's here now and none can keep them apart anymore. "It is too late. Count Bleck has done so much evil... It must end. Just knowing that you are still alive... And knowing that the world you still live in will continue... It gives me peace. I do not have long to live. You must end my game before The Void destroys all..." Tippi protests that they're together again.

Nastasia looks shocked and tells Count Bleck to look out. She's hit by a familiar-looking blast. "Na-Nastasia!" Someone calls her a silly assistant for absorbing the attack to protect the count. They call it an adorably hopeless gesture. It's Dimentio, saying he was about to give the count the everlasting peace he desperately wants. Tippi is shocked that Dimentio's alive. He says this is his moment. Even if the count dies, the Chaos Heart won't disappear if he continues to control it. He needed the Pure Hearts to beat Count Bleck, something he couldn't do on his own. Instead, he has the heroes do all the sweaty labor for him and they even used up the Pure Hearts to defeat the count. If they make greeting cards to thank people for helping with evil plans, he owes them one. Now, none of them hold any value, so he's ending their games. He tells Mr. L that they're all his. He snaps his fingers and Luigi starts flapping his arms against his control. A sprout appears on his head and he says, "I AM MR. L! Master Dimentio, what is your bidding?" Dimentio explains he sent Luigi here after planning a seed in his unconscious, which has now sprouted. He sends Luigi off to prepare for his big entrance. Dimentio takes the Chaos Heart, saying, "Get ready for the greatest magic show you'll ever see!" Both are absorbed into the darkness. Someone says "GREEEEEEN!" Something gigantic appears with Luigi's head and feet and Dimentio's torso. Dimentio explains that the Dark Prognosticus says Luigi's the ideal host for the Chaos Heart and he added his own power to the concoction. "No... Stop!" says Count Bleck. Dimentio makes Count Bleck, Tippi, and Nastasia disappear, saying he'll squeeze the life out of them later. He tells them to wait in the dimension he sent them to. He enters the robot, saying the Chaos Heart is his. He'll destroy all worlds, create perfect new ones, and become king of all worlds.

The platforms in the room start moving and making faces. This is Super Dimentio, with 200 HP and 6 attack, but he's invincible right now. He'll target the heroes and either land on them or shoot at them. Keep moving so he can't hit you. He can also punch you. The platforms also shoot at you, so be careful. After a while, Super Dimentio announces it's destruction time and he'll begin with the heroes as they wallow in helplessness like upside-down turtles. He calls out, "L-POWER!"

On Flopside Tower, Merlon says the worlds are trembling. He wonders if the end is nigh. Norlem calls this unfortunate. The worlds that the heroes have visited start warping. In Dimension D, where Dimentio sent Tippi, Count Bleck, and Nastasia, Tippi says they have to do something to save Mario and the others. "We cannot. Without the Pure Hearts, there is not way to counter the Chaos hHEart. All we can do is give up." Tippi is shocked that Count Bleck would give up after promising long ago that they would find happiness together. She asks if it was just a lie. "It was no lie. But without the Pure Hearts, all worlds are doomed. What can we do?" Tippi tells Blumiere to snap out of it, asking how he can think that after they've suffered apart from each other. They found each other because they stayed alive, so she can't believe he'd admit defeat. She's not giving up because he promised they'd find happiness. Someone says Tippi's right. Mimi and O'Chunks flip in. "My minions... How did you find us here?" Mimi says they followed his smile. O'Chunks says that Nastasia said they'd be here. "Nastasia..." O'Chunks says Nastasia sacrificed herself to save him. He also promised the count his life and will live up to that promise. Both he and Mimi want to help, declaring their loyalty. "My... My loyal minions..." Black hearts appears, then reveal themselves to be Pure Hearts. "Hmm... What's this? Pure... Hearts?! But why?" Tippi explains that they are the feeling of our souls. As long we feel love, they live on. Tippi says she'll take them to Mario.

Dimentio says they should stop wasting time and finish this. Lights flash and the Pure Hearts surround Super Dimentio. He thought the heroes wasted them fighting Count Bleck. Super Dimentio is no longer invincible and the heroes are fully healed. Tippi rejoins them, saying the Pure Hearts have given them power. Now that you can attack, attack the head. Once you defeat him, he asks how they did it. He wonders how he could lose with the power of the Chaos Heart and Luigi. He asks if the prophecy has been undone. Peach says the prophecy was wrong all along. Bowser says Dimentio believed in the prophecy and they believed in mopping the ground with him. Tippi says nothing is decided entirely by fate and that everyone can choose their destinies. She bids him farewell. They'll add a footnote about his failure to the prophecy. Dimentio says this isn't finished. They can't stop this or escape. He has one last surprise. Super Dimentio spits out the Chaos Heart and Luigi. Luigi wonders what he's doing there. The Chaos Heart disappears.

Count Bleck, Mimi, and O'Chunks appear. "So it seems the end of all worlds is really upon us..." Tippi asks if defeating Dimentio wasn't enough to stop it. "I thought the Chaos Heart would disappear if the person controlling it fell... Dimentio... must have left behind a shadow of his power to continue controlling it. It won't last long... but it may be enough to ensure the end of every world..." Bowser asks what they should do now. "There is only one thing left that we can do." Count Bleck summons a large, cracked door. "This way!"

The door leads to the alter where the wedding ceremony between Peach and Bowser was performed. Count Bleck asks, "Timpani... Do you still... Do you still love me?" Tippi says she does. "Then you must come with me." O'Chunks asks what they're doing and he explains, "We will use the Pure Hearts again, this time to banish the Chaos Heart. All we need is true love... And that is something I am lucky enough to possess... But... With the Chaos Heart gone, the Pure Hearts and those linked to them... They may cease to exist." Mimi doesn't want him to go away. "All of this is my fault. It is my price to pay. I do not have long to live anyway. But you, Timpani... It pains me to know this may cut your game short... Still... There is no other way to end this." Tippi understands. "Timpani..." She says nothing else matters as long as they are together.  The ground shakes violently. Luigi announces that the end is happening. "We must go, Timpani..." Tippi agrees. They fly up to the alter, where the Chaos Heart is. "There were so many things I wanted to say to you.. but I could not find the words." Only one thing matters to Tippi: she never got to return his question. She asks if he loves her. "Of course... I have thought about you every moment since you disappeared... But I have caused you so much suffering..." Tippi says her life would have been more carefree if she hadn't met him. "But I had to be with you, Timpani. I will never apologize for that..." Tippi knows that and says she loves him. "And I love you, Timpani... Hundreds of thousands of years from now, that fact will not have changed..." Pure Hearts surround the Chaos Heart and engulf it. The world starts shaking. Bowser wonders if they're too late. Luigi hears something. They all hear bells chiming. The ground stops shaking. Peach says the bells are giving their blessing to Tippi and Bleck. In the worlds they've visited, The Void slowly disappears and the worlds are restored, including the Sammer Kingdom.

Blumiere: Timpani... do you remember the promise we made to each other that day?
Timpani: Yes, I remember...
Blumiere: If there was a place where we could be happy together, we would find it. Will you come with me to that place now?
Timpani: Blumiere... Of course... I will always be with you...

Back on Flipside Tower, Luigi wakes up Mario. Mimi, Nastasia, and O'Chunks are with the heroes. Nastasia wakes up, thrilling O'Chunks.  Peach draws their attention to the sky, where The Void is closing. Someone says it's a sign that the Prophecy of Destruction has not come to be. Merlon appears, saying all worlds have been saved. He thanks them for a job well done. He looks around, wondering where Tippi is. Mario explains what happened. Merlon accepts that she is gone under the guidance of the Pure Hearts. Peach wonders what happened to Count Bleck and Tippi and Merlon thinks they were lost when the prophecy was nullified. Nastasia disagrees, saying they're alive, fulfilling their old vows after overcoming time. She starts crying that she's all alone. O'Chunks agrees they're alive but says she shouldn't shame the count by crying. Mimi says they're still together, so they can build the count's world. Nastasia agrees that the count wouldn't approve of her crying. She also wants to create the count's world of love and not war. She suggests they pencil in an appointment for hope. Merlon comments on how farewells are bittersweet, but unavoidable. To feel sadness is to live, but the future is a blank page. After that profound musing, Merlon announces that he is hungry. He asks Saffron to make some snacks. Bowser likes this plan and starts heading for the elevator with the minions. The bros and the Pixl leave as well. Peach starts to leave, but stops when Merlon mumbles something. He wonders if Lady Timpani is truly happy. Peach says she is. Merlon agrees and they leave to get some snacks.

So the dark prophecy was averted and peace reigned. The Dark Prognosticus again faded into history... Count Blumiere and his love, Lady Timpani, both vanished. Where did the pair go? None know. And so the story of the lost book of prophecies comes to an end... May we meet again in another time and place...

Roll credits! After the credits roll, you'll see Lady Timpani and Count Blumiere, standing in a field together near a tree.

Friday, September 12, 2014

Super Paper Mario -- Interlude After Chapter 7

In Castle Bleck, the count is stunned by a report. "WHAT?! ... Spat Count Bleck in utter disbelief. Surely this news cannot be true! The heroes still live?" Dimentio tells him, in a sing-song voice that it's true and the heroes will be here before long. O'Chunks wonders why they're just sitting there. He suggest throwing the heroes a welcome party. He'll bring the punch. Mimi wants to party with the party poopers. She and O'Chunks leave. Dimentio's not one to miss a party, so he prepares to leave. Before he does, he asks Count Bleck if the name "Blumiere" rings a bell. "Where did you hear that name, Dimentio?!" Dimentio explains that the mustache man's Pixl kept talking about needing to stop Blumiere. He supposes there's no reason to mind the ramblings of a Pixl and leaves. Nastasia reminds Count Bleck that there's still time to stop the prophecy from destroying everything if the Pixl is who Count Bleck thinks it is. If she's really alive, Nastasia says he has to stop all of this. "You know not what you are saying, Nastasia. The prophecy can no longer be stopped by Count Bleck. No one can stop it. Nastasia agrees with what he's saying, but says she must be away, calling him Lord Blumiere. "Bleh heh heh heh heh... The man known as Blumiere died long ago. Now there is only Bleck! The Dark Prognosticus's choice to fulfill the prophecy! Nothing more!" Nastasia tried to interject, but Count Bleck interrupts with, "Come to Count Bleck, heroes... If you hope to save these worlds, then come... BLEH HEH HEH HEH! BLECK!"

We now present the final episode of our serial drama of Timpani and Blumiere.
Blumiere's Father: Blumiere, my son, don't! Even your ancestors could not handle that dark book... If you open it, there's not telling what might happen!
Blumiere: I do not care, Father! A world without her is empty. A LIFE without her is empty. Speak, Dark Prognosticus! Teach your dark history. I await your command! BLEH HEH HEH! BLECK!
Father: Blumiere... What have you done?
Blumiere: Silence! The first prophecy beckons. I will erase every inch... of this blasted world!
Father: Blu-Blumiere! Don't do this! Blumiere!
Bleck: Blumiere is no more! I am Count Bleck! And no one shall stand in my way! BLEH HEH HEH! BLECK!

Something crumbles as Tippi says, "No, Blumiere! You musn't. Darling, how could you? Why?" Luigi tells her to snap out of it. Peach thought Tippi went back to town, but they found her lying there, not moving. She then started shouting loudly. Tippi says she's fine and apologizes. Peach asks if Blumiere's a person's name and if she remembered something from her past. Tippi says it's nothing. Luigi suggests that they tell Merlon that they found the last Pure Heart.

Back at Merlon's, Merlon says they've gathered all the Pure Hearts and the four heroes. Bowser says they'll just stomp Count Bleck and call it a day. Peach fears for the people who worry when they look at the sky. She wants them to act quickly and ease their hearts and minds. Merlon asks Tippi what troubles her. Tippi asks if they have to destroy Count Bleck to stop the prophecy. Merlon says that much of the prophecy has already come to pass, but they still must stop it. Count Bleck summoned the Chaos Heart and brought on this peril. Without him, the prophecy's power withers and all worlds avoid their ends. Tippi guesses she always knew that. Luigi asks what's the matter. Merlon asks if there was anything between her and Count Bleck, but she denies it. Merlon says to find the Heart Pillar, then go to the black tower in Flipside.

Go to the second floor outskirts of Flopside and go right to find the Heart Pillar. Even though the Pure Heart is white, it makes a large black and purple door appear on the top of Flopside Tower. Nolrem says the last door is there and that he'll wait for them there. He says to prepare themselves and meet him there. Go there to start the final chapter. Before I do, there are two things I want to take care of first.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Super Paper Mario -- Interlude After Chapter 6

In Castle Bleck, Nastasia informs Count Bleck that Dimentio reported that Mr. L was insubordinate by taking on a hero-fighting initiative. She accepts full responsibility and says her administrative breakdown allowed it to occur. "I see, remarked Count Bleck... Well, what is done is done. This prophecy will not be fulfilled without sacrifice." Nastasia reports that Mimi also left the castle. "Did she, now? Well, Count Bleck will leave you to dispense the minion discipline." Nastasia remarks that Count Bleck seems different. She asks if he got a new monocle or if something happened. "Count Bleck feels fine... Leave me..." She leaves, and he monologues, "......Could that Pixl have been... Timpani?" He shakes his head, saying, "No, no completely impossible. I should know that better than anyone. Besides, it's far too late to do anything now. The prophecy has been set in motion and no one, not even I can stop it. No one can stop this now..." He leaves after referring to himself in the first person.

We now return to our serial drama of Timpani and Blumiere.
Blumiere: Timpani! What did you do with her? I must see her!
Blumiere's Father: Still your tongue, Blumiere... Can't you see you've been duped by a dirty human? You have brought shame to my name... and to the entire Tribe of Darkness!
Blumiere: And so what if I did? That doesn't matter to me! She's my entire world!
Father: Well, then it will interest you to know... that she no longer resides in this world.
Blumiere: What... What do you mean by that?!
Father: This is the price those who resist their own fate must pay, my son.
Blumiere: She... No... It can't be so!
Father: Someday you will see, Son. Our kind and humans must never mix.

The heroes have returned to Flipside. When you're ready, go to see Merlon. He asks if they have the seventh Pure Heart. Tippi asks him to look at it. He asks what happened and Tippi explains that The Void consumed the world and left the Pure Heart like this. Merlon says he can't feel the typical energy from it and says it will do nothing if placed in a Heart Pillar. Tippi asks how they can save him, and everyone, from destruction. Merlon says they must defeat Count Bleck, but they need eight Pure Hearts.

Dimentio appears, saying how forlorn the group of heroes cries. There is no way in this world to restore the Pure Heart, making all their hard work in vain. Bowser remarks that that stinks. Dimentio offers a consolation prize by drawing boxes around Mario, Peach, and Bowser, then sets off explosions in each of them. The three heroes disappear and Merlon freaks out, asking what happened. Tippi asks where they went and Dimentio says he fulfilled their wishes and sent them to the next world. He introduces himself as their enemy who serves Count Bleck and leaves.

Monday, September 1, 2014

Super Paper Mario -- Chapter 6-1: Sammer Guy Showdown

Under the looming shadow of The Void, the world slowly drifted toward demise. But not all hope was lost: two Pure Hearts had yet to be found. Could our daring heroes find them? Or was the world doomed to be devoured? Mario, Peach, and Bowser ventured through the next door to find out.

The door leads to the Sammer's Kingdom, a place of Japanese architecture and music. Tippi notes that The Void is enormous here, much bigger than in Flipside. This dimension is close to destruction, so they must hurry. Go through the door on the right. Heronicus says he yields and is shamed. Someone says that he disgraces his family's honor and that he is an unworthy opponent. It is a man in armor, called a Sammer Guy. He is waiting for the hero of legend to show up, as time is running out. Walk on the stage and he says that the heroes wear crazy clothes. He is Jade Blooper, the guardian of the first gate. He will then battle the hero. Jade Blooper is a normal Sammer Guy who will hack at the heroes with his sword. Stomp on him, use Boomer, or use Bowser's fire breath to defeat him, ideally taking minimal damage.

Once you defeat him, he allows you to go to the next gate. Someone calls the battle splendid and comments on the heroes' performance and exotic garb. He is King Sammer, ruler of the Sammer Guys. He is amused by the heroes' fighting style and shows off his treasure, a Pure Heart. If the heroes defeat his 100 loyal vassals in a tournament, they will prove that they are the true heroes and get the Pure Heart.

Go to the next gate.
2. The next Sammer Guy is Hills With Eyes, a normal Sammer Guy with a sword.
3. Puffing Fist, a normal Sammer Guy with a sword.
4. Squatting Birdo, a normal Sammer Guy with a mace.
5. Leeping Cheep, a spiked normal Sammer Guy with a sword.
6. Master Wiggler, a normal Sammer Guy with a sword.
7. Shoe of Kuribo, normal with a mace.
8. Guy Who Fry, normal with a sword, who jumps.
9. Screaming Mantiss, normal with a mace.
10. Koopa in Winter, a large Sammer Guy with a club, who rolls.
11. Footsteps of Coin, a tiny Sammer Guy with a sword, who moves very quickly.
12. Urchin Lung, normal with a sword.
13. Crow Who Eats, normal with a sword, who creates shockwaves with his sword.
14. Swollen Tongue, spiked normal with a mace.
15. Slipping Grip, normal with a sword,who jumps.
16. Clammy Hand, normal with a sword, who jumps.
17. Forbidden Slap, normal with a sword, who jumps.
18. Hairy Arantula in the Grass, tiny with a sword, who moves very quickly.
19. Another Castle, normal with a sword, who jumps.
20. Rolling Thwomp, large with a club, who rolls.

After you defeat Rolling Thwomp, the ground shakes and The Void grows even larger. Tippi says they must hurry. "Hurry? Why not pause and savor the show? It is already far too late to stop... Count Bleck! BLEH HEH HEH HEH! BLECK! The prophecy unfolds smoothly, thanks to the Chaos Heart! The light of each world will be snuffed out one by one..." Tippi asks why he would do something so unspeakable. "You QUESTION Count Bleck?! This worthless world's destruction matters not! Far better for Count Bleck to wipe it out of existence than let it remain!" Tippi asks how he can say that, calling him horrible. "Count Bleck scoffs at you! An insignificant Pixl lectures Count Bleck on what is right and wrong?" Tippi calls it wrong and sick, and not up for discussion. She says he can't just erase living things, each with a priceless heart. "Of all things, you defend the heart? Nothing could be more worthless... All things... are meaningless. Aside from Timpani, no treasure mattered in the least to me..." Tippi stutters the name "Timpani". "Speak no more! This world is dying under the monocle gaze of... Count Bleck! But don't let that stop you from trying to find a Pure Heart you'll never acquire! BLEH HEH HEH HEH! BLECK!" Count Bleck leaves, after revealing that he was in love with Timpani, the woman mentioned in the interludes.

Rolling Thwomp leaves to tell King Sammer that the world will go squish soon. You can now pass through the next five gates unhindered, as the ground shakes. At the end, is the star.

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Super Paper Mario -- Interlude After Chapter 4

In Castle Bleck, all of the minions have gathered. Nastasia introduces Mr. L, a new minion from a key competitor. Mr. L's not impressed with the minion quality here and says the other minions were trounced because they were "Junior" quality. This enrages O'Chunks, who says he'll introduce Mr. L to Fist Jr. and his pal Slappie. Mimi says Mr. L was soundly defeated, so maybe he's "Junior" quality. Mr. L says he was scouting his target and that he'll win next time. The heroes shall know the fury of the Green Thunder, but in the meantime, Brobot needs repairs and modifications. He leaves, saying "L-ater!" Though the mad in red shall wield formidable powers, one shall stand against him. The man in green shall use the Chaos Heart's power to bring darkness to all. Bleh heh heh heh heh... So it is written in the Dark Prognosticus," says Count Bleck. Dimentio asks if the "man in green" the prophecy mentioned is the new minion, Mr. L. O'Chunks thinks that makes no sense. "Calm yourself, O'Chunks. Make ready. Count Bleck is sending you on a new mission." This makes more sense to O'Chunks, who says the hero has a hot date with his feet. He leaves. Dimentio calls O'Chunks hot-blooded, which may be something to be admired. He leaves as well. Mimi's upset that she doesn't get to participate this time and leaves.

Nastasia hates to seem like a whistleblower, but trails off saying something about O'Chunks possibly being inadequate. She thinks the other minions may not be up to the task as well. She thinks the hero will collect the Pure Hearts and come here to deal with Count Bleck. "Bleh heh heh heh heh... All is according to plan, Count Bleck assures you." Nastasia says it's strange that Count Bleck was made to destroy the universe, as no one ever cherished it like he once did. "That's quite enough, Nastasia." Nastasia mumbles about something she could have done. "You'd what?" asked Count Bleck. She says things would have been different if only she could have been that girl. Count Bleck shakes his head, saying, "She cannot be replaced. You could never hope to do so, Nastasia."Nastasia apologizes, saying the thought just slipped out. "To be sure... She is gone... Gone from all worlds, never to return..." He leaves and Nastasia lowers her head in disappointment.

We now return to the serial drama of Timpani and Blumiere.
Timpani: What... What are you thinking? There's no possible way... No one would allow it!
Blumiere: If we can't be happy here, we must leave for a place that will accept our love.
Timpani: But, Blumiere, is there such a place? Think... I can't bear to see you hurt again.
Blumiere: If our love has no home... let us spend our lives searching together! So I beg of you again... Timpani, marry me! I promise I will make you happy.
Timpani: You... just won't give up, will you? Of all the crazy... stubborn... foolish men...
Blumiere: Timapni, answer me, please!
Timpani: Blumiere, I love you. Take me away. Take me to a world where we can be happy.

Back in Flipside, Tippi calls the five Pure Hearts they have quite a collection. Bowser says they can't go wrong with the king of all evil on their side. Tippi is grateful and says they owe Squirps. Peach says there's something different about Tippi recently, saying she's more cheerful, which is a nice change. Tippi says she's feeling really good ever since they saved her from Francis and could hang around Mario forever. Merlon asks if they found the Pure Heart in space. Tippi is about to answer, but suddenly flashes, and, in pain, falls to the ground, twitching.

Merlon brings everyone to his house, concerned that Tippi may not maintain her Pixl form much longer. Noting their confusion, he explains that Tippi was not always a Pixl. He found her in her true form, exhausted, barely alive, cursed to wander through dimensions forever. Merlon took a desperate measure and used his ancestors' magic to transform her soul into a Pixl. Tippi lost her memory and Merlon had no idea who she was or where she was from, but knew she was not there by chance. The ground shakes and Merlon says The Void is growing larger and such tremors are common. The situation grows more dire. Merlon wonders if the Light Prognosticus's events really forestall the foretold doom. He'll watch over Tippi while the heroes find the Heart Pillar.

Go to the first floor of Flipside and flip to go to the back area, where the card shop is. Flip the Space Rift on the wall for a switch that reveals a doorway. Flip to go through it and you'll reach the entrance to Mirror Hall. In here are eight switches and stained glass windows of the Ancients. Hit each switch only once, in whatever order. The mirror shatters allowing you to flip through the doorway. Go out through the other door.

The music here is an octave lower. This place looks like a mirror image of Flipside. Flip to leave the Mirror Hall, then flip to go through the left side of the wall. Go into the house on the left side and flip to find Cooking Disk Y on the table. Go up to the second floor and you'll find Merlon wearing a gray robe. He welcomes them, saying he knew they would come eventually. He explains that they are no longer in Flipside because they flip-flopped sides. They are now in Flopside. Because of this, he is not the Merlon they know, but an entirely different version. They can call him Nolrem. The story here was always of two towns, but only he and Merlon know that the other town exists. He says there's a front and a back to all things.

Flopside is similar to Flipside, but its residents seem a little more laid-back and carefree. Flip on the second floor to find Welderberg. He'll charge 300 coins to build a pipe connecting the second floors of Flipside and Flopside. It's a good idea. Go up to the third floor and you'll find a Heart Pillar to the right. This makes a light blue door appear on Flipside Tower. Nolrem delivers a message from Merlon, saying Tippi has been revived and they're waiting on Flipside Tower. Go over there and Tippi says she's feeling better and wants to continue on in the adventure. She says there's no time to stay in bed and she wants to be near Mario. Merlon will not hold her back, as the heroes need the knowledge she possesses. He bids the heroes to take care of her.

Monday, August 18, 2014

Super Paper Mario -- Interlude After Chapter 3

In Castle Bleck, all of Bleck's minions are present. Dimentio explains how he was defeated by the heroes, saying that they're very strong. He thinks they may be able to defy the prophecy. "Spare Count Bleck your theatrics. The Light Prognosticus is false. The Dark Prognosticus holds the answer to eliminating heroes that rise to stop us." Dimentio says it's the first time he's heard something like that and wants more information. "Bleh heh heh heh heh... In due time, Dimentio. In due time. Oh, Nastasia? It's time we set "him" on these pests." Nastasia says she'll take care of that. "Lovely, exclaimed Count Bleck. Return to your posts, my dear minions." The minions hail him and leave. Nastasia mumbles something. "Does something trouble you, Nastasia?" She says there's still time for him to change his mind. "That is enough, Nastasia. We've already come this far, so we shall forge on! But you needn't stay by Count Bleck's side. You can depart with my blessing." She says she'll stay until her game end, as her life was sworn to him since the day he saved her. "If that pleases you..." Both of the leave. Someone says that Nastasia and Count Bleck have such deep conversations. It's Dimentio, wondering what the count is playing at. In the meanwhile, he'll attend to his own projects.

We now return to the story of Timpani and Blumiere.
Blumiere: Timpani, why? Why do you avoid me?
Timpani: Ow... OW! Unhand me!
Blumiere: Huh? You're crying! Why? Timpani, you must tell me what has happened!
Timpani: It's nothing... Don't worry about it... Just forget it...
Blumiere: Oh no... Timpani, is my father behind this?
Timpani: I'm... I'm just an ordinary girl. No matter how much I love you, we must part.
Blumiere: Timpani... I...
Timpani: This is good-bye, Blumiere. There's no other choice. This is our fate...

The heroes return to Flipside through the yellow door. Tippi says things were weird for a while, but they got through it okay. She apologizes, saying what happened was her fault and thanks them. Bowser says she can thank him by staying out of his way. Peach wonders if Bowser is their third hero. Merlon, who has been waiting for them, asks if they found the next Pure Heart. Mario explains that it appeared when they saved Tippi. Merlon finds this interesting, explaining that Fort Francis once was a dwelling of the ancients. He says his ancestors roamed far and wide in their dimensional travels. He quotes the Light Prognosticus, which says that in a castle beyond a great sea, they hid a Pure Heart and sealed it. The seal can only be broken by a powerful pulse of love and trust. Peach thinks they found the Pure Heart because Tippi began to trust them. Merlon says they now have three heroes, but he does not know the identity of the fourth. He'll keep searching. Bowser says with him, they don't need anyone else. Merlon's happy Bowser will help protect the group, when The Void expands. Their time grows ever shorter. Tippi says they must find the next Heart Pillar and Merlon says he'll keep searching through the Light Prognosticus.

Before finding the next Heart Pillar, go back through the yellow door to 3-1. Check the shrub to make the Pixl appear again. He asks if they want to hear the tips again. Tippi says it's not necessary, since she has been saved. He can't believe they defeated Francis, which is huge news. He's glad to have helped, but since there's not need to stay here and give out tips, he has nothing to do now. He decides to join the party, like it or not. He's Barry, who'll create a spiky barrier around the heroes, which can damage enemies and block attacks. Return to Flipside.

Go to the second floor outskirts and you'll find posts to pound with Thudley. Flip to see which posts should be up and which should be down. They should be down, up, down, up, down. This makes a Heart Pillar appear. Place the green Pure Heart in the Heart Pillar and a green door appears on Flipside Tower.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Super Paper Mario -- Interlude After Chapter 2

In Castle Bleck, Nastasia has a brief memo from Mimi, saying, "I messed up bad". "Bleh heh heh heh heh... She failed to best him, even with my gift of power? A Light Prognosticus hero... Descendants of the ancient tribe... Their strength grows," says Count Bleck. O'Chunks wants to whale on the hero again and will defeat them this time. Nastasia asks him if he's finished his report on his own inadequacy. O'Chunks is working on the conclusion, saying his writing takes time and that 1,000 pages is a lot. "O'Chunks, calm yourself. Take a minion time-out. Count Bleck will send... Dimentio! Come to me... Count Bleck!" Dimentio arrives like a sudden windstorm at a kindergarten picnic. "Bleh heh heh heh heh... You'd like some playtime, I imagine, Dimentio? So you shall have it, but do not disappoint Count Bleck. Dispatch this hero." Count Bleck's wish is Dimentio's command and finds the hero to be an amusing challenge. He leaves. Nastasia asks O'Chunks why he's still not writing his report. O'Chunks remembers his task and leaves. Nastasia then informs Count Bleck that she still has to find a few unconverted rogues left in the castle and leaves. "Heroes... Trying to save these pathetic old world. Bleck, says Count Bleck! Bleh heh heh heh heh heh... Their efforts are in vain. No one can stop Count Bleck!" He leaves, then says, "Just as no one can ease the tempest that rages in my suffering heart..."

Somewhere in Castle Bleck, Luigi is lying on the ground. His head hurts and he wonders where he is. He remembers trying to save Peach, but screwed up. Someone asks if he's awake. It's a pair of Goombas. Luigi asks if they're doing alright. The Goombas are okay and say they are glad to see he made it. Under their breath, they say they figured he was done for and he's tougher than he looks. Luigi asks if they've seen Peach or Bowser? The Goombas say he's the only one lying around, but hope they're okay. Under their breath, they ask who cares about his friends. They say other minions were captured and that they're probably next. They wonder under their breaths how Luigi can be so calm when they're behind enemy lines. They want to get out, so they suggest clearing a path, then all of them bailing out. Luigi says he has to save the Princess. The Goombas didn't expect Luigi to say that, after hearing all those stories about the Great Luigi's daring exploits as the defender of the helpless. They have no one else to turn to. Luigi is shocked to learn of this reputation, but says he has no choice and must spring into action, as his fans need him. One Goomba calls him the BEST, then mutters that that was too easy. They'll be right behind him, but mutter that if the going gets rough, they'll bail.

Luigi tells the Goombas to follow him. Go through the door on the left, down the stairs, then through the door on the left. If you talk to the Goombas, they have so interesting things to say, like wishing Peach or Bowser were there. Peach is easier on the eyes and they prefer Bowser over the "Great Dweeb". Keep going left until you reach a dead end. Luigi wonders what to do next. The Goombas say they should look for another way out and mutter that Luigi is useless. If they stay put, they'll be spotted. One of the Goombas, Gary, is brainwashed. Nastasia appears, saying she was looking all over for them. She says Luigi wasn't a team player at the wedding and needs disciplinary action. The other Goomba decides to Goomba up, which involves defecting to the other side. He asks to join Count Bleck. Luigi asks what he's doing and he says he's joining the winning team. Nastasia loves the enthusiasm and tells him to swear his undying allegiance to Count Bleck. He does and Luigi calls him a dirty traitor. Nastasia orders the brainwashed minions to hold Luigi down so she can get his priorities on track. Luigi calls to Mario for help as Nastasia lifts her glasses.

We now return to Timpani and Blumiere.
Timpani: You're late. Did something happen?
Blumiere: Yes, my father caught me. Sneaking out of the castle wasn't easy after that.
Timpani: I was worried you wouldn't come...
Blumiere: You are a strange girl... You know what I am and yet you don't seem afraid.
Timpani: I don't care what you are. I just wanted to see you. Is that... Is that so wrong?
Blumiere: No. No, of course not. I wanted to see you, too.
Timpani: Blumiere... Do you mind if I sit next to you?
Blumiere: Please do, Timpani. Let's return to our conversation. I must know more of you...

Mario and Peach return to Flipside and Merlon welcomes them on the tower. He asks if they found Merlee and the Pure Heart. Tippi tells him that Merlee said they need four heroes' power to save the world. Merlon's surprised they need more than one hero. He says they only need to find two more heroes. The ground starts shaking and The Void grows. Merlon says that time grows short and tells them to seek the next Heart Pillar. He says that one person determines whether the Light Prognosticus or the Dark Prognosticus predicts truly: "the man in green". Merlon doesn't know what that means. It isn't Link.

Go to the first floor and blow up the crack in the wall. Flip to go through it to find another part of Flipside. There's a sparkling zigzag on the wall. Also here is the card shop. You can buy Catch Cards and Card Bags, which contain a random card. You can also sell your cards. Flip to the front part of the first floor and take the elevator to Basement 1 (B1). There's a milk shop where gossip and stories are traded. Flip and go to the left to find the entrance to the Underwhere, an arcade run by the InterChet. Purchase Flipside Tokens to play the games, but you can't turn the Tokens into coins. If you get a good score, you get more Tokens, which can be exchanged for prizes. Go outside and flip to find a chest hidden across the water. It contains the InterNed card. Drop down into the water and swim to the other side of the channel and you'll find a tiny shop and Flim, a guy who has a random assortment of items for sale. Some of them are Caught Cards.

Outside the Underwhere, you'll find an elevator to Basement 2 (B2). Flip and go to the left and you'll find Welderberg in 3D. He forges pipes for getting around. He'll make one for this spot that leads to the base of the tower (Floor 2) if you'll finance it for 100 coins. Go the second floor Flipside Outskirts and you'll find a pipe. This takes you to the first floor Outskirts. To the left is a pipe blocked by brick blocks. Blow them up and go through the pipe. Flip and use Slim to slip through the right wall to find the Heart Pillar. Place the Pure Heart in it to make a yellow door appear on the tower. Go through it to start the next chapter.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Super Paper Mario -- Interlude After Chapter 1

In Castle Bleck, Nastasia asks O'Chunks if the hero stomped him and sent him back here. O'Chunks begs forgiveness and says he failed the count. He's never felt less chunky in his life. "Bleh heh heh heh heh heh... So our hero is real... Yes... A force to be reckoned with... Nastasia, the prophecy. Consult it and learn where the hero will go next... We will lay a devious trap for him and bring him to his very KNEES! BLECK!" Nastasia reports that she sent Mimi to that site for that purpose. "This pleases Count Bleck. Excellent work, Nastasia. I have granted Mimi powers potent enough to ensure that she will obliterate this hero. Yes, he will be helpless against her. I depart! Alert Count Bleck when this "hero" is no more! BLEH HEH HEH HEH! BLECK!" After referring to himself in the first person for once, he flips and leaves. Nastasia will send a memo on that, but she has another item on her agenda: some of Bowser's minions are resisting assimilation, so she's going to squash the resistance. She tells O'Chunks to stay there and think about his recent job performance. This tweaks O'Chunks's chin hairs.

In someplace dark and spooky, Peach lies on the ground. She wakes up, wondering how she ended up napping there. She remembers Count Bleck making her marry Bowser and that Luigi did something. She calls out to both of them, but gets no response. She looks around, asking if anyone's there. Someone says she's the only one left standing of the wedding party. It's a Hammer Bro and a Koopa. They say she finally woke up. Peach asks if they're all right and they say they're fine, but they don't know what happened. The wedding was crazy. They can't find Bowser or the guy with a mustache that may have been wearing a green tuxedo. They don't know where they are now and most of the other minions have been brainwashed by Count Bleck's assistant. Everyone's half nuts and they're not safe here. They must clear the area quickly. The Hammer Bro assigns Private Koopa to escort Peach out of the area, while he goes help his men. Bowser would burn him to a crisp if he left a Koopa behind. He wishes them luck, then hails Bowser.

Private Koopa says they have to evacuate. Go through the door and someone says to give up. Peach and Private Koopa watch from above. Some brainwashed Koopas tell the Hammer Bro there is no hope for escape and that he should hail the glorious count. They tell him to not resist and submit to his rule, which he will love. The Hammer Bro calls this insubordination, as he's their captain. He tells a Koopa named Johnson to drop and give him twenty. Nastasia walks in, saying his orders mean nothing, as they've sworn their eternal allegiance to Count Bleck. She'll pencil him in for a 10 o'clock brainwashing. The Hammer Bro prepares to throw his hammer, saying she's messed with the wrong Koopa, as he serves Bowser. Nastasia slightly lifts her glasses to brainwash him. The Hammer Bro hails Bleck. Nastasia orders them to round up the problem minions who haven't sworn allegiance and they obey readily.

Private Koopa is freaking out that things are going downhill. He can't believe they broke the captain. He says they must clear the area or it's game over. Go left and through the door. Go down the stairs. You can jump and hold (2) to open up the parasol for a controlled descent. You can also hold "Down" on the Control Pad and she'll cover and protect herself with her parasol. Go through the door in the middle, as the one on the far left has enemies on the other side. It leads outside to a dead end. Peach suggests turning around and looking around some more. Nastasia announces that this is a dead end for them. There are brainwashed minions around her. Private Koopa tells Peach to take cover, as he is trained to handle scum like this. Nastasia brainwashes him and he gets a pair of sunglasses. Nastasia calls Peach lucky to survive the wedding explosion. Unfortunately, it's the end of the road for her and she needs to serve Count Bleck. Peach refuses, but Nastasia says her hypno-powers say otherwise. Before Nastasia can brainwash her, Peach disappears, in a familiar manner. That wasn't on Nastasia's schedule. She's pretty calm about it, saying it's not a deal breaker. The prophecy fulfillment is running smoothly without her and it doesn't matter where she runs, as all worlds will soon fall.

Another story is told, solely through words.
Timpani: (I remember that day well... The room was warm. The whole place was at peace.)
Blumiere: Ugh... Uuugh...
Timpani: You're awake at last?
Blumiere: Where... am I? This this... a human's home? Bleccch!
Timpani: Don't wiggle like that. I found you at the cliff base. You took quite a fall.
Blumiere: You're a human, correct? I don't... repulse you? I am of the Tribe of Darkness...
Timpani: Why would that matter? Anyone with a heart would not ignore an injured soul!
                (That was the day our paths crossed. That day... That was the day our tragedy was set in motion.)

Back in Flipside, Mario appears from the red door. Now that he has a Pure Heart from that area, he can visit specific sections in that chapter. Merlon is standing on the tower, saying they returned quickly. He can tell it went well. He'll meet Mario in his house for the details. Before going to Merlon's house, go to the first floor, to the shop with a sign with a pot on it. This is Saffron's Sweet Smiles. She can cook for you, but only one ingredient at a time. Give her a Fire Burst to cook and she'll make some Spicy Soup. Since it's a new recipe, she'll add it to the list. Go to Merlon's house and he'll say the Pure Heart Mario found is truly a piece of the Purity Heart. Tippi says Merlumina gave it to them. Merlon says she was one of his ancestors who wrote the Light Prognosticus to counteract the Dark Prognosticus. His ancestors also built this town, which is why the residents are here. A resident interrupts, stammering that a girl fell out of the sky. Merlon must come up to see her. Merlon suggests that Mario come along. Take the elevator to the third floor.

The resident says the girl fell out of nowhere. Peach is lying on the ground. Merlon doesn't recognize her, but Mario is startled. He explains the situation to Merlon, who says she had a rough time and is unconscious and shivering uncontrollably. Merlon tells Mario to go to Saffron's on the first floor for a warm, revitalizing recipe so they can question Peach when she revives. Give Peach the Spicy Soup and she wakes up, saying she dreamed about eating the most delicious food. She's happy to see Mario and asks where they are and who everyone is. Merlon takes them back inside his house.

Peach tells them what happened to her, which Merlon calls a tale of woe and troubles. She wonders about Luigi and Bowser, but concludes there's no way to know. Tippi wonders what to do next. Merlon says one Pure Heart leads to the next and that there are more Heart Pillars in Flipside. If a Pure Heart is set into a Heart Pillar, the door the world with the next Pure Heart appears. He mentions that this one may lead to the mysterious Merlee, one of the ancients, who is like his long-lost cousin. Like Bestovius, she guards an ancient, secret treasure, which may be a Pure Heart. The Light Prognosticus speaks of her magical powers. Peach asks about finding her and Merlon asks if she's going along. He says not to tax herself as she only just recovered. Peach won't sit here and let everyone else go off. She says that The Void is her fault, and Bowser's. Her mind's made up and she joins the party, so you can now control her. Tippi says they need to find the next Heart Pillar. Merlon finds it refreshing to see such a headstrong princess. He gives them the Old Key, which unlocks something in town. There are secrets in Flipside that even Merlon doesn't know about and he thinks this key can help uncover one of them. He thinks it can be used near his house. In the meanwhile, he'll continue reading the Light Prognosticus for clues.

Go outside Merlon's house. You can switch characters on the menu screen or on the quick menu screen by pressing (1) and (2) simultaneously. While Peach can slow her fall, she can't flip. If you're in 3D and switch to her, you'll flip back to 2D. Flip outside Merlon's house and you'll find a locked gate in front of the elevator to the tower. Unlock it, go through it, then flip and go to the outskirts of town. Take the pipe to the right to the First Floor Outskirts, then drop down the first gap to the left. You'll find a spring and two chests, one with a Merluvlee card and the other with a Merlon card. Spring back up and walk to the left. Flip to go out farther, then flip so you can reach the sign on top of the rocks. Switch to Peach, then jump and hover to the right until you reach the Heart Pillar. The orange gears from the orange Pure Heart make an orange door appear. Go through it to start the next chapter.

Monday, August 4, 2014

Super Paper Mario -- Chapter 1-1: The Adventure Unfolds

To start the chapter, go through the red door.

Somewhere in Count Bleck's lair, Count Bleck has assembled his minions. "BLEH HEH HEH HEH! BLECK! The Void has been ripped in the dimensional fabric! Yes, Count Bleck is pleased. All has gone as foretold in the Dark Prognosticus. Now it's just a matter of time until all worlds meet their demise! Bleck!"

A large guy calls the plan to erase all naughty worlds and build a perfect world without war or other icky stuff a super plan. A jester says the idea of a perfect world sounds magical and he can't wait. Someone comes in late and it's the large guy again. He has a thick Irish accent and wonders how he beat himself there. His name is O'Chunks. The other O'Chunks says  "Mimimimimimimimimmimimimimi" and wonders if O'Chunks overslept. They change into Count Bleck and says O'Chunks has muscles instead of brains. This shape-shifter is Mimi, and O'Chunks wants her to respect the count by not borrowing his face. "Bleh heh heh heh heh heh... How delightful, Mimi. Almost as dapper... as Count Bleck!" Mimi transforms into Peach, thanking the count and saying there are big smiles all the time with him around, which is her idea of a perfect world. The jester, Dimentio, thought her perfect world was a gem-filled pool with hunky lifeguards. Mimi transforms into Bowser, asking if Dimentio read her diary, then telling him to never mind. "Bleh heh heh heh heh heh.. Well, different strokes for different minions... After these rotten worlds are ended, Count Bleck will make all your dreams come true. But for that to happen... we must follow the instructions of the Dark Prognosticus.

The woman with the glasses, Nastasia, says she has an urgent memo for Count Bleck: There has been some unapproved interdimensional activity lately and it may be the hero of the prophecy. She says they need an action plan for him. "A dimensional interloper! And possibly the hero? You are sure of it, Nastasia? Interesting... mused Count Bleck. We must put an end to this nuisance..." O'Chunks asks if the hero is their enemy and to let him after the hero to beat him. "Very well, O'Chunks. I'll leave the hero-chunking to you. Do not fail Count Bleck. O'Chunks says Count Bleck can count on him and that he'll rain down like a fat thunderstorm. He invites Mimi and Dimentio to tag along, then jumps away. Dimentio says he enjoys a good chunking and flashes away. "Bleh heh heh heh heh... So hero... You would defy Count Bleck? Then hurry, for your world's end draws near... BLEH HEH HEH HEH! BLECK!"

Mario was called upon once again to save the world... no small task. Could he prevent Count Bleck from pulling off his sinister plot? Would Mario reunite with Princess Peach? A truly interdimensional adventure was about to being...

The world is drawn and colored in. Mario appears through the door, which disappeared. Tippi says she feels the Pure Heart is here, but it's far away. Mario has to find Bestovius. She says Mario can use her power to learn about everything. Point the Wiimote at the screen and press (A) over a red object.

This is Lineland Road. Walk to the right and you'll find an item block with a Mushroom. This will heal Mario's HP, which is currently 10. There are enemies called Squiglets here. They're pink, square-shaped enemies that walk around. Jump on them to defeat them. Shake after jumping to do a stylish move, which gives you 15% more points. Jump on an enemy repeatedly to rack up more points with a combo. Go over the blocked door and through the pipe to reach a chest with a Shroom Shake. Go through the pipe on the right. Up ahead is a house with a Save Block. Jump on top of the Save Block so you can reach the roof. Hit the brick above it to destroy it and a Catch Card will drop down. This one is for Squiglets. Having an enemy's Catch Card boosts the damage done to that enemy. The more cards you have, the more your damage increases. You can double or triple  the amount of damage you do, and can increase it even more. Go inside the house.

The house looks empty, but Tippi says it isn't. Use her power to find an invisible door in the room. If it's invisible, Mario can't interact with it. Tippi makes the door visible, so Mario can go through it. Someone asks what meager mustache stands before him and how do it have the audacity to address his multicolored glory. He also wonders how Mario detected his secret door. This is Bestovius. He notices Mario's red shirt, conspicuous white gloves, and jaunty cap. He says Mario is dressed like the hero of the Light Prognosticus because he is the great hero impersonator. Tippit informs him Mario is dressed like this because he is the hero and that Merlon sent him. Bestovius says Merlon's beard is the only rival to his mustache, so if Merlon thinks Mario's the hero, he probably is, he thinks. He will bestow the ancient secrets of dimensional flipping for 10,000 coins. Tippi argues that Bestovius can't charge to teach the hero of prophecy. Bestovius says he has certain expenditures and asks why heroes should get the world delivered to them on a platter by shaking people down for free skills. He says 10,000 coins should be nothing for a hero of legend. Reject his offer and he'll bargain for all your coins. Reject that offer and he'll relent and teach Mario for free. Agree to that and Mario gets special powers to flip between dimensions. Bestovius says to press (A) to slip between the fabric of space and flip between 2D and 3D. Mario asks what (A) is and Bestovius explains that if they are being watched from another dimension, those beings will understand, but Mario lacks the mustache for full comprehension. Flipping allows you to find hidden items and secret paths, but if it is used too long, Mario will lose HP. The Flip Gauge will drop with time, and Mario will lose HP when it runs out. Flip back to 2D before it runs out and it will slowly refill. Flip in this room to find a Shroom Shake and Shell Shock, then leave. Flip in the area outside the door to find a Fire Burst. Hold onto the Fire Burst.

Flip outside Bestovius's house and you'll find three item blocks. The middle one contains Pal Pills, little 8-bit pals that follow you around and damage the enemies they hit. If they run into enemies or fall into gaps, they'll disappear. Walk to the left to where the blocked door is and flip. This will make the door accessible, as the blocks do not surround the door in 3D.

In the next area, it is explained that Mario levels up when he gains enough points. He will alternate between getting 5 more HP or attack power increased by 1. This alternates and is not done by choice. Press (+) to open the menu to see how many more points you need for a level up.

If you flip near the tall pipe, you'll find a Goomba Catch Card. Up ahead is a large gap. Climb up on the brick blocks to cross over the gap. Nearby, you'll find a set of item blocks. The top block has a Happy Flower, which makes flowers bearing coins rain down for a short time. Grab as many coins as you can. Just to the right is an even larger gap you can't cross. Flip to 3D and you'll see that you can run along the hill on the back to cross the gap.

Go through the door and you'll find a spring next to a tall platform. Flip and you'll see you can go behind it and get more Pal Pills. Behind the next wall are several Squiglets. Defeat them and you'll likely level up, increasing your HP by 5. To the right are stairs to a door. Go through the door and you'll find Piranha Plants in pipes. You can't attack them, so flip around them or time your jumps well. There's an item block to the right with a Mega Star. It will make you grow to mega proportions, make you invincible, so you can trample enemies. Mario will turn into a giant 8-bit version of himself. Run to the right to destroy blocks and enemies. You'll find Koopa Troopas and Paragoombas in this area. To the far right is a star in a block. Flip and go past it for a chest with the Koopa Troopa Catch Card. Go back and hit the star to end the chapter.

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Super Paper Mario: Save the Princess. Save all Dimensions. Flip out!

The story begins:
"Ahem! Today... I'll tell you the story of the lost book of prophecies. This prophetic book was a mysterious tome full of stories of future events. Of course, many people craved this book, wishing to glimpse their futures. But no person, after obtaining this amazing book, ever found happiness. The reason? The book held frightful secrets not meant for people's eyes. That book came to be called the Dark Prognosticus and was sealed away. This... is the tale of that forgotten book's last owner. It is a tale of love..."
 
In Mario's house, Mario and Luigi are sitting at the table, with pictures of Mario's allies from past adventures sitting on a cabinet. Luigi says it's peaceful today, which makes him feel lucky, but it's boring. He wants a shocking event to happen. Mario suggests Peach's place and Luigi suggests visiting her in Mushroom Castle. She'll be happy to see them.
 
They leave the house and hear a call for help. It's Toad, stammering that Mushroom Castle has been raided and Peach was stolen. Luigi wonders who would do such a thing, then thinks it must be that bad guy. He won't stand for this and says they should sneak into the bad guy's castle and rescue her. They leave through the pipe, with Toad saying, "We're counting on you, Mario... Bros.!"
 
In Bowser's Castle, Bowser is talking to his minions, saying it's time to invade Mushroom Castle and make his beloved Princess Peach all his. They will also stomp the Mario Bros. The minions cheer and Bowser says, "'We're under attack!' You jokers are the best!" He then asks who the hairy guys in the back are, because everyone shaves at Bowser's Castle. He jumps over to them and the crowd parts, reveal the Mario Bros. Bowser wonders how they got in and Mario says the front gate was unlocked. Bowser keeps telling his minions that the last one in locks the gate. Luigi says they know he's kidnapped Peach and wants to know where she is. Bowser is confused because they're only about to launch their attack.
 
Suddenly, Peach calls for help. She appears, trapped. A man wearing a monocle, top hat and cape flips in, saying, "Bleck! Your princess has been taken... by Count Bleck!" Confused, Bowser asks "Who?" The man replies, "By me... Count Bleck! The chosen executor of the Dark Prognosticus... is Count Bleck. The fine fellow prophesied to come to this dimension... is also Count Bleck!" Bowser says, "I'll tell you who doesn't make even a little bit of sense... Count Bleck!" He orders Count Bleck to release Peach, as he's on a schedule. "Count Bleck says NEVER! This princess is integral to fulfilling the prophecies.. She will be brought to Castle Bleck and used to destroy all worlds... by Count Bleck!" Mario tries to attack, but Count Bleck is protected by a shield. Count Bleck uses dark magic, which knocks Mario unconscious. He says, "This man deserves ridicule... Weaklings cannot face Count Bleck!" Bowser tells him to calm down and free the princess, or else. His minions swarm Count Bleck. "Bleh heh heh heh... Your princess shall NOT be returned... by Count Bleck! In fact, Bowser, evil king of the Koopas... Count Bleck will take you, too! BLEH HEH HEH HEH! BLECK!" He opens his cape, which opens a vortex, drawing everyone in the castle in, including Luigi, but not Mario. "BLEH HEH HEH HEH! BLECK! Count Bleck's preparations are now in order! All that remains is for the dimensional void to appear as foretold in the prophecy... Bleh heh heh heh heh... BLEH HEH HEH HEH! BLECK!" Count Bleck flips away, leaving Mario.
 
 Peach wonders what happened to her and where she is. Count Bleck says, "Bleh heh heh heh heh... Oh, you're awake, Princess! She opens her eyes to see Count Bleck, Bowser in a white tuxedo, and herself in a wedding dress. They're standing at a pavilion, and below, Bowser's minions are cheering. Peach wonders what's going on. A woman with glasses flips in, saying preparations are complete. "Mmm... Then is shall be begun... by Count Bleck!", says Count Bleck. Bells start ringing as Count Bleck officiates the ceremony. "Bowser... Ferocious and fearsome, evil king of the Koopas... Do you take Peach to be your lawfully wedded wife 'til your games be over?" Bowser readily says yes. "Peach... Noble princess, pure of heart... Do you take Bowser to be your lawfully wedded husband 'til your games be over?" Peach wants an explanation. "Bleh heh heh heh heh... Is it not obvious? This is your wedding, Princess!" She wonders why in the world she's marrying Bowser. Bowser has no objections and tells her to go along with it, so he can finally marry her. Peach refuses and calls her dress awful. She orders Bleck to return her to her castle, but she's knocked to the ground by some magic. The woman with the glasses says it's bad to be rude to the count. Peach needs to answer the count on whether she takes Bowser as her husband. Peach groans in pain, but manages to refuse. The woman calls her a fighter, but says no one withstands her super-hypnosis. She tells her to say "I do." and zaps her again with some hypnosis. Peach groans and slowly says "I do."
 
The ground starts shaking and something black appears from the alter. Luigi wakes up among the crowd of minions, wondering what's going on. He sees Peach and Bowser on the pavilion. A large black heart appears from the alter. "BLEH HEH HEH HEH! BLECK! Yes, all precisely as written in the Dark Prognosticus! Already it is unleashed! The Chaos Heart!" The woman congratulates Count Bleck. Luigi says for them to halt and jumps up the pavilion stairs. "And just who are you? ...Asked Count Bleck." Luigi refuses to tell his name to scoundrels, then says his name when saying he'll punish them for their evilness. The woman says to stop, because something will happen if the process is interrupted. Luigi ignores her, jumps on Bowser and the Chaos Heart, then lands next to Peach, to rescue her. The shaking becomes more violent and the Chaos Heart flashes. Count Bleck and the Dark Prognosticus, then the woman flip in over the Chaos Heart. She asks if Bleck is okay. "Fools... Pointless acts like these will earn you only pain... from Count Bleck! Very well. As the Chaos Heart is secured, this ragtag group now lacks use. The woman says he can turn to a new page of dark prophecies in the Dark Prognosticus. Count Bleck says, "Open your mouth, darkness! Consume everything and destroy all worlds, as told in the prophecy! BLECK!" The Chaos Heart flashes.
 
Someone calls to Mario. It's a rainbow-colored butterfly. Mario wakes up in Bowser's Castle, alone. The butterfly asks if he's awake. She introduces herself as Tippi, a Pixl, which is a sort of fairy. She came to find him. Mario assumes an offensive stance, so she informs him she's not his enemy. She asks if Mario met Count Bleck, who captured a princess and an evil king. She says this means Count Bleck is beginning to form The Void. Mario must come with her if his friends are to be saved. She draws a rectangle around Mario and they flip away.
 
They appear on a tall pillar with a wizard. There's a small, dark purple spot in the background. The wizard says Tippi returned quickly and that she has outdone herself in finding a man with a red shirt, blue overalls, and a magnificent 'stache. Tippi says Mario matches the description in the Light Prognosticus perfectly and introduces him. The wizard welcomes him to Flipside and says Mario came from the Mushroom Kingdom of his dimension. Flipside is between dimension. The wizard is Merlon, a descendant of the ancients who created Flipside. He studies ancient texts to forestall the end of all worlds. Mario wants to know more about the end of all worlds and what's happening. Merlon says the answer hangs above them. The small purple darkness is a hole in the very dimensional fabric of space and it will only grow. It will eventually swallow all existence, including worlds and dimensions. It was created by their enemy, Count Bleck, the wielder of the Dark Prognosticus. Tippi quotes the Light Prognosticus, saying, "A fair and lovely princess... A furious monster king... Their union calls forth the Chaos Heart, consumer of worlds, which will ravage the sky and so bring forth The Void." The Void will swallow all and naught can stop it, unless the one protected by the dark power is destroyed. The hero with the power of eight Pure Hearts will rise to this takes. A red Pure Heart appears and Merlon says Mario is the hero of the Light Prognosticus, the only one who can defeat Count Bleck and save all worlds. He says to take the Pure Heart and save all worlds from destruction. Agree to the task and the Pure Heart is thrust into your possession. Merlon says Mario must take the Pure Heart and place it in a Heart Pillar in town, then return. Tippi will lead the way.
 
The quickest way to the Heart Pillar is to walk off the pillar Mario's currently standing on. The Heart Pillar is a tall, white, rectangular pillar with a heart-shaped hole on it. Press Up on the Control Pad to examine things or talk to people. Do so near the Heart Pillar to place the Pure Heart in it. The Heart Pillar pulses and the Pure Heart falls into place. Gears appear and a red door materializes on top of the tall pillar where Merlon is. Afterwards, walk over to the red triangle pointing down and press Up. This is an elevator that will take you between two floors. Go down a floor and you'll come across Merlon's house. There's a Save Block nearby. The nearby elevator has ornate decorations. Take it back up to the newly-formed door and Merlon. Merlon says this dimensional door was made to lead the hero to another Pure Heart and that one of the seven lies somewhere beyond this door. Tippi must use her power to help Mario find the Pure Heart. Merlon gives Mario the Return Pipe, a pipe that can be used to return to Flipside from almost anywhere, which is great if he needs to return in a hurry. In some areas, the signal from Flipside might not reach. You'll find it in the Important Things section of the menu. The Light Prognosticus foretells the hero meeting the "dimensional governor" and learning the dimensional technique. Merlon says that the dimensional governor is his friend, the wizard Bestovius. Mario should go through the red door to seek him out.