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YO!!!!! SUP PEOPLES! IT'S FINALLY HERE Chapter 3 of my fictional Paper Mario game: Them Metora Kingdom! I just spent like the past 3 hours doing this XD SO YEH BETTER LIKE IT! ...Enjoy!

After finishing up at the Sparkling Sands, Mario and co. set of to find the next Crown Jewel. Once again Norahl stops for a second as if he is receiving a message. He then tells Mario that the next Crown Jewel is in the Nadiri Mountains. You get to the Nadiri Mountains by going to a pipe on the west side of Auroraport. However a plumber there (who is not Mario) is working to unclog the pipe as there is a huge cork stuck inside it. So you use Lenami's power with the Legacy Necklace and use it to make the water flow go up the pipe and so the force pops the cork out, unclogging the pipe. With that you enter the pipe and it takes you into the mountains in the background where you then enter CHAPTER 3: FISTS HELD TIGHT!!!

You come out in an oriental city called Hana Koshi, which is full of pink cherry blossom trees. Focusing on the next Crown Jewel: The Power Bangle, Mario and Co. ask the locals of the city if they know anything about it. Most of them don’t know much, but they do link it to “the man on the hill”, while others say that the bangle is probably in the forbidden part of the mountains. If you head to the exit of the city to north, you will be stopped by someone guarding the cave entrance into the mountains, who will say that the mountains are strictly forbidden due to a so called “curse” that was put upon it. Norahl asks for more info, but the guard tells them to go see “the man on the hill”.

Eventually, the group find out that this man on the hill is located west of the vcity, on a small spiral hill. So, the group head here and go up the hill until they meet an aging Tanooki, who automatically assumes that you want to challenge him to a battle. So, a short fight infuses. Afterwards, the Tanooki admits defeat and tells you to meet him at his house, east of the city, to begin “the ordeal”...

So, you head to the Tanooki’s house where he formally explains what’s going on after Norahl has a fit at him for “not explaining things first”. The Tanooki begins: “My name is Tanagi, and believe it or not, I created these very mountains”

“What? Okay, I’m no Geologist, but I’m pretty sure you can’t just do that” Norahl interrupts.

Tanagi continues “Well, I did, alongside my wife: Tanami. You see... I am much older than you might expect... to be more specific, over 1000 years perhaps!”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Norahl intervenes once more “Okay, I’m no Racoon-Biologist, but I’m pretty sure even a Tanooki can’t live that long! ...I just made the same joke twice didn’t I?”

“Well you see, me and my wife were created by the Metoran Gods”, Norahl replies “Ah! Of course! Why didn’t I think of the “being created by gods” theory?”

“Anyway,” Tanagi carries on “Our purpose was to firstly create the mountains. We did this using the Blade of Ame, a legendary sword given to us by the gods. We then thrusted it into the ground, so that it caused mountains to rise from the earth, thus creating what is now the Nadiri Mounatains”. “Did he just say all that?” Norahl openly asks.

“Our second and most important purpose was to create divinities to represent different elements to keep them stable. So, I and Tanami made 4... I mean, 3, children: The first was Raiy, embodiment of thunder and wind, second was Yurao, embodiment of ice and water, and finally was Kargu, embodiment of fire. But that last birth... Kargu’s flames fatally burnt Tanami, she fell ill and passed away into... the Knowmi”

“The Knowmi? Really? That’s what it’s called?” Norahl laughs.

“Your laughing insults me! The Knowmi is like an underworld; a land for the dead! But I’m glad you sir brave Mario, have shown yourself today, for now that you are here, we can finally enter the mountains and work to free them from the curse that lies upon it!”.

“Okay slow down!” Norahl says “What exactly is this curse and also, why does it concern us? We only came here in search of the Power Bangle!”

The name of the Crown Jewel rings a bell to Tanagi who say he already has it on him. He then goes into the other room and comes out holding the bangle. Everyone is happy that it was this easy but then, Mario and Co. notice something... the jewel on the bangle has been smashed to pieces! “What is this? Some sorta joke? (Look who’s talking), that’s not funny! We need that Bangle!”

“I assure you, this is no joke!” Tanagi responds “you see the bangle fell from the heavens about 7 years ago; I believe that it was given to me by the gods as a way of telling me that it was time! So, with the combined powers of the spirit of the bangle: Bolodie, and the Blade of Ame, I entered the Knowmi. But when I met my wife, she was... ARGH! IT WAS HORRIBLE! A rotting corpse I tell you! I was a coward, and ran away from the Knowmi. My wife wasn’t happy... she sent angry spirits and beasts at me to attack! So when I left the Knowmi, I used the bangle one last time to place a huge bolder at the entrance... but it seems it wasn’t enough... Tanami set a curse unto the mountains, so now they are forbidden. The only one who may enter is me.”

Norahl, ignores most of that and skips to how he knows Bolodie, the spirit trapped inside the Power Bangle. Tanagi explains that the spirit can only be awoken in the presence of a worthy warrior, so it must have seen him as warrior. He then explains “After escaping the Knowmi, I realised that the power of the Sword and Bangle were too much, so I locked the Sword in the Knowmi Garden, and shattered the bangle, sending Bolodie... to the Knowmi. Norahl becomes enraged because this means that Mario and Co. will now have to travel there too. Tanagi explains that he will help them to get the Power Bangle, as long as they work together to get to the Knowmi. He then tells them to meet him at the entrance to the mountains, and leaves.

So, you head there, where Tanagi gives Mario and Co. permission to get past by the guard. Tanagi tells you to meet him at the Knowmi Garden, and with that, you begin exploring the Nadiri Mountains. A lot of it is much like a forest, beneath the pink trees. Anyway, once in the garden, Tanagi is waiting in the garden, standing infront of a huge bolder that is the entrance to the Knowmi. Problem is, The Power Bangle is the only thing that can lift the bolder, and Bolodie is on the other side of it! Tanagi explains that there is one other way to destroy the bolder: using the Elemental Beads that his 3 children own. He explains that each child owns a temple at the highest points in the mountains and that they must travel to each one to retrieve the beads. Before they set off though, Tanagi stands in front of a sword inside a pedestal: It’s the Blade of Ame. He pulls the sword out in an epic and imposing display (“show off” says Norahl), and with the Blade of Ame in his hands, TANAGI JOINED YOUR PARTY!!!

With that you head off into the mountains! Using Tanagi’s ability to get across gaps with his super-quick sword skills, you head west of the mountains where you eventually reach a volcano where the first temple lies at the top: Kargu’s Temple. The temple is like a mini dungeon, with fire puzzles that must be solved to reach the top. Once at the top, you meet Kargu, embodiment of fire, who resembles a Kagu Bird. Kargu seems pleased to meet his father after all this time until Tanagi tells him about his plan. This enrages Kargu who says that Tanagi needs to stop trying to change fait, and so a battle infuses! Afterward, Tanagi explains that he is much stronger with Mario by his side and that Metora depends on it. Kargu accepts and gives you the first Elemental Bead of Fire!

Next, you head to Yurao’s Temple, north of the mountain, which is situated on a snowy mountain and is the highest point in the mountain range. The temple involves Ice and Water puzzles. At the top, you confront Yurao herself who is a majestic, white dragon. When Tanagi tells her about his journey, she is uncertain that he can do it after his previous attempt, so she challenges him to a battle and agrees to give Mario and Co. the Ice Bead if they win. After the battle, Yurao accepts that her father is strong enough and gives Mario the Elemental Bead of Ice! With that, there’s only one more bead to go!

So, you head back off into the mountains and travel east until you reach an area where things get a little more wind... Once you reach the top of the final mountain, you enter the final temple: Raiy’s Temple. This temple has wind and electricity themed puzzles, until you get to the top and confront Tanagi’s eldest: Raiy. Raiy is much more cheerful than serious and is happy to see his dad. The 2 act almost like brothers! However, Tanagi cuts the cheerfulness short and tells Raiy of his quest. Raiy thinks for moment but decides to give the group the Elemental bead of Wind without any fuss. But before the group leave, Raiy asks his dad for “one of those battles we used to have when I was younger, just for fun!”.

“Of course they’re gonna make you fight him for some reason! Because, logic!” Norahl mutters. After a short battle, Raiy wishes you luck, and with all 3 elemental beads in hand, you head back south of where you are, which will take you full circle, back to the Knowmi Garden. By placing each of the Elemental Beads on 3 pedestals surrounding the entrance, the bolder explodes, thus revealing the entrance to the Knowmi! Tanagi gulps, not sure if he can do this, but with some encouragement, the group enter the Knowmi as the 3rd dungeon in the game!

The Knowmi is very dark and pretty damn creepy (in fact, it’s probably the closest thing to the horror chapter of this game). Part way through, you save an aging man from some enemies who is actually a Metoran (the same species as Darameana). He introduces himself as Bolodie, in which the group realise that he is the spirit of the Power Bangle, but like Norahl, can’t remember much of what happened before he descended from the sky. “Amnesia, a Cliché all us Crown Jewels seem to face...” remarks Norahl. One of your party members also wonders if this mean Norahl, Florina and Lenami could also be Metoran. Bolodie also mentions a demon that keeps tormenting him and asks you to escort him to the main room.

So, you use Bolodies strength-filled powers to destroy metal barricades, to traverse onwards, until you reach the main room. In the main room, there’s a large door which Bolodie explains is where Tanami is and also says that Tanagi “must finish what he has left unfished”, in order to restore Bolodie and the Power Bangle. However, the door needs a mirror-like object to be inserted inside it for it to open, so Mario and Co. explore the rest of the dungeon in search of said Mirror. Along the way, you also get the SmashHammer (Super Hammer), which can be used to destroy giant blocks, allowing you to pass on further.

Eventually, you find the Sun Mirror, which you take back to the main room and open up the door. But before you can enter the boss area, Tanagi has another moment where he doubts himself. He then reveals that he has one other son that he didn’t tell them about: the God of the Knowmi, Shinder. He explains that Shinder was created when inside Tanagi himself when the curse was put on the mountains, and the only way for him to separate it was to reincarnate Shinder inside the Power Bangle and then destroy it, sending him back to the Knowmi, but at the cost of Bolodie as well.

Mario and Co. understand, but it’s too late to turn back now! With that, the group enter the boss room (with Bolodie following behind). Inside is a crypt like pedestal, while the rest of the room is dark and silent. A voice ominously speak “Tanagi, why did you return?”. Tanagi recognises the voice to be his wife.

“Tanami! I... I’m sorry what I did last time... I was a coward. But please, we can both escape if you can just forgive me...”. The voice suddenly changes from calm to dark and demonic “If you aren’t a coward, then let’s see you face your own WIFE!”. Tanagi then realises that the voice is really his son: Shinder. Suddenly, from the centre of the pedestal, a demonic looking corpse woman, emerges from the ground and begins approaching Mario and Co.

Tanagi is unsure whether he can do this, but then Bolodie explains that the woman isn’t really his wife as it is being controlled by Shinder, and if Tanagi does battle her, then she won’t feel any pain because she’s already dead. While strange, these words reassure Tanagi, who stands up and gets ready to battle, and so a short boss infuses. Afterwards, the corpse shrivels up and disappears. The demonic voice speaks again “Ah, so you’ve suddenly gained a large chunk of courage? FOOL! You don’t expect to enter the Knowmi and escape afterwards do you? Especially not for you! FATHER!”

“You are the fool Shinder! Show yourself!” Tanagi demands. “Are you sure you want me to show myself? Last time you ran away like a BIG BABY!!!”. Tanagi thinks for a moment “Yes... but since then, I have met Mario; without him, I wouldn’t even be here, but together, as my friend, he, I and his partners shall emerge victorious!”. “ALRIGHT! As you wish! FATHER!”, with that, a huge demon-like creature with large horns, holding 2 swords, emerges from the shadows “DON’T PLAY WITH DEATH OR DEATH WILL PLAY YOU!!!”. And so, the boss of Chapter 3 against Shinder, God of Death, BEGINS!!!

After the battle, Shiner is defeated as his body slowly shrinks into the shadows, but before he disappears: “MWEHEHEHE!!! YOU THINK I TASTE MY OWN POISON NOW? NOT BEFORE YOU GET A SAMPLE FIRST!! YOU’LL ALL STAY HERE WITH ME FOR THE REST OF ETERNITY!!!” the earth shakes violently, as rocks fall from the ceiling. The group try to escape, but a large bolder has blocked the exit, and so all hope seems to be lost. But then, a female voice cries out “Tanagi! It is I, Tanami!” a ghostly figure who is indeed Tanami! Tanagi is amazed, but listens to what his wife needs to say: “Listen, I can get you out if you do as I say: Bolodie, please hold the Power Bangle in your hand”.

Tanagi passes him the Bangle in which Tanami continues “Alright, now Tanagi, raise the Blade of Ame skywards. Tanagi follows, and Tanami then focuses her power to take energy from the sword, and uses it to reincarnate Bolodie back inside the Power Bangle, which has now been restored. “Now, pick up the Power Bangle, and it’ll warp you back to the Knowmi Garden, hurry!”. “Wait, what about you?” Tanagi hesitates, Tanami closes her eyes “I’m sorry dearest husband, but it is too late for me to be saved... I k-know i-it’s ha..rd b-but... (She’s crying at this point) my fate was... d-decided long ago... I’m sorry husband... I hope we’ll be reunited o-one day... in a-a... place full o-of peace... a-nd j-joy... goodbye...”. “G-goodbye Tanami...”, with that, the group enter the portal around the bangle, thus teleporting them back to the entrance of the Knowmi in the garden.

Mario and Co. try to cheer Tanagi up, which he is grateful for and says that he now understands that he just has to accept the fate chosen for him by the gods. Bolodie then awakens “Aww, what! Darnit! I was loving having a body for all that time... actually, that was hell down there in that place so eh... scratch that last part...”. Tanagi thanks Mario for all his help and says that the curse has now been disposed due to Shinder’s defeat. With that, Mario takes the Power Bangle, thus triggering the END OF CHAPTER sequence

YOU GOT A CROWN JEWEL!!!

Interludes

And now the game goes to the Peach and Bowser interludes. In the Peach interlude, Dooplund lets Peach and Medreana out of their cells again to explore the surrounding base to find some more clues. You start spying on Darameana when Delumer rushes up to him and tells him that Mario's collected all but one of the Crown Jewels. Delumer also tells him that he's located the Metoran Crown, it's in Force-Strike Valley to the east of Metora. Darameana thinks for a second and says "I understand the Jewels have great power, and that he must be collecting them to use that power against us!", he then tells Darameana to go to Force Strike to stop Mario in his tracks. But then Dooplund tells Peach and Medreana to head back to their cells.

On the way back Medreana tells you about her father who was the King of Metora in Gorah City. He was called King Comoary. But when the evil presence attacked it nearly destroyed the city, but Comoary sacrificed himself using the power of his jewels and stopped the darkness but he was never seen again after that...

Meanwhile Bowser is searching Stardust Woods for the one of the Crown Jewels. However once he gets to Hubble Hamlet he learns that Mario had already got the Crown Jewel there. Raging, Bowser and Kammy Koopa set of to find a Crown Jewel somewhere else and that concludes the interludes.

Back with Mario and Co., now in Hana Koshi again, they are unexpectedly met with Tanagi’s 3 children who are all proud of Tanagi for accepting fate,a nd moving on from the past. Tanagi smiles and says that he wants to learn more by travelling with Mario on his journey, and helping others to achieve their destinies. With that, Tanagi’s children fly off back to their temples, and Mario and Co. head off to find out about the 5th and final Crown Jewel!

Hope you enjoyed CH3 I definitely enjoyed making it Also, this entire chapter was based off of the Japanese Shinto legend of Izanagi and Izanami! And my main inspiration was that really underrated game: OKAMI!!!

Paper Mario - Nintendo (C)
The Metora Kingdom - Me (C)

Description

YO!!!!! SUP PEOPLES! IT'S FINALLY HERE Chapter 3 of my fictional Paper Mario game: Them Metora Kingdom! I just spent like the past 3 hours doing this XD SO YEH BETTER LIKE IT! ...Enjoy!

After finishing up at the Sparkling Sands, Mario and co. set of to find the next Crown Jewel. Once again Norahl stops for a second as if he is receiving a message. He then tells Mario that the next Crown Jewel is in the Nadiri Mountains. You get to the Nadiri Mountains by going to a pipe on the west side of Auroraport. However a plumber there (who is not Mario) is working to unclog the pipe as there is a huge cork stuck inside it. So you use Lenami's power with the Legacy Necklace and use it to make the water flow go up the pipe and so the force pops the cork out, unclogging the pipe. With that you enter the pipe and it takes you into the mountains in the background where you then enter CHAPTER 3: FISTS HELD TIGHT!!!

You come out in an oriental city called Hana Koshi, which is full of pink cherry blossom trees. Focusing on the next Crown Jewel: The Power Bangle, Mario and Co. ask the locals of the city if they know anything about it. Most of them don’t know much, but they do link it to “the man on the hill”, while others say that the bangle is probably in the forbidden part of the mountains. If you head to the exit of the city to north, you will be stopped by someone guarding the cave entrance into the mountains, who will say that the mountains are strictly forbidden due to a so called “curse” that was put upon it. Norahl asks for more info, but the guard tells them to go see “the man on the hill”.

Eventually, the group find out that this man on the hill is located west of the vcity, on a small spiral hill. So, the group head here and go up the hill until they meet an aging Tanooki, who automatically assumes that you want to challenge him to a battle. So, a short fight infuses. Afterwards, the Tanooki admits defeat and tells you to meet him at his house, east of the city, to begin “the ordeal”...

So, you head to the Tanooki’s house where he formally explains what’s going on after Norahl has a fit at him for “not explaining things first”. The Tanooki begins: “My name is Tanagi, and believe it or not, I created these very mountains”

“What? Okay, I’m no Geologist, but I’m pretty sure you can’t just do that” Norahl interrupts.

Tanagi continues “Well, I did, alongside my wife: Tanami. You see... I am much older than you might expect... to be more specific, over 1000 years perhaps!”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Norahl intervenes once more “Okay, I’m no Racoon-Biologist, but I’m pretty sure even a Tanooki can’t live that long! ...I just made the same joke twice didn’t I?”

“Well you see, me and my wife were created by the Metoran Gods”, Norahl replies “Ah! Of course! Why didn’t I think of the “being created by gods” theory?”

“Anyway,” Tanagi carries on “Our purpose was to firstly create the mountains. We did this using the Blade of Ame, a legendary sword given to us by the gods. We then thrusted it into the ground, so that it caused mountains to rise from the earth, thus creating what is now the Nadiri Mounatains”. “Did he just say all that?” Norahl openly asks.

“Our second and most important purpose was to create divinities to represent different elements to keep them stable. So, I and Tanami made 4... I mean, 3, children: The first was Raiy, embodiment of thunder and wind, second was Yurao, embodiment of ice and water, and finally was Kargu, embodiment of fire. But that last birth... Kargu’s flames fatally burnt Tanami, she fell ill and passed away into... the Knowmi”

“The Knowmi? Really? That’s what it’s called?” Norahl laughs.

“Your laughing insults me! The Knowmi is like an underworld; a land for the dead! But I’m glad you sir brave Mario, have shown yourself today, for now that you are here, we can finally enter the mountains and work to free them from the curse that lies upon it!”.

“Okay slow down!” Norahl says “What exactly is this curse and also, why does it concern us? We only came here in search of the Power Bangle!”

The name of the Crown Jewel rings a bell to Tanagi who say he already has it on him. He then goes into the other room and comes out holding the bangle. Everyone is happy that it was this easy but then, Mario and Co. notice something... the jewel on the bangle has been smashed to pieces! “What is this? Some sorta joke? (Look who’s talking), that’s not funny! We need that Bangle!”

“I assure you, this is no joke!” Tanagi responds “you see the bangle fell from the heavens about 7 years ago; I believe that it was given to me by the gods as a way of telling me that it was time! So, with the combined powers of the spirit of the bangle: Bolodie, and the Blade of Ame, I entered the Knowmi. But when I met my wife, she was... ARGH! IT WAS HORRIBLE! A rotting corpse I tell you! I was a coward, and ran away from the Knowmi. My wife wasn’t happy... she sent angry spirits and beasts at me to attack! So when I left the Knowmi, I used the bangle one last time to place a huge bolder at the entrance... but it seems it wasn’t enough... Tanami set a curse unto the mountains, so now they are forbidden. The only one who may enter is me.”

Norahl, ignores most of that and skips to how he knows Bolodie, the spirit trapped inside the Power Bangle. Tanagi explains that the spirit can only be awoken in the presence of a worthy warrior, so it must have seen him as warrior. He then explains “After escaping the Knowmi, I realised that the power of the Sword and Bangle were too much, so I locked the Sword in the Knowmi Garden, and shattered the bangle, sending Bolodie... to the Knowmi. Norahl becomes enraged because this means that Mario and Co. will now have to travel there too. Tanagi explains that he will help them to get the Power Bangle, as long as they work together to get to the Knowmi. He then tells them to meet him at the entrance to the mountains, and leaves.

So, you head there, where Tanagi gives Mario and Co. permission to get past by the guard. Tanagi tells you to meet him at the Knowmi Garden, and with that, you begin exploring the Nadiri Mountains. A lot of it is much like a forest, beneath the pink trees. Anyway, once in the garden, Tanagi is waiting in the garden, standing infront of a huge bolder that is the entrance to the Knowmi. Problem is, The Power Bangle is the only thing that can lift the bolder, and Bolodie is on the other side of it! Tanagi explains that there is one other way to destroy the bolder: using the Elemental Beads that his 3 children own. He explains that each child owns a temple at the highest points in the mountains and that they must travel to each one to retrieve the beads. Before they set off though, Tanagi stands in front of a sword inside a pedestal: It’s the Blade of Ame. He pulls the sword out in an epic and imposing display (“show off” says Norahl), and with the Blade of Ame in his hands, TANAGI JOINED YOUR PARTY!!!

With that you head off into the mountains! Using Tanagi’s ability to get across gaps with his super-quick sword skills, you head west of the mountains where you eventually reach a volcano where the first temple lies at the top: Kargu’s Temple. The temple is like a mini dungeon, with fire puzzles that must be solved to reach the top. Once at the top, you meet Kargu, embodiment of fire, who resembles a Kagu Bird. Kargu seems pleased to meet his father after all this time until Tanagi tells him about his plan. This enrages Kargu who says that Tanagi needs to stop trying to change fait, and so a battle infuses! Afterward, Tanagi explains that he is much stronger with Mario by his side and that Metora depends on it. Kargu accepts and gives you the first Elemental Bead of Fire!

Next, you head to Yurao’s Temple, north of the mountain, which is situated on a snowy mountain and is the highest point in the mountain range. The temple involves Ice and Water puzzles. At the top, you confront Yurao herself who is a majestic, white dragon. When Tanagi tells her about his journey, she is uncertain that he can do it after his previous attempt, so she challenges him to a battle and agrees to give Mario and Co. the Ice Bead if they win. After the battle, Yurao accepts that her father is strong enough and gives Mario the Elemental Bead of Ice! With that, there’s only one more bead to go!

So, you head back off into the mountains and travel east until you reach an area where things get a little more wind... Once you reach the top of the final mountain, you enter the final temple: Raiy’s Temple. This temple has wind and electricity themed puzzles, until you get to the top and confront Tanagi’s eldest: Raiy. Raiy is much more cheerful than serious and is happy to see his dad. The 2 act almost like brothers! However, Tanagi cuts the cheerfulness short and tells Raiy of his quest. Raiy thinks for moment but decides to give the group the Elemental bead of Wind without any fuss. But before the group leave, Raiy asks his dad for “one of those battles we used to have when I was younger, just for fun!”.

“Of course they’re gonna make you fight him for some reason! Because, logic!” Norahl mutters. After a short battle, Raiy wishes you luck, and with all 3 elemental beads in hand, you head back south of where you are, which will take you full circle, back to the Knowmi Garden. By placing each of the Elemental Beads on 3 pedestals surrounding the entrance, the bolder explodes, thus revealing the entrance to the Knowmi! Tanagi gulps, not sure if he can do this, but with some encouragement, the group enter the Knowmi as the 3rd dungeon in the game!

The Knowmi is very dark and pretty damn creepy (in fact, it’s probably the closest thing to the horror chapter of this game). Part way through, you save an aging man from some enemies who is actually a Metoran (the same species as Darameana). He introduces himself as Bolodie, in which the group realise that he is the spirit of the Power Bangle, but like Norahl, can’t remember much of what happened before he descended from the sky. “Amnesia, a Cliché all us Crown Jewels seem to face...” remarks Norahl. One of your party members also wonders if this mean Norahl, Florina and Lenami could also be Metoran. Bolodie also mentions a demon that keeps tormenting him and asks you to escort him to the main room.

So, you use Bolodies strength-filled powers to destroy metal barricades, to traverse onwards, until you reach the main room. In the main room, there’s a large door which Bolodie explains is where Tanami is and also says that Tanagi “must finish what he has left unfished”, in order to restore Bolodie and the Power Bangle. However, the door needs a mirror-like object to be inserted inside it for it to open, so Mario and Co. explore the rest of the dungeon in search of said Mirror. Along the way, you also get the SmashHammer (Super Hammer), which can be used to destroy giant blocks, allowing you to pass on further.

Eventually, you find the Sun Mirror, which you take back to the main room and open up the door. But before you can enter the boss area, Tanagi has another moment where he doubts himself. He then reveals that he has one other son that he didn’t tell them about: the God of the Knowmi, Shinder. He explains that Shinder was created when inside Tanagi himself when the curse was put on the mountains, and the only way for him to separate it was to reincarnate Shinder inside the Power Bangle and then destroy it, sending him back to the Knowmi, but at the cost of Bolodie as well.

Mario and Co. understand, but it’s too late to turn back now! With that, the group enter the boss room (with Bolodie following behind). Inside is a crypt like pedestal, while the rest of the room is dark and silent. A voice ominously speak “Tanagi, why did you return?”. Tanagi recognises the voice to be his wife.

“Tanami! I... I’m sorry what I did last time... I was a coward. But please, we can both escape if you can just forgive me...”. The voice suddenly changes from calm to dark and demonic “If you aren’t a coward, then let’s see you face your own WIFE!”. Tanagi then realises that the voice is really his son: Shinder. Suddenly, from the centre of the pedestal, a demonic looking corpse woman, emerges from the ground and begins approaching Mario and Co.

Tanagi is unsure whether he can do this, but then Bolodie explains that the woman isn’t really his wife as it is being controlled by Shinder, and if Tanagi does battle her, then she won’t feel any pain because she’s already dead. While strange, these words reassure Tanagi, who stands up and gets ready to battle, and so a short boss infuses. Afterwards, the corpse shrivels up and disappears. The demonic voice speaks again “Ah, so you’ve suddenly gained a large chunk of courage? FOOL! You don’t expect to enter the Knowmi and escape afterwards do you? Especially not for you! FATHER!”

“You are the fool Shinder! Show yourself!” Tanagi demands. “Are you sure you want me to show myself? Last time you ran away like a BIG BABY!!!”. Tanagi thinks for a moment “Yes... but since then, I have met Mario; without him, I wouldn’t even be here, but together, as my friend, he, I and his partners shall emerge victorious!”. “ALRIGHT! As you wish! FATHER!”, with that, a huge demon-like creature with large horns, holding 2 swords, emerges from the shadows “DON’T PLAY WITH DEATH OR DEATH WILL PLAY YOU!!!”. And so, the boss of Chapter 3 against Shinder, God of Death, BEGINS!!!

After the battle, Shiner is defeated as his body slowly shrinks into the shadows, but before he disappears: “MWEHEHEHE!!! YOU THINK I TASTE MY OWN POISON NOW? NOT BEFORE YOU GET A SAMPLE FIRST!! YOU’LL ALL STAY HERE WITH ME FOR THE REST OF ETERNITY!!!” the earth shakes violently, as rocks fall from the ceiling. The group try to escape, but a large bolder has blocked the exit, and so all hope seems to be lost. But then, a female voice cries out “Tanagi! It is I, Tanami!” a ghostly figure who is indeed Tanami! Tanagi is amazed, but listens to what his wife needs to say: “Listen, I can get you out if you do as I say: Bolodie, please hold the Power Bangle in your hand”.

Tanagi passes him the Bangle in which Tanami continues “Alright, now Tanagi, raise the Blade of Ame skywards. Tanagi follows, and Tanami then focuses her power to take energy from the sword, and uses it to reincarnate Bolodie back inside the Power Bangle, which has now been restored. “Now, pick up the Power Bangle, and it’ll warp you back to the Knowmi Garden, hurry!”. “Wait, what about you?” Tanagi hesitates, Tanami closes her eyes “I’m sorry dearest husband, but it is too late for me to be saved... I k-know i-it’s ha..rd b-but... (She’s crying at this point) my fate was... d-decided long ago... I’m sorry husband... I hope we’ll be reunited o-one day... in a-a... place full o-of peace... a-nd j-joy... goodbye...”. “G-goodbye Tanami...”, with that, the group enter the portal around the bangle, thus teleporting them back to the entrance of the Knowmi in the garden.

Mario and Co. try to cheer Tanagi up, which he is grateful for and says that he now understands that he just has to accept the fate chosen for him by the gods. Bolodie then awakens “Aww, what! Darnit! I was loving having a body for all that time... actually, that was hell down there in that place so eh... scratch that last part...”. Tanagi thanks Mario for all his help and says that the curse has now been disposed due to Shinder’s defeat. With that, Mario takes the Power Bangle, thus triggering the END OF CHAPTER sequence

YOU GOT A CROWN JEWEL!!!

Interludes

And now the game goes to the Peach and Bowser interludes. In the Peach interlude, Dooplund lets Peach and Medreana out of their cells again to explore the surrounding base to find some more clues. You start spying on Darameana when Delumer rushes up to him and tells him that Mario's collected all but one of the Crown Jewels. Delumer also tells him that he's located the Metoran Crown, it's in Force-Strike Valley to the east of Metora. Darameana thinks for a second and says "I understand the Jewels have great power, and that he must be collecting them to use that power against us!", he then tells Darameana to go to Force Strike to stop Mario in his tracks. But then Dooplund tells Peach and Medreana to head back to their cells.

On the way back Medreana tells you about her father who was the King of Metora in Gorah City. He was called King Comoary. But when the evil presence attacked it nearly destroyed the city, but Comoary sacrificed himself using the power of his jewels and stopped the darkness but he was never seen again after that...

Meanwhile Bowser is searching Stardust Woods for the one of the Crown Jewels. However once he gets to Hubble Hamlet he learns that Mario had already got the Crown Jewel there. Raging, Bowser and Kammy Koopa set of to find a Crown Jewel somewhere else and that concludes the interludes.

Back with Mario and Co., now in Hana Koshi again, they are unexpectedly met with Tanagi’s 3 children who are all proud of Tanagi for accepting fate,a nd moving on from the past. Tanagi smiles and says that he wants to learn more by travelling with Mario on his journey, and helping others to achieve their destinies. With that, Tanagi’s children fly off back to their temples, and Mario and Co. head off to find out about the 5th and final Crown Jewel!

Hope you enjoyed CH3 I definitely enjoyed making it Also, this entire chapter was based off of the Japanese Shinto legend of Izanagi and Izanami! And my main inspiration was that really underrated game: OKAMI!!!

Paper Mario - Nintendo (C)
The Metora Kingdom - Me (C)