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HIYA! Ugh! finally uploaded this! Chapter 5 of the Metora Kingdom! I do still have a major problem in that, I FORGOT to draw Volru and Norahl in the image, so I'll have to fix that somehow (damnit I wish I could use photoshop -_-), but for now, this is what I've got, so it'll do I guess Enjoy

After finally collecting all 5 Crown Jewels from across Metora, Norahl tells the group that they must now travel to the very heart of Metora itself; Anchor Valley. So, the group head back to Auroraport to find out how to get there. Merlon explains that since Anchor Valley is right in the middle of Metora, that there should actually be multiple ways into the valley, but they were all closed off by the government, because the valley is seen as “cursed”, and is far to dangerous for commoners to just, unknowingly walk onto its grounds.

“Sigh... so yet another area that regular people can’t just enter, but as per usual, WE JUST HAPPEN TO NEED TO GO THERE!?” Norahl complains semi-seriously.

Merlon then turns to Norahl to ask “Why exactly is it your burden to travel to Anchor Valley? What is it that you seek out?”

Norahl thinks for a moment “Hmmm... I’m... not too sure how to explain this but, since I awoken in Master Mario’s presence, I’ve just sort of had this... vision... like, a task set for me, from someone, maybe even I myself set this task before I was transformed into this form... but who knows when I am clearly cursed by this AMNESIA CLICHE! Oh! As for the task itself; we need to enter the Asterock Chamber. Only the Crown Jewels have the true power to be able to open up and control the seal inside the chamber, so with this power, we shall put an end to what remains of that Abomination, so no one can bring back that destruction that the Metorans faced 500 years ago...”

Merlon understands, although with a few doubts, but he explains that there is a secret passage to the valley, just in the back garden of the hotel. The group head there, and although there appears to be just an ordinary wall blocking the wall, by using Choroma’s ability to turn invisible, you can actually walk straight through the wall, revealing that the wall itself is fake, but there’s still some bars to stop others from getting through.

“I find it weird that the crown would turn you invisible, then again, you’re not allowed to actually wear it so, it’s not like it’d turn the monarchs invisible when by accident when they’re giving off speeches and stuff! Haha, but I swear that for some reason, a ring might have been more fitting for turning people invisible... can’t put my non-existent singer on it though...” Norahl jokes. Merlon wishes you luck, and with that, you head to Anchor Valley, thus starting CHAPTER 5: DARK, DEEP SECRETS...

The valley itself is massive, full of rocks and ruined walls. Parts of the valley are currently inaccessible, so Norahl tells you to start by heading straight to the edge of the huge pit in the centre of the valley, where Gorah City once lay. Peering of the edge, the entrance to the Asterock Chamber is just about visible, but on the other side of the valley, a feint figure is spotted who doesn’t seem to have noticed them. Norahl says that it’d be suicide to just try and jump and slide down there, and that they need to find a safe way to get down. With no other ideas, Norahl suggests they go and see what’s up with that man on the other side of the valley.

With this the group sets off east of the valley, and along the way, they find a lonely wooden house, fairly new by the looks of it too (at least it is compared to all the other ruins and stuff). On the door is a note saying “I’ve gone out North of the valley to look for a special rare Ore! I’ll be back shortly for any customers! – Brago”. “Geez, who’d set up a business all the way out here?” Norahl comments “Anyway, there’s no doubt this is the guy we saw North of the valley, let’s go!”. Travelling north of the valley, you eventually reach this “Brago”, who is still looking around the edge of the valley.

“WHA? PEOPLE? Oh my! Could it be! You’ve came all the way out here in search of Brago’s excellent crafting skills!? HAHA! WELL FEAR NOT! Today you shall leave as happy customers!” the Beanish Craftsman says joyfully.

“PUT A CAN IN IT!” Norhal orders “We need to find a way to get down into the valley, and we were wondering what a man like you would be doing here!”. “Oh I see..” Brago thinks for a moment “Well, maybe I can help craft you something to get down there? That is kind of what I do”. Before Norahl can say anything else, the ground abruptly begins to shake, and from the centre of the valley, erupts a violent ghostly dark wind.

“WHAT IS THIS?! I-impossible! There’s no way they could escape! Are we too late? This is REAL BAD!” Norahl panics. Brago then tells them to retreat back to their place, and puts on his very own Iron Boots, very similar to Mario’s own. So, you do the same, using the boots to fight against the wind, you eventually make it back to Brago’s house where you meet formally indoors. “Mind explaining just what the heck that was out there?” one of your party members asks. Norahl continues to panic slightly “Ah crud! That THING! I d-don’t know how but... what else CAN it be!? That’s Relmeadon’s body! Parts of it all flying around! How on earth did they escape the chamber? Only the power of the Jewels can allow that! If that’s really Relmeadon then our whole reason for coming here has been all for nothing!”

Brago rolls his eyes over everyone “Relmea-what? Is that some sort cool newly discovered rock that’s really valuable?”. “I SAID, CAN IT!” Norahl orders again “Okay, now we REALLY need to get down there into that valley, and seal that thing for good! Brago! Is there anything you could make us to get us down there?”

“Well... I might be able to make you a sledge, y’know so you don’t have to slide down on your butts instead? Trust me, don’t try that!”. Norahl is relieved “Okay, how long will it take you?”

Brago looks around awkwardly “Erm... well you see, here at Brago Crafts, I just do the making; if you want me to make something, you gotta bring me the materials!”

“WHAAAAT?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?” Norahl screams “Urgh, suppose we have no other choice... y’know I highly doubt you’ll get many customers with those methods!”. “Oh quite the contrary! An old Eskoopa came to me the other day asking me to make him a new ring for his fiancé! And when I told him that he needed to find the parts himself, he was more than willing! Especially since this valley is just jam-packed with great building materials!”

“An Eskoopa and his fiancé? Hrmm....” Trobuzza mumbles.

With this, the group have no other choice but to set out and find the parts to make the sledge themselves. By exploring various parts of the East, North and South parts of the valley, you should eventually find a “Rope” and “Wooden Planks”. However, the entire western area of the valley is inaccessible, meaning you can’t yet get the other parts. But coincidentily you unexpectedly bump into a familiar face on the east side of the valley... it’s Koorupe! Which means Trobuzza is semi-happy to awkwardly see him. Koorupe explains the whole “new-ring deal”, and shows the group that he has actually found a ring!

“But it’s not enough... IT NEEDS A JEWEL ON TOP LIKE THE ROSE ONE HAD! Thankfully, I know just the place to find one... the Inner Forest” Koorupe goes on to explain that the Inner Woods are a defined section of Stardust Woods, and are known for being quite a maze, but it is said that there’s a special plant hiding deep within, that grows a special jewel on it! “PLEASE! YOU GOTTA HELP ME GET THAT JEWEL FOR MY DEAR KUPURE!” Trobuzza then tries to explain their situation, but Koopure tells the group that if they help him, he’ll give them something good in return!

With no other choice, the group enter the Stardust Woods, from east Anchor Valley, taking them into an area of the woods which they could not explore first time around (New enemies: Golden Spuckery, Putrid Staranhas). From this new area, you are able to open up a new path leading into the Inner Forest, which is basically a maze, with new clear path on how to get to the objective. But after exploring enough, you should finally find an usually neon-blue Staranha Plant Sleeping with a blue Jewel tucked in its hands... leaves... whatever they are... So you know what that means right? You have to fight it to get the jewel!

After a short mini-boss against the Neon Staranha, Mario takes the Neon Jewel and willingly hands it over to Koorupe! “Oh my gosh! You actually did it! YES!”

“And now for you to return the favour?” Trobuzza reminds him, “Oh that... Erm well... (come on, think, think, think!) GOT IT! Hey son, do you know how to perform a Shell Spin?”

“Wh-what?” Trobuzza is confused. Despite its randomness, with this, Koorupe actually teaches Trobuzza how to perform a Shell Spin, which in turn, is a new field ability for him! With this Koorupe wishes you luck before heading over to Brago’s to get his new ring! ...and so you leave the forest with this strange new ability. Luckily though, using this ability, you are able to spin cogs and wheels, allowing you to open and access new areas, which does include the west side of the valley (accessed only from the South).

“Huh, so Koorupe was useful after all! I thought he just wanted to teach his kid how to break-dance!” Norahl chuckles.

However, after you enter the west side of the valley, you meet a Metoran Woman hiding around in the ruins... “A Metoran? Whoa, this is a rare sight to say the least!” Norahl studies the seemingly-young woman “What do you want!?” the woman asks firmly. Norhal explains that they’re looking for Building Items to help complete their task, and asks what this woman is doing here. The Metoran reveals “I built a barrier of rock, rubble and ruin in order to define this as my own personal territory in the valley”

“Wh-Ha... hahahahahahaha, I’m sorry but that’s just too funny; you’re territory? In a place that’s been desolate for nearly 500 years? Pfff, go on then, what’s your name?” Norahl asks, still giggling

“Ergh, the nerve! Fine! If you want a name, you may call me K”

Norahl stays silent for a second, puzzled “Oh... K! HAHAHA, Ok that was really bad, but still, K? Pffff code names consisting of one letter are just cliché, and I’m sorry but you’ve made it pretty obvious that you’re hiding something if you’re using a code name”.

“Urgh, it’s not a code name! I chose to be called this and that’s ALL you need to know! Besides, don’t you have a job to be getting on with?”. With this, the group continue searching for the final piece of the Sledge... only it’s on top of an unreachable rock platform... But luckily, the group do find something else; the “Quake Ore”. Norahl then suggests the group head back to Brago to see if he can make anything of the Ore and if he can help them reach the final Sledge Piece.

“WHAT? YOU FOUND THE QUAKE ORE? Oh my! I’ve been searching for this for so long! And here it is! Right in front of my eyes!” Brago mesmerizes.

“So pops, what can ya make of it?” Norahl wonders “Glad you asked! It’ll sound crazy if I tell you, but just give your hammer, and 50 Coins to go along with it, and I promise you won’t regret it!”. Mario sighs, and hands over both those things. With this, Brago right away begins forging something using the hammer and the ore and once it’s all done... Brago give Mario the new and improved “QUAKE HAMMER”. Mario and Co. thanks him, but before you leave, Brago quickly asks if you met “K” on the west side of the valley.

“Yeah, why?” Norhal wonders. Brago just explains “K is actually my number one most common customer! And her ideas for the things she makes me craft are insane but she just shows up with all this random, presumably-junk, but it actually turns out to make her things like the “Stunt Boots” or the “Smash Hammer”, well, thanks to yours truly of course!”, Norahl then gets suspicious, since these are all items that they somehow have... But anyway, with this new Quake Hammer, you make your way back to the west of the valley (you can now open up a northern route to it with the new hammer).

Using the Hammer to create mini-earthquakes, you eventually use it to shake down the final building item of the sledge; the “Metal Bars”. Mario then realises that K was watching you “Y-you have the Quake Hammer? B-but that was my idea!”

Norahl takes this opportunity to question why they have the items that she apparently thought of. K then shakes nervously “So... y-you’re the one who found them after all... Yes it’s true; I requested those items were built, specially so I could give them to you secretly...”

“SO YOU’VE BEEN FOLLOWING US THIS WHOLE TIME?” Norahl yells

“Not quite... I simply knew the areas that you’d travel to in order to collect the Crown Jewels, and placed them accordingly; this was long before you had actually arrived in said areas... Listen, I’m just helping out here, I want Relmeadon gone as much as you so... go! Now that you have the parts you can go down there and face him once and for all. I know you can do it!”

While still suspicious, Norahl agrees that they need to get down there already, so without wasting any more time, the group head back to Brago’s to give him the Sledge Parts! And thus Mario is given the Sledge! With this, you may travel to the edge of the valley (any part of it works), and so begins a short minigame where you must use the sledge avoid rocks and get to the bottom. Once at the bottom of the valley at last, you approach the Asterock Chamber’s entrance, although it appears to be perfectly sealed off, making Norahl wonder just how that dark energy somehow leaked out earlier...

However, their thinking is quickly interrupted as Bowser and Kammy Koopa show up seeking to steal the Crown Jewels from Mario and crush him right here! And so begins a battle... Afterwards, Bowser gets mad but is too weak to carry on, so Kammy quickly uses her magic to teleport them right out! With that settled, the group approach the entrance to the Asterock Chamber.

“It is time...” Norahl states, and thus the 5 Crown Jewels all levitate onto the 5 pedestals surrounding the entrance. The grooved patterns then light up a neon blue, and with that, slowly but surely, the platform Mario and co. are standing on descends into the Asterock Chamber... “Now, let’s put an end to Relmeadon once and for all” Norahl says staring at the first doorway...

With this begins the 5th dungeon of the game, the Asterock Chamber, which is extremely dark, and so the puzzles play on that a lot. This dungeon is a bit more free with what order you do things in, because the Party Member about to be introduced actually makes a lot of these rooms a ton easier, but you have to know where and when to do these things. Eventually, you come across a lone Sun Bubble, who appears to be lost, but she thinks you’re an enemy, so you have to chase her around for awhile.

Eventually, you corner her, so the interrogation may begin as to how the heck she is actually here! “Em... M-my name’s Lasafi, I d-don’t know where I am! Please don’t hurt me!” She cowers in fear. Norahl reassures her that they are not her enemy and asks how she got here. Lasafi thinks for a moment “O-okay well... I really don’t remember, how I got here but, I just remember being chased by some creepy Black Star-Shaped creature. Oh, I, I’m s-sooo scared right now... please you gotta help me!” Mario understands, and with this, LASAFI JOINS YOUR PARTY!!!

Using her ability to light torches, you make your way through the rest of the dungeon until you finally reach the bottom... the Seal Room. The room is near- pitch black (the torches are too high up to light), and has massive columns holding up the extremely high-ceiling, but the back of the room is the main focus; a large, circular crest with what almost seems like a keyhole in the centre... Suddenly, a familiar voice is heard echoing though the ancient hall... it’s Delumer.

“Hahaha, so you finally made it! Sorry Norahl, the Cliché of that evil laugh was inexcusable of me!” Delumer jokes “How did he know I was gonna point that out?” Norahl stupidly wonders. Lasafi then steps forward “I-it’s you! Listen I don’t know who you are but I know you’re behind all this! Tell me, how did I get here? What did you do?!”

Delumer stares for a moment and answers “So... it seems all was a success in your friends plan to get rid of you... You don’t remember Plasmarha Lake at all!”. This confuses Lasafi “P-plasmarha? What are y-”

Lasafi is cut off by Norahl “She’s right! You have done something? How did you even get in here!? WHAT IS THIS?!”, Delumer laughs amusingly “Fools! That windy darkness I set up out there was a mere illusion! A show I set up to make you panic and act quicker! I’d say that too was a success... oh and how I got in here? Ha, what do you mean? I think I should know the way into what is basically my own home!”

“Y-your home?” Norahl fears “But then, that means...”

“HAHA! No more questions! It’s time for a true test of your ability! NOW, YOU SHALL FACE THE WRATH OF RELMEADON!” with this, loads of rocks suddenly all cluster together in the centre of the room to form a giant stone Cleft monster (called Uncleft), thus being the boss of Chapter 5!

After the battle, Uncleft crumbles, and so Delumer is left defenceless... Delumer growls “I bet you think you’ve won? Hahaha, FAR FROM IT! In fact, your adventure so far will have been child’s-play compared to what you will soon face!” with that, Delumer fades into the shadows and vanishes... All stays silent for a moment, until Norahl notices something perched against the seal... a blue key with a Metoran Head-shape on top...

“There’s no way this was here before we came... I wonder if Delumer put it here...” Norahl tries to add up “We should take it anyway; it has to important for something, even if it is a trick, what choice do we have now?” Mario agrees, and with that, Mario takes the Metoran Key, thus triggering the END OF CHAPTER sequence!

YOU GOT A KEY... thing? ... “What? You gotta better name?” Norahl interrupts the sequence...

Interludes

And now for the Peach and Bowser interludes: Peach and Medreana are once again spying on Darameana, when Delumer finally returns to the base where Darameana is extremely suspicious and begins asking questions such as "Where have you been for the last day or two? I've honestly been beginning to think that you've turned your back on me!" Delumer then replies "No sir, I am still on your side but I have been out and about as I have been trying to gain information about Mario". Darameana accepts this and passes on by.

Once he's gone Peach and Medreana make their way up that computer monitor again and Medreana tells you she has a plan; she contacts the NMA (National Metoran Army) and tells them where they are being held in hope that they'll infiltrate the base and save them. However Delumer then sneaks up behind them and sees what they're doing, he attacks them making their disguises wear off. Delumer orders his lackeys to capture them, and when Darameana sees what's going on, he says "Take them to Shrine, and tell General E. Grate to get his men together”. As for Dooplund, Darameana tells him that he's "FIRED" and he then he gets kicked out the base thus concluding the Peach interlude...

Meanwhile, Bowser and Kammy Koopa are still recovering from the fight with Mario. Bowser asks "Where the heck are we anyway?" Kammy Koopa looks around and sees a vast volcanic-like land with a strange sun like plasma all over the place; however she doesn't know where they are. You get to control Bowser here and after some searching, you meet some Sun Bubble's. After overhearing them talking about "Lasafi" Bowser goes up to them and forcingly asks "Hey you! Hot heads, where the heck are we? I demand answers!" The Sun bubbles, after a short argument about Bowsers rudeness, tell them that they're in Plasmarha Lake, in the Plasmarha province. Bowser and Kammy Koopa decide to explore the area to see what they may find and on that note the Bowser interlude ends.

Back with Mario and Co. in Anchor Valley, just outside the Asterock Chamber (at the bottom of the valley). There appears to be no way out of the valley as the surrounding area is too steep, but if you use Lasafi to light a torch, then a pipe appears out of the ground allowing you to get back up onto the main valley. Once in the main valley, A party member asks what to do next. Norahl then thinks to himself "It seems we have failed to permanently seal Relmeadon... I can't think of what we could possible do next, nor can I bring me self to make any jokes at this moment"

Abruptly, Octoombravo then gets a message on his walky-talky saying "All Quasar Op Squad members, report to NMA HQ (National Metoran Army Headquarters); we have a mission to assign you". Octoombravo tells you that he has to go to his HQ, south-east of the kingdom. Norahl asks what the mission is, Octoomber says that he's not sure but it's something concerning a Princess being held hostage in the Starflake Pinnicles. Mario jumps in assumption that it Peach!

Norahl agrees "That is our next location..." But, before you can head there Brago comes out of his house and tells you that if you find any random pieces of junk and such (Which you may have collected a lot of throughout the game already), you can bring it to him and he'll see if he can make anything uses out of it such as items or partner upgrades.

Thus concluding this chapter...

Hahahaha! YES! Well... that was fun! This pretty much marks the end of the game's 1st half (and yes, I am making a big deal out of this), especially since the next chapter is my personal favourite of them all! The Battle of Lost Kingdoms! Oh man I can't wait! So, please comment telling me what you thought of this rather... weirdly constructed chapter, and in general, how the first half of the game has been for you?

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

Description
HIYA! Ugh! finally uploaded this! Chapter 5 of the Metora Kingdom! I do still have a major problem in that, I FORGOT to draw Volru and Norahl in the image, so I'll have to fix that somehow (damnit I wish I could use photoshop -_-), but for now, this is what I've got, so it'll do I guess Enjoy

After finally collecting all 5 Crown Jewels from across Metora, Norahl tells the group that they must now travel to the very heart of Metora itself; Anchor Valley. So, the group head back to Auroraport to find out how to get there. Merlon explains that since Anchor Valley is right in the middle of Metora, that there should actually be multiple ways into the valley, but they were all closed off by the government, because the valley is seen as “cursed”, and is far to dangerous for commoners to just, unknowingly walk onto its grounds.

“Sigh... so yet another area that regular people can’t just enter, but as per usual, WE JUST HAPPEN TO NEED TO GO THERE!?” Norahl complains semi-seriously.

Merlon then turns to Norahl to ask “Why exactly is it your burden to travel to Anchor Valley? What is it that you seek out?”

Norahl thinks for a moment “Hmmm... I’m... not too sure how to explain this but, since I awoken in Master Mario’s presence, I’ve just sort of had this... vision... like, a task set for me, from someone, maybe even I myself set this task before I was transformed into this form... but who knows when I am clearly cursed by this AMNESIA CLICHE! Oh! As for the task itself; we need to enter the Asterock Chamber. Only the Crown Jewels have the true power to be able to open up and control the seal inside the chamber, so with this power, we shall put an end to what remains of that Abomination, so no one can bring back that destruction that the Metorans faced 500 years ago...”

Merlon understands, although with a few doubts, but he explains that there is a secret passage to the valley, just in the back garden of the hotel. The group head there, and although there appears to be just an ordinary wall blocking the wall, by using Choroma’s ability to turn invisible, you can actually walk straight through the wall, revealing that the wall itself is fake, but there’s still some bars to stop others from getting through.

“I find it weird that the crown would turn you invisible, then again, you’re not allowed to actually wear it so, it’s not like it’d turn the monarchs invisible when by accident when they’re giving off speeches and stuff! Haha, but I swear that for some reason, a ring might have been more fitting for turning people invisible... can’t put my non-existent singer on it though...” Norahl jokes. Merlon wishes you luck, and with that, you head to Anchor Valley, thus starting CHAPTER 5: DARK, DEEP SECRETS...

The valley itself is massive, full of rocks and ruined walls. Parts of the valley are currently inaccessible, so Norahl tells you to start by heading straight to the edge of the huge pit in the centre of the valley, where Gorah City once lay. Peering of the edge, the entrance to the Asterock Chamber is just about visible, but on the other side of the valley, a feint figure is spotted who doesn’t seem to have noticed them. Norahl says that it’d be suicide to just try and jump and slide down there, and that they need to find a safe way to get down. With no other ideas, Norahl suggests they go and see what’s up with that man on the other side of the valley.

With this the group sets off east of the valley, and along the way, they find a lonely wooden house, fairly new by the looks of it too (at least it is compared to all the other ruins and stuff). On the door is a note saying “I’ve gone out North of the valley to look for a special rare Ore! I’ll be back shortly for any customers! – Brago”. “Geez, who’d set up a business all the way out here?” Norahl comments “Anyway, there’s no doubt this is the guy we saw North of the valley, let’s go!”. Travelling north of the valley, you eventually reach this “Brago”, who is still looking around the edge of the valley.

“WHA? PEOPLE? Oh my! Could it be! You’ve came all the way out here in search of Brago’s excellent crafting skills!? HAHA! WELL FEAR NOT! Today you shall leave as happy customers!” the Beanish Craftsman says joyfully.

“PUT A CAN IN IT!” Norhal orders “We need to find a way to get down into the valley, and we were wondering what a man like you would be doing here!”. “Oh I see..” Brago thinks for a moment “Well, maybe I can help craft you something to get down there? That is kind of what I do”. Before Norahl can say anything else, the ground abruptly begins to shake, and from the centre of the valley, erupts a violent ghostly dark wind.

“WHAT IS THIS?! I-impossible! There’s no way they could escape! Are we too late? This is REAL BAD!” Norahl panics. Brago then tells them to retreat back to their place, and puts on his very own Iron Boots, very similar to Mario’s own. So, you do the same, using the boots to fight against the wind, you eventually make it back to Brago’s house where you meet formally indoors. “Mind explaining just what the heck that was out there?” one of your party members asks. Norahl continues to panic slightly “Ah crud! That THING! I d-don’t know how but... what else CAN it be!? That’s Relmeadon’s body! Parts of it all flying around! How on earth did they escape the chamber? Only the power of the Jewels can allow that! If that’s really Relmeadon then our whole reason for coming here has been all for nothing!”

Brago rolls his eyes over everyone “Relmea-what? Is that some sort cool newly discovered rock that’s really valuable?”. “I SAID, CAN IT!” Norahl orders again “Okay, now we REALLY need to get down there into that valley, and seal that thing for good! Brago! Is there anything you could make us to get us down there?”

“Well... I might be able to make you a sledge, y’know so you don’t have to slide down on your butts instead? Trust me, don’t try that!”. Norahl is relieved “Okay, how long will it take you?”

Brago looks around awkwardly “Erm... well you see, here at Brago Crafts, I just do the making; if you want me to make something, you gotta bring me the materials!”

“WHAAAAT?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?” Norahl screams “Urgh, suppose we have no other choice... y’know I highly doubt you’ll get many customers with those methods!”. “Oh quite the contrary! An old Eskoopa came to me the other day asking me to make him a new ring for his fiancé! And when I told him that he needed to find the parts himself, he was more than willing! Especially since this valley is just jam-packed with great building materials!”

“An Eskoopa and his fiancé? Hrmm....” Trobuzza mumbles.

With this, the group have no other choice but to set out and find the parts to make the sledge themselves. By exploring various parts of the East, North and South parts of the valley, you should eventually find a “Rope” and “Wooden Planks”. However, the entire western area of the valley is inaccessible, meaning you can’t yet get the other parts. But coincidentily you unexpectedly bump into a familiar face on the east side of the valley... it’s Koorupe! Which means Trobuzza is semi-happy to awkwardly see him. Koorupe explains the whole “new-ring deal”, and shows the group that he has actually found a ring!

“But it’s not enough... IT NEEDS A JEWEL ON TOP LIKE THE ROSE ONE HAD! Thankfully, I know just the place to find one... the Inner Forest” Koorupe goes on to explain that the Inner Woods are a defined section of Stardust Woods, and are known for being quite a maze, but it is said that there’s a special plant hiding deep within, that grows a special jewel on it! “PLEASE! YOU GOTTA HELP ME GET THAT JEWEL FOR MY DEAR KUPURE!” Trobuzza then tries to explain their situation, but Koopure tells the group that if they help him, he’ll give them something good in return!

With no other choice, the group enter the Stardust Woods, from east Anchor Valley, taking them into an area of the woods which they could not explore first time around (New enemies: Golden Spuckery, Putrid Staranhas). From this new area, you are able to open up a new path leading into the Inner Forest, which is basically a maze, with new clear path on how to get to the objective. But after exploring enough, you should finally find an usually neon-blue Staranha Plant Sleeping with a blue Jewel tucked in its hands... leaves... whatever they are... So you know what that means right? You have to fight it to get the jewel!

After a short mini-boss against the Neon Staranha, Mario takes the Neon Jewel and willingly hands it over to Koorupe! “Oh my gosh! You actually did it! YES!”

“And now for you to return the favour?” Trobuzza reminds him, “Oh that... Erm well... (come on, think, think, think!) GOT IT! Hey son, do you know how to perform a Shell Spin?”

“Wh-what?” Trobuzza is confused. Despite its randomness, with this, Koorupe actually teaches Trobuzza how to perform a Shell Spin, which in turn, is a new field ability for him! With this Koorupe wishes you luck before heading over to Brago’s to get his new ring! ...and so you leave the forest with this strange new ability. Luckily though, using this ability, you are able to spin cogs and wheels, allowing you to open and access new areas, which does include the west side of the valley (accessed only from the South).

“Huh, so Koorupe was useful after all! I thought he just wanted to teach his kid how to break-dance!” Norahl chuckles.

However, after you enter the west side of the valley, you meet a Metoran Woman hiding around in the ruins... “A Metoran? Whoa, this is a rare sight to say the least!” Norahl studies the seemingly-young woman “What do you want!?” the woman asks firmly. Norhal explains that they’re looking for Building Items to help complete their task, and asks what this woman is doing here. The Metoran reveals “I built a barrier of rock, rubble and ruin in order to define this as my own personal territory in the valley”

“Wh-Ha... hahahahahahaha, I’m sorry but that’s just too funny; you’re territory? In a place that’s been desolate for nearly 500 years? Pfff, go on then, what’s your name?” Norahl asks, still giggling

“Ergh, the nerve! Fine! If you want a name, you may call me K”

Norahl stays silent for a second, puzzled “Oh... K! HAHAHA, Ok that was really bad, but still, K? Pffff code names consisting of one letter are just cliché, and I’m sorry but you’ve made it pretty obvious that you’re hiding something if you’re using a code name”.

“Urgh, it’s not a code name! I chose to be called this and that’s ALL you need to know! Besides, don’t you have a job to be getting on with?”. With this, the group continue searching for the final piece of the Sledge... only it’s on top of an unreachable rock platform... But luckily, the group do find something else; the “Quake Ore”. Norahl then suggests the group head back to Brago to see if he can make anything of the Ore and if he can help them reach the final Sledge Piece.

“WHAT? YOU FOUND THE QUAKE ORE? Oh my! I’ve been searching for this for so long! And here it is! Right in front of my eyes!” Brago mesmerizes.

“So pops, what can ya make of it?” Norahl wonders “Glad you asked! It’ll sound crazy if I tell you, but just give your hammer, and 50 Coins to go along with it, and I promise you won’t regret it!”. Mario sighs, and hands over both those things. With this, Brago right away begins forging something using the hammer and the ore and once it’s all done... Brago give Mario the new and improved “QUAKE HAMMER”. Mario and Co. thanks him, but before you leave, Brago quickly asks if you met “K” on the west side of the valley.

“Yeah, why?” Norhal wonders. Brago just explains “K is actually my number one most common customer! And her ideas for the things she makes me craft are insane but she just shows up with all this random, presumably-junk, but it actually turns out to make her things like the “Stunt Boots” or the “Smash Hammer”, well, thanks to yours truly of course!”, Norahl then gets suspicious, since these are all items that they somehow have... But anyway, with this new Quake Hammer, you make your way back to the west of the valley (you can now open up a northern route to it with the new hammer).

Using the Hammer to create mini-earthquakes, you eventually use it to shake down the final building item of the sledge; the “Metal Bars”. Mario then realises that K was watching you “Y-you have the Quake Hammer? B-but that was my idea!”

Norahl takes this opportunity to question why they have the items that she apparently thought of. K then shakes nervously “So... y-you’re the one who found them after all... Yes it’s true; I requested those items were built, specially so I could give them to you secretly...”

“SO YOU’VE BEEN FOLLOWING US THIS WHOLE TIME?” Norahl yells

“Not quite... I simply knew the areas that you’d travel to in order to collect the Crown Jewels, and placed them accordingly; this was long before you had actually arrived in said areas... Listen, I’m just helping out here, I want Relmeadon gone as much as you so... go! Now that you have the parts you can go down there and face him once and for all. I know you can do it!”

While still suspicious, Norahl agrees that they need to get down there already, so without wasting any more time, the group head back to Brago’s to give him the Sledge Parts! And thus Mario is given the Sledge! With this, you may travel to the edge of the valley (any part of it works), and so begins a short minigame where you must use the sledge avoid rocks and get to the bottom. Once at the bottom of the valley at last, you approach the Asterock Chamber’s entrance, although it appears to be perfectly sealed off, making Norahl wonder just how that dark energy somehow leaked out earlier...

However, their thinking is quickly interrupted as Bowser and Kammy Koopa show up seeking to steal the Crown Jewels from Mario and crush him right here! And so begins a battle... Afterwards, Bowser gets mad but is too weak to carry on, so Kammy quickly uses her magic to teleport them right out! With that settled, the group approach the entrance to the Asterock Chamber.

“It is time...” Norahl states, and thus the 5 Crown Jewels all levitate onto the 5 pedestals surrounding the entrance. The grooved patterns then light up a neon blue, and with that, slowly but surely, the platform Mario and co. are standing on descends into the Asterock Chamber... “Now, let’s put an end to Relmeadon once and for all” Norahl says staring at the first doorway...

With this begins the 5th dungeon of the game, the Asterock Chamber, which is extremely dark, and so the puzzles play on that a lot. This dungeon is a bit more free with what order you do things in, because the Party Member about to be introduced actually makes a lot of these rooms a ton easier, but you have to know where and when to do these things. Eventually, you come across a lone Sun Bubble, who appears to be lost, but she thinks you’re an enemy, so you have to chase her around for awhile.

Eventually, you corner her, so the interrogation may begin as to how the heck she is actually here! “Em... M-my name’s Lasafi, I d-don’t know where I am! Please don’t hurt me!” She cowers in fear. Norahl reassures her that they are not her enemy and asks how she got here. Lasafi thinks for a moment “O-okay well... I really don’t remember, how I got here but, I just remember being chased by some creepy Black Star-Shaped creature. Oh, I, I’m s-sooo scared right now... please you gotta help me!” Mario understands, and with this, LASAFI JOINS YOUR PARTY!!!

Using her ability to light torches, you make your way through the rest of the dungeon until you finally reach the bottom... the Seal Room. The room is near- pitch black (the torches are too high up to light), and has massive columns holding up the extremely high-ceiling, but the back of the room is the main focus; a large, circular crest with what almost seems like a keyhole in the centre... Suddenly, a familiar voice is heard echoing though the ancient hall... it’s Delumer.

“Hahaha, so you finally made it! Sorry Norahl, the Cliché of that evil laugh was inexcusable of me!” Delumer jokes “How did he know I was gonna point that out?” Norahl stupidly wonders. Lasafi then steps forward “I-it’s you! Listen I don’t know who you are but I know you’re behind all this! Tell me, how did I get here? What did you do?!”

Delumer stares for a moment and answers “So... it seems all was a success in your friends plan to get rid of you... You don’t remember Plasmarha Lake at all!”. This confuses Lasafi “P-plasmarha? What are y-”

Lasafi is cut off by Norahl “She’s right! You have done something? How did you even get in here!? WHAT IS THIS?!”, Delumer laughs amusingly “Fools! That windy darkness I set up out there was a mere illusion! A show I set up to make you panic and act quicker! I’d say that too was a success... oh and how I got in here? Ha, what do you mean? I think I should know the way into what is basically my own home!”

“Y-your home?” Norahl fears “But then, that means...”

“HAHA! No more questions! It’s time for a true test of your ability! NOW, YOU SHALL FACE THE WRATH OF RELMEADON!” with this, loads of rocks suddenly all cluster together in the centre of the room to form a giant stone Cleft monster (called Uncleft), thus being the boss of Chapter 5!

After the battle, Uncleft crumbles, and so Delumer is left defenceless... Delumer growls “I bet you think you’ve won? Hahaha, FAR FROM IT! In fact, your adventure so far will have been child’s-play compared to what you will soon face!” with that, Delumer fades into the shadows and vanishes... All stays silent for a moment, until Norahl notices something perched against the seal... a blue key with a Metoran Head-shape on top...

“There’s no way this was here before we came... I wonder if Delumer put it here...” Norahl tries to add up “We should take it anyway; it has to important for something, even if it is a trick, what choice do we have now?” Mario agrees, and with that, Mario takes the Metoran Key, thus triggering the END OF CHAPTER sequence!

YOU GOT A KEY... thing? ... “What? You gotta better name?” Norahl interrupts the sequence...

Interludes

And now for the Peach and Bowser interludes: Peach and Medreana are once again spying on Darameana, when Delumer finally returns to the base where Darameana is extremely suspicious and begins asking questions such as "Where have you been for the last day or two? I've honestly been beginning to think that you've turned your back on me!" Delumer then replies "No sir, I am still on your side but I have been out and about as I have been trying to gain information about Mario". Darameana accepts this and passes on by.

Once he's gone Peach and Medreana make their way up that computer monitor again and Medreana tells you she has a plan; she contacts the NMA (National Metoran Army) and tells them where they are being held in hope that they'll infiltrate the base and save them. However Delumer then sneaks up behind them and sees what they're doing, he attacks them making their disguises wear off. Delumer orders his lackeys to capture them, and when Darameana sees what's going on, he says "Take them to Shrine, and tell General E. Grate to get his men together”. As for Dooplund, Darameana tells him that he's "FIRED" and he then he gets kicked out the base thus concluding the Peach interlude...

Meanwhile, Bowser and Kammy Koopa are still recovering from the fight with Mario. Bowser asks "Where the heck are we anyway?" Kammy Koopa looks around and sees a vast volcanic-like land with a strange sun like plasma all over the place; however she doesn't know where they are. You get to control Bowser here and after some searching, you meet some Sun Bubble's. After overhearing them talking about "Lasafi" Bowser goes up to them and forcingly asks "Hey you! Hot heads, where the heck are we? I demand answers!" The Sun bubbles, after a short argument about Bowsers rudeness, tell them that they're in Plasmarha Lake, in the Plasmarha province. Bowser and Kammy Koopa decide to explore the area to see what they may find and on that note the Bowser interlude ends.

Back with Mario and Co. in Anchor Valley, just outside the Asterock Chamber (at the bottom of the valley). There appears to be no way out of the valley as the surrounding area is too steep, but if you use Lasafi to light a torch, then a pipe appears out of the ground allowing you to get back up onto the main valley. Once in the main valley, A party member asks what to do next. Norahl then thinks to himself "It seems we have failed to permanently seal Relmeadon... I can't think of what we could possible do next, nor can I bring me self to make any jokes at this moment"

Abruptly, Octoombravo then gets a message on his walky-talky saying "All Quasar Op Squad members, report to NMA HQ (National Metoran Army Headquarters); we have a mission to assign you". Octoombravo tells you that he has to go to his HQ, south-east of the kingdom. Norahl asks what the mission is, Octoomber says that he's not sure but it's something concerning a Princess being held hostage in the Starflake Pinnicles. Mario jumps in assumption that it Peach!

Norahl agrees "That is our next location..." But, before you can head there Brago comes out of his house and tells you that if you find any random pieces of junk and such (Which you may have collected a lot of throughout the game already), you can bring it to him and he'll see if he can make anything uses out of it such as items or partner upgrades.

Thus concluding this chapter...

Hahahaha! YES! Well... that was fun! This pretty much marks the end of the game's 1st half (and yes, I am making a big deal out of this), especially since the next chapter is my personal favourite of them all! The Battle of Lost Kingdoms! Oh man I can't wait! So, please comment telling me what you thought of this rather... weirdly constructed chapter, and in general, how the first half of the game has been for you?

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