The Trouble Center

Well, with Chapter 1 completed, a new feature is revealed. For those of you who played Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door, you should recognize this as the Trouble Center. The Trouble Center allows you to take up people's troubles. You can also get rewards for this.

Here are the first bunch:

1. "Find my lost key!" Requester: Toadar   Location: Toad Town   Reward: 28 Coins
2. "Help me to Shy Guy Town!" Requester: Toaden   Location: Mushroom Path   Reward: Super Shroom
3. "Jog my memory!" Requester: Buzzbed   Location: Shell Village   Reward: 30 Coins
4. "Overcome shyness!" Requester: Shybie   Location: Shy Guy Town   Reward: Maple Syrup
5. "Explore the Clockwork Ruins!" Requester: Ms. Kopa   Location: Ruined Path   Reward: Power Jump Badge

More will be revealed after each Chapter. Just know that for every truble you take on, you can get a reward. Some aren't so worthwhile, while some is definitely worthwhile.

(Note: These are the only troubles I can think of for this set. I may add more later...)

Chapter 1 Interlude

With Chapter 1 completed, we move on to the first Interlude in the game. These Interludes are nothing too special, at least not yet. So, enjoy.

Chapter 1 Interlude

When we last left off, Mario and his friends defeated Father Clockwork and obtained their first Time Gear, along with a power that allows Mario to safely take the Time Gears. Now, we’re going for a change in scenery. The sky in this area is dark and cloudy, as if the clouds are coming from some volcanoes. The canyons are also dark and gloomy as they stick out a sea of lava. This place certainly has an evil aura around it. Everyone, welcome to Dark Land, home of Bowser’s Castle. Bowser’s castle is a gigantic, dark castle that certainly reeks of evil around every corner.

Deep inside the castle was Bowser’s throne room where Bowser sat, waiting for news. Just then, Kamek appeared from the doors on the other side of the throne room.

Kamek: “Lord Bowser, I’ve come with news about Goomander.”

Bowser looked impatient.

Bowser: “Well, out with it! How’s Goomander doing on his mission?”

Kamek: “Well, it’s nothing but bad news. You see, Goomander failed his mission…”

Bowser immediately looked angry.

Bowser: “WHAT!? Goomander failed!? But how!?”

Kamek: “He and his Goomba army were defeated by Mario.”

Bowser: “Hmph… Figures that Mario would ruin everything.”

Kamek: “But Lord Bowser, I also bring good news.”

After hearing that Bowser quickly became interested.

Bowser: “Good news? What’s the good news?”

Kamek: “Our desert patrols has finally found the location of the lost Pyramid, it’s located in Desert Hills.”

Bowser, upon hearing that, leaped for joy.

Bowser: “They found it!? YES! Now we can steal the treasure there! Rumors have it that the treasure is a powerful relic, said to be sealed because of its unlimited power. I’m getting that treasure so I can easily take over the WORLD!”

Kamek: “Yes, Lord Bowser. I’ll be heading there to retrieve the treasure for you.”

???: “Not so fast, Kamek.”

The voice came from the door Kamek came from. There was a very old Magikoopa in front of the door that wore a purple Magikoopa robe and a purple hat.

Bowser: “Kammy Koopa? What do you want?”

Kammy: “I’ve just overheard that Kamek was going to Desert Hills to retrieve the treasure for you, am I right?”

Bowser: “What do you mean?”

Kammy: “Well, I believe that I would be the best candidate for the job.”

Kamek: “YOU? Retrieve the treasure for Lord Bowser? In case you haven’t noticed, I’m retrieving the treasure!”

Kammy: “And what makes you think that you’ll succeed? Mario might be there and beat you up like last time.”

Kamek: “The only reason I lost to Mario was that I was providing a distraction for Lord Bowser! I can handle Mario just fine!”

Kammy: “If you can handle Mario just fine, then how come he’s still here when you had plenty of opportunities of getting rid of him when he was just a baby?”

Kamek: “HEY! I did not count on the Yoshis helping him!”

Kammy: “The Yoshis were just simple creatures, and yet you STILL lost to them.”

Bowser had enough of the arguing.

Bowser: “BOTH OF YOU! STOP THIS POINTLESS ARGUING!”

Kamek & Kammy: “But…”

Bowser: “ENOUGH! Kammy, you’re heading to Desert Hills NOW!”

Kammy: “A wise decision, Lord Bowser.”

Kamek: “But Lord Bowser…”

Bowser: “ENOUGH OF THIS! BOTH OF YOU GET OUT BEFORE I SCORCH YOU TWO!”

Kamek and Kammy immediately bolted through the door, hoping to not get scorched by Bowser. In another part of the castle, Princess Peach was trapped in her jail cell, bored and worried.

Peach: “Oh, Mario…”

Just then Peach began to hear voices from beyond the room.

??? #1: “Yea, I’ve heard that they finally found the Pyramid.”

Peach tried to get a good look at who was talking. She caught sight of 2 Koopatrols, Koopas that wore spiky armor. Koopatrols are the elites of the Koopa Troop.

Koopatrol #2: “They did?”

Koopatrol #1: “Yea. Turns out, it’s located in Desert Hills. The catch is the entrance is sealed shut. You need a special key to get in and out of the Pyramid.”

Just then, another Koopatrol appeared.

Koopatrol #3: “Hey! This is a restricted section! Please leave immediately!”

Koopatrol #2: “How come? This is only Princess Peach’s cell.”

Koopatrol #3: “That’s the point! We can’t have the princess overhear conversations! The moment she hears them, she’ll send them straight to Mario! Now leave immediately!”

Koopatrol #1: “Oh well, we’ll just continue talking somewhere else.”

The third Koopatrol had the right idea, but he was already too late. Peach already has the information. Now she just needs a way to contact Mario. Just then, a strange bird appeared. Princess Peach remembered the bird as Birdley, Dr. Toadley’s pet bird. But what was Birdley doing here? Then Peach had an idea.

Peach: “Listen, can you deliver messages?”

Birdley nodded yes.

Peach: “I need you to deliver this message to Mario. You see…”

And Peach began telling Birdley what she overheard. Meanwhile, back at Shell Village, Mario just got done telling the residents about what happened. Shelby was also requesting the she goes with Mario on this quest.

Ms. Kopa: “But Shelby, are you sure?”

Shelby: “I’m sure. Someone has to help Mario collect those Time Gears. Might as well be me.”

Ms. Kopa: “Well, be careful. You will look after Shelby, will you?”

Shycan: “Don’t worry, Ms. Kopa. She’s safe with us.”

Buzzer: “Do come back and visit sometime, Mario. We would appreciate your company.”

Mario nodded as he headed on back to Toad Town with Shycan and Shelby. Once back at Toad Town, Mario and his friends headed straight to the Toad Town Hospital and into Dr. Toadley’s office.

Shelby: “So Dr. Toadley lives here? Quite a weird place for him to be.”

Shycan: “Well, he is quite weird.”

At Dr. Toadley’s office, which looked more like a fortune teller’s room, Dr. Toadley was sitting behind his desk talking to Queen Bean.

Dr. Toadley: “Hello there Mario and Shycan. And for Shelby, I’m Dr. Toadley, head of the Toad Town Hospital.”

Queen Bean did her jump and crash as usual.

Queen Bean: “Well, hello there. I’m Queen Bean, ruler of the Beanbean Kingdom. And who are you?”

Shelby: “I’m Shelby, student at the Shell Village School of Archeology. Pleased to meet you.”

Mario asked Queen Bean where’s Daisy and Kaiser.

Queen Bean: “Well, they went to their kingdoms to settle things down. The news about the attack on Mushroom Castle was quite unexpected, especially with you being unable to handle the creature.”

Shelby: “Wait, what do you mean by that?”

Mario and Shycan explained to Shelby about the attack on Mushroom Castle.

Shelby: “Really!?”

Shycan: “I’m afraid so. So how does the search for this creature?”

Dr. Toadley: “Were we successful in finding the creature? No we’re not…”

Shycan: “I see… Well, at least there’s some good news; we got the relic you told us to get.”

Dr. Toadley: “Really? Well then, may I take a look?”

Mario showed Dr. Toadley the Time Gear. Dr. Toadley and Queen Bean were gazing at the Time Gear with delight. Mario also told Dr. Toadley about what Father Clockwork said to him.

Dr. Toadley: “I see. So, Father Clockwork told you to find the other 6 Time Gears.”

Shycan: “That’s right. We were hoping that you can help us find the Time Gears.”

Dr. Toadley looked disappointed.

Dr. Toadley: “Will I be able to help you? I’m afraid not. However, I’m expected Birdley to come back by now.”

Shycan: What do you mean?”

Just then, Birdley came into the room.

Dr. Toadley: “I see that you are back. Do you have anything?”

Birdley nodded and activated the orb hanging off of its scarf. Just then, Princess Peach’s voice came out of it.

Peach: “Mario, if you can hear me, then listen well.”

Everyone but Dr. Toadley was shocked.

Shycan: “Princess Peach!?”

Peach: “I’ve overheard some guards talking about a pyramid located in Desert Hills. I believe that they’re heading there. Knowing them, it can’t be good. Please be careful, Mario.”

The voice soon died out.

Shelby: “What was that about?”

Dr. Toadley: “You see, after Birdley came back from delivering you the message, I’ve sent him to find Princess Peach. Soon enough, he came back with a message from Peach.”

Shycan: “Why couldn’t you just have Birdley tell us where Princess Peach is at!?”

Dr. Toadley: “are you ready to face Bowser yet? No you’re not. You’ll need the power of the Time Gears before you can face Bowser.”

Shycan: “How come?”

Dr. Toadley: “I’ve seen it in my vision. Now, regarding the Pyramid of Desert Hills, legends spoke that an ancient and powerful treasure is supposedly located deep inside it.”

Shycan: “Wait, that sounds like a Time Gear!”

Dr. Toadley: “Is it a Time Gear? I don’t know, but it’s possible. Could Bowser be after the treasure either way? Yes he is.”

Shelby: “Which is why we need to head there as well.”

Dr. Toadley: “I recommend that you head for the Oasis Camp before looking for the Pyramid. The Desert Hills is known for the Lost Desert located in that region. South of Toad Town, there’s a train that’ll take you to the entrance to Desert Hills.”

Shycan: “Then let’s go!”

Queen Bean: “You be careful, Mario.”

Mario nodded as he and his friends take off for the train. At the Toad Town train station, Mario met with the conductor and told him his destination.

Conductor: “Desert Hills, huh? Well then climb aboard!”

Mario and his friends climbed aboard the train as it begins to start.

Conductor: “ALL ABOARD!”

The train began to move with Mario and his friends inside.

Conductor: “NEXT STOP, DESERT HILLS!”

No new enemies here, but we got some new features unlocked. However, I'm going to save that for the next post. So for now, see you later.

Chapter 1 Finale

Well, here's the final part of Chapter 1 of Paper Mario Darkness in Time! We aren't wasting any time here, so enjoy!

Chapter 1: The Clockwork Ruins of Grass Land (part 6)

After following Father Clockwork through the passageway, Mario and his friends find themselves in a large, beautiful room full of crystals.

Shelby: “Wow! Look at this place!”

Everyone was gazing at the crystals scattered around the room. Father Clockwork, however, focused their attention to a strange alter in the middle of the room. Floating on top of the altar was a ring of bluish-green crystals around a strange gear-shaped object that looks exactly like the design on Father Clockwork’s scepter.

Shycan: “What is that?”

Father Clockwork: “THIS… in the ancient and powerful object that I’ve been guarding for centuries. The legendary Time Gear!”

Shelby: “Time Gear?”

Mario asked what the Time Gear do.

Father Clockwork: “You see, this Time Gear regulates time in the Grass Land. In other words, time flows properly thanks to this Time Gear. But when the Time Gear is removed from its altar, time around the altar will begin to freeze until all of Grass Land is frozen in time.”

Shelby: “Frozen in time!?”

Shycan: “We came here to retrieve this Time Gear, but we don’t want to freeze Grass Land in time.”

Father Clockwork simply smiled.

Father Clockwork: “Not to worry. I’ve been tasked to hand the Time Gear and a special power to anyone who’s proven worthy. Now, Mario, stand in front of me.”

Mario did just what Father Clockwork told him and stood in front of him. Father Clockwork raised his scepter high. Just then, a light shot through the scepter and covered Mario. After the light disappeared, Mario felt a surge of power emanating from himself. He asked Father Clockwork what just happened.

Father Clockwork: “I’ve given you the special power. You can now hold the Time Gear without time becoming unstable. You can also use the Time Gear’s power to aid you in battle.”

Shelby: “Really!?”

Father Clockwork: “That is correct.”

Shycan: “So now we can take this Time Gear and it’ll help us save time!”

Father Clockwork frowned by that statement.

Father Clockwork: “I’m afraid it’s not going to be THAT easy…”

Mario asked what he meant by that.

Father Clockwork: “You see, this Time Gear can keep time stable in Grass Land, but it can’t bring ALL of time stable. Just one Time Gear isn’t enough to bring time back to normal.”

Shycan: “Then, what can we do?”

Father Clockwork: “Mario. With your new power, you need to go around the world. You will need the power of 7 Time Gears, including this one, to bring balance back to time.”

Shelby: “Wait, where can we even find the other Time Gears?”

Father Clockwork: “I’m afraid I don’t have that information. I was only told to guard this Time Gear.”

Shycan: “Shouldn’t be much of a problem. I’m sure Dr. Toadley can get us in the right track. Remember, he was the one who led us here.”

Mario understood what Shycan meant.

Father Clockwork: “Well, whatever the case may be, I wish you luck on retrieving the rest of the Time Gear. Now, Mario. Step on the altar and receive your first Time Gear.

Mario stepped on top of the altar and held his hands toward the Time Gear. The ring of crystals soon disappeared and the Time Gear slowly descended toward Mario’s hands. Mario then took ahold of the Time Gear as he receives a new power. That power, bestowed to him by the Time Gear, was Time Heal, a Temporal Move that allows him to recover HP and FP.

Father Clockwork: “Every time you obtain a Time Gear, you get a new Temporal Move, and your old ones are powered up as well.”

Mario held his new Time Gear up high so his friends, who were cheering, could see it. Mario finally got his first Time Gear!

“After stopping Goomander of the Koopa Troop, Mario and his friends had made it into the Clockwork Ruins. It was unlike anything they have encountered, but they still pulled through and defeated the master of the ruins, Father Clockwork. Now Mario walks out of the ruins with the mystical Time Gear and a new mission to save all of time. Mario’s journey has officially begun. But one question still stands. What happened to the mysterious creature that attacked Mario at the Mushroom Castle?”

This was truly the “End of Chapter”…

…or is it?

Just outside the ruins, a strange figure was standing on top a hill overlooking the ruins. This figure was none other than the mysterious creature that attacked Mario at Mushroom Castle, with his leaf on his head being blown by the wind.

???: “So, Mario. You got your first Time Gear, huh?”

The creature simply laughed a little.

???: “Mario… We will meet again. I know we will.”

The creature soon disappeared. The creature now knows Mario is collecting the Time Gears. This is definitely not the last time we see of the creature. Mario better be ready for next time.

(End of Chapter)

Apology + Chapter 1 (part 5)

OK, first off, I'm sorry that there haven't been a new post lately. It's just I was at fall break and I couldn't modify this blog at home. I could only do it at school. Yea, that stinks, I know.

Anyway, here's part 5 of Chapter 1 of Paper Mario Darkness in Time. Enjoy.

Chapter 1: The Clockwork Ruins of Grass Land (part 5)

After making it through the all the tricks and traps of the Clockwork Ruins, Mario and his friends made it to a big door, much bigger than all the other doors here. Mario is already having a hunch that beyond this door is the end of the Clockwork Ruins.

Shelby: “Finally. I never thought that this place would be long…”

Mario opened the door and went through along with Shelby and Shycan. At first, it seems to be just another dark and deserted room, but then…

???: “Welcome, Mario. I’ve been waiting for your arrival.”

Mario and his friends looked around for where that voice came from.

Shycan: “Who are you, and how do you know Mario? Show yourself!”

???: “With pleasure.”

Just then, the room became a lot brighter. Then Mario saw it, a being that looks like a blue stopwatch with arms and legs. This being was holding a scepter with a weird gear-shaped design on the tip. The being also looked mechanical with how the eyes and mouth looked.

???: “My name is Father Clockwork, Guardian of the Clockwork Ruins.”

Both Shycan and Shelby backed away from Father Clockwork. He definitely means business.

Father Clockwork: “For as long as time existed, I’ve been here at these ruins, otherwise known as Clockwork Castle, guarding an ancient and powerful object that could either protect us or destroy us, depending on who holds it.”

Shycan: “An ancient and powerful object? That must be the relic we’re looking for.”

Father Clockwork: “I see that you’re looking for the object. However, only those worthy can hold their power.”

Shelby stepped forward, annoyed.

Shelby: “Do you even know who you’re talking to?”

Father Clockwork simply laughed.

Father Clockwork: “I know who I’m talking to. Mario, hero of the Mushroom Kingdom and one of the 4 heroes of light. I know all about you. But even you must go through my challenge.”

Mario asked what the challenge was. Father Clockwork looked amused and readied himself, as if in battle.

Father Clockwork: “The challenge is that you must defeat me in battle! So, are you ready?”

Mario replied that he’s ready for battle and readied himself. Shelby did the same while Shycan begins to scan him.

Shycan: “Scan complete. That's Father Clockwork. He's a part mechanical, part organic, ancient being, similar to the Wizzerds. He's also the guardian of the Clockwork Ruins. Max HP is 25, Attack is 3, and Defense is 0. That wand he got allows him to shoot a beam at us, heal his HP, perform magic, etc., making him really tough. Definitely watch out for his Lightning Strike attack, because it hurts. He says he's a guardian of an ancient and powerful object. That must be what we're looking for, so we better not give up!"

Mario couldn’t agree more. He starts off with his Hammer, doing 2 HP of damage to Father Clockwork. Shelby did her Shell Toss attack, doing an additional 2 HP of damage.

Father Clockwork: “Hm… Not bad, but try this!”

Father Clockwork fired off a Laser Beam attack from his scepter, similar to the one the Wizzerd Guard used, as it shot toward Mario. Mario guarded just in time and only took 2 HP of damage.

Shycan: “You’re doing good! Keep it up!”

Mario decided to use his Power Smash attack, using up 2 FP, but also dealing 4 HP of damage to Father Clockwork.

Father Clockwork: “Oof! You got a lot more power than I thought.”

Shelby uses her Shell Toss again, doing the same 2 HP of damage. Father Clockwork reacted by firing 4 Laser Beams from his scepter, each having an Attack power of 1. One of them shot toward Shelby, but it did no damage. However, the beams went so fast that Mario couldn’t guard against the other 3 beams, so he took a total of 3 HP of damage.

Shelby: “That was a cheap shot!”

Father Clockwork simply ignored her. Mario uses his regular Hammer while Shelby uses her Shell Toss. Father Clockwork took a total of 4 HP of damage from those attacks.

Father Clockwork: “I see that you 2 are a force to be reckoned with. I think it’s time to heal off the damage.”

He then waves his scepter around, creating a bunch of lights. When the lights disappeared, nothing seems to have changed, until Shycan scans him again.

Shycan: “Let’s see… No! He healed himself by 6 HP!”

Mario and Shelby were shocked by this news.

Shelby: “Hey! No fair! You’re not supposed to heal like that!”

Father Clockwork: “It’s all part of my challenge. In case you haven’t noticed, I won’t be holding anything back.”

Mario, furious by the trick Father Clockwork used, uses his Power Smash on him, using up 2 FP and doing 4 HP of damage. Shelby followed up with a Shell Toss attack, doing an additional 2 HP of damage.

Father Clockwork: “Now’s the time I show you my TRUE POWER!”

Father Clockwork held his scepter up high as strange clock-shaped lights began to appear. Afterwards, Mario and Shelby suddenly stopped moving.

Shycan: “Mario? Shelby? Are you 2 OK?”

Mario and Shelby didn’t respond.

Shycan: “Father Clockwork, what did you do to them!?”

Father Clockwork: “I simply froze them in time for 2 turns. Now they can’t do anything!”

Shycan: “NO!”

Since Mario’s and Shelby’s turns were skipped due to being frozen in time, Father Clockwork took the time to heal 6 HP again. Mario’s and Shelby’s turns were skipped again.

Father Clockwork: “Let’s see if you can stop THIS!”

Father Clockwork held his scepter up high again, but this time it’s charging up energy. When it’s all charged up, Father Clockwork lowered it down fast and, soon after, gigantic bolts of lightning came down from above and zapped Mario and Shelby. They both couldn’t guard against it due to being frozen in time, so Mario took 5 HP of damage while Shelby took 4 HP of damage. Mario’s HP was down to 5 while Shelby’s was down to 6. This wasn’t good.

Shycan: “MARIO! SHELBY!”

After the attack, Mario and Shelby started to move again, but they were still weakened.

Shelby: “Urgg… This is not good, Mario. We got to do something, quick!”

Mario tells Shelby that he’ll use his Power Smash again while she heals him.

Shelby: “Got it.”

Mario used his Power Smash on Father Clockwork, using up 2 FP and doing 4 HP of damage. Shelby got out a Mushroom and used it on Mario, recovering 5 HP. Father Clockwork prepared to freeze time again.

Shycan: “MARIO! SHELBY! LOOK OUT!”

Just as the attack’s about to hit, Mario and Shelby guarded against it, negating the attack completely.

Father Clockwork: “What!? But how!?”

Shelby: “Never ever underestimate Mario.”

Mario shows this by using Power Smash again, doing 4 HP of damage at the coat of 2 FP. Shelby followed up with a Shell Toss, doing 2 HP of damage.

Father Clockwork used his Laser Beam attack on Shelby. She didn’t saw that coming and took 2 HP of damage. She’s in danger!

Shycan: “Shelby! Switch with me! Now!”

Shelby: “I can handle it, Shycan. Isn’t that right, Mario?”

Mario still has faith in Shelby, but Shycan isn’t convinced.

Shycan: “Don’t do it! If you’re hit by that Lightning Strike again, you’re a goner!”

Mario tells Shycan that she can handle it.

Shycan: “Huh? Are you sure?”

Mario nodded and added that he shouldn’t underestimate her.

Shycan: “I see… Well… alright then. Just be careful, Shelby…”

Mario used his Power Smash again, using the last of his FP, doing 4 HP of damage on Father Clockwork. Shelby, though still weaken, uses her Shell Toss, dealing 2 more HP of damage. Father Clockwork’s down to 1 HP!

Father Clockwork: “We’ll see about that!”

Father Clockwork held his scepter high again as he heal 6 HP again.

Shelby: “Urgg… So close, too…”

Without any FP, Mario can’t use Power Smash anymore. Mario has to resort to his basic Hammer attack, dealing 2 HP of damage to Father Clockwork. Shelby followed up with a Shell Toss attack, doing an additional 2 HP of damage.

Father Clockwork: “Time to FINISH YOU!”

Father Clockwork charges up energy again. He’s about to use the Lightning Strike again!

Shycan: “SHELBY! LOOK OUT!”

Father Clockwork launched the attack. But, surprising, Mario and Shelby guarded against the attack, reducing the damage to 4 for Mario and 3 for Shelby. Shelby survived by 1 HP!

Father Clockwork: “No! NO! NO!!!”

Shelby: “Time to finish him off, Mario!”

Mario couldn’t agree more. Mario and Shelby unleashed their Hammer and Shell Toss attacks at Father Clockwork. He couldn’t handle it as he takes a total of 4 HP of damage. Father Clockwork was defeated!

Father Clockwork: “But… how? How could I… lose?”

Shelby: “We told you many times. Never underestimate us.”

Mario and Shelby stood in victory over Father Clockwork. Shycan was also cheering. Father Clockwork slowly got up.

Father Clockwork: “I see… You all are powerful beings. You definitely passed my challenge.”

Mario, Shycan, and Shelby celebrated the victory after hearing that.

Father Clockwork: “Now then, follow me.”

Fahter Clockwork walked toward an empty wall. After raising up his scepter, Father Clockwork opened up a hole on the wall. It seems to lead somewhere. Father Clockwork walked down the newly opened passageway while Mario and his friends followed behind.

Now for the stats of the first chapter boss in the gamee: Father Clockwork.

Father Clockwork

HP: 25
Attack: 3
Defense: 0

Moves: Laser Beam (3), Multi Laser Beam (1 per beam), Heal (recovers 6 HP), Time Stop (Immobilize), Lightning Strike (5)


Next time, the end of Chapter 1...

Chapter 1 (part 4) + Badges

Here's the fourth part of Chapter 1 of Paper Mario Darkness in Time. Enjoy:

Chapter 1: The Clockwork Ruins of Grass Land (part 4)

When the turmoil at Shell Village finally settled down, Mario, Shycan, and Shelby rested up and restocked their items. They also decided to train Shelby on using the Power Shell attack, especially after what happened with Goomander. Shelby was getting better on using it without tiring out. Just then, a strange bird with a scarf with an orb hanging off it swooped from the sky and flew toward Mario.

Shelby: “What’s with that strange bird?”

Mario recognized the bird as Birdley, Dr. Toadley’s pet bird. Just then, Dr. Toadley’s voice can be heard from Birdley.

Dr. Toadley: “Hello? Teating, 1 2 3.”

Shycan and Shelby were surprised to hear a voice, but then Mario explains that Dr. Toadley must be using telepathy, having his voice carried over through Birdley.

Shycan: “Really? Interesting.”

Dr. Toadley: “Do I hear Mario’s and Shycan’s voices? Yes I do. So how are you doing?”

Shycan: “The Clockwork Ruins are opened up now, so we’re heading there now.”

Dr. Toadley: “Good. Was I right to send you two to the ruins? As always, yes.”

Shelby was still surprised, but it seems that the voice noticed this.

Dr. Toadley: “Oh? And who are you?”

Shelby: “I’m Shelby, a student of Shell Village School of Archeology.”

Dr. Toadley: “I see. Have you been helping Mario much? I’m sure you are.”

Mario asked what Dr. Toadley was doing here.

Dr. Toadley: “Ah yes, I came to deliver this to you.”

Birdley then hands Mario a badge that looks like a Hammer.

Dr. Toadley: “That’s a Power Smash Badge. It allows you to use the Power Smash attack.”

Shycan: “Wait, you waited THIS LONG to give us that badge when you could’ve given us that badge when we were still in TOAD TOWN!?”

Dr. Toadley: “Was it my fault that I didn’t give you the badge at Toad Town? No.”

Shycan: “Then whose fault was it?”

Dr. Toadley: “Whose fault was it? The writer’s fault for not putting a scene of me giving you the badge.”

Mario, Shycan, and Shelby were deeply confused by that phrase.

Dr. Toadley: “Ah, never mind. At the very least, you now have the Power Smash Badge. You better put it on, or you can’t use it. Remember, it cost 2 FP to use.”

And with that Birdley flew off. Mario did just that and equipped the badge so he can use it.

Shycan: “OOOOK… That was weird…”

Shelby: “Well, we got a new badge, so let’s go to the Clockwork Ruins now.”

Mario and Shycan couldn’t agree more. They made their final preparations, said their goodbyes to everyone here, then went off to the Clockwork Ruins. At the entrance to the ruins, Mario finds a strange-looking gear-shaped hole on the entrance. Mario placed the Gear Stone into the hole, and then the place started shaking.

Shelby: “What’s happening!?”

Just then, the doors to the Clockwork Ruins started opening up, revealing a way to the inside.

Shycan: “Alright, Let’s go!”

Mario, Shycan, and Shelby went through the opening to the inside. Finally they’re inside the Clockwork Ruins. But there were no time to celebrate, for a group of 3 Dull Bones, Koopa skeletons, rushed to the gang and battled them. Shycan caught sight of this battle and began scanning them.

Shycan: “Scan complete. That’s a Dull Bone, a skeleton of a dead Koopa brought back to life. Max HP is 1, Attack is 2, and Defense is 1. They can throw their bones at you, and that’s their only attack. Defeating them, however, will not truly defeat them. They’ll reanimate themselves if there are more enemies around. Attacks that strike all enemies are a must when facing multiple Dull Bones.”

Shelby: “That’s would be my specialty.”

Shelby began to charge up a Power Shell and, after charging, rushed through the Dull Bones, doing 1 HP of damage to all of them, and defeating them.

Shelby: “I’m definitely getting the hang of this.”

Mario thanked Shelby, then headed deeper into the ruins. The ruins were complicated with its many rooms, locked doors, and traps around every corner. There were also a lot of Dull Bones, Koopa Troopas, and Rexes, ready to battle Mario. Mario soon finds himself in what looks like a deserted room with a strange statue that looks like a Wizzerd, strange mechanical/organic beings that date back to the olden ages.

Shycan: “I wonder why there’s a Wizzerd statue here.”

Then Shycan spotted a strange hole on the body. Mario and Shelby noticed this as well.

Shelby: “I’m thinking that something’s supposed to go in there and it activates something.”

Shycan: “How can you tell?”

Shelby: “An archeologist can tell what certain things are, even if they are archeologist-in-training.”

Mario decided to take Shelby’s word for it and go through another door in search of this something. After trekking through halls after halls, Mario finds himself in another deserted room, this time with a chest at the far edge.

Shelby: “That chest must contain what goes inside the statue.”

Mario opened the chest and finds a strange-looking key. This key must fit into the statue. But before Mario can even take a step, a horde of Dull Bones came from the ceiling! Not only that, but it also looks like the ceiling could collapse any minute!

Shycan: “The ceiling’s about to fall! LET’S GET OUT OF HERE!”

Mario, Shycan, and Shelby rushed past all of the Dull Bones and made it to the door. They immediately stepped through the door and closed it immediately. A large sound of rumbling can be heard from the other side.

Shycan: “That was too close… We better watch ourselves from now on.”

Mario and Shelby agreed then headed through the halls back to the room with the Wizzerd statue. Mario inserted the strange key into the statue. Afterwards, the statue began to shake around.

Shycan: “What’s happening?”

The statue began to levitate off of where it stood, with robot-like eyes appearing through the H-shaped socket and 4 floating hands appearing from behind the statue. This was no statue, this was a real Wizzerd!

Shelby: “Watch out!”

Mario took sight of the Wizzerd and began to battle. When the battle starts, Shycan did his usual thing and scans the Wizzerd.

Shycan: “Scan complete. That’s a Wizzerd Guard, a stone Wizzerd tasked with guarding the Clockwork Ruins. In case you didn’t know, Wizzerds are part mechanical, part organic beings that hold a lot of power. Max HP is 12, Attack is 2, and Defense is 1. This Wizzerd doesn’t seem to do much, but it still can use its arms and Laser Beam to attack us. Like a regular Wizzerd, this one got a trick up its sleeves, if it has any, and that’s the ability to raise its Attack by 2. Be careful with this thing, Mario.”

Mario starts things off with his Hammer. He pulled off a perfect action command, but thanks to the Wizzerd Defense, it did 1 HP of damage. Shelby uses her Shell Toss attack, also doing 1 HP of damage. The Wizzerd began to hover forward to use its arms to attack Mario. This caught Mario by surprise and couldn’t guard, so he took 2 HP of damage.

Shycan: “Mario! Use the Power Smash!”

Mario took Shycan’s word and uses his Power Smash. Using up 2 FP, Mario struck down the Wizzerd with a perfect action command, doing 3 HP of damage (it would’ve done 4, but remember the Defense point).

Shelby: “Way to go, Mario!”

Shelby then uses her Shell Toss again, doing another 1 HP of damage. The Wizzerd decided to up its game by powering up.

Shycan: “Watch out! It’s powering up!”

Mario took this time to use another perfect Power Smash, using up 2 more FP and dealing 3 HP of damage. Shelby attacks with Shell Toss, dealing 1 more HP of damage. The Wizzerd was weakening, but it didn’t stop it from attacking. It launched a powerful Laser Beam at Mario. Mario was able to guard, but thanks to the power up, he took 3 HP of damage.

Shelby: “Are you OK, Mario?”

Mario nodded. He then pulled off a regular Hammer attack, followed by Shelby’s Shell Toss, doing a total of 2 HP of damage. The Wizzerd began to malfunction, and then fell down. It didn’t move.

Shelby: “We did it, Mario!”

Shycan “Look, Mario!”

Shycan pointed to the doorway that was behind the Wizzerd.

Shycan: “Now we can continue. Let’s go!”

Mario, Shycan, and Shelby continued on through the now revealed doorway. Little did they know, their biggest challenge is waiting at the end of the ruins.

Yes, we have the introduction of badges. Technically, we were supposed to get the first badge before we begin Chapter 1, but I forgot about that. So instead, you'll get the first badge after you defeat Goomander, which is still good considering the Wizzerd Guard and its 1 Defense point. As I've told you in one of my previous posts, both Mario and his partner can equip badges. So far, they only got the Power Smash badge (only Mario can equip it), but later on we'll encounter more badges. I'll tell you now, you'll need quite a lot of good badges if you want to survive this game.

As always, we got a new enemy:

Dull Bones

HP: 1

Attack: 2

Defense: 1

Moves: Bone Throw (2), Regenerate

And also a new boss here:

Wizzerd Guard (boss)

HP: 12
Attack: 2
Defense: 1

Moves: Arm Attack (2), Laser Beam (2), Power Up (Raises Attack by 2)


Also, I'm quite a fan of Wizzerds, so expect more Wizzerds later on.