Paper Mario DiT: Chapter 3 part 1

Chapter 3: The Undersea Adventurers (part 1)

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In the last part, Mario and his friends showed Dr. Toadley their second Time Gear. Dr. Toadley then tells them that another mysterious creature, similar to Alex, was spotted in Ocean Side. After preparing at Toad Town, Mario and his friends depart for the Beach Path to check on the mysterious creature.

Shelby: "So, Shycan. Since you know about this world, what can you tell us about Ocean Side?"

Shycan: "Don't you know about it as well, Shelby?"

Shelby: "Well... my school does mainly specialize in ruins and other archeology skills. Really, one of the reasons why I started learning about archeology is so I could travel the world and see everything there is to see."

Shycan: "I guess that would make sense. Alright, I'll tell you. Truth to be told, the only part of Ocean Side connected to the Mushroom Kingdom is the Beach Path and the Ocean Side Port that we're heading to. Everything else in the Ocean Side region in composed of oceans and islands."

Shelby: "I see. Can you tell me more?"

Before Shycan can tell Shelby more information, 2 Green Fuzzies and a Spear Guy popped out of nowhere. Mario, being quick to notice this time, leaped into the air and Jumpped on the first Green Fuzzy, performing a first strike that score 2 HP of damage on the Green Fuzzy.

Murry: "Can't go two whole minutes without going into battle..."

Shelby: "Apparently not..."

Shycan began scanning the enemies.

Shycan: "Scan complete. That's a Green Fuzzy, a Fuzzy that is, well…, green… They mostly live in tropical areas. Max HP is 5, Attack is 1, and Defense is 0. They can steal HP from us like a regular Fuzzy, but this one can multiply. The Fuzzy that pops out will have the same current HP as the one that made it appear."

Shycan then scans the Spear Guy.

Shycan: "That's a Spear Guy, a Shy Guy that dresses like a jungle person. They live mostly in tropical areas. Max HP is 4, Attack is 3, and Defense is 0. It can jab you with its spear, or it can throw it. Throwing its spear does more damage, but it'll lose its spear, becoming a regular Shy Guy."

Mario starts off with a Power Smash attack on the first Green Fuzzy, doing 6 damage and defeating it. Murry uses his Rock Throw attack on the second Green Fuzzy, doing 3 damage to it. However, the second Green Fuzzy started spinning around.

Murry: "Ummm... What is it doing...?"

Shycan: "By the looks of it, I believe it's multiplying."

Murry: "WHAT?"

Shycan was right. Another Green Fuzzy popped out of the second, with 2 HP just like the second. The Spear Guy charged into Mario. Mario guarded, only losing 1 HP.

Shycan: "Glad to see that Damage Dodge badge working."

Mario nodded. Before they headed off to the Beach Path, Mario decided to buy some stuff at Toad Town, including 2 Damage Dodge badges, one for Mario and one for his partners. Damage Dodge badges drop the damage taken by one if the wearer guards correctly. As you can tell, Mario is prepared this time.

Murry: "Let's take care of these creatures then, Mario!"

Mario uses his Jump attack on the newly created Green Fuzzy, doing 2 damage and defeating it. Murry uses his Rock Throw attack on the second Green Fuzzy again, KOing it as well. The Spear Guy throws its spear at Murry, who guards, only losing 2 HP. The Spear Guy reverts to a regular Shy Guy. Mario finishes it with a Hammer attack, KOing it in one attack.

Murry: "Good. Hopefully there won't be anymore interruptions."

Shycan: "I doubt that. Everywhere we turn, there's bound to be enemies waiting to ambush us."

Mario agreed before he and his friends proceeds through the Beach Path. They've battled against many Green Fuzzies, Spear Guys, and even Piranha Plants, until they reach the gate to the Ocean Side Port.

Shelby: "WOW! This place is huge!"

Shelby was right. The Ocean Side Port is indeed huge, and so were the many ships that are docked here. It looked like a modern harbor with many cranes for many cargo ships, and some shops and inns for sailors just passing by. Mario, having never been here before, asked Shycan about the place.

Shycan: "I'm glad you asked. The Ocean Side Port is one of the major ports that connect to the various kingdoms. There are a variety of ships docked here, either from the Mushroom Kingdom or the other kingdoms, from passenger ships to cargo ships."

Murry: "Sound like a good place to set up my next shop."

Shycan: "This place also functions as a rest area for sailors that are just passing by. Kind of like Rogueport, only less gritty."

Mario understood. He and his friends explored the Ocean Side Port, asking anyone if they've seen any strange creatures lately.

Resident: "Nope, can't say I've seen anyone strange."

Worker: "I can't help you even if it was the same creature that attacked Mushroom Castle."

Sailor: "No way! I'm not getting mixed up with that nasty creature from before!"

Of course, the people here can't help out. Whether it be that they don't know anyone strange or that they're still scared of Alex, they can't provide much of a hint on where exactly this strange creature is at...

Murry: "Arrgg! This place is useless! At this rate, we'll never find this creature!"

Shycan: "I hate to say it, but Murry may have a point... Perhaps we need to head back to Dr. Toadley and rethink our strategy."

Mario reluctantly agrees. That is until Shelby finds something.

Shelby: "Hey, I think I see something over there."

Shelby pointed to what looks like a small blue submarine docked near the ocean. There was also 2 people there, talking. Mario and his friends rushed to the 2 people to speak to them. Once there, the 2 people greeted Mario and his friends.

??? #1: "Oh, hello there. Came to talk with us, huh?"

The first person is what looked like a dark blue Shy Guy with scuba gears on. This person seems to be a diver. The second person was a strange, orange bird with 3 feathers sticking out of her head making it look like fire and a red bow on top of her head.

Murry: "Um, who are you?"

??? #2: "Oh, sorry... I'm Tori. I'm an explorer of sorts."

??? #1: "And my name's Scuba Guy. I'm..."

The Shy Guy was interrupted by Shycan.

Shycan: "Wait... Scuba Guy!? Aren't you a famous deep-sea treasure hunter!?"

Scuba Guy: "Oh, you know of me? That's correct: I'm the famous deep-sea treasure hunter of the Mushroom Kingdom, but I don't hunt them to sell them off. Oh no, I hunt them to find out some history behind these ancient relics of the past."

Shelby: "You mean like an archeologist? Cool!"

Murry: "Meh..."

Scuba Guy: "Now, I was just talking with my friend Tori about a mysterious undersea ruin deep beneath Ocean Side."

Tori: "That's right. I've been checking this area out for quite a while, and I've heard rumors of a mysterious undersea ruin around here. I told this to Scuba Guy, and he said that it must be the Submerged Temple that he was looking for."

Scuba Guy: "Exactly. Ever since I took part in deep-sea treasure hunting, it has been my dream to find the Submerged Temple and find out what sort of treasures and secrets may be hiding within."

Shelby: "Wow!"

Scuba Guy: "But enough about us. Why don't you tell me about you all?"

Before Mario can answer, Scuba Guy interrupted.

Scuba Guy: "I already know who you are, Mario. You're the famous hero of the Mushroom Kingdom. I'm quite a fan of what you do, exploring the vast world we live in to protect the very same world. We all appreciate what you've done for this world."

Mario smiled, saying that it was nothing.

Scuba Guy: "We still appreciate what you do. Now then, who are your friends here?"

Shycan: "I'm Shycan. I'm a resident of Shy Guy Town. I have a knack for machinery, and I happen to know quite a bit about this world. I'm also a little fan of you for your knack of exploring such dangerous areas."

Scuba Guy: "Ah, so that's why you looked familiar. I've heard of you on my visit to Shy Guy Town. The manager there told me that you'd have the potential to create a submarine that'll surpass my own Scuba Hunter MKI."

Hearing this made Shycan chuckle.

Shycan: "Well, I'm not that good... I just have a thing with machinery. That's all."

Scuba Guy: "Though there is something about you that, for some odd reason, seems to slip my mind..."

Shycan: "Don't worry about it."

Shelby: "My name's Shelby. I'm a student at the Shell Village School of Archeology, and I'm currently traveling with Mario."

Tori: "An archeologist in training, huh? Well, as an explorer, I can see much potential in you, Shelby. I wish you luck with you career."

Shelby: "Thanks!"

Murry: "Ahem... My name is Murry Mole and I travel the world, opening up various shops to sell rare goods. Don't get me wrong, I never sell ancient relics."

Scuba Guy: "Glad to know. I can't imagine someone trying to sell priceless relics to random passersby. Good to see you're not one of them, Murry."

Murry: "Nice to hear that. (to himself) Now if only you'd address me by my full name..."

Scuba Guy: "So now that the introductions are out of the way, what brings you all out here?"

Mario explained that he and his friends are here to find a strange creature that may have a connection to Alex. Tori flinched at the sound of Alex's name.

Tori: "A-Alex...!?"

Everyone turned to Tori, confused.

Murry: "Huh? Do you know Alex?"

Tori looked a little flustered, but ultimately calmed down.

Tori: "... No... Not exactly..."

Hm. Tori apparently holds a secret, Mario thought.

Scuba Guy: "Are you sure you're OK, Tori?"

Tori: "Yes... I'm alright..."

Shycan: "Well, we did came here to search for that mysterious creature. We've gotten word that this creature may be here."

Tori: "I-I see... I'm sorry to tell you, but I'm afraid that I can't help you..."

Shycan: "Are you sure? You seemed flustered the moment Mario spoke out Alex's name."

Tori: "Well... I did heard the name before, but only because of what happened at the Mushroom Castle..."

Shelby: "I guess that would make sense..."

Mario wasn't exactly convinced, but felt that they weren't going to get anywhere at this rate, so he decided to drop it.

Scuba Guy: "I've heard of that incident myself. So the creature's name was Alex, huh?"

Shycan: "That's right."

Scuba Guy: "Well, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that name is also unfamiliar to me. I wish I could help out."

Shycan: "That's alright. Well, Mario. What should we do now?"

Mario hasn't the foggiest clue about what to do next. He was hoping to find the creature to learn more about the Time Gears, but that's apparently not happening. Seems like all he and his friends could do is wait until Dr. Toadley and the others find out the locations of the other Time Gears... But what to do until then? All of the sudden, Shelby spoke up.

Shelby: "Scuba Guy? If it isn't too much trouble, could we help you on your search for the Submerged Temple?"

Scuba Guy was surprised by Shelby's proposal.

Scuba Guy: "What!? You want to help me on my search!? But aren't you all busy?"

Shycan: "Truth to be told, since we couldn't do what we were intending to do here, we're pretty much at a standstill here until we get more information. I guess while we wait for that, we have enough time to help you out. Is that alright?"

Scuba Guy: "Alright? It's more than alright! However, my submarine; the Scuba Hunter MKI, is much too small to hold more than one, I'm afraid."

Mario says that that's not a problem since he can swim underwater, no matter how deep it is.

Scuba Guy: "Really? Well looks like we can add up another unique skill to Mario's list of skills. But I can still give you and your friends my extra air supply tanks if you're going on this approach."

Mario agreed and accepted the air supply tanks, but Murry intervened.

Murry: "Wait, Mario... Are you actually suggesting that we swin to the ruins!?"

Mario nodded.

Shelby: "Well, it shouldn't be too hard, seeing as Mario could do it."

Murry: "OH-NO! NO WAY! THERE'S NO WAY I'M GOING IN THERE!"

Shycan: "What is it this time...?"

Murry: "Well... You see, we Monty Moles are species of the Earth. We live, prosper, and eventually die within the Earth. That's the way we are. With water, however... That's a whole different story..."

Shelby: "Are you saying that you're afraid of water?"

Murry flinched by that saying.

Murry: "... Well, let's just say that Monty Moles and water do not mix..."

Shycan: "Sorry to say this, Murry, but you're still coming with us. How else will we be able to obtain items from digging spots?"

Murry: "First you propose that we go underwater, then you refuse to address my full name? Do you have a thing agains..."

But before Murry could say anything else, Shycan grabbed him, put on one of the air supply tanks on him, and pushed him into the water. Mario, Shelby, Scuba Guy, and Tori looked in puzzlement.

Shycan: "Sorry about that, but he was getting on my nerves."

Shelby: "Ooookay... So... shall we move on?"

Mario nodded. Shycan and Shelby put on their air supply tanks and dove in as well. Mario was about to do the same until he saw that Tori wasn't coming with. He asked Tori why that is.

Tori: "Well, water doesn't go well with me. You could call it like a fire's weakness."

Mario didn't understand what she meant by fire's weakness, but accepted it.

Scuba Guy: "Well, I guess you'll be going on ahead. I still got to prepare my sub, so I'll meet you once I get my sub ready."

Mario accepted this, put on his own air supply tank, and dove down after his friends. So they failed to find the mysterious creature here, so it looks like they're helping Scuba Guy until Dr. Toadley can tell them about the other Time Gear locations. How will they fare underwater (besides Murry)? I guess we'll find out l...

Tori: (to the readers) "Listen, I know that it looks plainly obvious, but please don't tell Mario about who I really am until the time is right..."

... Um, is that any reason for interrupting me when I'm about to end the part off?