Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door/Chapter 5: The Key to Pirates

Go to the Thousand-Year Door and watch the cutscenes.

Now, go to the inn at the plaza and talk to the guy singing by the skull gem (all the way to the right). This is Flavio. Answer his questions anyway you want. After he leaves, go to the ship and talk to Flavio again. He'll tell you to find Admiral Bobbery. Go to the east side and switch to Yoshi. Float across the river so you're south of the fence. Go on top of the roof and uncover the underground Star Piece. Slip through the thin space between the two crates to get a Shine Sprite. Go back on top of the roof and continue to go left until you see a Shine Sprite in the distance. Cross the roofs to get it.

Go back to the chimney and use your tube mode to roll through the small hole. Talk to the Bob-omb inside and go into the door in the back. Grab another Shine Sprite and leave. You should have more than enough by now to upgrade Ms. Mowz if desired, so do that, then return to the inn. Talk either to Podley (the old green guy behind the counter) or Frankly, and go back to the Bob-omb that you talked to earlier. He'll admit of being Admiral Bobbery, but still won't join you. Go to Podley once more, and give the letter he gives you to Bobbery. Now, he'll join you. Talk to Flavio on his ship and you'll set sail to start Chapter 5.

Shipwrecked

Star Pieces

• Under a flippable panel against the east rocks in the first area.
• In the water south of the camp.
• Behind the rock before the east exit of camp.
• In the first bush of the jungle.
• Behind a large root in the climbing area of the jungle.

Watch the scene and you'll find yourself in Keelhaul Key.

Keelhaul Key:

Arrgh, matey! Thar be ghosts on Keelhaul Key that don't look too kindly on some pudgy landlubber tryin' to get his hands on their precious Booty.

In other words, Keelhaul Key, is a deserted Island cursed by the spirit of Cortez.

Enemies:

• Flower Fuzzy - 5 HP, 3 ATK, 0 DEF
• Green Fuzzy - 5 HP, 3 ATK, 0 DEF
• Putrid Piranha - 8 HP, 3 ATK, 0 DEF

There's an underground star piece in the northeastern part of the first area on the coast. Go right to the next screen and see what the castaways are discussing.

Mini-Boss:

(3 Embers)

Ember:

Goombella's Tattle: That's an Ember. Sort of a pale-blue flame spirit. Kind of spooky. Of course, since this thing is a flame, touching it will hurt. Didn't Mama teach you that? Looks like it's susceptible to ice or explosive attacks, so that's something. If you get hit by a flame attack, you'll catch fire, so try to guard well.

• HP: 8
• ATK: 3
• DEF: 0
• Attacks:
  • Burn
  • Fireball
  • Super Flame (attacks you and partner)

Don't use any jump attacks on it or you'll get burned. Ice Smash can help, but any hammer or projectile attack (except fire) will hurt it.

Watch the scene and get the Star Piece in the shallow water. There's another one behind the rock in the far-right part of the screen. When you're ready, go to the next screen and defeat the Fuzzies—there's also another Star Piece in the first bush you see and a Head Rattle badge in a block. On the next screen, trounce the enemies, before hitting item block and jump on top of it. Jump again and you'll reveal a coin block. Keep jumping until no more coins come out of it. Get the Star Piece behind the root near the end of the screen (near the item block). Jump up the stairs and jump across the gaps. Use Yoshi to float to the empty coin block and then float to the ledge. Continue up until you see another Shine Sprite. Have Yoshi float to the block under it and grab the Shine Sprite. In the Nintendo Switch version, a switch is added here that drops a spring, allowing this section to be bypassed. There is a Thunder Rage at the top of this room, and if a Super Hammer is used at the end of the ledge in front of the item block, a Jammin' Jelly is revealed. Continue on to the next screen.

During the scene, the suspicious-pirate will talk to you (the person in front of the TV) and say not to tell Mario who he is. Instead of following him, go back to the bridge. First, head underneath to the island and collect a Coconut from the center tree—you'll need this later. Next, return to the bridge and cross it—to grab the badge underneath, use Paper Mode to fall in between the gap of the bridge furthest to the right. Grab the Shine Sprite before moving on to the next screen, and fight the two Embers. This badge is Ice Power, an extremely powerful badge that makes Mario immune to taking damage jumping on fire enemies, increases his resistance to fire attacks, and deals more damage to fire enemies. This is one of the strongest badges available, and it only costs 1 BP to equip! Adding this badge is strongly encouraged for the duration of the game.

Mini-Boss

Star Pieces

• In the water and behind a rock in the area that leads to Pirate's Grotto.

Three Embers are surrounding Admiral Bobbery.

Ember:

• HP: 8
• ATK: 3
• DEF: 0
• Attacks:
  • Burn
  • Fireball
  • Super Flame (attacks both you and partner)

The same strategy applies here.

After the fight, hit the tree and watch the cutscene. Get the Star Piece hidden behind a rock in the shallow water. You can get a Spite Pouch from the nearby bush. After saving Bobbery and getting your items, return back to camp. Give the Coconut to Flavio and he'll give you the Chuckola Cola. Go back to Bobbery and give him it. He's not really dead, so whack him with your hammer to wake him back up. He'll join your party. Go back to the campsite and talk to Flavio. He'll temporarily join you. Go back to where you have Bobbery the Chuckola Cola and go to the dead end. After the scene, examine the skull rock. Now, talk to Flavio and ask him to give you the red Skull Gem. Put it in the skull rock and then, spin jump on the red stone 3 times. Next, bonk the blue stone from the front with your hammer 4 times. Toss Bobbery into the hole that appeared, and you'll be able to enter.

Try not to get skewered, OK?

Star Pieces

• On a small platform in the first area with water.
• Under a flippable panel in the northeast corner of the room above the big waterfall.
• In a barrel high above the storage room.
• Under a flippable panel in the center of the room with the Parabuzzies.

Pirate's Grotto:

As you delve deeper into Pirate's Grotto, you'll hear ghostly voices telling you to turn back. Where's Luigi with his Poltergeist 3000 when you need him?

This is a pretty big dungeon, but not as big as some of the later ones. That said, it's not easy to get lost here.

Enemies:

• Bill Blaster - 5 HP, 0 ATK (doesn't directly attack), 2 DEF
• Bulky Bob-omb - 6 HP, 2 ATK, 1 DEF
• Bullet Bill - 2 HP, 4 ATK, 1 DEF
• Ember - 8 HP, 3 ATK, 0 DEF
• Lava Bubble - 6 HP, 4 ATK, 0 DEF
• Parabuzzy - 5 HP, 3 ATK, 4 DEF

Start off by saving your game and collecting the Ruin Powder in the bottom left behind a barrel. Then start going through the tunnel. Jump down the ledge until you see an exit. Defeat the Lava Bubble and going on top of the wrecked ship. While standing on the northern edge of the ship, jump up to receive a Shine Sprite. There's also a Star Piece on a platform to the south of the path with spears. To get past the spike trap, you can either use Vivian to hide from them, or use your paper mode in between the spears (somewhat harder). If you time it right, you can also use Yoshi to run across the spikes (run as soon as the spikes lower).

On the next screen, you can fight the Bullet Bills (although they don't give you any Star Points, you just get 1 for winning the battle) or use Vivian again to hide from them. Keep dodging or fighting the bullets until you reach the blasters. Defeat them and continue. Use Yoshi to cross the gaps and beat the Bulky Bob-omb. At the next screen, beat the Ember and go up the stairs. Fire Koops' shell when across from the Shine Sprite and a coin block will appear near it. Go up, defeat the Parabuzzy, and go on the block and hit the Shine Sprite box with your hammer. Go down a little and save. Jump across the river and toss Bobbery when right next to the ledge. He'll walk to the switch and explode, activating it and causing the door will open. Go through and defeat the Bulky Bob-omb waiting for you. Uncover the underground Star Piece near the entrance and go to the other side.

Once inside, a weight puzzle will be presented. Hop on the crate floating in water and hold Koops' shell to the left. Hop on the platform being supported by chains and let go. Hop to the right when you're high enough and get the key. Do the same again, but hop on the crate that lowers and wait for it to rise. Hop to the left to get a Shine Sprite. Go down into the open barrel to get a Star Piece. Jump down and return to the save point and unlock the door on the lower level. Defeat the enemies behind the door. Get the underground Star Piece in the center before proceeding. On the next screen, the room with the waves, use Koops to get the Shine Sprite to your right. Use your tube mode to roll under the spears (you'll have to wait for the lowest ones to recede into the wall). On the next screen, Hammer the shadow under the Shine Sprite and a hidden block will appear. Use it to grab the Shine Sprite. Go to the end and have Bobbery blow up the wooden barricade. Defeat the two Bullet Blasters inside and continue.

The Fourth Time

Jump across the gap and go inside the shipwreck. Search behind the wreckage for a P-Down, D-Up badge. Talk to the black chest and defeat the Ember that appears. Get the key and bring it to the chest to be cursed for the last time. Now, leave and use the boat panel to sail across to the panel to the right. Return to the Save Block on the cliff (not the one at the entrance) and go to the top. Sail east through the portal and go through the waterfall. Then, go to the boat panel and there will be a Defend Plus P badge (in the Japanese GameCube version, this is a Damage Dodge P badge instead}}).

Afterward, go back and sail down the large waterfall and go left to the next screen. Keep going until you see another boat panel. Un-boat yourself and jump across for the gate handle. Jump left onto land and take the long way back to the locked gate. Put the handle on the chain spool and the gate will open. Go back to the top of the waterfall and use the boat panel to sail past the gate. Sail east into the next screen, dodging the waves and making your way to the next screen.

Save the toads!

Keep going to the next panel and dock. Go into the pipe and make your way to the other side. Jump up the ledges and go into the next pipe. Use the airplane panel to travel to the next two pipes. Hit the switch at the end of the ledge each pipe takes you to save them. Go back to the far-right pipe and go to them. Go into the next screen and go inside the ship (after saving and healing of course).

In the Nintendo Switch version, there is a shopkeeper added to this area with items available for purchase:

Item	Price
Super Shroom	15 Coins
Maple Syrup	20 Coins
Life Shroom	40 Coins
Thunder Rage	20 Coins
Courage Shell	5 Coins

This toad remains in this location selling items after Chapter 5 is completed.

Meet Cortez

Go into the next door and watch the cutscene.

Boss Fight

Cortez:

Goombella's Tattle: That's Cortez! He's the dreaded pirate spirit who haunts the island! His HP may seem low, but he's a spirit so even when his HP hits 0, he'll come back. Plus, he has tons of different attacks. He's as tough and scary as he looks. I'd say just keep damaging him, and sooner or later he'll go down for good! Let's give this tormented spirit some eternal rest!

(stats are for each form)

• HP: 20 (x3)(Weapons in the third form have 4 HP)
• ATK: 4
• DEF: 1 (Green gem/heart in second form has 0 DEF)
• Attacks:
  • (First form)
    • Double-Skew
    • Sword-Slash
    • Stab
    • Dagger-Slash
    • Hook
    • Multi-Hit
  • (Second Form)
    • Attack Boost
    • Bone Throw
  • (Third Form)
    • Dagger-slash
    • Slash
    • Stab
    • Hook
    • Chomp
    • Soul Absorb (only uses it once on audience)

First Form:

Try not to use your strongest attacks right now. He'll be more dangerous later in the fight. Heal your HP if necessary, but don't use all of your mushrooms. Putting Mario in the rear is a little safer than having him up front.

Second Form:

Use your strongest attacks when his rib cage opens (after your third attack). Use of strong moves like Multibonk, Power Jump, or Art Attack are all excellent moves to make. Otherwise, attack normally (now would be a good time to use some Flower points). Watch out, though, when he raises his attack.

Third Form:

This is one of few battles where Madame Flurrie really shines: Gale Force will blow away almost all of his weapons and uniquely they will not return after a few turns. Should the weapons be defeated in any other way, like through the use of Fiery Jinx or a Thunder Rage, they'll respawn. Blowing them away makes the remainder of the battle much easier. When his HP is low he'll absorb the souls of half the crowd to replenish all of his HP. Beat him down again to finish him off.

Watch the scene and the chapter will end (sort of).

Intermission I

After getting thrown out of the ship, go back to the save point (use Yoshi to cross the last gap). Save, heal (if necessary) and go back to the previous screen. Watch the dialogue and have Bobbery blow up the cracked wall. After they all leave, follow them.

Keelhaul Key:

Go down until another cutscene occurs. Go back to Cortez (you can use the hole up north) with a terrified Flavio, who reasons with Cortez to fight the X-Nauts. Finally...

Boss Fight

(Lord Crump and X-Nauts)

Lord Crump:

Goombella's Tattle: That's Lord Crump. Not this guy again... Ugh. He just attacks normally, so don't worry much about him... But... those X-Nauts around him are a force to be reckoned with. They're going to attack us with all kinds of weird moves, I can just FEEL it! If we take out their leader, though, they won't have the focus to attack. Get Crump!

• HP: 30
• ATK: 3
• DEF: 0
• Attacks:
  • Crump-a-bomb
  • Bathroom Break (uses it once)

X-Nauts:

Goombella's Tattle: That's an X-Naut platoon. Crump commands them all. Where'd they come from? They're gonna come at us with coordinated group maneuvers, I'm sure. ...But they're pretty wimpy, so we should be able to handle it, don'tcha think?

• HP: 6 (10 HP for second set)
• Attack: 5
• DEF: 0
• Attacks:
  • Multi-Bomb
  • Dog Pile
  • X-Boulder (second set only)

Beat down Crump until his HP is gone. He'll take a bathroom break and heal his entire HP. A second set of X-Nauts will join him. These guys attack both members of your party, so finish off Crump as fast as you can. Defeating the X-Nauts serves no use, as Crump will just infinitely spawn new ones to take their place and it awards no extra Star Points.

Interlude

Peach

Watch the scenes and go out of TEC's room into the elevator. Go left until you see a door with a green light above it. Go inside and grab all the potions. From left to right, put the potions in the machine in this order: red, blue, orange, and green. Next, press the button on the far-left to turn the machine on. Whenever the beaker stops at a potion (whichever one it is, cause it will go back and forth), press the corresponding button. Finally, wait for exactly 30 seconds (it helps to have a stopwatch or use a phone app) and press the red button below the beaker. If you do this correctly, the potion will be bright green and it will make Peach invisible (except for her dress).

Leave the room and go into the door at the right end of the hallway. Search the bookshelf in the upper right corner of the room. Put the disk into the nearby computer and put the disk back where you found it. Leave and return to the room where you made yourself invisible (the one with the green light). Drink the green potion and leave the room. Watch the cutscene and this part's over.

Bowser

The only thing you have to do here is talk to Crump, but you can talk to everyone else in here if you want. Checking out one of the bushes causes Bowser to exclaim he found the Twilight Sword, but is only joking.

Intermission II

New Rogueport Sewers enemies:

• Hammer Bro - 7 HP, 4 ATK, 1 DEF
• Koopatrol - 6 HP, 4 ATK, 2 DEF
• Magikoopa - 7 HP, 4 ATK, 0 DEF

Bowser's henchmen have invaded the sewers! You'll find these enemies, along with some of the old ones whenever you enter from now on. Make your way back to the Thousand-Year Door, beating the new enemies and step on the pedestal. Watch the scene and you'll be able to do some more sidequests.

You'll notice Merlon standing outside of his home. Talk to Merlon and he'll tell you about finding something back at Hooktail Castle. Go inside, and upgrade any partner that hasn't been yet.

Before, you get the treasure from Hooktail's place, solve the first trouble.

• Client: Eve (Twilight Town)
• Title: Tell that person...
• Reward: Meteor Meal

Make your way to Twilight Town and go into the far-left house on the eastern side. Talk to the mother and go back to Rogueport. Talk to Podley (the guy behind the counter in the inn) and go back to Eve in Twilight Town. Tell her the truth and she'll cook you some dinner and you'll get the Meteor Meal as a reward.

Afterwards, take the following Trouble from the unnamed client.

• Client: ??? (Rogueport)
• Title: Elusive Badge!
• Reward: Attack FX B and a new partner

Go out the back door in the second floor of the inn. Talk to Ms. Mowz on the roof of Zess T's house. She'll tell you to find a badge for her back in Hooktail Castle—which is convenient, as Merlon also wants you to go there! So, go there and treak where you fought (and beat) Hooktail. Use Flurrie while near the center (there should be an invisible wall there), you'll get the Attack FX B badge. On the way back down, go to the room to the right of the save point and giant green block. Keep going through the room where you got the Black Key and have Bobbery blow up the cracked wall. Hit the blue switch and open the chest for an Up Arrow. If you haven't collected the fifth Star Piece yet, now is the best opportunity. Leave the castle and return to Merlon.

Go into Merlon's house and talk to him when you're right next to him. Give him the Up Arrow and he'll be able to upgrade your characters one more time. Upgrade any partner you want to upgrade. Then, take the Attack FX B badge to Ms. Mowz and she'll give you the badge and join your party.

Go to West Rogueport and have Bobbery blow up the cracked wall on the far left side for a Shine Sprite. Head down to the harbor and use the Boat Panel to the right of where Luigi is standing. Sail over to the south of the pier and go right. Dock at the other Boat Panel and get the Star Piece behind the barrels to the right. There's also a HP Drain badge in a treasure chest behind the furniture.

Finally, go to the Trouble Center one more time.

• Client: Goom Goom (Pirate's Grotto)
• Title: Looking for a gal!
• Reward: Couple's Cake

If you are taking this trouble on before Chapter 6, then go to Don Pianta's office and talk to him before heading to Keelhaul Key. After discussing with Don Pianta, go to Keelhaul Key (use Cortez's ship or the shortcut pipe in the sewers). Talk to Francesca to learn she has lost her wedding ring, and go to the screen with the skull rock. Get the Wedding Ring near the tree and press further inside to Pirate's Grotto. Go to the storage room (the room to the left on top of the waterfall. Talk to the goomba and switch to Goombella. Talk to him again and you'll get your reward. Leave and give Francesca the Wedding Ring before leaving. Go back to Rogueport. Go back to Don Pianta's office and talk to him. You'll get the Train Ticket.

Save, stock up, and go to the train station and present your ticket to the toad in front of the train. You'll be able to enter and the race for the Crystal Star is on!