The Seafloor Palace (chapter)
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The Seafloor Palace is the seventh chapter in the storyline of Kid Icarus: Uprising, and features the return of the villain, Thanatos, while also introducing Poseidon, the god of the sea. Taking place across both desert and underwater locations, this mission has Pit following a magical path to the Seafloor Palace, which is the death god's base of operations.
Aerial Mission
The aerial part of this chapter begins in a desert location with sand dunes spread across it for miles. Palutena explains how Thanatos (who she still calls "Tanatos") has returned and is guarding an important item known as the Underworld Key. As he approaches the coastline at the edge of this desert, Pit is told by Palutena that he will have to hold his breath and dive underwater to reach the legendary palace. However, when he has qualms about doing so, Palutena instead decides to part the ocean to allow him to reach the Palace without actually having to dive underwater.
It isn't long before Poseidon reveals himself as the one who split the ocean, with Palutena playfully stating that she was simply having some fun with Pit. Despite being slightly annoyed by this fact, the sea god reveals that he fully supports Palutena's efforts against the Underworld army. Meanwhile, Pit is lead through many cavernous locations and ruins while avoiding numerous water-based enemies, including the dangerous Brawny Claws. He finally reaches the seafloor, where he proceeds to enter the Palace while Poseidon closes the ocean.
Ground Mission
The ground portion of this mission has Pit exploring the great halls of the palace, which resembles a massive underwater aquarium. Due to the lower temperatures of the area, this chapter introduces a pair of dangerous ice-based enemies: the classic Snowman, which can breathe gusts of frosty wind, as well as the blizzard spawning Frozum. Thanatos constantly speaks during the entire mission, often making silly remarks rather than trying to intimidate the angel. At one point, Pit must ride a moving platform while avoiding enemies and walls that can push him off the edge. The Palace is also littered with electrified obstacles that often move on paths, as well as some trap doors and water pits. Pit has to work his way through the rest of the Palace in order to reach its throne room where the god of death is waiting for him.
Intensity Gates
The first Intensity Gate is found in the starting room of the chapter, although it requires a very high 9.0 difficulty setting. Inside are water puddles filled with occasional electrical currents that will hurt Pit if he touches it at the wrong time. A Shelbo, Shrip, Zurret, and a pair of Handoras are in the room as well as a Boom Spear and a couple of Food items for Pit to use. After defeating all the enemies, a treasure box will appear, and Pit can proceed, which will have a Drink of the Gods, and a Lightning of Judgment waiting by a door leading to the room with the two Wave Anglers and a Gyrazer.
The second Gate is found midway through the chapter, and requires an intensity of 4.0. It contains a treasure chest guarded by an electric obstacle and a pair of Frozums. The floor of this room is also icy, making the fight a bit more challenging. A Bumbledrop will appear by the door after a few seconds.
Boss Battle
The boss of this chapter is the goofy god of death, Thanatos, who utilizes his unique shape shifting abilities throughout the match. He is the last of Medusa’s commanders from the past, who now acknowledges his slight name change as a much better fit for him. Thanatos is primarily a projectile user, and will either unleash rapid fire energy beams, or a slower-moving blast that resembles a demonic face. Both of these attacks will inflict Poison status on Pit. During this fight, he will also take on a variety of different forms with unique attacks. The higher the intensity, the more forms he will use. The forms are as follows:
- Normal Form:
- Bat Barrage: Fires bats from the branches on his shoulders.
- Skull Bomb: Fires a slow moving, skull-shaped blast of dark energy at Pit.
- Doll Form: He will change into a doll version of himself, and will simply bounce around to attack. Shooting the red gem in his belly will cause the doll to open up and spawn a second, smaller doll. He continues doing this until the last doll is released, which is so small that it's hard to see.
- Bat Form: He becomes much smaller, but is able to warp around the room by transforming into a swarm of bats that will damage Pit on contact. He can also release bat-shaped energy projectiles.
- Pot Form: He changes into a pot with his face in its opening, Thanatos attacks by releasing skulls. Thanatos releases two types of skulls: red skulls and white skulls In this form, Thanatos is immune to damage and can only be harmed by hitting the white skulls back at him. Hitting the red skulls will only result in Pit taking damage.
- Atlas Foot Form: He replicates the function of the Atlas Foot item. This is by far his largest form.
- Weapon Form: He transforms into the blade of Magnus surrounded by spears, all of which are decorated with his skull ornament. Both the blade and the spears attack in this form. Thanatos can be stunned by tricking the sword into attacking the spears.
After enough damage, Thanatos will revert back to his normal form for the remainder of the fight. At that point, it's a relatively simple matter of avoiding his attacks and shooting back until he is defeated.
Epilogue
Upon being defeated, Thanatos will inflate like a balloon and disappear in a mass of dark flames, leaving behind the Underworld Key, which will grant Pit access to the depths of the Underworld.
Trivia
- The ground mission theme for this chapter is a remix of the Fortress theme from the original Kid Icarus. This remix is later used as the ground theme for Chapter 24 as well.
- The literal splitting of the ocean to reach the Seafloor Palace is possibly a biblical reference to the Crossing of the Red Sea, a passage from the Hebrew Book of Exodus. The passage described how Moses was able to lead his people across the Red Sea after their God divided the sea into two walls of water, allowing them safe passage along dry land.
- This chapter holds another hint of the existence of another threat following Dark Pit when Palutena questions Thanatos's rank, he dodges the question.