A few years back in the world of Perim in a lush jungle, a young monkey, Mania, lived with his mother, Primarté. Among those who had encountered this oasis, few knew that there were OverWorlders in it. For years, the Mipedians had envied this land, but they were terrified of what dangerous creature might live inside because of the strange noises that reverberated throughout the trees. The horrendous sounds that spewed out of it, due to the insects inhabiting, could send shivers down even the spines of Warbeasts. But most fearsome of all was the young monkey's crazy contraptions. He had set up traps to catch some of the interesting animals, and others to scare dangerous ones away.

Once a daring Mipedian had tried to explore, but was smashed in the face by a spicy pie. Upon collision, the pie burned a layer of scales, earning him the nickname "sunburned," which is a great insult to a Mipedian. Ever since his mother made him a banana-Dractyl scale pie, Mania loved pie. He was always experimenting; trying to make the best pies – ones that looked delicious, smelled delicious, and tasted delicious; and those that exploded when thrown and were aerodynamic. The pies consisted of all different types of flavors, made using anything that could be found in the jungle.

However, precipitation in the jungle had gradually lessened and plants were dying. Seeing that the trees could not offer protection to its dwellers, the Mipedians organized an investigation party. One of the older Mipedians, Tuckear, knew that Primarté lived there and was tagging along to protect her just in case things got out of hand. Primarté, knowing their days of protection were over, planned to leave that evening. At dusk, before Mania had finished packing, one of the rash and reckless Mipedians (who would later conjure Gintanai the Forgotten) went into the jungle and him. "OverWorld scum," he exclaimed. "Trying to invade our territory, eh?" While muttering some unprintable lizard dialect, he sprinted back to his camp screaming and creating a large ruckus. This grabbed the attention of not only the other Mipedians, but also a certain monkey.

The Mipedian squad came rushing in with Mudeenu "leading" from the back. Mania threw a pie at one of them. Petrified, they began attacking everything in every direction. Now in confusion, they activated Mania's various traps: some tripped, others fell into pits, and a few more got hit by pies. Mudeenu, the first one retreating, got caught in Mania's newest trap: this pulled him off the ground; the supporting branch snapped, sending him into a pit of mud. After they escaped and regrouped, they began grumbling. One of the Mipedians noticed that Tuckear looked pretty content. "Why didn't you come in with us old lomp? Did you know this would happen?" he spat. "Nope, but I knew something good was going to happen." The old timer could only spew that out quickly before laughing hysterically. The Mipedians began planning how to conquer their strange opponent.

With the Mipedians temporarily distracted, Mania quickly shoved the rest of his equipment into his sack. Then he set off with his mother, after eating a banana-peach pie. The entire journey he pestered her about their destination, but she would only smile. Suddenly, in the middle of a parched dessert wasteland, the lushest jungle Mania had ever seen surrounded them.

"Welcome to Iparu Jungle," his mother whispered.

"Whoa! So this is where the great pie-maker lives... The creature who taught Yokkis everything about pies," Mania also whispered; then, confused, stated: "Wait, why are we whispering?"

"During the last wind, I caught some sand in mouth which died out my throat."

"Oh well have some water." He pointed toward a pristine pool.

After drinking, Primarté continued, "Iparu will teach you to make the best banana-Dractyl scale pie ever. He is the one who educated me more thoroughly in the art of pie making."

"Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow–"

"First, we need to find him." She paused. "Actually, before we continue, we should have a snack."

After eating some cold pie, they headed east into the jungle, passing many beautiful plants and curious insects. Ten minutes in, Mania spotted a plant this was rocking back and forth. "What is this doing?"

"Better be careful around those, Mania." But her warning was too late; the plant coiled back and spit a green vapor into Mania's face. "Oh no, getting in trouble already." Mania collapsed. Primarté masked her face with a handkerchief and retrieved her son. "Well, it will take a little while for this to wear off. Sleeping Pontoos are a bit territorially defensive." She sighed and caressed Mania's head.

Mania awoke startled, his nose twitching, to the smell of mango-paradise-bliss pie. He jumped up. "Lunch, lunch, lunch, lunch!"

"Mania, we just ate recently."

"Oh you aren't cooking lunch?" Mania pondered.

Primarté thought to herself, "Hmmm, with how long he's been out, maybe it is time for lunch."

Mania broke her concentration. "Well let's find out who is!" He tugged on her tail.

"Not so fast, I'll lead the way." She headed toward the source of the scent.

After walking north-east for a little bit they came to a gulch. "Whoa, look at this bridge. That's some rapid current beneath. This must mean we're getting close to civilization." Mania was showing off his vocabulary.

"I wouldn't call a hermit civilization. But this stone bridge is impressive."

Mania rushed to cross the bridge, but something didn't feel right – it wasn't solid? Three steps in, he fell. Splash! Mania quickly floated downstream.

"Should have known it was an illusion," Primarté sighed. She dashed alongside the river, looking for a suitable place to jump in to rescue her son. Glancing downstream, she saw that he would be fine, because the rushing river flowed into a calm lake.

"Mom, join me. The water's fine." Mania was swimming backstroke. Suddenly, a stream of water propelled him high into the air and misted the lake. Falling, he yelled, "Fancy, a steam bath." After swimming back to shore he commented with a grin, "A little too much steam."

Since the lake would take some time to go around, they headed back upstream to look for a narrow place to cross. Then Primarté made a makeshift bridge using "Vine Snare". After traveling on for a bit, they reached a 15 meter tall rock face. "I guess he hasn't changed his address," Primarté chuckled. A hut releasing smoke sat on top. Primarté headed to a giant mushroom. "Up we go." They jumped on from a smaller one. It folded up it sides, and compressed its stalk. Then, like a spring, launched them up onto the top of the cliff. "Pie, pie, pie, pie!" Mania shouted while rushing to a hut, a dust storm formed in his wake. He stopped; terrified, yet amazed; a bit curious, then skeptical. In the doorway a copy of himself stood.

Mania moved his head; the other twitched his tail in response. He knew about mirrors, but this was no reflection. "Can we stay for lunch?" He asked who he assumed to be Iparu. "Mom said you made great pies, but I wasn't expecting a kid like me!" He paused and starred. "Wait... you don"t age?"

The other laughed, not a child's giggle, but a hearty adult"s chuckle. "You are a curious little boy." He said warmly while transforming. "I am not a child, although some claim I don't age." He winked with a mischievous grin before turning to the mother. "Welcome my dear Primarté. Your son is charming."

"That's not the word I would use." She rolled her eyes.

The now opaque blue creature laughed again. "Come, I was expecting you, although you did take much longer then you should have; the birds announced your presence hours ago. You must be starving."

Mania nodded frantically in agreement.

"So you are Iparu, the great pie-maker?" Mania inquired excitedly. "I can't wait to try your pies!"

"Well, luckily for you, I made an excellent one today."

During lunch, Iparu questioned Primarté while Mania enjoyed some extra servings of the pie. "So what brings you to my humble part of Perim?"

"Our previous home was apparently needed by the annoying Prince Mudeenu. I overheard something about a potion made with ingredients found in the jungle. I do hope they don't destroy the place." Then she smiled. "Oh you should have seen them fall into some of Mania's traps. It was quite comical."

Mania beamed with pride hearing his mom"s compliment.

"How about tomorrow I show you some of my traps?" Iparu nudged him. "And then we will swap ideas." He turned to Primarté. "Today we will settle you in. I'll need to clean up the guest rooms first. I've been using them as storage."