Drop down a large shaft and hit a switch at the base to open a gate to the right. Pass through it and hit another switch. Keep hitting switches as you go, and note that you have to move very quickly. The second one you have to basically hit while you're falling, or you won't have time to get through before the gate closes again.
As you proceed right, you'll come across some enemies, including a Fighter. Absorb that ability and keep ascending toward the upper right, battling more enemies and tripping switches. A Waddle Dee will toss you an Assist Star, and you'll find enemies with the Whip and Bomb abilities just past that. Beyond them, you'll find a lever on the ceiling. Pull it, then pass through the gate. Float up the shaft beyond to pass through a vortex and reach a boss fight.
Boss: Coily Rattler
The arena is different this time around, so Coily Rattler won't attack in quite the same manner he did previously. He likes to slither along the platform where you're standing, winding his way along the top and bottom as he approaches. You can hit him with Fighter charge attacks while he does that, and while he does pretty much anything else in the foreground. The charges typically render you invincible, after a fashion, so you can get in close and do some real damage that way. Otherwise, you'll have to absorb and fire stars, but those are produced frequently as your foe tears around the arena. Remain aggressive and it will be a relatively short fight.
When you defeat Coily Rattler, a vortex appears behind you. Pass through it. You will see a chamber to the right, with food in it. You can hit the right switch and run left to hit the left switch, then jump back to the right and dash through to arrive in time to grab the food. Then jump through the overhead roof and hit a bomb block to clear a passage to the right.
Now you find a puzzle of sorts. There's a switch on the ceiling, and three horizontal gates below it. Drop below the first gate and hit the switch to the right, then fly quickly up to the ceiling. Pull the switch, then drop back down between two gates and head right through a low passage. Hit the bomb block and continue in that direction for a
Keychain. Then float up and continue right.
Here, you'll see a switch below an overhead ledge. Hit the switch, then quickly hop up onto the ledge and enter the doorway to reach a puzzle room. To the right, you can jump in a bowl of water. Then you should spill the water on the two flowers until they bloom. One generates a Key. Grab it, then hop up the left flower to the overhead gate and pass through to collect a
Sun Stone. Now exit the room and continue to the right along the main passageway.
Defeat some enemies, including one that grants you the Wing ability, if you need it. There's a Waddle Dee here that will also throw you an Assist Star. You can drop along the ledges just to the right of that point, hitting a switch and passing through the gate to the left (be careful of the clown that patrols the ledge just below the switch, though). You'll reach another vortex that leads to another boss fight.
Boss: Kracko
You have battled Kracko before, in this and perhaps other Kirby games, so just use the same strategies that always work for you. He seems to fall most swiftly to exhaled stars and enemies, rather than abilities.
When you have hit him enough, he'll blow into the background and clear the cloud coverage. If you pay attention, you can see something special floating to the left of that ledge. Continue avoiding attacks from Kracko until a cannon appears in the foreground. Quickly hop into it, then let it fire you to the backdrop. Float left and descend along the left side of the ledge to grab your prize. Then turn your attention back to defeating Kracko. It shouldn't be especially difficult, as long as you make sure to hop into each cannon that appears to avoid his area attacks.
The prize you can snag while battling Kracko is the
Rare Keychain: Dark Mind. Once you defeat Kracko, you'll be able to pass through another vortex. Head right from there, past some enemies. Trip a switch and head through the gate to reach the goal door.
NEXT: Royal Road - Stage 3
