Scutlet (boss)

The Scutlet is a large cockroach-like creature that appears in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. It is a much larger version of the normal Scutlets found in Dimble Wood; though it shares their English name, it uses a different name in the Japanese version and some other localized versions of the game. This Scutlet is found within the Flame Pipe inside Bowser's body, blocking up the pipe and preventing him from using his fiery breath.

Scutlet is the only major boss that Mario and Luigi fight within Bowser's body to not appear in the Gauntlet later on.

Description
While investigating the Pump Works within Bowser as he drinks from the Sea Pipe Statue's fountain, Mario, Luigi and Starlow search for Princess Peach while also looking to restore Bowser's flame, which Starlow promised in order to get the Koopa King to cooperate. During their trek, they find and rescue Toadsworth, who tells the group that he saw a "huge, flat bug by some sort of door". Toadsworth fears it may have attacked the Princess. He leaves them to take care of the bug while he finds the other Toads.

Eventually, the Mario Bros. and Starlow find the Stingler and place it in its opening, which grants them access to the rest of Bowser's body. The group visits the Flame Pipe first, where they soon come upon the Scutlet at the top. As the bug scares Luigi with its long tongue, Starlow explains that it is normally found in Dimble Wood, speculating that Bowser had inhaled the Scutlet along with everything else under the influence of the Vacuum Shroom. She ponders how it attained its size, and then notices it obstructing the flames beneath it, identifying it as the thing clogging Bowser's flames. Starlow yelps as the Scutlet suddenly grabs her with its tongue and eats her; Mario then coaxes the frightened Luigi into joining him in battle against the bug.

Upon defeating the Scutlet, it disappears in a burst of stars, freeing a thankful Starlow and restoring Bowser's fire breath as the pipe closes back up. Starlow informs Bowser of the bug that had been clogging his Flame Pipe, and he considers making Starlow an honorary minion, which she declines. When Bowser then asks her name, she responds with "Chippy", which he uses to refer to her for the rest of the game. From then on, Bowser can use his flame in the overworld, which is necessary to progress through the rest of Plack Beach. Also, the Cholesteroad is unlocked.

Battle
Scutlet can attack by sticking out its tongue in an attempt to eat Mario or Luigi, with its eyes pointing towards its target. The Bros. can dodge by jumping and damage the Scutlet by stomping its tongue; if Mario or Luigi is hit, they are pulled into the Scutlet and then spat out, taking damage. It can also extend it tongue out, wrapped around an irritated Starlow, and throw her into the air; as before, its eyes point towards its target. Starlow then falls towards Mario and Luigi, who must deflect her with their hammer. Starlow will get angry at the Bros. if they hit her; if Mario or Luigi takes damage, she fumes at the Scutlet instead, though it simply eats her again in either case. On some turns, Scutlet is ejected into the air by the Flame Pipe's flames and drifts down from the top screen towards Mario or Luigi, vaguely similar to the Dried Blooper's attack; like the previous attacks, the Scutlet's eyes look towards its target just before it swoops down. Mario and Luigi can dodge by jumping, and counterattack by landing on the Scutlet as it passes.

Scutlet may use two of its three attacks each turn. Despite being able to block up the Flame Pipe, Scutlet takes regular damage from the Fire Flower Bros. Attack, though it is immune to burns. In Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey, Scutlet gains the Fury status upon losing half its HP or more, and begins attacking faster and more often each turn like most other bosses.

Names in other languages
Betaling Malablatta (boss)