Kuro Neko

The Black Cat is a character in the Game Boy Advance game Wario Land 4. She acts as Wario's enigmatic guide throughout the game. The Black Cat's true form is Princess Shokora of the Golden Pyramid, who once ruled the area. The Black Cat makes small appearances throughout the game, such as on the map screen, and within the corridors before facing an area boss. She is also able to transform into the Item Shopkeeper who runs the game's Item Shop. The Black Cat makes a prominent appearance in the end-game sequences, where she leads Wario out of the Golden Pyramid and her true form is revealed.

History
The Black Cat is seen at the very beginning of Wario Land 4 in the animation sequence before the file select screen. She can be seen crossing a road whilst Wario speeds towards her in his Wario Car, almost hitting her. A newspaper flies into her face, which reads "Pyramid discovered deep in jungle. Legendary Treasure nearly found, but accidents hindered findings."

The Black Cat precedes Wario in reaching the pyramid, and she leads him to the game's main room. The Black Cat is seen again on several instances throughout the game, such as in the boss corridor entering the Item Shop. The Black Cat also appears to have the ability to transform into other forms at will, namely the Item Shopkeeper and its associated forms which can be purchased to assist in defeating a boss. The Item Shopkeeper can only be seen transforming into the Black Cat against the final boss, the Golden Diva.

When the player faces the Golden Diva, the Black Cat attempts to attack her, although it is ineffective. The Golden Diva then appears to swallow the Black Cat, and the player proceeds with the boss fight. After Diva's Lips are defeated, the Black Cat emerges, and she leads Wario out of the pyramid before it crumbles to the ground. After escaping, the Black Cat transforms a final time into Princess Shokora, who wears the Golden Diva's jewelery. After saying thank you and kissing Wario on the cheek, Princess Shokora is lifted into the sky by four cherubs.

A white cat instead seen crossing the road in the game's ending sequence, in a nod to the game's opening sequence. However, the newspaper now reads "Steaks! Eat as much as you can!!".

Trivia

 * The Black Cat can be seen in the rooms before the boss entering the Item Shop. But when Wario enters the Shop, the only other being there is the Item Shopkeeper. If Wario purchases an item before facing the Golden Diva, after the item's use concludes, the shopkeeper will transform into the Black Cat. This suggests that the Black Cat has an additional form as the Item Shopkeeper.