A/N: Um. . . hi. . . it's me again. . . *waves timidly* So, I've gotten rather scarily addicted to Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door over the past several months, so I guess it was pretty inevitable that I eventually write a fic about it. And of course, I wanted to write about my favorite partner, Koops! ^_^ He's just the cutest! What gave me the idea for this story was looking at his lazy eye and his bandaid and wondering just how he had gotten them. Of course, in the game he has them for as long as you know him. . . but what if that wasn't the case?

Oh, and Mario talks in this story. LE GASP.

----

Part I

Koops lay on his back in one of the beds of Rogueport Inn, staring up at the ceiling. Across the room from him, Mario and Goombella were already sound asleep in their own beds. He could hardly believe things could be so peaceful after what they had been through that day. They had just slain the most evil, dangerous dragon to ever terrorize the Mushroom Kingdom – and now his friends were sleeping it off like it was nothing.

Apparently, he had a lot to learn about this adventuring business.

He sighed. This was his very first time away from home, and he was a little nervous. And as far as he could tell, he would be away for a long time. They still had to find six more Crystal Stars, and who knew how long that would take. . . .

He winced as he realized that, as he had been daydreaming, his hand had absentmindedly wandered up to feel his left eye again. He felt the bruised and swollen eyelid beneath his fingers for a moment, then quickly lowered his hand. As he suspected, it hadn't gotten any better.

Just how noticeable was it, he wondered? Would people stop and stare when they saw him now?

Now that he was finally able to relax a little bit, he reflected back on how it had happened to him. He could still remember the entire day so vividly. He would never, ever forget it.

-----

It was a morning just like any other. Koops had woken up early after yet another night of fretful sleep. He hadn't gotten much rest in a long while. For the past several nights now he had been haunted by nightmares. Nightmares of that horrible dragon.

He stepped out of his house, shaking his head to try and clear the bad dreams away. He had been so young the last time he had actually seen Hooktail had attack Petalburg, but residents were still disappearing all the time, and in the meantime the town saw her often, circling around in the sky and covering the land in her shadow. And every time, Koops had to look up at her and remember that she was the one who had taken his father away from him.

That was ten years ago. And the pain still hadn't gone away.

"Eh? What? Diamond Crystal Star? What're you yapping on about?"

Koops turned and looked. That was the elderly mayor, Kroop, who lived next door to him. It sounded like he was entertaining some people inside his house. Koops walked up to the window and peered in.

Kroop was talking to two people. One of them was a Goomba, and a very pretty one at that. She had a red handkerchief tied around her middle and was wearing a large archeologist's helmet with a long blonde ponytail sticking out the back of it. It certainly gave her a memorable appearance.

The other one. . . .

That hat? That mustache? Was it possible?

Was that Mario?

Koops immediately ducked out of sight, pondering this to himself. Mario was the most famous person in the entire Mushroom Kingdom! He was practically a legend! What could he possibly be doing here in Petalburg?

"You're sure you've never heard of it?" the Goomba was saying. "According to our map, the Diamond Crystal Star is hidden in a castle somewhere nearby here."

"What? Castle?" exclaimed Kroop. "Why, the only castle around here is Hooktail Castle, of course."

"Perfect! How do we get there?" asked Mario.

"What?! Now listen here – Murphy, was it? Nobody goes to Hooktail Castle. Why, that's where Hooktail the dragon lives! That fiend has been terrorizing Petalburg since I was young!"

"Well, we don't have a choice," the Goomba said firmly. "We need that Crystal Star to – well, you wouldn't understand. Anyway, I bet this Hooktail is nothing Mario can't handle!"

Koops didn't really hear the rest of their conversation. He was still trying to comprehend what he had just heard.

Mario – the Mario – was going to try and defeat Hooktail? Koops didn't have any doubt that he could do it. He wasn't world famous for nothing, after all. Why, by the end of today, Hooktail could be dead, and everyone in Petalburg could finally rest easy, knowing they would never have to fear the loathsome dragon again.

So why didn't that make him feel better?

Ever since his father had gone off to confront Hooktail, never to return, Koops had wanted revenge. Every day he dreamed about marching off to Hooktail Castle and seeking out vengeance. Hooktail had ruined his life, and he wanted her to pay. But that was ridiculous – he was just a little Koopa, and she had slaughtered countless members of his kind who were far stronger than he was. There was nothing he could do, and just knowing that tore at his insides.

It wasn't enough for him if Hooktail was simply defeated. He had to do it himself.

And maybe if he was with Mario, he would have a chance.

Ever so slowly, he stuck his head back up and continued to watch through the window. Mario and the Goomba seemed to have determined that in order to reach Hooktail Castle, they would need to retrieve the Sun and Moon Stones from Shhwonk Fortress.

"Great. We'll just go get those and be off to Hooktail Castle before you know it!" the Goomba said brightly.

Kroop just shook his head. "I'm tellin' ya, Goombaria – "

"Goombella."

"You don't stand a chance against that dragon. She's picked off the strongest of us without even scuffing up 'er scales." The mayor sighed despondently. "Why, I still remember ten years ago when good old Koopley went off to confront her. She made short work of him, that's for sure."

Koops groaned and squeezed his eyes shut. That was his father Kroop was talking about.

"Was this Koopley an important guy?" asked Mario.

"Why, I tell you he was the smartest and bravest Koopa to ever live. If he were still around, I'm sure he'd be mayor instead of me. But anyways, Murphy, nobody's gone near Hooktail Castle ever since then. It's suicide!"

"Don't worry, mister mayor. We'll be fine," Goombella assured him. "And then you'll never have to worry about Hooktail again. Let's go, Mario."

As the two of them bid the mayor farewell, Koops took a deep breath. He couldn't believe he was about to do this. He was about to ask Mario if he could join him? He wasn't worthy of such an honor. But if he didn't do this, he'd never be able to avenge his dad.

Kroop was right – Koopley had been a smart and brave Koopa. Everyone in Petalburg had been honored to even know him. When he had vanished, the whole town was despondent. But most of all, they seemed disappointed that Koops, his only child, couldn't live up to his father's name. He was just a shrimp of a Koopa, certainly nowhere near as brave as Koopley had been.

Well, all that's about to change.

As Mario and Goombella left the mayor's house, Koops braced himself and stepped out onto the path in front of them.

"Huh?" said Goombella. "Um, hello there. Can we help you?"

"Uh. . . ." Now that he was here, Koops had no idea what to say. What was he supposed to say to someone like Mario?

"Well. . . y'see. . . ."

Koops glanced up at Mario, who was looking at him expectantly.

He couldn't do this.

"Oh, never mind," he muttered, turning around and running off as quickly as he could.

He didn't stop until he reached his house. When he got there, he walked up to the door and started banging his head against it as hard as he could.

"Why? Why? Why?" he moaned to himself. "Why am I such a coward?!"

Finally, he sank to the ground and started wiping the frustrated tears away from his eyes. It was times like this that he truly hated himself. He had never done a brave thing in his life. He couldn't even talk to Mario without totally chickening out.

He was useless.

-----

For the next several hours, Koops sat on his doorstep and gazed out at Petalburg, lost in thought. He wondered if Mario and Goombella had defeated Hooktail yet, or if she had eaten them.

If only he had been brave enough to ask to come with. Then he could finally stop being angry at himself. Finally, he could do something worthwhile. But it was too late for that now. He'd lost the only chance he would ever have.

It had rained the previous night, and now Koops found himself absentmindedly gazing at his reflection in a puddle. He was as perfect-looking as a Koopa could be – his girlfriend had often commented on how handsome he was. Too bad his appearance didn't reflect how he really felt.

You would never guess such a good-looking guy could be so ugly on the inside.

"Man, I hate Fuzzies," came a familiar voice. "Let's never go back there again."

Koops perked up instantly. That was Goombella!

"I think we can both agree on that," said Mario. The two of them were walking down the main path, with Mario holding the Sun Stone and Moon Stone in his arms.

Koops' eyes grew wide.

They hadn't gone to Hooktail Castle yet! They had just gotten back from Shhwonk Fortress! It wasn't too late!

I'm not backing down this time! he said to himself as he leapt off his doorstep and raced after them.

Mario and Goombella had just reached the entrance to Petalburg and were entering Petal Meadows when Goombella seemed to hear something coming from behind her. She turned around, and Mario, noticing her, did likewise. Koops immediately jerked to a stop, overcome with embarrassment.

"You again?" Goombella remarked. "Um, are you sure you don't need something from us?"

Koops breathed deeply. It was now or never. "Um. . . listen, Mario, I need to talk to you."

Mario didn't appear surprised that Koops knew who he was. Apparently his reputation preceded him wherever he went.

"Uh. . . m-my name's Koops," he began, "and I. . . uh. . . ."

Mario and Goombella were giving him weird looks.

"OH, PLEASE LET ME COME WITH YOU TO FIGHT HOOKTAIL!!" he cried out, falling to his knees. "PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!! I'M BEGGING YOU!!"

"Woah!" Mario exclaimed, leaping back in surprise. "What's your deal, man?"

"Sorry," Koops muttered. "It's just – you don't understand. For as long as I can remember I've wanted to get back at Hooktail. It's killing me." He looked up at them hopefully. "So. . . won't you let me come with?"

Mario and Goombella glanced at each other. "Uh, listen, Koops," said Goombella. "I don't think you realize how dangerous this is."

Koops felt a prick of anger. "Don't understand? Of course I understand! I have to live with Hooktail, and you don't! I know exactly what I'm getting into!"

Mario still didn't look convinced. "I'm sorry, Koops, but. . . if you come with us, we can't be held responsible for anything that happens to you."

"Yeah. You should stay here where it's safe," Goombella agreed. "You don't wanna end up like that Koopley guy."

Oh, that does it.

"Yeah, well, about that," said Koops. "Koopley was my dad."

Goombella blinked. "Oh. That changes things."

"Yeah. Ten years ago, he went off to fight Hooktail and never came back. And, well. . . I still miss him, of course. More than anything. I've never really been the same since then. And if I can just get back at Hooktail, then maybe. . . I can finally have a little peace, y'know?"

Goombella raised an eyebrow. "This totally means that much to you, huh?"

"Can't I please come with?" Koops reiterated. "I'll be useful, I promise."

Mario was clearly mulling it over. Koops had already heard that in his latest adventure, he'd had both a Goomba and a Koopa as partners. And plenty of other people too. He must know that Koopas had plenty to offer, even if they weren't the most impressive creatures.

"Mario, I think this guy's cool, don't you?" said Goombella.

"Well, I – "

"Listen, Koops." Goombella took him aside. "We're actually going to Hooktail Castle because we're looking for something called a Crystal Star. There's seven of them, and this is the first one. If you come with us, do you wanna help us find the rest of them?"

"Seven of them?" Koops gawked. This adventure had just gotten a whole lot bigger.

"You don't have to, of course – "

"No, no, I will!" Koops said immediately. "I mean – what are the Crystal Stars for, exactly?"

"Well, long story short, there's a very big and very legendary treasure underneath Rogueport, and we need the Crystal Stars to find it," was Mario's reply.

"Wow." Koops thought about this. He had always wanted to prove he could be brave, and suddenly this incredible chance had opened up before him. Even after they defeated Hooktail, he could do something even more amazing – recover a legendary treasure! And helping Mario, no less!

"Well, if you guys are brave enough to look for these things, then so am I," he decided.

"Great!" Goombella said happily. "We'd love to have you!"

"Eh, why not?" Mario said with a shrug.

"Yay! Thank you!" Koops cheered. "Don't worry, you won't regret this!"

"Excuse me?!" came another familiar voice. "Just what are you talking about, Koops?"

"Oh no," Koops groaned. He turned around morosely to see a young female Koopa storming out of the Petalburg gate to meet them.

"Who's that?" asked Goombella.

"That's my girlfriend, Koopie Koo," Koops explained.

"Koops, did I just hear you say you're going to go fight Hooktail?" Koopie Koo demanded. "Are you crazy?! You'll be eaten! Or worse!"

"But Koopie, I'm with Mario," Koops said lamely. "I'll be fine with him."

"Don't you get it, Koops? Nobody's ever faced Hooktail and lived to tell about it!" Koopie grabbed his hand, gazing at him in concern. "Not even your dad! Please, Koops, if anything happened to you – "

"Koopie, I'm doing this for you." Well, technically that hadn't been true a moment ago, but now that she was here, he decided she was worth it. "I don't want you to have a coward for a boyfriend. I want you to be proud of me."

Koopie shook her head. "But I like you just the way you are," she insisted. "Please, Koops? You don't have to do this."

Koops looked at for her, and for a moment he almost agreed with her. He didn't have to go fight Hooktail. He could leave it to Mario and Goombella, who clearly had a better idea of what they were doing. And he could stay with Koopie and be happy, and safe –

No. He hadn't been happy in ten years. And there was only one way to fix that.

"Sorry, Koopie," he said weakly, pulling out of her grasp. "But I do have to do this."

Koopie stared at him for a moment, and suddenly grew an angry expression.

"Fine, then!" she snarled at him. "Go get eaten and see if I care, you idiot!!"

Suddenly she pulled into her shell and shot herself at Koops, knocking him off his feet, before running back to Petalburg in an angry huff.

"Um. . . she was pretty," said Goombella after an awkward silence.

"Sorry you guys had to see that," Koops muttered.

"Are you still sure you want to do this?" Mario asked cautiously. "If this is going to cause you problems – "

"No. It's fine," Koops assured them, standing back up. "I made my choice. I'm sticking by it."

"Well, okay then," said Goombella. "Let's get going."

She and Mario turned away and headed off into Petal Meadows, in the direction of Hooktail Castle. Koops took one final glance over his shoulder at Petalburg before following after him.

As he went, he could only wonder just what he had gotten himself into.