Disclaimer: This is not a serious project by any means. And the character "Korey", as you may figure out without my telling you (but I will anyway), is supposed to represent me. His name is simply the tail end of my pen name, replacing the "C" with a "K" and adding a "Y" at the end. It is not my real name.
Cascore's Note: Guess what inspired this fanfiction. Yep. Freaking writer's block. I've hit a bit of a rut, and, deciding against just not writing for a while in order to gather my thoughts, I've chosen to make a series of one shots about myself (in Koopa form) whenever I get a bout of writer's block. That being said, I don't expect these one shots to get rave reviews, especially since I'm definitely not showing off my prime with them. And, stemming from that, I just don't really expect these stories to be very good. They're basically things I throw together without much thought just to get my creative juices flowing so I can pick up on more serious projects again. However, just in case they are accidentally entertaining, I've decided to put them up on the site for others to see.
I hope all that didn't deter you from reading anyway. Just as always, even though I was simply messing around with the story, I do hope you enjoy reading it. Of course, I won't hold it against you if you don't though.
Warning: There will also be small bits of shameless advertising via subtle mentionings of my other works. Just so you know.
"Witnessing an Amazing Event"
The day outside was absolutely beautiful in the small town of Petalburg. The sky was clear of clouds blemishing its perfectly deep blue hue, birds were chirping jubilantly as they enjoyed the warm weather, Koopa children were laughing and playing as parents kept a watchful eye over them while talking amongst themselves, passing the time away as they observed their children enjoy the day. It was all very peaceful. Very serene. And, as long as nobody walked near a certain green house on the far side of town that was situated next to the gate leading out to Shhwonk Fortress, people would be able to enjoy their day without hearing the horrendous ruckus of one certain Koopa banging his head against the keyboard of his computer repeatedly whilst groaning endlessly about something...
Bearing a blue shell with a matching blue jacket and blue jeans, it was surprising that the Koopa within that house hadn't yet obtained a concussion, for he ensuring that his head and the keyboard made frequent, extremely rough contact over the course of a full minute. However, even though he didn't expect anyone to care enough to drop by and see what the heck was going on, he soon heard a knock at his front door. Somebody must have heard the intense assault he laid upon himself via keyboard and decided that it was time to put the ruckus to an end.
With a moan, the Koopa stood from his desk and slumped over to the door, opening it slowly and preparing to apologize for the noise immediately. However, he soon saw that it was actually his green shelled friend Koops standing on the other side of the door. The timid Koopa wore his usual light blue jacket and dark blue shorts, and, for whatever reason, his band-aid still covered his nose. That thing had been there forever...what in the world happened to make him wear it for so long?
"Hey, is everything okay over here Korey?" Koops asked, snapping the blue shelled Koopa out of his thoughts about the band-aid and refocusing his attention on the matter at hand.
"Oh, yeah, things are fine," Korey answered, scratching the back of his head as he turned to look at his computer within the house. The cursor waited there. Blinking. Sitting idly, ready to create letters and words on a blank page in Korey's word application. Words that simply did not come to his mind for hours, for several days actually. "I'm just getting a little frustrated," he informed, returning his look back to Koops. "You know I've been working on a new novel right? 'Not Another Love Story'?"
"Oh yeah, you told me about that," Koops recalled with a smile, shortly before cocking his head slightly to the right. "But what about it makes it different from any other love story?"
A moment of silence washed over the two Koopas as Korey bore a blank expression, contemplating Koops's question.
"Well...I can't really tell you..." Korey admitted slowly.
"Oh, I get it. It'd ruin the surprise?" Koops guessed, making Korey's eyes widen slightly, for the perfect plausible excuse just presented itself.
"Yeah sure...surprise, right. Anyway, I've been stuck on this new chapter for several days now. I'm usually able to get one done in three days, or at least mostly done by then, but it's been about five days now and I still don't even know how I want to start this next chapter."
"So, writer's block huh?" Koops mused, bowing his head as he appeared to think while Korey watched him rather blankly. "Well, if you wanna come over, Koopie Koo makes some pretty good tea," Koops suggested as he returned his gaze back up to Korey. "It always seems to help me out whenever I'm feeling stressed. Maybe it'll calm you down and let you think a little clearer."
Mmm, tea. Maybe that would help Korey out. After all, he had been cooped up in his house the past few days, thinking and thinking about what he should write next. He could use a little break.
"Sounds good to me," Korey agreed. "If Koopie Koo doesn't mind having me over."
"I'm sure she wouldn't-"
"KOOPS!!!"
Uh-oh. Speak of the devil; that was Koopie Koo. And, judging by the tone of her voice, that wasn't a good "KOOPS!!!" like "Where are you, I have big news!" and that certainly wasn't a distressed "KOOPS!!!" like "Ohmigosh there's a spider on the wall!" That was an angry "KOOPS!!!" like "Koops, I'm going to freaking kill you!"
"Oh great, what'd you do now Koops!?" Korey asked, growing distressed as he felt that time was severely limited, for Koopie Koo was surely on her way over there at that very moment. Patting himself down and looking all over the place with wide eyes, Koops tried to discover what could possibly be wrong this time.
"I don't know! Wh-what'd I...oh no..."
"What!?" Korey pleaded, keeping a sharp eye out for Koopie Koo, who could be appearing at any second.
"I forgot my-"
"Koops!!" Koopie Koo's voice called out harshly as she appeared on the scene, stopping a few of the villagers taking their outdoor constitutional to see what was going on. With a noticeable wince, Koops slowly and timidly turned away from Korey, making himself face the wrath that was Koopie Koo's intense anger.
"K-Koopie Koo..." Koops stuttered, highly intimidated by Koopie Koo's stance, for she placed her hands on her hips and stared at him with piercing, narrowed eyes. It wasn't long before Koopie Koo held up the damning piece of evidence that justified her fury at the moment, and Korey immediately knew why she was so mad.
"Dude, Koops, you're not wearing your wedding ring!?" Korey exclaimed, observed Koops's bare right hand. Koops was quick to defend himself.
"I-I took it off s-so I could take a shower this morning!" Koops informed, knowing that his explanation wouldn't serve to better Koopie Koo's mood at all, but at least he could justify himself. "I j-just f-forgot it when I left..."
"Oh, so you forgot about the ring that symbolizes our marriage and our love and devotion for each other on the bathroom sink!?" Koopie Koo hissed, throwing the ring at Koops's bandaged snout, making him wince as it bounced off his beak and he clamored to catch it before it fell to the ground. "I am so not in the mood for this today Koops! You are on thin ice Mister! THIN ICE!!"
Korey could swear he heard a clap of thunder as Koopie Koo departed, her eye slightly twitching as a result of the harsh emotions she felt at that moment. She slammed the door as she entered her home a couple doors down and Koops let out a sorrowful sigh as he placed the ring on his finger.
"Well, nevermind about that tea I guess," he muttered, feeling too afraid to even step near his own home. He immediately seemed to forget about the situation that just occurred however, returning his thoughts to helping Korey deal with his case of writer's block. "Maybe you should go for a walk."
"Yeah, maybe I should," Korey agreed, looking off in the direction of Shhwonk Fortress. "I haven't really had the opportunity to stretch my legs lately. A walk could help."
"I might just come with you," Koops said, looking over at his home in which Koopie Koo was residing. "I don't think she's gonna let me in anytime soon..."
"Alrighty then, off to Shhwonk Fortress with us!" Korey cried out jubilantly, stepping out of his house and closing the door behind him, bearing a smile on his face in anticipation of the nearing romp through the nearby stretch of forest.
The pair began to head for the gate leading out of town, but Koops abruptly stopped in his tracks just before stepping across the barrier. Noticing the sudden cease of movement from his nearby friend, Korey stopped and turned to look at him.
"Wait, why Shhwonk Fortress?" Koops asked with a frown, apparently only just realizing that they were about to leave for the ancient building deep in the forest as opposed to Petal Meadows, an infinitely more enjoyable and calm area in which to walk about. "You know there's criminals and stuff on the trail to the fortress right?"
"Sure I do," Korey answered with a smile. "I figure, as long as we're going for a walk, it may as well be one that's on the wild side."
"But I don't want to walk on the wild side..." Koops muttered before turning to face the direction of Petal Meadows. "Especially when the safe side is right over there..."
"Oh come on Koops, you've traveled all over this side of the Mushroom Kingdom and you helped defeat the Shadow Queen for goodness sakes," Korey stated as Koops turned back around to face him. "Yet you're afraid to walk into an area that's just fifty feet from your own house?"
...Okay, Koops had no defense for this. Even he had to admit that it was pretty pitiful that he went through so much at one point in his life (defeating Hooktail, saving his father, aiding Mario to the top of the Glitz Pit, escaping an abandoned island, going to the moon, etc.), yet he'd never even walked through a forest that bordered his own hometown. It was simply an area that he never had much need to visit in the past and there was this rumor that some stone monster lived out there... But come on, he saw the defeat of a creature that threatened to end the entire world... Why couldn't he face some stupid rock?
"Alright, fine, I'll come with you," Koops gave in, much to Korey's pleasure. And with that, the two Koopas exited Petalburg. Destination: Shhwonk Fortress.
However, the aforementioned criminals and stuff that Koops worried about only moments ago saw to it that traveling would not be an easy process. They were barely able to step foot into the forest before a trio of red shelled Koopas wearing sunglasses erupted from behind a nearby bush, having shot themselves out with their shells. They quickly emerged only feet away from Korey and Koops, barring their path as they demanded the diamond ring resting on Koops's finger.
"That's a nice piece of jewelry you got there," one of the Koopas, apparently the leader, spoke up, indicating Koops's wedding ring. Both Korey and Koops looked at the ring simultaneously before the Koopa held out a hand, palm upward. "If you know what's good for ya, you'll hand it over quietly."
"Man, that ring is giving you all kinds of trouble today Koops," Korey commented as he folded his arms, staring down the Koopa trio as Koops cursed the unluckiness the ring brought him that day. "Look guys, we just want to go on a walk. Can't you just let us by?"
"Sorry buddy, 'fraid we can't do that," another of the Koopa's spoke up with a deeper voice. It was quickly evident that he was the muscle of the group, though he looked exactly the same as the other two. "See, either you give us that ring or we pound a few dents into your faces."
"Let's just get out of here Korey," Koops pleaded quietly. "I don't want any trouble from these guys..."
Bearing Koops's request in mind, Korey soon turned his gaze upward to the sky, appearing to contemplate what he should do next. And sure enough, a white speech bubble appeared out of thin air before him, bearing three options on how to handle the situation:
"I can take you."
"Here, you can have the ring. Just let us pass."
"Let's get out of here Koops."
Korey barely had to think before his made his decision. The menu disappeared and Korey soon returned his sights to the trio standing before him, continuing to hold his arms firmly crossed. "I can take you."
"What!?" Koops shouted out as the three Koopas balled their fists, preparing for a fight.
"You're gonna regret sayin' those words bud," the leader of the group threatened shortly before the entire trio lunged forward, making a stage curtain drop down from the sky and cover up the scene. The curtain shortly raised back up into the sky, revealing a small, wooden stage, at the foot of which rested a small audience area of fifty available seats. However, there were only six members present, but, thankfully, they all appeared eager to watch the on-stage performance. Korey and Koops were situated on the left side of the stage while the Koopa trio was on the right.
"Korey, I haven't fought in years!" Koops whined as he quickly jumped backwards, hiding himself behind the curtain that framed the stage.
"So? I haven't fought ever," Korey said, turning to face the timid Koops. "It can't be that hard can it?"
"Well my friend, you have already broken one of the most elementary rules of battle," the third Koopa informed, filling his part as the brains of the group as he withdrew into his shell, spun in place for a short second, and shot himself across the stage at a rapid pace, smacking Korey in the back and causing him to fall forward onto his stomach. The Koopa erupted from his shell and stepped back to his allies at the opposite side of the stage. "Never turn your back to the enemy."
As Korey pulled himself to his feet, he noticed that two of the audience members departed, leaving only four behind to watch the fight. With an aggravated grumble, Korey turned back around to face his opponents.
"Come on Koops, you've gotta help me. I don't know anything about fighting." Korey pleaded.
"Then why the heck did you challenge them?" Koops asked, still hiding behind the curtain.
"Because I thought you'd help me out!"
As the two made their exchange, Korey didn't notice that the leader of the group was preparing for an attack similar to the one that was just initiated. Panicking as he observed the shell rocketing towards him, Korey withdrew into his own shell, causing the opposing red one to knock against him and propel him backwards directly into Koops, who fell onto his back, left to flail helplessly as Korey reemerged from his shell and the leader of the trio returned to his side of the stage. And now, two more audience members left, bringing the attendance number down to only two.
"This ain't gonna be tough," the muscle of the antagonistic trio snickered as he prepared for his own attack, exactly like the ones the other two pulled off. Korey braced himself for another impact, but, much to his surprise, Koops suddenly jumped directly in front of his inexperienced friend and slammed his own shell into the one that was previously flying at Korey, nullifying the oncoming attack and sending the Koopa back to his trio.
"Thanks Koops," Korey expressed his gratitude, despite the fact that his friend was acting utterly useless just moments ago.
"No use in not trying I guess," Koops muttered without very much confidence, though he was ready to do battle.
"Hmph, it appears he isn't so useless after all," the brains of the group commented. "But that little display won't win you this bout."
"Yeah, but I think this might," Koops shot back with a voice that was meant to be confident but came off as being simply uncertain and meek. However, his following attack was not one that was meant for the weak of heart...
Koops withdrew into his shell and began to spin in place, just like the three red shelled Koopas did before him. However, Koops managed to spin much, much faster than any of them could, actually creating a small tornado around him thanks to the force of the rotating wind he managed to create. Korey, the trio of ruffian Koopas, and the two audience members watched on in awe as Koops's shell slowly lifted slightly into the air and, like a bullet, he was off.
Seemingly as fast as the speed of light, Koops shot right through all three of the opposing Koopas, catching them all off guard as they stood completely still, apparently paralyzed by the lightning fast, piercing attack. Koops immediately reversed his trajectory and shot himself right back through the group once again, only appearing as a simple blur to anyone that tried to keep their gaze on him as he moved.
Korey could hardly believe his eyes as he observed Koops ricochet off the ground before him, propel himself diagonally upward into the air, and slam himself into each of the three Koopas individually, knocking them backwards onto their shells, exposing their soft, defenseless underbellies. They groaned and grunted, obviously wishing to move, but their limbs simply wouldn't budge as Koops came down on his feet for a brief landing, only to jump up into the air almost high enough to smack his head against the rafters of the stage. Withdrawing back into his shell though, Koops aimed the armored side of it downward as he fell back down to the ground directly in the middle of the group.
Once he slammed his shell into the ground, a large blast powered forth, sending splinters and dust spewing all about the area as the stage completely collapsed and the rafters and curtains fell in on the scene. Sparks flew from busted lights and a fire soon burst out, forcing the last two audience members to scramble out of the theater in order to save their own lives. Korey himself climbed out of the dangerous debris, coughing as smoke and dust filled his lungs. Koops soon reappeared from underneath all the debris as well, coughing rather harshly like Korey did. Returning back to Korey's side, a few seconds of victory music played from an invisible chorus and Koops scratched the back of his head and chuckled nervously. Korey simply stared at Koops, eyes wide with utter shock.
They obtained one Star Point.
The scene of the trail leading to Shhwonk Fortress returned to normal, the stage disappearing as the three Koopa thugs lied on their shells in front of Koops and Korey, their eyes circling, utterly dazed by the massive beatdown they just received. Korey still couldn't believe his eyes.
"...Koops..." he muttered with an utterly awestricken voice, making Koops turn his gaze to him with a nervous expression. "...Dude...you...wha..." He gave a quick look at the felled rogues before looking back at Koops again. "And you were afraid to walk out here!? Are you freaking serious!? You just annihilated those guys!!"
Koops merely scratched the back of his head and let out a small chuckle. Without warning, Korey snapped his fingers as a bright light bulb cut on just above his head.
"I have inspiration!"
With that, Korey zoomed back to his home without another word, leaving a small trail of dust in his eager wake. Koops watched him leave, waiting for him to disappear into his house before looking back at the trio of Koopas, who were still attempting to bring themselves out of their daze. Koops then looked at the trail beyond, and, after thinking about the stone monster rumored to live at the far end, a chill ran down his spine.
"This place still creeps me out..."