Hi everyone, this is the first chapter to Popple's exciting adventure. This continues his epic after Superstar Saga. I had to put a lot of thought into it, considering that I wanted to suspend his adventure through Partners in Time and Bowser's Inside Story. I loved The Shadow Theif from the start, with his classic way of speech and outgoing attitude. Hope you like it!
Oh, and if you never played the games, you might not get it. It also may give certain things away, so beware. AND, to make it clear, I am not part of the Nintendo staff (obviously), this is just a fun little story using its characters.
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Popple looked down on his hand. There sat a single measly WooHoo Bean. Only four others were in his pocket, each a different type. This certainly gave him no pride, for his career had given him this. Soon, his stomach growled and he swallowed the bean taking care of his lunch. The lousy insufficient coffee bean wasn't enough. It has been at least a week since he had been relieved from community service, and things have not improved.
"Stupid, fat stache men! Without 'em, I would've had a piece of that Bean Star, making me rich beyond measure. Without them, I would have even gotten the whole Bean Star. Even in the beginning, I would have at least gained the Secret to Chuckola Cola (blasted stuff that it is), see?" Popple paced the room, at a constant speed. His whole career had been exposed. What's a thief when there are no secrets? Talking out loud certainly didn't help.
"The Shadow Thief is ruined! My face is known, and under suspicion. Perhaps, I should bring myself above again and give myself a new 'Rookie'." It was then that Popple realized that he could not find anyone to trust here under the rule of Beanbean Castle. He had to start fresh, new, identity still yet unborn. He had always dreamed of becoming an explorer, and one he was. He was only just illegal. He needed to walk a bit.
Popple left his base in the desert. The desert was no place for a bean, much too dry for vegetation. But it was the only secretive home he had since his admirer blew him up. It was safe enough when she wasn't there, at least. However, those Mushroom Brats from the Mushroom Kingdom live here. They obviously have adapted to the dry environment in Lil Fungi Town. Apparently they didn't think Popple, still yet unaccustomed to the land, would need the small amount that they adapted to take. Worst time of his life- undoubtedly. Mushroom Kingdom. Bah!
Wait… Wait! That was the solution! Only two in the Mushroom Kingdom (perhaps three if the spiny back Rookie he once had still remembers) would still recall that he even exists. He could start practically new there. Unlike this barren bean land, the Mushroom Kingdom has made itself quite popular, and must flourish well enough. There's plenty of riches and plenty of Rookies to recruit. If he obtained enough employees, there could be a whole secret market of stolen goods he Beanbean Kingdom could run, right underneath their fluffy mustaches. And overpriced too.
Popple skipped happily to the Beanbean Castle Town and pick pocked enough to buy a few canisters of coffee and new jeans to wear, in case if he should run into any trouble. Feeling full of luck, he even swiped a General Badge for safekeeping. And on he went, only running into a few Beanies and Bill Blasters. Night was drawing near, so he had to confirm his position. Popple began the climb the tallest mountain known in the Valley. The climb was long and brutal, but he made it after hours of battle and leaps. And there, on the Peak of HooHoo Mountain, lay a faint glow of the Mushroom Kingdom. He still, of course, had to cross the border, undetected. But he still felt the grasp of being close draw him onwards, to his path of fortune.