Looking back at my old version of this story, the pacing was so clumpy and awkward xD Luckily, I've improved and I'm positive it shows. Originally, Goombario's first chapter included a summary of his entire life, and then the events of the game, but I believe this way is less cluttered, and has more characterization than the last version. The joke-alternate title for this chapter is "A Little Goomnerd."

Enjoy!

"The Goomba Haven"

Goomba Village is an oddity. The town consists of only a Toad House, and the place has large, unused amounts of land. It seems strange to call it a village...by today's standard, that is.

Back when the first Mushroom-Koopa War had started, the general mindset was that all Goombas had deflected to the Koopa Kingdom. This was proven false when several of the species traveled straight to the Mushroom Capital, walked into the castle and asked the Queen for shelter and refuge from those who deemed them traitors.

Impressed by the Goombas' bravery and ever the caretaker for those in need, Queen Toadstool accepted these travelers with only a few cautious measures to keep both them and her people safe. She granted them more than enough land to accommodate the band of Goombas, and planned a settlement to be built for them. This safe haven was dubbed Goomba Village.

Despite being set up a fair distance away, Queen Toadstool ensured the monthly shipment of necessary supplies. The vocal minority of Toads against the village of Goombas fortunately did nothing but complain, and they were simply ignored in favor of defending against the true threat; King Koopa. However, because of the divide of resources, it took a while to complete even a simple Toad House.

In a surprising letter to the Queen, the Goombas assured her to leave them be. They were able to get along fine in the wilderness and can survive on their own, and as long as she was willing to continue her support, they'd do all they can to aid the Mushroom Kingdom in return. Queen Toadstool thanked them for their contributions and gave her word to supply them with all they needed.

Soon, the war began to gradually die down, as did the need for Goomba Village. They no longer had to live in fear, so they gave their thanks to the Mushroom Monarch and set out to begin new lives in the Mushroom Kingdom. Eventually, all that remained of the village was the Toad House that still stands proudly today, serving as a reminder of the precarious peace that sustained between the Goombas and Toads during the War.

As a younger kid, Goombario would always read this passage in awe. To think he lived in such an important place where so many brave Goombas lived! It was exciting to think that, just maybe, he would grow up to make such a ground breaking change in history. It couldn't be that difficult, could it? Just be a hero! After all, as his dad has told him before, he was named after the Mushroom Kingdom Hero, Mario! He was practically destined to be famous!

Then, he realized that a few paragraphs talking about a dusty, forgotten village wasn't much to be proud of. This disappointment led to a slightly bitter feeling, since the history book had actually gone out of its way to ensure that the Toad House "still stands proudly," when not a single soul had bothered to come around and check if it were indeed still standing. However, his disappointment managed to wrap around to determination soon enough, as his optimistic side convinced him he could be the one to place Goomba Village back on the map.

And these thoughts would always swirl around the young Goomba's mind as he grew older, making him want to try his hand at an adventure but doubting himself just enough to not bother. He felt a bit guilty at wanting more than just staying at home. It wasn't long until he mentioned this to his grandfather, Goompa, who simply let out a hearty laugh. "Goombario, take it from me. Goombas are anything but helpless!"

Despite his complete faith in Goompa, Goombario felt the need to bring up all the bad Goombas Mario had effortlessly defeated.

Goompa shook his head. "Those Goombas have nothing to fight for. They only go up against Mario because they have to. Mario fights for a reason, and that's why he wins! When I traveled with my friends, we saw the entire world and came across several enemies, and never lost once! In fact, a Toad even asked to train under my supervision..."

And once again, Goombario eagerly listened to Goompa's tale, momentarily forgetting about his dilemma. In fact, he never considered Goombas weak again. After all, if they were, it wouldn't be possible for Goompa to exist, would it?

On his next birthday, Goombario received a more modern history book of the Mushroom Kingdom from Goompapa, and expressed much more enthusiasm than any other kid getting a history book for his birthday would normally. Gooma made him a delicious Nutty Cake. Finally, he was given a hat by Goompa.

Beaming brightly, Goombario immediately placed it on his head. His thoughts immediately turned to his idol and excitement made him blurt out a question without much thought. "Do you think I can meet Mario one day?"

"..Why, of course, Goombario," his mother said with a smile. "It's possible, at the very least. Mario is a very kind man."

Goompapa was a bit a less positive. "Well, he's a very busy guy. Saving the Kingdom so many times would no doubt wear a guy out."

"Pah!" Goompa scoffed, "If I could travel the world with Koopa Koot, and still find time to fall in love, settle down, build a house and raise a family, Mario could meet a fan of his."

There was a collective laugh between the adults at the mention of Koopa Koot. Goombario smiled blankly, not quite getting the joke. As the chuckles settled down, Goompapa sopke up again. "I guess that is true. But I still don't think that he'd come out all the way here just for a family of five Goombas. If he comes to Toad Town, then we can go see him."

That was enough for Goombario, and he grinned once more. "I can't wait! Do you think he'll be around soon? Toad Town is where the Princess lives, so I think there's a good chance of him coming soon!"

Goompa chuckled again, "Of course, Goombario. Now, did you still want to keep trying out that Head Bonk? There's still light out."

"Yeah, let's go!"

A few months later, Goombario was going over the gifted history book once again. He had been a bit disheartened to find that the Goombas who had originally lived here had just as small a section and only a bit more information, but was delighted to find out more about Mario and his adventures. Overall, he loved it and now knew more things because of it.

"Goombario~!"

Looking up from the book, the young Goomba stood and headed to where his mother called. "Yeah, Goomama? What do you need?"

"Look..." The other three Goombas were crowded around Goomama, and Goombario got closer to see what the fuss was about.

A young, pink Goomba was held by Goomama lovingly. "It's your new baby sister~" she cooed motherly.

Goombario didn't get why she was excited. "Oh."

Not getting her son's tone, she continued. "The Stork must have come at the break of dawn. She was there on the doorstep and she's absolutely beautiful~"

There was no correlation between those two statements but Goombario kept quiet, corners of his mouth tilted down into a confused frown. Noticing his grandson's befuddlement, Goompa leaned down to him and got his attention with a whisper.

"Pst, don't forget Mario is the older brother, too."

Goombario's eyes had never lit up faster than that day. Goompa was right! Luigi was Mario's younger brother, and they were practically best friends! "Then, I'll be the best older brother ever! Like Mario!"

It took Goombario all of six months to grow tired of Goombaria. All she did was cry and eat, and the noise was enough to force Goombario to go outside to read. He sat outside the doorstep, and managed to read a few paragraphs before Goombaria's shriek reached his hearing sense outside. It's like she did this on purpose.

The older Goombas shook off his claims and had reminded him that "she was just a baby" and told him to "have a lick of patience."

Having had enough of Goombaria's cries, the blue-capped Goomba grabbed his book and grumpily began to head away from the house, walking past the unused Toad House and down the deserted pathway. He walked along until he was sure the shrill ringing was absent from the air around him. With a content sigh, Goombario leaned against a tree and slunk down to the ground, opening the hardcover blue book once again.

He wasn't sure how much time had passed when a loud "Hey!" shouted at him. Goombario jolted out of his focus and looked up at the voice.

A young Koopa-still in his egg shell no less-had come down the pathway and noticed him from the other side of the field. "What are you doing in my playground?!"

"Your playground?" Goombario repeated in question, and without thinking, retorted, "This is my family's yard." It was true in a way. Goomba Village was the combination of this field, the Clearing near their house, and the Toad House and their home. It was their land.

However, the baby Koopa seemed to disagree and made an angry sound-a squeak, perhaps? "No! It's mine! I'm here everyday so it can't be your place! Get out of here!" The young Koopa charged toward the Goomba angrily.

Goombario blinked and sidestepped, deciding that fighting someone younger than him who was obviously not a fighter was quite mean spirited. The small Koopa stumbled and turned around indignantly, seeming genuinely confused at how Goombario had moved out of the way so easily.

"That doesn't make any sense." Goombario told him, trying to reason with him. "Just because you go somewhere often, doesn't mean it's yours."

This only served to make the kid even more mad and he stomped his foot. "It is mine! My place! Master Jr. Troopa's place! Aggh-!"

Jr. Troopa? That must have been his name. Goombario giggled as the Koopa began to rush toward him again but tripped over Goombario's book. Jr. Troopa reddened in embarrassment and anger as he realized what had happened and that Goombario was laughing at him.

Scrambling to his feet, Jr. glared at the book and gave it a strong kick, making it slide a distance in the dirt. Goombario choked out of his laughter with a, "Hey! Watch it!"

Feeling more confident, the short Koopa smirked, "Or what? You better get out of my playground before I kick you too."

Goombario frowned and looked to his book. The pages didn't look damaged, and the cover was probably just a bit dirty. He decided to let it go. He's read enough for today, and if the brat did come here every day, he certainly didn't want to be around. He can just go to the Clearing instead anyway, but that still didn't make him any less frustrated.

"Fine, idiot." he snapped, irritated. He walked to his book and started to pick it up.

While Jr. Troopa didn't really know what the word meant, the Goomba had said it nastily enough to know that it was meant to be an insult. And if there was anything the spoiled Koopa hated more then trespassers in his playground, it was being insulted.

With the Goomba's back still turned, Jr. rammed into him, making him fall forward.

Riiiip.

As clever as Goombario was, it took him a few seconds to realize what that sound was. The shock of actually being attacked after he had agreed to leave peacefully was what went through his mind first. The second thing was that a page of his book had been torn in his yard when he was trying to relax. Sitting up, he fixed his hat and stared blankly at the blue book.

"Maybe that will teach you a thing or two about being mean to me," Jr. told him triumphantly. "Now get out of my playground, and be snappy-"

Despite himself, Goombario Headbonked the Koopa with all the power he could muster. After doing so, Goombario left in an angry huff. cradling his book as one would a baby, deciding that Jr. Troopa was simply worse than Goombaria's incessant crying.

Meanwhile, Jr. Troopa dropped to the ground in a daze, stars flying above his head. Even as he felt dizzy, he felt the strong urge to get back at the jerk Goomba. The only way to do so would be to get stronger, and that way he would be able to keep the Goomba down in one hit. Yeah, that sounded perfect...