Paper Mario the thousand- year door.
Chapter 1
Castle and dragon
A few seconds later, Mario and Goombela came out of the other end of the tube and saw a beautiful landscape with many meadows and trees.
"This must be Petal Meadows." said Mario
"Yes. Pipe travel is very fast." replied Goombela "Now all we need to do is find the crystal star. Let's go"
Mario and Goombela starting looking for the crystal star. Suddenly, as they were walking, they heard a very loud noise and a giant shadow was cast on them.
"What was that?" asked Mario in confusion.
"Look!" shouted Goombela in terror.
Mario looked up at the sky and saw a giant dragon flying. The dragon soon entered a big castle in the horizon.
"OMG." said Goombela. "I've never seen anything that gigantic before."
"I thing that was a dragon." said Mario.
"What is it doing here?"
"Let's not stay to find out."
So, they kept looking for the crystal star. Soon they arrived in a small village.
"Where are we?" asked Goombela
"I don't know, but perhaps here we can find information about the crystal star." replied Mario
Soon, a koopa noticed the two friends and went to welcome them.
"Welcome in Petalburg." he said. "I'm glad someone finally came. It's been a very long time since someone visited us."
"Why is that? "asked Mario
"Well, our village is kind of remote." replied the koopa." And since that dragon Hooktail showed up... well it didn't exactly help tourism. People just stopped visiting."
"Hooktail? That must have been that enormous beast we saw earlier." said Goombela "Anyway, do you know where we can find the crystal star?"
"Crystal star?" asked the koopa. "No, I can't say I have ever heard anything about that."
"Do you know anybody who might know?" asked Mario
"Now that you mention it, you should go see the mayor." said the koopa "He's really, really old. People of his age know a lot of things. If anyone should know about that crystal star, it's him. He lives in the pink house up ahead."
"Alright. Let's go and see him." said Mario
Soon they arrived outside a pink house.
"This is the only pink house in the village." said Goombela. "This must be where the mayor lives."
"Let's see if he has any interesting information for us" said Mario as he was knocking the door.
Soon the door opened and Mario and Goombela saw a really old and wrinκled koopa with a long beard and big eyebrows that covered his whole eyes.
"What do you want?" he asked. "Why are you here? You want to rob an innocent old koopa?"
"But…" tried to say Mario
"Go ahead." said the mayor. "Take all the golden and silver coins I've been saving since I was a lad of twenty. They are worth a fortune."
"You have misunderstood us." Said Goombela, but the mayor didn't hear anything and continued.
"You can take my antique shell too. You can make a lot of money by selling it. Just leave me my family photos. Happy memories."
"We're not thieves!" shouted Mario and Goombela at the same time.
'Really?" asked the mayor. "Then why are you here?"
"We want information about the crystal star." said Mario
"Crystal star? Yes. I heard about that thing a long time ago. You're looking for it?" asked the mayor
"Exactly." Said Mario
"Then why didn't you say so in the first place?" said the mayor. "Wait a minute." He then turned around and started talking to himself. "What did I hear about that thing again? Think Kroop. Think."
He suddenly turned to Mario and Goombela and said:
"I got it. Hooktail. Hooktail has what you want."
"Hooktail?" asked Mario "The dragon?"
"Exactly." Replied the mayor. "It's that enormous creature that constantly comes by and eats one or two of us. If you want the crystal star, you'll have to defeat her. Are you brave enough to do so?"
"Of course." Replied Goombela
"we'll get rid of your dragon in no time." said Mario
"Excellent." Replied the mayor. "If you defeat her, we'll shower you with praise and rewards."
"You don't need to." Said Goombela
"That's right. We'll do it just because it's the right thing to do." Added Mario.
"You're such unselfish people." Said the mayor. "It's settled then. Go and rid us of that fool Hooktail."
"You got it" said Mario, but as he and Goombela were about to leave, the mayor stopped them and said:
"Wait. I forgot to tell you something important. In order to access Hooktail's castle, you need the stone keys."
"The stone keys?" asked Mario
"Yes. They are the only objects that can activate the secret passage that can take you to Hooktail's castle." said the mayor
"So, where can we find those stone keys?" asked Goombela
"They are hidden in shhwonk fortress. A massive fortress made of stone. Leave the village and keep going south until you reach it, but beware. The rumors about the fortress are not pleasant."
"Don't worry. Everything will be fine." said Mario
"Yeah. Nobody can stand in our way." said Goombela
And so, Mario and Goombela left and eventually reached the end of the village. There, they saw a wooden gate and a koopa guarding it. When the koopa saw them, he stood before them and stopped them.
"Stop!" he said. "Beyond this gate is Shhwonk fortress. A scary stone monster lives there. This gate is to keep it out. My job is to guard this gate and under no circumstances am I allowed to let anyone past this gate. It's too dangerous."
"But we must get to Shhwonk fortress to get the stone keys to get to Hooktail's castle to defeat her." said Mario
"And get the crystal star that she has." Added Goombela
"Really? Alright then. You can go through the gate. Just be careful."
And with these words the koopa opened the gate. As Mario and Goombela were about to exit the village they heard a voice behind them.
"Em…. Excuse me."
They turned around and saw a young koopa with a blue shell.
"Yes." asked Mario "what do you want?"
"Well, my … my name is koops and... um... you know... actually... Forget it. Just ignore me."
And with these words Koops turned around and left.
"Okayyy. That was weird. "said Goombela
"Anyway, let's go." said Mario
And so, the two friends left the village and soon reached Shhwonk fortress.
"This is it. "said Mario "Shhwonk fortress"
"Now we need to find those stone keys, get to Hooktail's castle, defeat her and find the crystal star." said Goombela
They entered the fortress and immediately encountered two bald clefts (Stone creatures that can stand a lot of damage thanks to their stone bodies.) that attacked them. Mario hit the one with his hammer, but nothing happened. Goombela tried jumping on the other with no success.
"They are too tough." Said Goombela
"I have and an idea." said Mario We'll use their own toughness against them."
And before Goombela could ask him what he meant, Mario kicked the one cleft in the face. That hurt Mario a bit, but it also hurt the clefts because the one landed on the other literally breaking both of them to pieces.
"My idea worked. As usual." Said Mario
Mario and goombela went to the next room where they had to fight two bristles (creatures made of stone that have spikes on their sides). After a short fight, Mario was able to break the spike of one of the bristles and use them to defeat him. Meanwhile, Goombela was having a hard time dealing with the other bristle, but in the end, and with a little help from Mario, she made the bristle run away. Eventually, Mario and Goombela entered the final room of the fortress where they saw a big thwomp. When the thwomp notice them, he asked:
"Well, well, well. You're the first visitors I've seen I a while. If you are here that means you want the stone keys."
"Exactly." replied goombela." And we will get them. You can't stop us."
"Don't be so sure." Said the thwomp. "I'll tell you what. If you can defeat me, I'll let you have the stone keys. But if you lose. You're mine. Forever and ever and ever. So, what do you say?"
"Um..." said Mario. "Perhaps we should..."
"Of course. We can definitely defeat you." Said Goombela. "Mario and I will trounce you."
"Mm ho ho ha ha. Very well. Here we go." Said the thwomp and immediately jumped into the air and tried to land on Mario. Mario hit the thwomp with his hammer but he didn't do any damage. The thwomp was about to jump again when Goombela attacked him, causing him to lose his balance and fall down.
"Now Mario." She shouted
Immediately, Mario jumped and landed on the thwomp's face, finishing him.
"It's over." Said the thwomp. "I'm done for."
"Good work Mario" said Goombela
"You did the whole work Goombela. You could have been killed." said Mario
"I only did what I had to do." replied Goombela
"Anyway, we did it, so give us the stone keys." Said Mario to the thwomp
"Fine." Said the thwomp and Key. "Here. Take this key and put on the pedestal over there. But know that I hate you."
"I think I can bare that." Replied Mario and took the key. He then put it on the pedestal and a secret passage opened.
"Let's go Goombela" said Mario and they both entered the passage.
In there after wandering for a while they found the two stone keys. The one shaped like the sun and the other shaped like the moon.
"That was way too easy." Said Goombela as they were walking towards the exit.
"Don't say that." Said Mario. You'll jinx us."
''Don't worry. Everything. Will be fine."
Suddenly They both saw an army of black fuzzies blocking their way. Mario looked at Goombela angrily.
"I'm not saying another word." She replied
A golden fuzzy came out of the army
"Where do you think you're going?" he asked. "You stole our precious stone keys and now we'll tear you apart. Get them."
An epic battle begun between the fuzzies and Mario and Goombela. Mario fought bravely and so did Goombela, but the fuzzies had numerical superiority. All seemed lost when the ceiling collapsed and the thwomp fell into the room and crashed all the fuzzies.
"What just happened? "asked Goombela
"It appears that the thwomp came to and tried to get up, but his weight was too much for the floor." Replied Mario." Let's go."
They both returned to the village, went to the entrance and were about to head for the Hooktail's castle, when Koops appeared and stopped them.
"Wait a minute. I have to speak to you." He said
"You're Koops, right? What do you want?"
"Well…you know… actually..."
"Here we go again." whispered Goombela
Suddenly Kops shouted:
"Oh please take me with you to fight Hooktail. Please. I'm begging you."
"Okay, okay. Calm down." said Mario
"I'm sorry about that. I just really want to destroy Hooktail myself." Said Koops
"Why?" asked Goombela
"You see, my father went to defeat Hooktail many years ago, but he never returned." Said Koops.
"Oh, I see." Said Mario
"it's not just to avenge my dad." replied Koops. "Revenge is just a part of it. I just want to do it to finish what my father started. For his sake. For everyone's sake."
"Alright." Said Mario "You can come with us."
"Really?" asked Koops.
"Of course." Replied Goombela. "we could definitely use your help."
"Thank you so much. I promise you won't regret this." said Koops in excitement.
"Come on." Said Mario." We don't have any time to lose."
As they were about to leave, they heard a voice behind them.
"Koops"
They turned around and saw a female koopa.
"Oh, Koopie Koo." Said Koops.
"You know her?" asked Mario
"She's my girlfriend" replied Koops "Koopie Koo, did you hear our whole conversation?"
"I heard most of it" she replied. "And I thought I heard you saying you're off to fight Hooktail. But you're joking right? You cannot face Hooktail. She'll eat you up."
"I know. But I have to do it. I need to be tougher." Said Koops.
"No, you don't." replied Koopie Koo." You are perfect just like you are. What if you are timid? And sort of a crybaby. I don't care about all that. I like you because you're yourself. So, don't go. Going on a dangerous and deadly quest is just plain stupid."
"I'm sorry Koopie Koo." said Koops. "I've made up my mind. But don't worry. I'll come back. After all, I'm travelling with Mario. Together we can do anything. We'll destroy Hooktail in no time and I'll return to you."
"Fine. Go." Said Koopie Koo and run back to the village crying. As she was running, she shouted: "Stubborn Koopa."
"I'm sorry Koopie Koo" said Koops. "I promise. I'll come back a stronger Koopa." He then turned to Mario and said: "Alright. Let's go. Hooktail castle awaits."
And so, Mario, Goombela and their new friend, Koops left the village, Soon, they arrived across Hooktail castle.
"So, what do we do now?" asked Koops
"The mayor said that we need to use the stone keys to activate the secret passage to the castle." said Mario "But how do we do that?"
"Look at that." said Goombela
She pointed at two stone pipes with one hole each. The one shaped like the sun and the other shaped like the moon.
"These holes are shaped like the stone keys." said Mario." Maybe if we place the keys in the holes…"
Immediately Mario took out the stone keys and placed them in the holes. Suddenly, the ground started shaking and a pipe appeared.
"There we go. "said Mario and jumped into the pipe. A few moments later, Goombela followed him. Koops looked at the pipe for a few seconds and said:" I'm doing this for you dad." He then jumped into the pipe. A few moments later Mario and his friends stood in front of the front entrance of castle Hooktail.
"Oh... Hooktail castle. The stories were true. This place is terrifying." Said Koops.
"I hope you're not scared." Replied Mario
"No." said Koops." I made a promise to return to my village a stronger Koopa and I'll keep my word. Let's go."
So, Mario and his friends entered the castle and started looking for Hooktail. Suddenly Koops noticed a pile of bones. He ran towards them and said:
"No. These bones. I'm absolutely certain. It's my father. Dad. No."
Koops started crying. He was saddened by the fact that his father's games were over. That he couldn't see him again, hug him and tell him how much he loves him. Suddenly he noticed a letter on the pile of bones
"it's a letter. "he said. "Should I read it?"
"Go head." Said Mario. 'It might have some last words in it for you." Although he had never met Koops' dad he was really sad that he was dead.
"Alright." said Koops and took the letter." Ahem "to who it may concern. If you have found this letter then I'm no longer here. I came here to defeat Hooktail, but I'm stuck and can go no further. If you are here to defeat Hooktail there are a couple things you should know. First of all, Hooktail has a weakness and that weakness is a cricket. It's a creature she cannot tolerate. She becomes sick even at the very sound of it. Inside Hooktail castle is an object related to her weakness. If you want to have a chance of defeating her, you must find that object. One last thing. If faced with ultimate doom the creature will use any trick to save itself. If you want to defeat her, do not give in your good nature and fall for its tricks. I do not have the strength to continue writing. Already my powers are leaving me. My last words go to my son, Kolorado. I love you and I'm proud of who you've become."
"Huh?" said Koops as he finished reading the letter. "My son Kolorado? Not Koops?" He then turned to Mario and Goombela and said: "Um… I guess this isn't my father after all." He then noticed another pile of bones and said: "But if this is not my father, I wonder if that pile of bones over there is my father."
"Come on Koops." said Mario. "I understand you miss your father, but you can't go around and say that every pile of bones is your dad."
"You're right. But if he hadn't thought this was his father, he wouldn't have read the letter and we wouldn't have learned Hooktail's weakness." said Goombela
"You have a point." said Mario. "Anyway, according to the letter, we need to find the object that will help us defeat Hooktail. It's something related to cricket."
"It must be somewhere in the castle." said Goombela.
"let's look around." Said Koops
So, they started looking for the object in the castle. Soon they entered a room where they found a rat with a red mask and red boots.
"How are you?" asked Mario
"I'm Ms. Mowz. The famous burglar and badge ninja." she replied
"Burglar?" asked Koops in surprise "Are you here for the crystal star? Well, we're here for it too so don't think we will let you get it first."
"Crystal star? I didn't know something like that was hidden here. Perhaps I just heard something you didn't want me to?" said Ms. Mowz
"Koops!" said Mario
"oops." said Koops
"But it's okay." Said Ms. Mowz. "You were looking for that crystal star first and I already got the object I wanted from here so I'm leaving for now,"
She suddenly approached Mario and kissed him on the cheek.
"Hey." Said Goombela. "This is not okay."
Ms. Mowz then jumped next to an open window and said:" So, we part for now my dear cheese hunk. Let us meet again. And good luck in finding the crystal star." She then jumped out of the window.
"I don't understand that girl." Said Goombela." What's her story? I wonder if we 'll meet her again."
"Look!" said Koops
He pointed at an open chest. Inside it was a mysterious device with an instruction booklet.
"Let's see." Said Mario as he took the device and the instruction booklet. "It says that we just need to attach the device on any kind of weapon and it will make the sound of a cricket every time we use that weapon."
"So, we just need to attach this on a weapon." Said goombela
"Yes. "replied Mario "And thankfully I have the perfect thing."
With these word Mario took out his hammer and attached the weapon to it.
"Now we have the object." He said. "Let's go and deal with Hooktail once and for all."
As they were searching, they came across a room filled with skeletons.
'This must be where Hooktail keeps the remains of her victims." Said Koops
Suddenly one of the skeletons got up and looked at Mario and his friends.
"these are not skeletons." Said Mario. "These are dry bones."
"Exactly." replied the dry bones. "And you're trespassing in here. Now prepare to be punished. From now on, you'll be nothing but bones.
And with these words all the skeletons got up and started moving towards them.
"Let's get them guys." said Mario. He and his friends attacked the skeletons and soon gained the upper hand. All the dry bones except for the leader run away.
"come back here you chickens.'" he said but nobody came back. Mario grabbed the leader and threw him out of the window.
"We're done here." Said Goombela
"indeed." replied Mario. "Now, let's go."
Soon, after wandering in the castle for a while, our heroes arrived outside a huge chamber.
"This is only place in the castle big enough for Hooktail to fit in." Said Mario
"I wonder why she has a whole castle since she can only use one room." Said Goombela
"This is it." said Koops. "There is no turning back."
The three friends entered the room which was almost completely covered in darkness. Suddenly they heard a loud female voice
"Who are you?"
Suddenly Hooktail the massive dragon came out of the darkness.
"Why are you here?" she asked "Are you here to defeat me as well or do you want the treasure I protect?"
"Treasure? She must mean the crystal star." said Mario
"Well, you're small and you don't appear tasty. I suppose you might make a good snack." Said Hooktail "And your bones might make a good sauce. Watch out here I come." Hooktail got ready to fight
"Let's do this." said Mario
And so, the battle begun. Mario was able to hit Hooktail with his hammer and the sound of a cricket was heard. Hooktail stopped in terror.
"No," she said. "My only weakness. How did you know?"
"It's working" said Goombela
"Again Mario. Again." shouted Koops
Mario hit Hooktail again and the sound of a cricket was heard again.
"No! Stop!" shouted Hooktail "I feel dizzy. I cannot bare this sound. It's weakening me."
Mario and his friends kept attacking Hooktail until she couldn't take it anymore. She could barely stand. She turned to Mario and his friends and Said:
"Alright. You defeated me. It's over."
"Not yet" said Koops "We'll finish you and get revenge for all the people you've eaten."
"Wait.' Said Hooktail. "Let's make a deal. "let me live and I'll give you 10.000 coins. Agreed?"
"Don't fall for it." whispered Mario. "Remember what the letter said." He then turned to Hooktail and said: "No. We're not falling for your tricks."
"you don't want money? Then I can give you a really rare badge." Said Hooktail"
" Forget it. "said Goombela.
"You refuse such a generous offer? I guess I could let you smell the bottom of my feet." Said Hooktail. "people pay a lot of money to do that. Honestly."
"That's disgusting." Said Koops
"This is your final answer?" Asked Hooktail
"Yes. And now it's time to end you." Said Mario
Suddenly go up with the last of her strength and tried to attack Mario. Mario didn't expect that and Hooktail would have eaten him if Koops hadn't hit her in the nose.
"Now Mario." Shouted Koops
Mario took out his hammer and gave Hooktail the finishing blow.
"NO." shouted Hooktail "I cannot be defeated. There are so many things I wanted to do with my life."
Before she could say another word, she fell down on her back and died.
"We did it" said Mario
"Yeah. Hooktail's terror is over." Said Goombela
"Now Petal Meadows can once again be the peaceful place it used to be." Said Koops "My farther would be so happy and..."
"look: shouted Goombela
They looked at Hooktail's body whose throat was shaking. Suddenly a blue shell came out of its mouth and out of the shell came a koopa with a beard.
"Yayyy." He shouted. "I'm finally out."
"it... it can't be" said Koops and then added "d... dad?"
the koopa looked at Koops and said: Hey. You're my son, Koops. You've got so big since I last saw you."
"Yeah, I have." Replied Koops. "but who cares. Where have you been all this time?"
"Well," said his father. "I came here a while back to defeat Hooktail. At first everything went well, but just before my finishing blow, she played a nasty trick on me and gobbled me down at once. I've been hiding in my shell inside Hooktail's belly for the last ten years. However, I never stopped thinking about you. I always hoped to get out someday and return to you. By the way, what are doing here anyway?"
"I came here with my friends goombela and Mario to defeat Hooktail and find the crystal star."
Crystal star?" said Koops' dad in surprise. "This wouldn't be it, would it?"
With these words he took out a star-shaped jewel.
"What's this?" asked Koops
"I think it's the crystal star." said Mario
"definitely." Said Goombela. "This is without a doubt the real thing."
"I found it in Hooktail's belly." Said Koops' dad "I liked it so I kept it as a souvenir. So, this is what you are looking for?"
"Yes." replied Mario "This what we came here for."
"Perfect. You can have it."
"Really?" Asked Mario
"Of course." said Koops' dad. "You're Koops' friend. I won't take no for an answer."
"Alright" said Mario and grabbed the crystal star. It started shining and Mario suddenly felt stronger. It was as if the crystal star as giving him its power.
And so, Mario and his friends defeated Hooktail the dragon and acquired the diamond star. But six crystal stars remained to be found and Mario still didn't know were princess Peach was. Mario's adventure had just begun.
So, I'm done with chapter 1. Next will be interlude 1. Please write reviews and tell me what you think of my work.