Don't look at me like that. I just got over three weeks' worth of writer's block. I hope the new title pic makes up for it.
Disclaimer: If I owned anything, then Paper Mario: Sticker Star would have had that Chain Chomp partner.
Chapter 8: Remembrance
On a hill stood an old abandoned fortress. At one point it had housed a terrifying dragon. Now it was empty, save for a few Dull Bones that chose to make their home there. In a nearby meadow, a Koopa Troopa had his gaze on the castle. Since the destruction of the dragon and its master, the Koopa had made it a routine to come to that spot every morning and remember all that had been accomplished.
"You've come a long way, Koops," he said to himself. Koops focused, and slowly a gemstone started to materialize in front of him. The Diamond Star. "A very long way."
After he and his friends had defeated the Shadow Queen, they had distributed the Crystal Stars amongst themselves in case their power was ever needed in the future. Mario had kept the Magical Map. Koops was quick to choose the Diamond Star. It had been inside Hooktail's belly, just like Koops' father. He had formed a sort of bond with it. The adventure had rocked his world, reflecting the Diamond Star's power: Earth Tremor.
Koops put his Crystal Star away, sat down, and inhaled deeply, taking in the sweet aroma of Petal Meadows. He never got tired of that. No matter where one was in the peaceful grassland, one could always detect the scent of flowers. The fragrance somehow managed to make its way even into the depths of Hooktail's castle.
*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*
Several minutes later, Koops' eyes fluttered open. The young Koopa sat up and looked around, slightly confused.
"I guess I nodded off," he said to himself, rubbing his neck sheepishly.
"Yes, you did," came a voice from behind.
Koops turned around to find his girlfriend grinning at him. "Koopie Koo? Um… what are you doing here?"
Koopie Koo sat down next to Koops without responding, but continued to smile. She leaned on him slightly, all the while enjoying the scenery of the meadow they called home.
Koops wrapped his arm around her affectionately, but he wasn't about to let his question go unanswered, "Koopie, what are you doing here?"
"What? A Koopa can't spend some quality time with her boyfriend?"
"That's not what I meant…"
Koopie giggled, "I know."
Koops sighed, "Koopie. Please, just answer my question."
"Would you believe your dad and I were worried when we couldn't find you, and I came running out of the village looking for you?"
"I've been doing this for almost a year now. No."
"You forgot your breakfast?"
"I grabbed a Mushroom on my way out."
Koopie Koo bit her lip as she tried to think of another excuse. "Uh… you're still asleep and this is a dream?"
Koops quirked an eyebrow. "This is pretty realistic for a dream."
Koopie grinned. "That's not exactly a comeback."
"You didn't really give me much to respond to."
When Koopie Koo couldn't think of a response, she sighed in fake exasperation. "Fine. Stubborn Koopa. I was bored and your dad snores like a chainsaw. I had to get out!"
Koops sighed. "It beats the silence that the house had before."
The other Koopa rolled her eyes. "That doesn't make me want to stuff his beak with a pillow any less."
"I guess."
Silence.
"Koopie, can I tell you something?"
She perked up. "Yes?"
"Don't tell Dad I said this."
"Okay, what is it?"
"Another reason I come out here is to get away from his snoring."
Koopie Koo stared at her boyfriend for a bit. Then she laughed, "Really?" Koops nodded bashfully. Koopie Koo laughed again, "Doesn't Mario snore, though?"
Koops frowned. "I could deal with that. Mario doesn't sound like a stampede. And trust me; I know what a stampede sounds like."
"Your Yoshi friend can summon one, right?"
"Gonzales Jr., yes," Koops confirmed. "We still can't figure out where all those Yoshis come from. Or where they go."
Koopie gave him a strange look. "'We'?"
Koops shrugged. "Me, Gonzales, Goombella, Flurrie, anyone. We even asked Merlon."
"I remember him. He's that weird wizard guy with the big mustache in Rogueport that helped you learn your new moves, right?"
"…Yeah. Him," was Koops' hesitant response.
Koopie smiled. "It's really cool how he can do that."
"It sure is," Koops agreed.
Suddenly a buzzing sound filled the air. Koops reached into a pocket in his grey hoodie and pulled out a Mailbox SP.
"It's from Ms. Mowz," he told Koopie Koo. He looked closer at the e-mail and added, "It looks like she sent this to the others, too." He read aloud:
Hello everyone. I'm not sure if any of you know, but there's this nasty rumor spreading around about Dark Land being attacked last night. And by "nasty rumor", I mean it's all over the news.
For those of you who don't know, Dark Land is the location of the Koopa Kingdom. Bowser was attacked.
Koopie Koo interrupted, "How is that strange? He must have kidnapped Peach or something and Mario rescued her again. That's not exactly 'main headline'-worthy."
Koops shrugged and continued:
You may be wondering why this is so important. Well the fact is, Mario is not responsible, and Princess Peach was out of the country for political matters. There is no known reason behind the attack. It really has everyone baffled.
Now the reason I am telling you this is because I am looking for Bowser's family. Apparently, Bowser's children have disappeared. As far as I know, there are 8 kids total. They could be anywhere, what with all the Warp Pipes scattered across the planet, so I'm not about to rule out the Rogueport area as a possible location.
Dead or alive, I feel finding the children would be the right thing to do. The youngest one is only five years old. I can't bear the thought of one dying so young, or, if so, being refused a proper burial.
I request that all of you involve yourselves, as well.
Till we meet again
Ms. Mowz
Both Koopas were silent as Koops closed his Mailbox.
Koopie Koo finally spoke, although her voice was barely above a whisper, "W-we should head back to Petalburg."
Koops stood. "Ms. Mowz is right. We have to do something."
"At least come back to the village and get some items," Koopie ordered. "And tell your dad what's going on."
Koops nodded. "Good idea."
The couple turned and sprinted toward home. When they saw the bridge preceding their little town, they picked up the pace.
Which was why Koops was surprised when, by the time he crossed the bridge completely, there was no girl beside him. Koops turned around and saw Koopie Koo standing in the middle of the bridge, looking upstream.
Koops walked up beside his girlfriend. "Koopie? Is something wrong?"
Koopie pointed. Koops looked where she was indicated. Three dots were coming down the river. Koops squinted as they came closer. He gasped at what came into view.
Floating down the river were three very dead-looking Dragon-Koopas.
Don't look at me like that. I already told you that this isn't a death fic. Just because Bowser doesn't care about that fact doesn't mean you all shouldn't.
Just leave a nice review. They help fuel my writing. They also help me get away from angry Dragon-Koopas.
*CRASH*
Speaking of... *runs away*