Koops' Big Day: A Glitzville Adventure

(A/N: Happy 20th anniversary to Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door)

It was a bright and sunny day in Glitzville, the floating city of thrills and excitement. Colorful balloons bobbed in the air, and the familiar roar of the Glitz Pit crowds echoed across the city. But today, Koops wasn't here to watch a match—he had his eyes on something even more exciting.

The brand-new Champion's Fury roller coaster had just opened, boasting a dizzying array of loops, corkscrews, and the infamous 320-foot drop. It was the fastest ride ever built, clocking in at a blistering 100mph. As Koops gazed up at the towering ride, his heart pounded. He had done a lot of brave things in his adventures with Mario—facing down dragons and battling his fears—but this? This was a whole new level of courage.

And today, it wasn't just any ride—Koops had the front seat reserved just for him. To make it even more special, none other than Prince Mush, the original Glitz Pit champion, was personally operating the ride in honor of the coaster's grand opening.

"Are you sure you're ready for this, Koops?" a familiar voice called out. Koops turned to see Mario, Goombella, and the rest of the crew, all grinning at him with a mix of pride and amusement.

Koops swallowed nervously. "Y-yeah, I mean… this can't be scarier than facing Hooktail, right?"

Goombella nudged him with a wink. "No way! But it might be faster."

Koops smiled, though his legs felt like jelly. He'd promised himself that today he'd conquer more than just villains—he'd conquer his fears, too.

The line for the Champion's Fury was long, but Koops had a special pass for the front seat, thanks to his Glitzville connections. He'd always admired Prince Mush, and when the retired champion offered him the chance to be the first rider, he couldn't say no.

As Koops climbed into the front car, he looked around, half expecting Mario to join him. But this time, Koops was riding alone. He could feel the eyes of the crowd on him, and that familiar mix of excitement and nervousness rose in his chest.

Prince Mush himself approached the coaster controls, waving to the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen! Today, we honor bravery in all its forms! And no one is braver than Koops, our very own hero of the Mushroom Kingdom. Give him a big hand as he takes on the Champion's Fury!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, and Koops blushed under his yellow shell. He gave a sheepish wave, then gripped the safety bar in front of him tightly as the ride clanked to life.

The coaster started its slow ascent up the towering first hill, each click of the chain lift making Koops' heart race faster. Below him, Glitzville's sparkling cityscape spread out like a golden ocean. The air grew cooler, and Koops felt the wind tugging at his bandanna. Higher and higher they climbed, until the top of the hill seemed impossibly far from the ground.

And then… silence.

For a brief, weightless moment, Koops hung at the crest of the coaster's first drop, staring down at the sheer 320-foot plunge before him. His breath caught in his throat. This was it.

WHOOOSH!

The world blurred as the coaster rocketed downward, the wind screaming in Koops' ears. His stomach dropped, but instead of fear, a wild thrill surged through him. Loop after loop whipped past, the G-forces pressing him back into his seat, but Koops held on, grinning like never before. He was doing it—he was the one in the front seat, and he was loving every second of it.

The coaster flipped through corkscrews, twisting and turning until Koops lost track of which way was up. But it didn't matter. For the first time in a long time, Koops wasn't thinking about his fears. He wasn't worrying about being brave enough or strong enough. He was just… free.

As the ride zoomed into its final stretch, Koops threw his arms up, laughing as the wind whipped past his face. The final loop came and went, and then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the ride screeched to a stop.

The crowd was on its feet, cheering wildly. Koops' heart was still racing, but now it was with exhilaration, not fear. He stumbled out of the car, a little wobbly on his feet, but with the biggest grin he'd ever had.

Prince Mush clapped him on the back, grinning. "Not bad, Koops. Looks like you've got the heart of a champion."

Koops chuckled, wiping a bit of sweat from his brow. "That… was awesome!"

Mario and the others rushed over, all of them giving Koops high-fives and pats on the back. "You did great, buddy!" Mario said with a proud smile.

Koops felt a surge of pride. He'd faced monsters, dark magic, and terrifying villains, but today he'd proven something to himself. He could be brave, no matter the challenge—even if it was a 100mph roller coaster with loops, corkscrews, and a terrifying drop.

As they all headed off for celebratory ice cream, Koops looked back at the towering coaster. Today had been a test of bravery—and for once, it had been all about him. And he'd nailed it.

Who knew? Maybe next time, he'd try the back seat.