#koorier

Parith is out in the courtyard, practicing on the straw dummies, when Koorier comes running in, dragging a very heavy broadsword.

KOORIER: Hey, Parry! I wanna try swordfighting! Teach me!

PARITH: I... Well, I’ll show you. First, put that sword away. What I’m about to teach you won’t work with that weapon.

He does as told and sets it aside.

PARITH: Next, pick up one of those wooden swords, and we’ll begin.

Time passes, as Koorier tries and fails to learn the proper techniques.

KOORIER: Man, this is way hard! I thought this was going to be easy.

PARITH: If you expect anything to be easy, you’re in for a massive disappointment. Fighting of any sort is a performance art, one that requires years of practice to master. One mistake, and you’re dead. You take your fighting abilities seriously, don’t you?

KOORIER: Well, yeah, of course! I had to work out these muscles to hit harder. And I’m always working everyday to become stronger.

PARITH: It’s the same with me and my sword. It requires a different set of movements and techniques, but the premise is largely the same.

KOORIER: I see... Hey, since you’re teaching me all this stuff, howzabout I teach you a thing or two in return? Say, fist fighting? Or maybe baking; I know you love your sweets!

PARITH: You can bake?

KOORIER: Heck yeah! Just like Ma taught me! My pies are the best in the Village!

The two Toopas are in front of the Toad Town train station, littered with the shattered remains of Toadbots and Goombots. They’re both cleaning up the pieces as they converse.

KOORIER: Once again, the day is saved, thanks to... the Koopa Troop!

PARITH: [Chuckle.] You’re really enthusiastic about this, aren’t you?

KOORIER: Of course! I love being able to kick butt!

PARITH: I’m sure your father would be proud to know you’re enjoying yourself.

KOORIER: Yeah, about that... He sorta hates that I’m working for the Bowz.

PARITH: Sorry. I sort of forgot that small detail.

KOORIER: It’s alright. I know how much of an airhead you can be.

PARITH: I am not an airhead! My head is perfectly clear.

KOORIER: Says the guy who always forgets his sword. And to brush his teeth. And to take a bath. Need I go on?

Parith opens his mouth to protest, but shuts it, his ego cracked.

KOORIER: But that’s okay. That’s what makes you so cute!

Realizing what he just said, the Koopa slaps his hand over his mouth, blushing.

PARITH: Is that true? Do you think I’m... cute?

KOORIER: W-what are you talking about? I meant cool! Cuz you’re always cool, even when you’re not!

Parith blinks in astonishment, then laughs.

It’s Day Thirteen of the second summer month (according to the Earth calendar, at least), and Parith is in the armory, polishing his sword, when Koorier strides in, cake in hand.

KOORIER: Hey, Parry, I hear it’s a certain somebody’s birthday! Wanna guess who?

PARITH: [Pause.] Who?

KOORIER: You, Parry! Happy birthday!

PARITH: [Flatly.] Oh. I forgot.

KOORIER: What? How can anyone forget their birthday? Birthdays are like Starfall Nights for ourselves! Everyone should celebrate their hatching day!

PARITH: Well, I don’t.

KOORIER: But why?

PARITH: Because today is also the anniversary of the death of my father... and my uncle... and all their friends and allies. Mother’s is tomorrow.

Koorier stops talking. He sets the cake aside, then holds Parith’s hands.

KOORIER: Sorry. I wasn’t aware. If you need a shoulder to cry on, you can do it now, while no one’s watching.

The Paratroopa pauses, his silver eyes lost in thought, then he lays his head against the Koopa’s shoulders and--for the first time in ages, if not ever--he cries his heart out.

Deep in the barracks, in the Workshop, Bowser Jr. is putting the finishing touches on his latest project: a pair of wing-like structures, paired with an anti-gravity belt attached to a garment that--to put it bluntly--resembled bondage gear as opposed to something more tasteful and sensible. He hands the equipment over to Koorier, who dons it.

KOORIER: I don’t see why you can’t just make a leotard or something. I look like a stripper!

BOWSER JR: All that matters is that the anti-grav’s working again. I’ll fix the design later.

KOORIER: [Slipping his shell back on.] That’s what you said last time.

BOWSER JR: I got distracted.

KOORIER: You’re always distracted! Can’t you catch a break from whatever it is you’re working on for once?

BOWSER JR: I dunno if you’re aware, but we’re at war here. I can’t stop just cuz I want to.

KOORIER: We’re not doing anything important right now. How ‘bout we hang out for a bit?

BOWSER JR: Hmm... I guess we can go for ice cream.

KOORIER: Okay! And if you got the time, there’s this movie I got that you’re going to love!

BOWSER JR: Um, okay...

KOORIER: And after that, we can--

BOWSER JR: How about we just get ice cream for now? We can watch the movie next time.

KOORIER: Really? Junior, you’re the coolest!

BOWSER JR: ‘Course I am! ... For what?

((Gratuitous sketch of an OC I revived and retooled specifically for this AU... thing.

Koorier is the son of Parakarry. Being a Koopa Troopa, he cannot fly, despite his wishes to carry on his dad's legacy. Hidden insecurities, combined with a naturally scrappy personality, leads to lots of trouble. He often gets into fights, beating up people in the name of "justice", and one such incident has resulted in him being recruited into Bowser Jr's personal army. Now that Junior's been evicted from his own castle, Koorier--along with Kamek (and eventually, the Koopalings)--are all that remains of his military.