AN: Hey, everyone, StarlitDuck here! So, this is a project that I have been considering doing for a while now. That being, a rewrite of the first story I ever published on this site: Super Koopalings Episode 1: Celia's Dad. Now, there was a lot, and I do mean a LOT that I personally don't like about the original. So, this isn't really a rewrite such as a massive overhaul of everything about this story. It will probably be much longer, and will be taken in a completely new direction. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 1 Out of This Life

Creak.

Celia took a deep breath as her heart pumped. Releasing her hand from the doorknob, she snuck into the house. Her shoes, a pair of black combat boots, weighed down on the already thin floor. Crickets chirped outside the window. It was a new moon tonight, so there was no light within or outside the house. Celia didn't mind though, as she was accustomed to the darkness. It was a friend to her. It accepted her for who she was.

Creak creeeaakkk.

She cringed. The floor was seriously thin, dangerously thin. Her mind raced as she thought about any of the other houses in this neighborhood that she could be in right now. She slowed down. Despite her second thoughts, she was determined to get to the kitchen. She practically crawled her way through the building until she got to her destination. Once there, she let out a sigh.

"I made it," she whispered. She felt around until she found the fridge. When she opened it, her mouth watered. Apples, cheeses, mushrooms, and a half eaten chocolate cake were just waiting to be snatched up. Rubbing her hands together, Celia stuffed the apples into her hoodie pockets. She grabbed a slice of cheese and gobbled that up immediately, for she had eaten very little over the course of the day. She proceeded to put a slice of cake and a Super Mushroom in with the apples.

Celia closed the fridge and smiled. The apples would sustain her for the next few days, and the cake would be a rare treat. Her heart slowed to a steadier pace as she pulled her grubby black hood off of her head, allowing her fiery hair some time to breathe.

Suddenly, the light came on, and Celia's heart stopped. She turned around as chills rushed up and down her spine. There, in the doorway, was an orange haired Dragon Koopa with a plastic cup in his hands. When he saw her, they just stared at each other for a minute or two.

The Koopa's eyebrows scrunched up as he registered that a total stranger was facing him in his kitchen. "What are you doing in my house?"

Celia swallowed a lump. She saw that the only way out was the doorway that the koopa was standing in front of. If she wanted to leave the building in one piece, she would have to get past him.

"Thief!" the Koopa shouted. He lunged at her, brandishing his fist. Celia just barely dodged, causing the koopa to punch the refrigerator door instead. He held his hand and winced as it throbbed. Celia made a beeline for the door.

"Ahhh!" She felt a sharp tugging sensation as the koopa pulled her backwards by the hair. He rammed her against the refrigerator door, causing her to wince and grit her teeth. The Koopa reached into his hammerspace and pulled out a phone.

"Police, my house is being ransacked! You've gotta get down here right away!"

Celia grit her teeth even harder. Her eyes travelled down to the Koopa's crotch, and without thinking, she aimed her foot in that direction. The Koopa gasped and fell to his knees, clutching his hands to the problem area. Celia, not wasting anytime, bolted for the door. She ran off into the safety of the moonless night just as she heard sirens wailing in the distance.

She picked up the pace. Since she was wearing a black hoodie, she blended in with her surroundings. This provided her with comfort, but only a little bit. She still couldn't stop. She stuck to the sides of the streets, avoiding the streetlamps. Her breathing was heavy, and she could taste sweat on her lips. She didn't care.

Finally, Celia got to the place where she wanted to go; a manhole cover. She glanced from left to right before pulling the cover up and lowering herself into the hole. Pulling the cover back over the entrance, she climbed down the ladder. The sound of rushing water echoed down the tunnel. The walls alone smelt of fecal matter and urine. The girl barely acknowledged these facts though. Once her feet were safely on the ground, she ran down the passageway. She weaved through various tunnels until she got to a dirty, broken mattress and a treasure chest, laying in a pile of sludge and illuminated by a flickering lamp hanging from the ceiling

"Home sweet home," Celia exhaled.

With that, she lowered herself onto the mattress and pulled the treasure chest closer. She stuffed all of the loot into it with a frown on her face. Once she was finished, she just stared blankly at the chest's interior. Her red eyes locked onto the apples on the left hand side. Then, they travelled to a book on the right.

Her expression unchanging, Celia picked up the book. She got on her back and flipped through the pages. She saw a picture of herself with her mother when she was three. The two of them were smiling, their pupils red due to the poor quality of the camera. Celia turned to the next page. This time, she saw a picture where she was sitting in a high chair as a one year old. Her golden yellow face was coated with buttercream frosting as she ate some carrot cake. Some of it had even managed to get into her fiery red hair. Her bib was covered in this stuff too, barely allowing her to see that it read "50% human, 50% koopa, 100% loved." Celia smiled a tiny bit, for that bib had been made by her mother.

Celia then turned to the next page. This one showed her as a six year old. She was wearing a golden, plastic tiara and was wielding a stick that she had claimed as her scepter. She looked into the background of the picture. On the floor was a poster of King Bowser Hortensia Koopa I.

Celia shook her head and closed the book. She couldn't do this. She couldn't escape reality by jumping into the past. She just couldn't. She put the scrapbook back into the box and looked up at the flickering light as she lay on her back. She wanted more than this. She wanted out of this life. Unfortunately, she couldn't have that. No matter what she wished. No matter what she wanted. No matter who she was. Reality would always find a way to bite back. Reality would always win.

With this last thought, Celia curled up, pulled her hoodie over her eyes, and went to sleep.