Richard "Rickon" Koopa

*"When I was a boy I used to pray that one day I'd be king. Stupid, I know"* - The Feeble King (II)

**Richard Koopa**, better known as **Rickon** to distinguish him from his father, is the fourth and youngest son of Lord Richard Koopa, the Duke of Sherbet Land, and Lady Tulisa Python, being their sixth child overall. Rickon is a major character in the mini-series, *Wars of Frozen Flames*, debuting on its first part "The Feeble King". Rickon is portrayed as a grumpy and snarky teenager, often throwing sarcastic remarks towards other people, mainly his older brothers, especially Tobias Koopa, whom he appears to have a rivalry with. He also has a crush on Rose Python, Lord Berwick Python's youngest daughter.

Rickon Koopa is based on Richard of Gloucester.

## History

### Backstory

Rickon was born as the fourth son of Lord Richard Koopa and Lady Tulisa Python, being their sixth child overall. He was given the name "Richard" at birth, after his father, and the nickname "Rickon" in order to differentiate the two of them. Judging by how Rickon seems to prefer books to swords, it can be assumed that he never had an interest in fighting growing up, unlike his older brothers Robert, Halbert and Tobias.

Rickon also seems to have always had an antagonistic relationship with his brother Tobias, as they are often seen arguing, whether that be because Rickon mocks his attempts at gaining attention or because Tobias mistreats Rickon. It is known that Rickon has always wanted to do something meaningful with his life ever since he was a child, and would often pray that one day, he'd become a king. It's likely that this aspiration comes from the stigma of having to deal with his brother Tobias on a daily basis.

### The Feeble King

#### Part I

Rickon is introduced alongside his older brothers Robert, Halbert and Tobias, as well as Lily and Rose Python. He watches as Tobias and Robert have a practise sword fight, and chastises his brothers for being more concerend about showing off in battle than fighting, and Tobias almost attacks him when he insults his skills. He then expresses shock and disappointment that his father was denied the position of King's Claw.

A few days later, Tulisa and Richard have to stop Tobias from attacking Rickon after Rickon attacks him. Rickon confesses that he did this because Tobias told him that Rose Python would never love someone like him, and that he planned to seduce her in front of him next time he saw her. Rickon tells his father that he is fed up of being looked down upon by Tobias, and that he has the feeling that he is not the only one who thinks that about him.

A week later, Queen Cynder invites Lord Richard and his family to a Loveday Feast in the Koopa Castle, as she has an important announcement she would like to share. Rickon complains to Robert and Tobias that he doesn't see much reason to attend a feast hosted by the king who chose Lord Sigmund Phoenix as his King's Claw over their father.

Rickon, his parents, and all of his siblings with the exception of his eldest sibling, Olivia, attend the Loveday Feast. Rickon expresses his disappointment regarding King John Koopa VI to his brother Robert and tells him that he would make a much better king than John, to which Robert tells him that he sees himself as more suited for the battlefield. Rickon, along with other attendees, then witnesses King John Koopa VI's mental breakdown and subsequent collapse after hearing the news of the fall of Oho Oasis to the Bohnenkraut Kingdom.

#### Part II

Following the arrest and deposition of Lord Sigmund Phoenix, Lord Richard Koopa, taking on the role of regent and King's Claw, brings Rickon and Tobias with him to Bright Valley while leaving Robert, Halbert and Ursula with their mother Tulisa and marrying his daughter Anna to Lord Gerald Garnet. Rickon is not fond of the idea of leaving Sherbet Land, but his brothers convince him it won't be a bad experience in the slightest. Later on in the episode, Rickon is seen eavesdropping on Rose Python and Lady Jane Phoenix's conversation regarding the latter's upcoming second marriage, after which he is approached by Jared Hawke, who tells him that Rose's father, Lord Berwick Python, is very protective of her, favoring her over Lily even, and that he would only marry her off to a lord of high standing so that he can in turn benefit from it.

Rickon and Tobias attend the joint wedding of Korrin Sylver and Lady Jane Phoenix, and Korrin's brother Harrin and Jane's cousin, also named Jane. There they meet up with Lily and Rose, who tell them about Jane and her son James Solberg, with Rose even defending Jane when Lily insults her. It is also mentioned that Rickon and Rose danced together during the feast. During the night after the ceremony is over, Rickon comes across Rose praying to a statue of of King Edrick Koopa III and the two exchange a conversation regarding their hopes and dreams for the future, which are very similar, in which Rose also tells him the story of the Seven Sacred Stars. As seen from this conversation, Rose appears to be aware of Rickon's feelings for her and she also feels the same way about him.

#### Part III

Tobias and Rickon visit a bar named The Grand Goomba, despite Rickon telling Tobias that Berwick instructed them to stay at the castle. They then meet a commoner named Shane McQueen, who Rickon gives a good impression towards. The younger Sherbet brothers sit with Shane and his brother Byron at a table, making fun of the King over the fact that he lets them do whatever they want. When the McQueen brothers left, Tobias and Rickon start appreciating their time, with the latter adding that had they stayed at the castle, they'd probably have be stuck indoors all day. They are then confronted by a Sherbet Knight Bro. with Sword Bros., telling them to return to Sherbet Land. Rickon asks about the problem and the Knight Bro. explains that their father was attacked by the King's men, promising to explain on the way after Rickon asks about their father only to be shot down by a spear and the Sword Bros. to be butchered by other Sword Bros. in service to Sir Blayne Phoenix. Tobias and Rickon are then arrested and sent to the Black Tower. Thornton later gives this news to their father.

Rickon insists that something must have gone down between their father and the King whilst being locked in the Black Tower, believing that the Queen is behind it. He then draws the conclusion that he and Tobias are not prisoners but hostages. The two are then visited by Siebold, who gives them water. Rickon asks why they are locked away in the Black Tower and Siebold tells them that their father is no longer the King's Claw, adding that that the King had their father arrested only for him to attack the royal army sent to arrest him and flee and that Tobias and Rickon will remain in the tower until their father turns himself in. Rickon then claims that they will remain in the Black Tower with Siebold being impressed by his faith in their father.

Rickon then tells Tobias that they have lit Alfred's face on the castle, stating that they light Alfred's face when it's time for war, confirming that their father is about to be at war.

## Appearance

Rickon is a dragon Koopa with blue skin and yellow eyes both inherited from his father. He also has black hair which was inherited from his mother. He wears a black shell with light-blue spikes which is equipped with black cuffs.

## Personality

Rickon is shown to be grumpy and sarcastic as evidenced when he tells Tobias that he reminds him more of a Harp Seal Pup as a way to mock his nickname "The Killer Whale" and when he claims to be "sorry for your horrific swordsman skills" when Tobias demanded for an apology. He is also somewhat aggresive and short-tempered, as shown when he attacks Tobias off-screen for mocking him about his crush on her. He prefers being on his own, usually reading books. Rickon himself mentions that he has never being good with crowds and that Bright Valley is full of entitled nobles, discouraging him from trying to interact with them.