Cortez

Cortez in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.
Cortez
Species	Unknown
Eye color	Blue
Debut	Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Cortez is the king of pirates and boss of the fifth chapter in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.

Background

A thousand years ago Cortez became the king of pirates. From his ship, the Black Skull, he constantly raided the ancient city that stands where Rogueport is today. He also stole the Sapphire Star from the Stalwart Koopa and lost it among all his treasure, never once suspecting its powers. But one day he was betrayed by a member of his crew and killed. Before he died he sailed off to the Pirates' Cove.

After his death his skeleton-like ghost (or ghost--like skeleton?) remained to guard his treasure and attacked all who entered. Soon all of Keelhaul Key was infested with ghosts. Since the Skull Jewel that powered the Black Skull was stolen, Cortez was forced to stay in the cove. Mario eventually came to Cortez seeking the Sapphire Star. Cortez thought Mario was after the whole treasure so he engaged the plumber in battle.

Cortez battled Mario in three forms. In his first form Cortez attacks with one weapon in each of four arms- a sword, scimitar, saber and hook. After this form is beaten he loses his arms, but still has his head and snake-like body, and can also raise his attack power. For his third form he is only a head, but he telekinetically lifts his four weapons and throws them at Mario repeatedly. Cortez can also suck up souls of audience members to restore his health.

Despite his ghastly efforts, Cortez was defeated simply because he was tired of fighting- and since he was a ghost, he could have fought forever. He was also relieved when he found out Mario only wanted the Sapphire Star and gave it to him, considering it unimportant compared to the rest of his treasure. Soon afterwards Mario came back to him with Flavio, who needed Cortez's ship to fight the X-Nauts. Turns out Flavio had the Skull Jewel, and with it the Black Skull could sail again. So Cortez went out in one last sea battle with Lord Crump. Afterwards, proud of the fight Mario and the others had put up, Cortez offered his Black Skull as a ferry between Rogueport and Keelhaul Key.

Trivia

• Named after the famous Spanish conqueror Hernan Cortes; Cortez is also given a Spanish accent.
• Similar to Jonathan Jones of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, as both are bitter pirates who befriend Mario after being beaten in battle.