Hooktail

"Snack time, little appetizers! But which one of you morsels should I taste first?"

- Hooktail

Hooktail is a dragon in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door that had terrorized Petalburg's residents. As well as eating Petalburg's citizens, she had eaten anyone who came to her castle to slay her, including Kolorado's Father, Old Man Skoo, and Koops' dad. When Mario, Goombella and Koops came to her castle to obtain the first Crystal Star, the Diamond Star, they were given a clue on how to defeat Hooktail once they found a letter being clutched by the corpse of Kolorado's father-- Hooktail cannot stand chirping sounds, especially ones that start with cr- and end with -icket, the reason for this weakness being because she got food poisoning from eating a cricket. Some believe that it is a reference to the Toad of the Four Heroes, who is described as having a "strange voice". He defeated Hooktail long ago; his voice may have sounded like a cricket.

During the fight it seems Hooktail is defeated, but she then offers 1,000 Coins and a "Really Ultra Rare Badge" for her trust. Mario declines her offers (both are traps and Hooktail will gobble you for some damage if you accept them), knowing it was a trick. Before Mario and his team can finish her off, she swallowed some of the audience members to replenish 10 of her HP. Once Mario defeats her once and for all, Koops' dad will burst out of her mouth, claiming he survived in Hooktail's stomach by hiding in his shell.

Hooktail also has two older brothers named Bonetail and Gloomtail, all three being the Shadow Queen's pets. It was not revealed that Hooktail was female until the fight with Gloomtail. Koops' dad, Koops, and Goombella all refered to Hooktail as "he". Gloomtail attempted to avenge his sister by killing Mario and his friends, but Mario proved too strong and Gloomtail failed. Hooktail resides in Hooktail Castle, whose builder is unknown. Her castle was built to accommodate her massive size.

Later on in the game, when Mario and company revisit Hooktail's lair, they find no trace of Hooktail. Goombella wonders briefly where Hooktail disappeared to, but ends up deciding Hooktail's absence is a good thing.

Other Appearances
Hooktail also appeared in Super Mario-Kun in issue 32 of the series.

Trivia

 * In the E3 Demo, Hooktail was afraid of the sound of "something that starts with FR-, and ends in -OG" (Frog). This sound was also used in the Japanese and some translated versions of the game as well as Super Mario-Kun. The English version, mysteriously, uses "cricket" instead.
 * In Super Paper Merio, the antagonist Mimi also offers the player rare items in exchange for them working for her. This may be a reference to Hooktail, although unlike Hooktail, Mimi is diguised so Mario does not know its is her and no harm will come to Mario even if he accepts her offer.
 * In the game Super Paper Mario, there is a dragon boss called Fracktail that closely resembles Hooktail.
 * Hooktail slightly resembles the Czar Dragon from the game Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.
 * Hooktail appears as a sticker in the game Super Smash Bros Brawl. The sticker is usable by every character and increases resistance to fire-based attacks.
 * Hooktail makes a cameo in the Nintendo Monopoly.
 * Hooktail looks similar in appearance to Valoo from Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Her name might even be a reference to his tail looking like a hook.
 * Oddly, Hooktail was shown to actually have a hook at the end of her tail in the game, but in her official artwork, she does not.
 * Hooktail is the first female boss to appear in the Paper Mario series.