Missing Sprite (MS)

Missing Sprite (or MS for short) is a Data Entity within the cartridge of a copy of Paper Mario for the Nintendo 64. Unlike other EXEs, he is controlled by the player and acts similarly to his original counterpart. While he is aware of the player's presence, he is not hostile and only wishes to continue his goal of returning to his own world.

He was created by Twindrill in early 2022.

Biography
It began just like every other playthrough of Paper Mario 64. Mario was in his house, safe and secure, when he received a letter from the princess. So he went to the castle to see what was going on, only to find Peach taken hostage by Bowser yet again. And this time he had a strange star wand Mario didn't recognize. He tried all he could to stop him, but the wand made Bowser immune to his attacks. It didn't take long for Mario to be defeated by his foe, and as Bowser made sure to unleash the final strike...

The Star Sprites weren't there. They were the ones to save him from doom. What happened to them? Was their code left out of the game? The screen froze on Mario plummeting to his doom under a starry sky, until...

Mario woke up in a dark place, his appearance darkened and disheveled. There was nobody there except for foggy remnants of the world before. This was purgatory. He managed to find a rusty hammer in a certain corner that wasn't too far off from the one he knew. And there was nothing left. All he could do was find the princess and return home, no matter what.

Abilities
MS' abilities are similar to Mario's at the very beginning of the game. He has a standard if weak jump and a hammer attack. Him, being already somewhat dead, is technically immortal.

Weaknesses
MS is also far weaker than 64!Mario. Why? Because he has almost nothing. He doesn't have badges that offer passive or active bonuses. He doesn't have partners that can offer their own moves to help out. He doesn't even have the Star Sprites because they're...well...gone. Besides a weak jump and hammer attack, he has nothing to offer in combat.

Trivia

 * His name technically stands for "Missing (Star) Sprite(s)".