Mushroom Kingdom Anew - Book 1

Chapter Eight

"Terry, hold on! Slow down, please!" Ace called, dashing as fast as he could after the flaming blonde. She didn't listen, and increased the intensity of her flames to go further. Ace puffed heavily, trying his best to keep pace. Xavier was sprinting along next to the Yoshi. He was silent, and he was relatively pissed. It wasn't the same kind of anger as when they were ambushed by the Koopa, but it was close to. Xavier wanted to avenge Cooper, as well as the rest of the Koopa who have been subjected to these Death Caps.

Terry suddenly jutted right, ceasing her flames and ducking behind several large rocks. Ace and Xavier joined her, sliding beneath their cover. The blonde silently gained their attention and gestured to what was in front of them.

Down a hill that began right in front of the rocks, a cave resided. Upon close, and quick inspection, Death Caps could be seen patrolling the entrance. Most of them appeared to be deeper inside the cave, but two of them were guarding the entrance. One held what looked to be a long pipe with a curve at the end, making what seemed to be a sort of blunt crowbar. The other guard held a large metallic rod with two misshapen spear heads on either side. Two things were certain from this. One; these Toads looked able bodied. And two; they needed a plan to get inside.

"Okay troop, brainstorm time." Xavier whispered, sliding his back against the rocky wall. Ace sat cross legged and hummed quietly, while Terry peeked over the rock head. The air was silent a moment, as all three heroes were deep in thought.

Ace slapped a fight into his palm as he noticed something near the entrance. "Xavier, look." He hissed. Xavier turned his head to where Ace was gesturing, only to find an item block. "There might be another Fire Flower in there. That could be helpful."

"Perfect... so if we take out the guards... I can get that item block, and we can get inside. The only question is... how do we accomplish that?" Xavier queried, tapping his chin.

"I have an idea." Terry started suddenly, sliding her back down the rock face. Both heroes looked at the smirking blonde with curiosity and a hint of fear. "Have you ever watched the Lion King?"

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"Hey, uh... " The first Death Cap guard stuttered, pointing ahead. The other guard turned to him curiously. "What?" "There. Look. What the fuck is that...?" He asked, eyes squinted in confusion. The other guard followed his compatriots eyes to see what he was looking at, and once he saw it... "What the hell?"

"Lu'ah!" Terry called, hands in the air. She was still bearing the fire flower, but now she wore a grass skirt and a flower crown on her head. Xavier was right next to her, crouching on the ground with an apple in his mouth. Terry took a deep breath before breaking out into song. "If you're hungry for a hunk of skinny and muscular meat, eat my buddy Xavier here because he's a real treat!" Terry began to sway and dance to her own beat, singing her lungs out as the guards looked ever so confused. "Come on down and dine on this tasty swine, all you have to do is get in liiiiine!" Xavier spat out the apple with a big grin on his face. The two Death Caps looked between each other in confusion, slowly inching closer with their weapons at the ready. "Aaaare ya achin'?" "Yup, yup, yup!" Xavier called, bopping along to the beat. "Foooor some bacon?" "Yup, yup, yup." "He's a tasty teen!" "Yup, yup, yup!" "You'll be knocked out soon, HEY!" Terry finished with her hands in the air, breathing heavily. The guards were paused in utter confusion, until the first one suddenly falls unconscious to the ground. Ace stands behind him, his hand indicating the Death Cap was karate chopped in the neck. The other guard picked up on the situation quickly, noticing that Terry and Xavier weren't just crack-heads; this was a ruse. Ace was faster, ducking under the dual headed spear and grabbing it by the pole. Replicating what Xavier did before with the Toad guard, he swung the Death Cap over in an arc, slamming him into the ground. Once Ace confirmed both guards were out cold, he stuck them both in eggs and clapped his hands.