Mushroom Kingdom Anew - Book 1

Chapter Seventeen

The small motorized boat tore across the white waters, Mario situated at the back with a hand on the motor's handle. Despite the roaring of the rickety motor, the ride was silent. Mario had felt bad for failing Terry and keeping her on the island. Xavier and Ace missed their teammate and wondered if just the two of them would be enough to take Vincent down. The weight of the subject was heavy, and the ride presumed to be blissful was painfully quiet.

Deciding to make an attempt at breaking the ice, Xavier turned to Ace. "So... did you find any info on your family?"

"Huh?" He turned his head to the brunet and sighed. "N-Nah, nothing. Guess they're in another clan? I didn't get to check them all in our time frame..."

"I see..." Xavier sighed, leaning on the wall of the boat. "Well, maybe we'll head back after we defeat Vincent." He said it in such a nonchalant tone, as if he was certain the evil Koopa king would fall.

"Confidence is nice, but don't bet on it," Mario called from the back. "Vincent beat you once before. Who's to say he won't do it again?"

"I'm to say." Xavier grinned, flicking his nose with his thumb and winking. "He pulled the cloth over our heads last time, but now we're ready!"

"You have a strategy?" Ace asked. The brunet nodded. "Yep. Knock his ass out before he has the chance to take over."

Everybody deadpanned as Xavier revealed his 'flawless' plan. Mario kicked a bag that was by his feet over to the teenager. "Yeah, no. Look inside that bag. It can at least give you an edge..."

The brunet rummaged through the sack, pulling out a couple of Super Leaves, Ice Flowers and mushrooms of many varieties. He gasped, his eyes wide and sparkly. "Wow! These are for us?"

Mario nodded his head. "Yeah. Use them at your own disposal. Your abilities with that super leaf are incredible, and even I quake at your power. There is a reason our skirmishes this morning didn't involve power-ups." The retired hero smiled for the first time on the long, painful boat ride.

Ace sighed. "Ice Flowers... Do you think Terry will be alright?" Mario nodded once again. "I'll test her the second I get back. But for now, you two have to focus on yourselves. There are some coins in that bag, use them to stay at an inn in Toad Town as well as pay for a meal. Get some rest, you'll have a long journey ahead."

"I don't see why we couldn't stay at the island another night..." Xavier muttered, his hands still digging in the bag. He stopped when his hands clasped around an oddly shaped object that had a golden glow to it. Pulling it out, it was a bright yellow star-shaped Power-Up. It's opal eyes the same as the rest, yet different. This looked Powerful...

"What's this one, Mario?" Xavier asked, flashing the star at the plumber. He chuckled. "THAT is your trump card. Ace in the hold, Joker in the deck, whatever you want. That's a Super Star."

"A Super Star... I remember this from the games." Xavier repeated, holding the star in his hands. He stuffed it away in the bag, swinging it over his shoulder. "Alright. Thanks Mario. For everything, really. We wouldn't even be getting this second chance at saving the kingdom if you didn't help us."

Mario laughed, his bright blue eyes focused on his pupil. They were the slightest bit moist from oncoming tears. "My boy, I should thank you. You allowed me to fight once again, even if it wasn't all out. I haven't felt that good in years." He paused to wipe away at his eyes with a gloved hand, his eyes trailing down to the rusted motor. "You're a good kid, all three of you are... Be safe when fighting Vincent."

"I will." Xavier replied simply, another flick of his nose with that same confident look in his eyes. The plumber nodded and pointed north, making the duo turn to the bow of the boat. "Over yonder, Toad Town port. We're almost there."