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Chapter 2:
~Masamune~
Mario found that the spaceship had been refurnished since his first,
and only ride in it. The room they were seated in sported a circular
room, with a couch extending all around it, except in areas where doors
were located. Most of the seats reclined, and sported turning tables
which would allow them to eat or simply rest a book on it. Luigi, whom
was still tired had taken to falling asleep on the couch. Peach remained
quiet and read a book she had brought along.
Being the odd shape it was, Hydraulico was forced to remain on the
floor of the ship. Staying by Luigi and scanning the area out of curiosity.
And Pon was piloting the ship in another room.
Our red capped lumber, however was bored out of his mind. By nature
he had always been a busy-body, always wanting to have something to
do. (Which of course, ussually turned into preparing a meal for himself).
Worst of all, it had not even been a hour and he was still hungry from
all the chinese food. But he was unwilling to show, as his brother would
likely use it later on at his expense. He attempted to lay back and
enjoy himself, but his condition only worsened. Finally he announced
boldly that he would check on Pon.
The cockpit was not made as comftorabl as the other room, but served
it's purpose well. Pon seemed to barely pay attention to the flying,
having it on autopilot and mumbling some little song. It was no less
interesting in this room than it was the others. But at least this way
he could strike up a conversation without looking like the bored witless
bum he was.
"So Pon, how has Croco been terrorizing this time?" Mario
asked in a relaxed manner.
"Hmm? Ahh... well you see, he is not terrorizing us in the manner
you seem to be thinking. He is demanding free access around the castle,
which was given to him for a short time. But after the dissapearance
of some of the castle decorations, the guards tossed him out. Croco
is now making his complaint quite public to Chai City." Pon explained.
Mario nodded, trying his best to listen to the pionpi. "So what
does Daisy want me to do? Fight him?"
"No, we do not wish to resort to fighting if neccesary. But if
negotiating does not work, we may need you to show off some force to
run him off." Pon replied.
"I see, but... when Croco sets his mind to something, he isn't
the type to let others get in the way."
"This may be true. But..." Pon began, but quickly quieted
down as he looked at the console in front of him, "Ahh, we have
arrived. Please return to the waiting room while I land... you might
want to put the seatbelts on."
Mario nodded nervously and returned to the other room. He sat down
and wrapped a seatbelt around his waist. Peach likewise put hers on,
while attempting to wake Luigi up so that he would too. So far the trip
had been completely smooth without a single problem. But the landing
was different, as the ship jostled about while it went down. Luigi soon
woke up with a start, siding back and forth in his seat. Hydraulico
attempted to help him stay still, but ended up causing him to flip over
on the floor. Soon after with one final thud, the ship landed and ceased
to shake around.
Pon then entered, with Luigi scrambling to stand up in a dizzy, half-awake
stupor. "I see you all arrived in good condition. Allow me to lead
you out."
One of the doors slid open, with Pon walking through it soon after.
Being the closest to the door, Luigi followed with Hydraulico at his
heels. Peach went next, with Mario leave last. Looking around, he could
see the entire Chai City. Despite it's beauty, he had more pressing
matters and followed the others. Since they had landed on the top of
a building, they had to descend a few flights of stairs. Exiting the
building, they were in Chai City Square. There stood Croco, dressed
in his typical clothes and ranting about Daisy's injustice. Helping
to keep the crowd away from him, was three familiar pests, along with
a few others. The three consisted of Shyguy, Beezo and Snifit; otherwise
the Shy Squad who had caused the brothers strife in the past. Accompanying
them was a Tweeter who had somehow joined their gig. Accompanying was
a few of Croco's sackit minions who had tagged along all the way to
Sarasaland.
A person cloaked in a dark robe, just a tad shorter than Luigi and
Peach. Approaching them and pulling off the hood so they could see who
it was. They all instantly recognized her as Daisy.
"Daisy!" Luigi exclaimed, "Why are you dressed like
that?
"Croco's rumors have caused a lot of friction. Him seeing me
in public and accusing me openly would be worse." Daisy explained.
Peach frowned at that, watching Croco continue his accusations to
the crowds. "Well then, let me deal with this."
Mario and Luigi relaxed on the side of the building, the latter waving
her off, "Good luck trying. We'll be here when you need us."
~Luigi of the Pipes~
Croco looked out at the expanding crowd of people in Chai City Square.
All there just to listen to his words of infinite wisdom. The thought
was touching, but it quickly slipped from the silver-tounged reptilian's
mind, on account that he had no true feeling of gratitiude for such
petty civilians. All that truly concerned him was whether he could start
a big enough riot from this crowd to re-establish his right of way in
the grand castle of Sarasaland. His odds looked pretty good so far.
All he had to do was wager, and play the game.
"Hello 'dere all you compassionate people!" Croco charmed
out in his beginning. "It gives me great pleasure to know dat you
came just ta hear me!" he added for the pure fact of lying. "So
ta start my informative speech, I'll point out dat da castle over dere
wasn't built by da snotty Princess Daisy alone. It was built by you!"
Croco pointed randomly into the crowd to emphasize his point. "And
you..... and you...... and all o' yous guys! Even myself was a part
of da grand construction! So is it fair for us ta have to sit out in
dese crummy streets while people like her dine at ninety foot long tables?
I think not!"
"Excuse me," Peach cut in, "but I don't think....."
"Beat it, ya ditzy broad!" Croco sneered.
"Uh oh...." Mario sighed, slightly more interested in the
debate.
"Shouldn't of done that," Luigi added for emphasis.
"DITZY?!" Peach screamed. "Who, exactly, do you think
you're talking to here mister?!"
"Uh, let me guess. You're dat blond princess from Mushroom Kingdom.
Da one I got half of her kingdom from for a handful of 'magic beans'."
"Why you slimy--two-faced--half-witted--double-crossing......"
Daisy stepped forward and tapped Peach on the shoulder, then dragged
the unwilling princess back away from the center court.
"Okay, you are NOT helping," the sienna-haired princess
blatantly stated.
"He called me a ditz!"
"So you went and lost you're temper? Just like...." Daisy
snaps her fingers. ".....like that?"
"Well what was I supposed to do then, miss know-it-all monarch?!"
"Discuss the issue at hand in a civilized and orderly manner."
"Easier said than done, with him out there."
"Easier said than done with YOU out there. Please Peach, just
try to hold your temper. I know he's good at being discouraging, but
giving him the opportunity to say something about your manners isn't
going to help."
"I-I'll try...." Peach grumbled.
"Thank you."
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