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Chapter 3:
~Masamune~
Croco watched the two princesses argue with some delight, apparently
they were not on as good terms as he thought them to be. He could use
this little detail, keeping it in his mind for future reference. By
now, the pionpi had turned their attention to the scene Peach and Daisy
had started. Since Daisy had now decided to show her face, this was
a good time to put his plan into action...
"Shyguy... c'mere." Croco said.
The shyguy nodded and jumped up on the little stage with croco, "What
is it boss?"
"That apple there... wanna trade it fer... these grapes 'ere?"
Croco asked, drawing attention from the confused crowd.
"Eh... sure." Shyguy said in a confused manner, switching
his grapes for the apple.
Croco patted the shyguy on the head and ate the apple in one swift
bite, "Now that was a fair deal... right Snifit?"
"Umm... I guess so...." The snifit replied.
The purple dino smiled at that, then smiled to the crowd. Shyguy was
about to pop one of the grapes in his mouth, when suddenly he was bopped
on the head by Croco.
"Hey! What was that for?" Shyguy asked, rubbing his head.
"The deal didn't say YOU could eat them, did it?" Croco
retorted.
"But I thought..." Shyguy said, obviously very confused.
"Now I am the 'Authority Figure' here.... now lemme ask y'all...
didya think THAT was fair... eh Beezo?"
"Umm... no, you ate your apple." Beezo pointed out.
"Ok, I was wrong, you have righted me... but I think... there
is still a wrong here..."
"Oooh... what is it?" Tweeter asked excitedly.
Croco smiled cunningly, staring straight at Daisy, "Somebody
here isn't holding up THEIR end of the bargain."
At that, the entire crowd began booing and jeering. They were angry
at this person, even though they had no idea who it was. Daisy sighed
and wlaked over to Luigi and Mario.
"Now do you see what I mean?" Daisy said, "He can be
pretty convincing."
"Yeah..." Mario agreed, "Wish I warned you when I had
the chance..."
"He isn't going to rest until he can go in the castle and steal
all the treasure legally." Pon explained.
"Wait a minute..." Luigi interrupted, "Maybe we're
doing this the wrong way. Let's fight fire with fire. If Croco wants
to twist words, we can twist them too."
"So you have a plan?" Pon asked.
"I think I do..." Luigi replied, "But let's discuss
it in a place without a angry mob."
"Good idea." Daisy agreed, "The castle is to far to
walk, but I know somewhere quiet we can talk."
The others agreed, and followed her out of the town square. A few
blocks down, they arrived at a large building. Simply beautiful, built
from stone and standing high like a castle. In front was a large front
lawn, with some trees and tables, which already had some people sitting
down at. Daisy directed them to one of the empty tables, which they
all say around.
"Hey... what is this place?" Luigi asked.
"This is the Sarasaland Academy, seekers of knowledge gather
here..." Pon explained, "I was enrolled there in my youth."
"Wow... Plumbers School was nothing compared to this." Mario
joked, still marvelling at the building.
Hydraulico at the moment had given up sitting on the bench with Luigi,
and ended up standing beside him on the grass. Daisy, Peach, Mario,
Luigi and Pon were all around the table. The eldest plumber brother
spoke up again, "So, what's the plan?"
"Before that, Daisy... do you remember how your conversation
with Croco went?" Luigi asked.
~Flashback...~
Croco's smile brightened. "All I desire is free access to
your castle--" he was about to add, 'and it's riches', but caught
himself in time.
Daisy nodded. "Yes, okay. Now, give me the bag."
"Daisy-" Peach began, but was cut off by Croco.
"'Eh, would you mind telling me where your castle is?"
"Of course." Daisy replied, and she told him. Dollar
signs seemed to appear in the reptilian's eyes as the thought of free
acess was enticing. This was almost too good!
The rest of the company shifted nervously.
Croco reached inside and pulled out a small bag. "Happy eating!"
He said, flinging the bag towards Daisy, then racing past them and out
of the hall.
~End Flashback...~
"I see..." Luigi said, a grin forming under his thick, black
mustache, "So all he has is free access?"
"Yes, that is how the deal went..." Daisy replied.
"So... did you happen to mention WHERE he was allowed free access,
inside the castle?" Luigi asked again.
"No..."
"Then, you could easily say he only has free access in... oh...
say... Tatanga's Old Castle?" Luigi replied.
"Ah! I told him the directions to Sarasaland, but not my castle...
and technically that castle is mine!" Daisy exclaimed.
Pon looked at the two a tad nervously, "That may prevent him
from getting in the castle... But either his rants will stir up the
citizens even more, or he will change to more violent methods."
"Either way, it keeps him out of the castle" Peach added,
"And I don't think he'll rant much more. He isn't the type interested
in causing rebellion. It was just a way to stir people up. After this...
I think he'll gather his bandits and try to raid the castle."
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