Ch9.
As the group was about to march on the main path, Japan gave an idea that was nothing but pure genius. "Hey, do you think if we follow those shy guys we'll find a short cut?" Japan asked. The group paused for a moment and thought about it. Mario then pulled out a Fire Flower and Luigi pulled out a Boomerang Flower. Both transformed with their power-ups.
"Let's-a-go!" Mario said as the group followed the army of cowards. As luck may have it Japan was right about the short-cut thing. They saw that same army piling into a warp pipe that had Bowser's trademark symbol on it. They got stuck, but one Shy Guy shoved everyone down the pipe, but not before noticing the heroes with a terrified wale. The heroes paused at the pipe for a moment, they all nodded at each other and jumped right in.
Bowser and the BFT were playing poker when Kammy and Kamek flew into the room on their broomsticks. "Your greatness! Mario and his pals were seen taking the express warp pipe you built!" Kamek said to the four.
"They'll be here any second." Kammy warned them.
"WHAT! Get all the troops ready to…" Bowser started to order when France chimed in.
"Ah, phooey. That my turtle friend is an idiotic choice to make! I refuse to be seen as the weak nation profiting from the sidelines again!" France declared. "Just let them in, have le troops bring them in unharmed. It will make our victory all the sweeter." France suggested. Bowser was had mix of emotion from Frances's response. Shock from an outrageous idea. Terror from the possibility that it could back fire. As well as pride for France's guts of wanting to go straight at everyone. The king thought long and hard, okay maybe not long. He thought hard about it though.
"Alright then, put all troops on hold. Jr., escort the losers to the throne room to meet their doom!" Bowser ordered with a bit of worry in his voice.
"Yes, papa!" Jr. agreed as he went to the front gate.
