Chapter 28 Sandfire

The mouth of the volcano. It could safely be said that it was the most dangerous place in the Mushroom World. Toadette gripped Mrs. Sand Bird's neck firmly, preparing herself for the dive into the Dragon's lair. She looked over at Bank, who flashed her a brave smile. Toadette felt her own confidence flare up. Anyone with half a brain could tell that Bank was scared out of his mind. However, he was going out of his way to be brave for her. He was going out of his way to make her feel secure. Toadette would not take this gift for granted.

Orange lava bubbled and boiled. Toadette felt shudders run down her spine as she saw a lava bubble reach its breaking point. As it popped, lava spewed everywhere, drenching the place in molten rock. Toadette heard Mrs. Sand Bird screech as her belly got burned. She sympathetically stroked her head.

"It's going to be okay," she said.

"Well, for the sake of all of us, I hope that you are right."

Toadette flet her stomach drop at Mrs. Sand Bird's lack of confidence. It was heart breaking, when she took the time to think about it. Mrs. Sand Bird had already been through so much, losing her cousin and all. She was, without a doubt, terrified. The burn Mark's on her chest were probably foreshadowing for what was to come. Toadette patted her on the head, making sure to be as gentle as possible.

"You cling onto that hope. There is always a reason to be hopeful. Those who are hopeful will never be put to shame."

Mrs. Sand Bird smiled at Toadette. It was an odd sight to be sure. In fact, it was enough to convince Toadette that birds were not designed to smile. Nevertheless, she appreciated the gesture.

"Thank you, young lady. You certainly know how to be encouraging."

Bank came up and put his hand on her shoulder.

"That's what we all love about her."

Toadette laughed.

"You mean what you love about me."

Bank smiled smugly.

"You say here, I say there. What's the difference?"

Toadette laughed. She then saw Sunny come up to them. The golden haired Dragon Koopa looked scared for sure, but he also looked determined.

"Guys," he said. "I just wanted to say that, if we don't get out of this on the other side, you have been amazing. You saved my life, even." Sunny chuckled as he directed his eyes down toward his foot. "I wish there was a way that I could repay you in a greater way than just a plain thank you."

Toadette smiled.

"No, don't worry, Sunny. It's perfectly fine. You were amazing as well."

"Yeah," said Bank. "You are without a doubt the least awful Dragon koopa I've met."

Sunny snorted back a laugh.

"Thanks a lot, Bank," he said with a caustic tone.

"Anytime, bud."

Toadette shook her head. How could Bank be this way? After all they had been through together, how could Bank still say stuff like that about Sunny? It was not only mean spirited, but it was downright awful! Toadette was about to comment about this when Bank spoke up again.

"You know I'm joking, right Sunny?" he said. "I think that you are pretty awesome. It doesn't matter whether you are a Dragon Koopa, a human, or a Toad. You still leave a good, strong impression."

Sunny smiled.

"Thanks, Bank."

Bank smiled back, and Toadette sighed in relief. Bank seemed to have changed after all. This was excellent. Toadette felt a glimmer of love enter her heart. It was subtle, but it was most definitely there. Bank was just something else entirely. She liked that.

Anyway, Mrs. Sand Bird flew through a tunnel. Her wings nearly brushed up against the sides. When she got to the other side, Toadette was amazed to see a nest of some sorts. It appeared to be made out of blackened straw. But the nest by itself was not what caught Toadette's attention the most. What did that was the fact that there was a cage in the nest. And in that cage were the rest of the Brigade.

"Bank, Sunny, look!" Toadette said as she pointed ahead. Bank looked forward and looked overjoyed to see his colleagues. Sunny also adorned a smile.

"Guys!" Bank called out, waving his hand around like a wind sock.

Mrs. Sand Bird landed right in front of the cage. Everyone dismounted and ran over to the Brigade. Toadette was relieved to see that not only were all of them alive, but they were also happy to see them. Toadette also noticed that there was a chest board of sorts made out of rocks.

"Toadette! Bank! Sunny!" Captain exclaimed. "Thank goodness you came!"

"Yeah!" Mail said. "Our chest matches with Blue were starting to get really boring; he kept winning!"

Toadette smiled. They were all exactly the same. Toadette could not remember a time where she was this happy to see her friends. She wanted to hug them, hold onto them for the rest of eternity. In fact, when Sunny opened the lock with his claw, that was exactly what Toadette did. She held onto Mail and Blue like they were a long lost part of her. She also noticed that Bank was holding onto his twin, Yellow.

"I missed you, buddy," Bank said.

"Oh, I missed you too!" exclaimed Yellow. He let Bank go and laughed. "Is it just me, or have you gotten fatter?"

Bank snorted.

"Please. If there is anybody who has gotten fatter it is you. You've been sitting around in a cage for the past few days without anyway of moving around!"

"Hey! You know that stir craziness burns calories, right!"

Bank laughed.

"Sure. You keep telling yourself that, buddy."

Everyone laughed. Then Sunny turned toward Captain.

"Do you have the sand bird eggs?"

Captain smiled and ducked behind the nest. He came back out with all of the eggs cradled in his hands. Mrs. Sand Bird let out a gasp.

"Oh my stars!"

Toadette realized that this wa probably a big moment for her. Without a doubt, Mrs. Sand Bird probably thought that these eggs were long gone. Seeing them again...Toadette couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of joy she was experiencing. Blue looked up at her in astonishment.

"Amazing!" he said in awe. "An actual sand bird! One of the last twenty in existence!" He bowed before her. "It is a pleasure to meet you!"

"No please, the pleasure is mine," said Mrs. Sand Bird. "All of you did your best to keep my cousin's eggs safe. I thank you for that."

Blue blushed, as did the rest of the captured Brigade.

"Well," said Captain. "I say we take these eggs and get out of here!"

"Not so fast!"

Toadette froze. She knew that voice. The voice of a thousandthunder cracks, the voice of evil and death. She turned around and spotted the dragon sneering down at them.

"If you wish to leave," he said. "You'll have to go through me!",