CHAPTER 18
The viewscreen shows an event that happens later that night in the Fire Kingdom. Two hooded figures are quietly leaving the kingdom on horseback to a cave in the mountains. They enter the cave and lower their hoods. Jake recognizes them as one of Flame Princess' council and one of her generals.
There is a figure in the shadows. Whoever it is turns and speaks to them.
"How did it go?"
"Exactly as you planned, sir. War will break out soon. The dragon attack has now totally convinced Flame Princess that the Water Kingdom did it, as the phoenix attack has convinced the Water Kingdom that the Fire Kingdom did it. The attacks on both of the kingdoms will cause them to fight one another, and as soon as it escalates, the other kingdoms will be drawn into the battle in the matters of self-interest and self-preservation. We'll have a world-wide war not seen since the great Mushroom War of long ago." One of them says.
"We'll have to wait until the princesses' next meeting at Breakfast Princess' castle. Their meeting is the only time one can declare war on another, and others can try to broker a peace deal so it doesn't come to that. But after tonight, there's no chance of peace." The other one says.
"Excellent. I can wait until then." The mysterious person says.
Jake turns away from the viewscreen. There's something about that voice of the mastermind. He's heard it somewhere before. He turns back to the viewscreen to continue watching.
"What are your plans when they go to war?" The councilman says.
"Simple. Offer my help in this matter to the Fire Kingdom. There's no way that the princess would refuse it, especially when it's from…" he steps from the shadows. "…her father, who has seen the error of his ways, and wishes to make amends to her by helping her defeat her greatest enemy."
All three smile with evil glee.
"It's funny isn't it?" the former ruler of the Fire Kingdom said. "My daughter wanting to be a kind, responsible leader and being totally gullible to believe anything. Who knew all it took was a branding iron to make her think the worst of someone who was totally innocent."
They all laugh.
"When the time is right, I'll offer her these." The Flame King says as he reveals a cache of old radioactive bombs.
His two henchmen look at the items, puzzled.
"What are they?" One of them asks.
"What started and ended the Mushroom War. I was surprised that any were left. These set the world ablaze eons ago, and they will again."
"What makes you think she'll use them?"
"She'll have no choice, especially if she is made to believe all the other lands of Ooo are against her. She'll do it to save her people. Afterwards, the world will be uninhabitable for everyone except for us and the rest of the Fire Kingdom. Then, I'll take back the throne and rule the world."
"What about the princess and her consort? They won't meekly hand over the throne to you."
"They'll have to die, of course. Hopefully, the Water Kingdom will take of that for us. If not, well, let's just say 'accidents happen'."
They all laugh as the viewscreen goes black.
Jake looks very worried. Although he wasn't surprised about Flame Princess' father being behind it, his concern was the bombs and the devastation they would cause and all the people it would kill. He looks back to the viewscreen to see what happens next.