15
Mario and Luigi got ever closer to the dig and found that it was almost entirely empty. They were now less than a quarter of a mile from the site. Although there were many light posts set up in the area, there was no one in the area at all. The buildings that made up the outpost were none other than large tents. As they got closer, they started to hear what sounded like snoring coming from inside the tents.
"Mario, I'm beginning to think that this is not an archeological dig." Luigi said. "I think these are just sleeping quarters."
"That's what I'm starting to think." Mario said.
Suddenly, a Koopa Troop emerged from one of the tents, facing in the direction of the two brothers. He stepped into the light and revealed himself as not only a Koopa Troop, but also as a member of the Hammer Brothers Army. Panicked, the two brothers immediately fell to the ground to avoid detection. It was then that a loud sonic boom was heard coming from the sky. The brothers looked up and saw that it was one of Bowser's airships.
"What the hell is that thing doing here?" Luigi asked.
"They obviously know that we're here." Mario said. "But why would Bowser keep sending troops if he knows that we're going to wipe them out?"
"That's what I want to know." Luigi said.
Then, the airship started to lower itself onto a plain desert field just over fifty feet from where they were laying. The Hammer Brother was gone and the two brothers quickly hid behind one of the tents to get a better view of the airship and the people who were operating it. When the sounds of the flapping masts started to die down, the Koopas who were operating the craft started to file themselves out of the craft. The Koopas who were inside the tents were also making their way out to the large airship to see what the commotion was all about as if they were never at all in a state of deep sleep. Quickly seeking refuge behind another tent to avoid being seen, Mario and Luigi watched as they gathered together in a large group when they suddenly gasped.
"Oh, no!" Mario said. "It's Bowser!"
"We need to get out of here!" Luigi said. "They're going to send searching parties after us for sure!"
"Hold on. Just wait a minute." Mario said. "I want to hear what they have to say."
As they watched Bowser land on the sandy ground, Mario and Luigi began eavesdropping on the army. But a few moments later they decided to run for the large pyramid in which the encampment was surrounding. They were no longer safe to hide near an ever-growing enemy force.
Meanwhile, Bowser was beginning to question the army of the whereabouts of the Mario Brothers, but their responses were very much the same, since none of them have seen them roaming the desert.
"So none of you have encountered the brothers yet?" Bowser asked.
The Koopas from the campsite shook their heads.
"Well, here's what happened." Bowser began. "The brothers were able to escape from my invasion of Birachai and escape with the Crystal Star. The only other place they would be right now is somewhere near these large pyramids."
"Is that why you're here?" one of the Koopa Troops asked.
"Yes, but also because of sick of seeing the same mistakes repeated over and over again!" Bowser asked. "Tonight's mistake resulted in the deaths of a few Koopas who were murdered by none other than the Mario Brothers themselves! They've gone way too far this time!"
"Damn right they have!" said another Koopa. "What do you expect to do to stop them?! We don't even know where they're at!"
"True." Bowser said. "But I know that they would be somewhere around here. Remember, they're also searching for the Crystal Stars. According to the ancient documents that I recovered in Rogueport, one of them is located here."
"Didn't you steal those documents?" asked another Koopa.
Bowser turned toward him and glared at him.
"THAT'S NOT IMPORTANT!" he shouted. "WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS THAT WE KILL THOSE FUCKING BASTARDS BEFORE THEY DESTROY OUR PLOT TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD! I'VE BEEN ONTO THIS FOR OVER A DECADE, SO I DON'T WANT ANY OF YOU GUYS TO SCREW THINGS UP!"
The Koopas remained silent as Bowser gave each of them a good glare.
"Now, I have already planned a new strategy." Bowser began in a calmer tone. "While, I'm busy bringing in more reinforcements, you guys will be split into three different search parties."
Bowser turned toward the Boomerang Brothers.
"Boomerang Brothers, your job will be to explore the underground tombs underneath the very ground we are standing upon. Hammer Brothers..."
Turning over to the Hammer Brothers, Bowser immediately gets their attention.
"Your job is to explore the surrounding ancient temples and water holes. The rest of you will be searching the pyramids, both outside and inside."
"What are you going to do Master Bowser?" asked another Koopa.
"What am I going to do?!" he said. "Well, that's easy. My job is to call in additional reinforcements, as well as search the premises myself in my own search party. If any of you does spot either of the two brothers, or both of them, I'll have my radio with me at all times. Please alert me if you do see them! GOT IT?!"
"YES SIR!" shouted the Koopa Army in unison.
"GOOD! NOW, ALL OF YOU MOVE OUT! AFTER THEM!"
The Koopas did as they were told and immediately started moving out into their designated groups.
Mario and Luigi were already climbing the largest of the three large pyramids which also happened to be the middle one. They were making their way towards the large and ancient shaft entrance leading inside the pyramid, located halfway up a complicated 'staircase' of loose limestone bricks. The moon still dominated the night sky and the brothers were not willing to let their exhaustion get in the way.
"We're almost to the entrance." Mario said. "Careful, watch your step, Luigi."
"This is a lot easier than I thought it would be." Luigi said. "From far away, the pyramids looked as though they were too smooth to scale."
"That's what I though too." Mario replied. "Although I wish there was a staircase."
"I say I wish there was one too!" Luigi said. "We need to hurry before they find us! Look!"
Mario turned around and saw where Luigi was pointing. Back near the campsite, a search party of Koopas was seen making its way towards the pyramid.
"This is not good!" Mario said. "Come on, Luigi! Let's book it!"
Bowser is now searching for Mario and Luigi himself! On top of that, Mario and Luigi are stuck on the side of a pyramid with a search party after them, but luckily they still have no idea that they are on the pyramid. But what are two brothers supposed to do to escape the consequences of getting caught?! Sure fire and ice flowers would help, but in this case the brothers know that the best way to get away from Bowser and his forces is to remain quiet and not be seen. Using their powers would only attract attention to themselves.
What mysteries await the brothers as they prepare to enter the pyramid? Will they escape the approaching Koopas? Find out in the next chapter upon its release. Until then, as usual, I will see you guys the next time I update :)
saturn95