Cauldron Hide and Seek
You stand in Bowser's throne room, the perfect place for a friendly game of cauldron hide-and-seek. The room is dimly lit, the flickering torches casting ominous shadows on the stone walls. Bowser and Bowser Jr. are grinning at you, their sharp teeth gleaming. Bowser Jr. is bouncing with excitement, while Bowser cracks his knuckles, ready for the challenge.
"Alright, Reginald," Bowser growls with a playful smirk. "You know the rules. Pick a cauldron, and we'll see if you can outsmart me and my little guy here."
The Bob-omb waddles up, giving you a quick salute before starting its countdown. Bowser and Bowser Jr. dutifully turn around, covering their eyes with their claws. You dart toward the three massive cauldrons lined up in the center of the room.
Each one looks identical—black, slightly dented, and big enough to fit you comfortably. The heat of the room makes it feel like you're already in one of them. After a quick mental calculation, you slide into the middle cauldron, pulling the lid over yourself. You hear the Shy Guys shuffling the cauldrons around, their little feet tapping against the stone floor. Your world tilts and spins as they move you into position.
The Bob-omb's timer ticks faster. You hear Bowser Jr. giggling. "Hope you're ready to lose, Reggie!"
BOOM!
The Bob-omb explodes harmlessly, signaling the start of Bowser and Bowser Jr.'s search.
"Alright, Junior," Bowser says, cracking his knuckles. "Time to heat things up."
You hold your breath, listening intently as Bowser approaches. You hear his deep sniffing noises, as if he's trying to pick up a scent. "Hmm. I bet he's in this one!" Bowser snarls.
The sound of a deep inhale is followed by a roaring inferno. Flames whoosh around you, but the heat doesn't touch you—he picked the wrong cauldron! You grin in triumph inside your hiding spot.
"Ha! Told you, Dad!" Bowser Jr. laughs. "I think I know where he is. Watch this!"
Bowser Jr. takes his turn, stomping toward one of the remaining cauldrons. The tension is almost unbearable. You grip the edges of your cauldron, heart pounding.
"Here goes nothing!" Bowser Jr. yells, breathing fire with surprising intensity for someone so small. Another wrong cauldron! The heat of the flames dances around you but leaves you untouched.
When the fire subsides, you throw the lid off the cauldron, jumping out with your arms in the air. "I win!"
Bowser groans, slapping a hand to his face. "How?! You've got some serious luck, Reggie!"
Bowser Jr. pouts but quickly shakes it off, pointing at you with a laugh. "Okay, okay, you got us this time! But next round, we're stepping it up!"
You grin, brushing soot off your clothes. "Bring it on!" You can already feel the thrill of the next round, but for now, victory is yours.