Chapter 2: Apparently, Partaking in Races Restores Your Failing Economy. I'll Have to Take Note of That.

Before the two knew it, they had reached World 1-4, more than ready to enter. The two heroes got a few stretches in before heading in, but the text box, once again, appeared in front of them, halting their progress once more.

"World 1-4 and beyond must be purchased in order to be played. You can try World 1-4 for 20 seconds, though."

"This again?!" Toad snapped. "This is a serious matter! How are we supposed to rescue Peach when you keep restricting us?"

Mario pulled a few coins out of hammerspace, or something like that. "Will this cover the cost?"

"No. You have to pay in another way: with REAL MONEY."

Mario and Toad both gasped in horror. "THIS is how you halt our progress?" Toad exploded, clenching his fists tight. "By making us pay you? Considering you're just a rectangle full of text, you probably don't need it, you miser! I swear to God, I mean Grambi, I will punch you and your stupid quips into oblivion and kick your a-"

"Toad, let it go!" Mario shouted, now holding Toad's arms so he couldn't go through with his actions. Toad continously struggled, by eventually gave up, much to Mario's delight.

"Look, Mr. text box," Mario calmly began, "we'll try to find a way to pay you, alright?" Mario singalled Toad to give him his phone, with Toad reluctantly agreeing. "Hey, Toad, what's your password?" Mario asked.

"Ugh, just let me do it!" Toad groaned, snatching the phone back, tapping away at it. "This may take a while. Go participate in Toad Rally or something while I try to work this out. It's not like the story is going to progress without us... Not that there really is one. Thanks, Miyamoto…"

Mario cocked his head to the side. "Toad Rally?"

Toad lit up a bit. "Ah, that reminds me! I can't believe I didn't tell you about Toad Rally before! Stupid me… By participating in Toad Rally, we can bring Toads back to our kingdom!"

"That's wonderful, Toad," Mario sighed, "but that can wait for a little bit. We still need to rescue Peach."

Toad let out an offended gasp. "And have her be devastated when she sees none of her subjects around? I can't have that! I won't let that happen! Listen, Mario, I want, no, I need you to use these tickets to race and get the kingdom back into tip-top shape!" With that, Toad shoved the tickets in Mario's face and pushed him in the opposite direction. Mario gloomily sighed, heading for the Warp Pipe that would lead him to his new destination.

Mario entered the Warp Pipe, soon being taken to some kind of virtual reality, ghost versions of his friends littering the place. Mario tensely looked around, being stopped by Toadette seemingly popping out of nowhere.

"Hi, Mario!" she beamed. "Welcome to Toad Rally! In Toad Rally, you compete against the style of other players for the amusement of Toads!" She brought up a virtual list consisting of five players. "Go ahead! Pick one!"

With uncertainty, Mario slowly went over to choose one of the players, but Toadette quickly covered the list. "Actually, let me choose for you. You'll be playing against this person named… Nintendo. Sounds kinda flashy."

Mario just gave a reluctant smile as he clicked the person Toadette wanted him to, and with an exchange of one of the tickets, the scenery changed into that of a grassy plain.

Toadette gave the plumber a smile back. "Hey, good luck. Make us proud." With that she raised a flag, signalling Mario and the ghost Toad to begin competing.

Mario trudged forwards, doing his best to keep up, performing many cool tricks and jumps along the way. As he continued onwards, more and more Toads began to cheer for him. Eventually, a cobalt star (No, this didn't suddenly turn into a Partners in Time fanfiction) appeared above his head. He grabbed it, and suddenly felt a surge on energy rush through him, allowing him to speed up a bit, as well as somehow making coins pretty much pop out of nowhere. Mario got so caught up in the race, that when the whistle finally blew, he lost his balance and tripped, skidding across the terrain a bit.

Mario rubbed his now scraped nose as he looked at Toadette, now in front of him and the spectral Toad. "The results are in!" She cleared her throat as she began writing down what Mario hypothesized to be statistics. "Mario rallied up 298 Toads and Nintendo rallied up 234 Toads, so that means Mario is the winner!" Several Toads began to cheer, a handful of others running over to him to cheer for him as well, leaving Mario feeling a bit sheepish.

"So that about covers Toad Rally!" Toadette beamed. "Basically, the more stylish and cool you are, the more well-liked you are! Talk about a good moral…"

Mario just gave a worried smile as he pondered what to do next. Admittedly, he had fun partaking in the race, but he knew Peach was still in trouble.

"Mario, that reminds me!" Toadette exclaimed. "The more Toads and coins we get, the more things we can buy in Kingdom Builder! ...Or whatever it's called. So, how about it? Wanna do another round?"

Mario gave Toadette a half-smile. "Ok, ok, I'll do another, but just a couple more, ok? I still need to rescue the Princess."

Toadette gave an understanding nod as she handed Mario the list again. This went on until Mario ran out of Rally Tickets. Admittedly, Toad Rally is a bit of a time sink.