A/N : Wow, thanks for all of the kind words, you guys! Hopefully this chapter will live up to all of your (And mine) expectations. I struggled slightly with this one; it took me a bit of time trying to figure out which team is in which place and all that. But anyways, enjoy the first leg of the race!
krisetchers – Thanks for the review! ^^ I tried to be as in-character as possible while writing, but that typically isn't the case when some contestants don't have much personality of their own.
Drrockz – Thanks! And yes, I did see his writings. They were great, he certainly has a knack for them! J-Cag and LuigiMario also have great Amazing Race fictions too. ^^; I enjoyed reading all of them.
The Smart One – Thank you! Yes, this site sure could use some more... you'd think that with nearly 3,500 stories, there would be more than too few Amazing Race fan-fictions in the Mario genre. And I was also rooting for Brian & Ericka; it'd be great if their first leg win was the final one! (Wow, such an outdated response...but anyways, for Season 16, I'm personally rooting for Steve & Allie... Or err... now, Jet & Cord and Dan & Jordan, I suppose...)
Chapter 1, Leg 1 : An A-Maze-ing Race
(A camera pans in around the courtyard of a luxurious looking castle, which is then identified to be Princess Peach's Castle, Mushroom Kingdom.)
A Crazee Dayzee with rosy pink petals danced lightly on her feet in front of a bridge. Behind her, were eleven bags of luggage. In front . . . were the eleven teams to whom the luggage belonged to, each with existing relationships destined to go on an amazing race. This race spans across the entire world, unlike any other, filled with challenges and puzzles that will test their relationships, and at the end of it, one lucky, lucky team, will win . . . one million coins.
- Team Select -
Mario & Luigi – Brothers
Peach & Daisy – Best Friends
Yoshi & Birdo – Engaged
Wario & Waluigi – Brothers
Toad & Toadette – Best Friends
Bowser & Bowser Jr. – Father / Son
Diddy Kong & Dixie Kong – Dating
Boo & Dry Bones – Roommates
Goomba & Koopa – Married
Petey Piranha & King Boo – Friends
Noki & Pianta – Friends
"Hello all!" exclaimed the Crayzee Dayzee host, Rosetta. "Nice to see you all here safe and sound!"
The teams smiled at and with each other, gleeful and excited looks on their faces. Rosetta coughed into her small, dainty hands before speaking into the microphone.
"In just a few minutes, you will be leaving off on a race that will span across the world; along the way, you will be required to complete a number of tasks. Some of these will be physically challenging, while others will challenge your intellectual abilities." she said, pausing for a moment.
"There will be eight elimination points, called pit stops, in this race. The first one is going to be happening very soon." Rosetta paused again, for dramatic effect. "And once you start, you need to complete your task as fast as you can. Because the last team to get to the pit stop will be out of the race. Does everybody understand that?"
Each contestant nodded, their faces still beaming with anticipation and joy.
"Okay." Rosetta walked over to one of the bags behind her, and picked up what looked like to be a yellow notebook. "This is your travel package. Inside, will be all the things that you need to know to get started, along with some coins. The only things you do not have to provide currency for are plane tickets. At each start of a new part of the race, or leg, you will get a new package, and thus, more coins. However you use the coins is up to you, but I advise you to spend it wisely, for you will not be able to get any more coins than provided until you finish this leg of the race."
The players nodded in understanding, their grins slightly fading, to be replaced by more serious looks.
"Behind me, your travel packages are attached to the luggage you brought with you. When I give you the word, you can go up there, open up your packages, and what you do after that . . . is completely up to you."
"Alright, everyone. The world is waiting for you." said Rosetta grandly, a twinkle in her eyes.
"I wish you all the best of luck . . ."
"Travel safe . . ."
Each of the teams were poised on their knees, looking ready to pounce, determined looks on their faces.
". . . Go!"
The teams immediately bounded off of where they were standing and ran towards the luggage, passing by Rosetta. Shrieks, shouts, and squeals pierced the air as twenty two people sprinted towards their first clue, their first stepping stone across a wondrous journey around the world.
Rosetta watched the scene of chaos unfold as it erupted before them. She beckoned for the cameraman to come closer, and smiled cutely. "It looks like this is getting off to a great start...!"
"I can't wait to see how they perform. I can imagine any one of these teams at the finish line," Rosetta remarked. "They all have so much potential in them."
". . . It's a shame that there can only be one. But that's what races are all about." said Rosetta, her pink petals shifting gently in the wind.
It's the start of the Amazing Race!
Mario & Luigi – Brothers
"Mama mia! Wait up, bro!" Luigi exclaimed, as Mario ripped open the package on top of their red and green luggage.
Luigi walked over to Mario, peering over to what he was ripping out. "Mama mia!" Luigi repeated. "This is really breathtaking." Luigi accepted the bundle of coins Mario handed over to him.
Mario read the clue aloud, his eyes flying across the small sheet of paper. "Travel to . . ."
Peach & Daisy – Best Friends
". . . Delfino Plaza, on Isle Delfino!" finished Peach.
"Wow!" Daisy exclaimed, her grin becoming more pronounced than ever.
Yoshi & Birdo – Engaged
"Isle Delfino . . ." Birdo read aloud.
"Wow, honey . . . We're going to Isle Delfino!" Yoshi exclaimed excitedly.
Wario & Waluigi – Brothers
"You may only travel . . ." Wario muttered, Waluigi breathing heavily over his shoulder.
Toad & Toadette – Best Friends
". . . On one of these three flights . . ." said Toad.
Bowser & Bowser Jr. – Father / Son
". . . Mushroom Airlines 455 . . ." read Bowser, Bowser Jr. sitting on his shoulders.
Diddy Kong & Dixie Kong – Dating
". . . Delfino United 262 . . ." Diddy and Dixie read aloud together.
Boo & Dry Bones – Roommates
". . . Or Shy Guy Express Flights 101 . . ." read Boo.
Goomba & Koopa – Married
"Hurry, hurry . . ." read the elderly couple in unison.
Petey Piranha & King Boo – Friends
". . . Seats are first come, first serve." Petey read, slightly slurring his words.
Noki & Pianta – Friends
". . . You have two hundred coins for this leg of the race. First come, first serve?" read Noki, surprised.
"Oh boy, we'd better go!" Pianta exclaimed, hoisting a bag over his shoulder.
Mario & Luigi – Brothers (Toad Town Square)
The two brothers were the first to depart from the castle grounds, and found themselves in Toad Town Square, where a few local oddities were located. A blue and shimmering spinning rooftop identified Merlon's house, which hads't changed at all the past few years. Luigi scratched his head, holding the bag of coins while his older brother turned his head to and fro, attracting a few curious stares from the locals.
"Okay bro, where to?" Luigi asked.
Mario arched an eyebrow. "The airport, of course. We need to get on the first flight."
Luigi was embarrassed. He turned away to not let his brother see the color rise to his cheeks. Mario didn't notice. After a few moments, Mario started to walk towards the airport. He quickly beckoned Luigi to come forward before heading over to the west. The cameras focused on Luigi, who was still standing still. After a small and irritable cough from the side, Luigi snapped out of his reverie and dashes off quickly to join his brother.
Peach & Daisy – Best Friends (Toad Town, Shopping Center Drop-Off Lot)
A few minutes after the two brothers departed, Peach and Daisy headed off to the east and found their own source of transportation : a taxi, of course. Peach and Daisy settled comfortably in the backseat of the car while their taxi driver stowed their luggage.
Peach turned her head to face Daisy, a warm smile on her face. "Daisy, you're so clever. Asking a taxi on the streets would've been much more difficult than asking for one at the mall parking lot."
Daisy wagged a finger teasingly at her. "You learn to how to be street smart when you shop smart," Daisy said with a slight smirk. "Shopping talents aren't as useless as they seem."
Peach giggled, but stopped immediately when their Toad driver stepped back into the car. The driver slipped on a pair of white gloves before turning around and asking, "Where to, girls?"
"Oh, the International Airport, please," Peach told him. "We're in a race, so please hurry."
Yoshi & Birdo – Engaged (Toad Town, West Streets)
Yoshi & Birdo are the third team to depart from the starting line. Unfortunately for them, they haven't found a source of transportation yet, and ambled over to the west streets in hopes of catching a taxi passing by.
"Taxi, taxi!" Birdo called out, waving frantically at the cars passing by. None of the cars had that conspicuous sign on their hood.
"Did you manage to get one?" asked Yoshi.
"Nope. Sorry dear, getting a taxi here seems to be harder than it is in Mushroom City..." remarked Birdo. Yoshi didn't have the heart to rebut that there weren't even taxis on Yoshi's Island.
"We'll find one soon." Yoshi stated optimistically, picking up his egg-shaped suitcase. "In fact, look! Here's one now."
Birdo whipped around in surprise. She clapped her hands with joy when she saw Yoshi indeed was telling the truth. Without further ado, the two happily waved at the taxi driver and brought their luggage over.
Noki & Pianta – Friends (Mushroom Kingdom Highway)
"Dear, it took us a bit of time to get out of the courtyard..." stated Noki, glancing at the crystalline watch on her wrist. Noki had some starfish stickers tapered onto her shell, making her look somewhat childish. Pianta sat next to her with his large hands on his knees, staring silently at the back of the driver's seat.
"Well, it looks like we're heading back home..." Noki said somewhat sadly. "I didn't think we would so soon!"
Pianta stared out the window. After a bit of an awkward silence, Pianta replied, "We may have an advantage though."
Noki's face brightened visibly. "Yes. Yes, you're right. Isle Delfino is our homeland, after all! Things are looking bright for us!"
Pianta watched as a polka-dotted cloud soar gently through the sky as the taxi passed through Mushroom Bridge. Noki gazed out at the sea dreamily.
Diddy Kong & Dixie Kong – Dating (Mushroom Kingdom Highway)
"Oh, wow. We're heading off to Isle Delfino!" Dixie exclaimed, jumping in her seat and straining the seat belt buckled around her waist. Diddy smiled at her, and put his arm around her shoulder. "I can't wait to see what it looks like!"
"Me too. It'll sure be different from Kongo Jungle, I'm sure." said Diddy. Dixie stopped jumping, and turned to look at him.
"...I hear they have some of the freshest bananas in the world there." Dixie said suddenly, a serious look on her face.
"I doubt they're as good as ours!" Diddy said. Both of them laughed.
Bowser & Bowser Jr. - Father / Son (Toad Town Square)
"Dad, we're one of the last ones out," Bowser Jr. complained. The father and son were stumbling over the steps to reach the center of the square.
"Look! Even the two professors left before us..." said Bowser Jr., pointing to a yellow buggy nearby, where Petey Piranha was struggling to get inside the car.
"Now, boy, it's fine," Bowser replied. "There's still time to catch up."
Goomba & Koopa – Married (Toad Town Square)
"Dear, I think we're the last team to leave," said Koopa dejectedly, dragging a suitcase behind her, her beige purse dangling off her wrist. "Oh, I really feel slow..."
"Now, now, Koopa-bun, don't worry! This is only the beginning of the race. We still have a lot more to go." Goomba said happily.
"The ticket said that seats are first come, first serve," Koopa remembered. "That means that there must be some sort of time gap between the flights... Oh, honey. We're off to a bad start..."
"Dear!" Goomba exclaimed, startled by her negativity, as Koopa was usually very cheery and bright-faced. "Didn't I tell you, we're still at the beginning of the race? We can cover lost ground in the upcoming challenges. Besides, we're only a few minutes late."
Koopa looked slightly hurt. "W-Well... I... suppose you're right."
Goomba smiled at her encouragingly. "Let us go onward!" And Goomba headed off. Koopa gave a sigh and trudged on, both of them heading towards the west streets.
Mario & Luigi – Brothers (Mushroom Kingdom International Airport)
"We're here, Luigi!" Mario said, tapping Luigi on the shoulder, who was dozing. Luigi jumped up with a start.
"We're at the airport! Let's grab our luggage," said Mario. Luigi became focused at once and the two ran out of the taxi to grab their luggage.
"Hey, I think we may be first, Mario!" Luigi said excitedly. "There aren't any other teams around. Or we may be in dead last."
Mario shook his head, setting his luggage on the ground and rolling it in into the airport.
Toad & Toadette – Best Friends (Mushroom Kingdom International Airport)
"Aha! We're here, Toad!" Toadette exclaimed, pointing at the imposing yet colorful building in front of them. "There's the airport!"
"Hopefully we're one of the first ones here... I sure want to get on that first flight." Toad muttered more to himself than to Toadette.
Toadette turned to face him, her plaits whipping around. "Oh, be a bit more lighthearted, won't you? We're heading to Isle Delfino! That by itself is something to look forward to."
"Yeah, but not while in a race for a million coins..." Toad complained. "There's no time to take in the sights."
Toadette shook her head. "Come on, we're here."
Wario & Waluigi – Brothers (Mushroom Kingdom International Airport)
"Wario, there's the airport." said Waluigi, his mustache bristling as usual.
"Eh? Is that another taxi ahead of us?" Wario grunted, squinting his eyes to get a better look.
"T-Those are the Toads!" Waluigi said, surprised for a moment, before becoming furious. "How did those two bumbling idiots manage to get ahead of us!"
The taxi driver looked back at Waluigi with a curious look on his face. Waluigi noticed, and shouted, "WHAT'RE YOU LOOKING AT?" The taxi driver recoiled and the taxi spun off-road. "Why you little...!"
Boo & Dry Bones – Roommates (Mushroom Kingdom International Airport Entrance)
"We're here..." Boo said with a sardonic look on his face. He carefully lifted out of his luggage from the trunk, before tossing it over to Dry Bones, who was just stumbling out of the taxi. Dry Bones collapsed under the sudden weight.
"H-Hey! W-Watch it... p-please..." moaned Dry Bones, trying to reassemble himself once he escaped from underneath all that luggage.
"Woops," Boo said, lifting a golf bag off of Dry Bones, which didn't help him much at all. "Come on, let's go. The other teams are likely to be ahead of us."
Mario & Luigi – Brothers (Mushroom Airlines Ticketing Station)
"Well, let's try Mushroom Airlines," suggested Mario. "According to the departure and arrival times board, this should be-a the first flight."
"Okay!" Luigi agreed. He ran up to the counter. A jolly-faced Toad lady was sitting behind the seat.
"Hello, how may I help you today?" the Toad lady asked.
"Hi. We would like two tickets on the next flight to Isle Delfino," Luigi asked. "The... um, what was it, Mario?"
Mario consulted the ticket clue. "Flight 455!"
"Flight 455, please." asked Luigi. The Toad lady nodded, and typed the information into the computer. Luigi tapped his fingers agitatedly, and after a few minutes, a reassuring 'ping' sounded from the computer. The Toad lady smiled, and handed the duo back their passports and tickets. Luigi accepted them with relief.
"Your flight will depart at 1:35 P.M., and arrive at 3:45 P.M. Thank you for flying on Mushroom Airlines today." the Toad lady said. Luigi turned around to face Mario, and they gave a high-five to each other.
"Yahoo!" Mario exclaimed.
"Looks like we're on the first flight!" Luigi said happily.
~ Mario & Luigi - 1st on Mushroom Airlines Flight 455 ~
"We're off to a great start-a!" stated Mario.
Toad & Toadette – Best Friends (Mushroom Airlines Ticketing Station)
The two Toads came running up to the counter not long after the Mario brothers left. Toadette was slightly faster, as she made it to the desk first. Slightly breathless, Toadette dropped their passports onto the counter.
"Hi!" Toadette greeted. "We would like two tickets on Flight 455, to Isle Delfino, please."
"Sure," the Toad lady replied. After a few clicks and taps on her keyboard, she handed Toadette two tickets. "Your flight will depart at 1:35."
Toadette smiled and nodded. "Thank you!"
Toad just caught up with her. Panting, he asked, "S-So, did we get the tickets?"
"Yep! We're lucky! We're on the first flight." said Toadette jubilantly.
~ Toad & Toadette - 2nd on Mushroom Airlines Flight 455 ~
"Come on, let's go to the gate," Toadette called. Toad sighed and followed her.
Peach & Daisy – Best Friends (Mushroom Airlines Ticketing Station)
"Hiya!" Daisy said to the attendant behind the desk. Peach was standing behind her."We were wondering if there are any seats available on Flight 455, heading towards the Delfino Airstrip of Isle Delfino."
"Let me check for you," replied the Toad lady. She clicked a few times. "Hmm... yes, it looks like there are two seats left for that particular flight."
"Oh, splendid!" Peach said, popping in. "We would like two tickets please."
The Toad lady handed them their tickets. Peach and Daisy hugged each other, happy that they got the last two tickets for the first flight.
~ Peach & Daisy - 3rd on Mushroom Airlines Flight 455 ~
"Looks like your taxi advice really helped," Peach said. "We might not have gotten on the flight otherwise."
Daisy grinned. "See, what I'd tell ya?"
Wario & Waluigi – Brothers (Mushroom Airlines Ticketing Station)
"What... do you mean that there are no tickets available?!" Wario said angrily, pounding the counter with his fist. The Toad lady shrank back in fright.
"U-Um, I'm s-sorry sir, but we ran out..." she whispered. "W-We gave the last t-two tickets to those l-ladies o-over there, s-sir."
"The princesses!" realized Waluigi. "How did THEY get in front of us?"
"Just great. Now we need to find the second flight." Wario groaned, slapping his hand to his face.
Diddy & Dixie – Dating (Delfino United Ticketing Station)
The dating couple held their hands as they walked up to the Delfino United counter.
"Oh, I hope you're right about this," Dixie said worriedly. "About thinking that there might not be any seats left on the first flight."
"Yeah, well, we did get out pretty late, compared to some of the others," said Diddy, shrugging his shoulders. "Better to be safe than sorry."
Dixie squinted at him, as if she were talking to some foreigner from Shiver City. Her eyes plainly gave a look that said, "Seriously?"
"Ah, it looks like it's our turn." Diddy said, who ignored Dixie's confused glare. He walked up to the counter, where a Pianta wearing a tacky suit sat behind, tapping away on a keyboard. The Pianta looked up.
"Yes? How may I help you?" asked the Pianta, pushing up his glasses.
Diddy eagerly stepped up. "Hi, we would like two tickets for flight 262 heading towards – "
"Isle Delfino, right?" the Pianta interjected, brushing his hand. "That's the only destination to and from here. "
Dixie wanted to contradict him, but Diddy nudged her gently, and she fell quiet. After a few moments, the Pianta handed them their tickets.
"There you go. Your flight will depart at 2:00 P.M."
"Thank you."
~ Diddy & Dixie - 1st on Delfino United 262 ~
"Sweet," Dixie said approvingly. "Let's check-in. We have a bit of time before we have to get ready."
Wario & Waluigi – Brothers (Delfino United Ticketing Station)
The two crafty siblings marched up to the counter, right after Diddy and Dixie disappeared from sight. Wario was still slightly fuming, so Waluigi decided to take care of the tickets.
"We would like two tickets to Isle Delfino. The earliest one." Waluigi requested, in a rather threatening tone, which the Pianta didn't pay attention to.
"Flight 262?" asked the Pianta, keeping his eyes on his monitor. "Very well... Here are your tickets."
~ Wario & Waluigi - 2nd on Delfino United 262 ~
"Well, it's better than the third flight, at least." Waluigi said. Wario merely scoffed and they headed towards the waiting area.
Yoshi & Birdo – Engaged (Delfino United Ticketing Station)
"Oh, I can't believe that there were no tickets left to the first flight..." Birdo said, sighing. "I didn't think the other teams would make it here that fast."
"We underestimated them. Let's just hope there are still tickets to the second flight." suggested Yoshi, pointing over to the counter ahead of them.
Yoshi asked if there were any tickets left. The Pianta nodded. "Yep. You two got the last two tickets."
Birdo looked incredulously at Yoshi, before crooning happily. "Here you are. Your flight departs at 2:00 P.M."
"That's a relief." Yoshi said unnecessarily.
~ Yoshi & Birdo - 3rd on Delfino United Flight 262 ~
Petey Piranha & King Boo – Friends (Shy Guy Express Flights Ticketing Station)
"Oh, two tickets please." said King Boo. A Shy Guy wearing a conductor's cap was handling their flight. Petey was signing a few papers next to him. He had extraordinarily good handwriting for someone with leaves as hands. "To Isle Delfino, Flight 101."
"Yes...sir. Here are your tickets." the Shy Guy said, handing them the tickets. "Your flight will depart at 2:25 P.M."
~ Petey Piranha & King Boo – 1st on Shy Guy Express 101 ~
King Boo turned around to face Petey. "Well, I guess we can't complain." King Boo said. "It was our fault for getting here so slow."
"It's my fault, really. If I hadn't struggled getting into the taxi door..." Petey started to say, before King Boo shushed him.
"It doesn't matter. Like I said, we certainly have ample time to catch up." muttered King Boo into Petey's ears. "It's only the start of the race, after all."
Goomba & Koopa / Noki & Pianta (Shy Guy Express Flights Ticketing Station)
"And so, I asked, whatever could you do?" Koopa told, her face beaming. It seems that the old couple somehow got mixed in with the co-workers, and to break the awkward ice between them, Koopa decided to tell them a story. "I mean, it was her own scarf, after all, that she wanted to knit as a present for my niece, of course."
Silently, Noki thought to herself, "How on earth did we get mixed up with these two? I thought we were ahead of them."
"Oh, dear, it looks like we're up." said Goomba, pointing over to the open space ahead of them, where the Pianta was standing.
The two groups ordered there tickets quickly. Or at least Noki and Pianta did. Goomba and Koopa decided to take their time in making sure that they're making the right choice on going that flight, much to the chagrin of Noki and Pianta.
~ Noki & Pianta - 2nd on Shy Guy Express 101 ~
~ Goomba & Koopa - 3rd on Shy Guy Express 101 ~
"I have to say, I'm rather hungry." Goomba said suddenly, turning to the rest of the quartet. "Would anyone care to have a bite? I'll host."
The three of them nodded, and headed towards the food court.
Boo & Dry Bones – Roommates (Shy Guy Express Flights Ticketing Station)
"Ugh, these spots are horrible..." grumbled Boo, snatching the tickets from the Shy Guy across the counter.
~ Boo & Dry Bones - 4th on Shy Guy Express 101 ~
"I g-guess we shouldn't have f-fooled around, h-huh?" Dry Bones inquired, looking crestfallen.
"Ah, well, let's just plow on for what's ahead," said Boo, shrugging. "We just need to double our efforts once we reach Isle Delfino."
Dry Bones nodded in agreement, staring down at the floor.
Bowser & Bowser Jr. – Father / Son (Shy Guy Express Flights Ticketing Station)
"Wow, dad, that really... took a while," Bowser Jr. complained. "How could you have read the map upside-down?"
Bowser grumbled and propped his elbow against the counter, not wanting to make eye contact with his son. The Shy Guy gave them their tickets.
"Your flight will depart at 2:25 P.M., sir. Thank you for choosing Shy Guy Express today." said the Shy Guy in a jolly tone.
~ Bowser & Bowser Jr. - 5th on Shy Guy Express 101 ~
"I'm sure we're last," stated Bowser Jr. "I'm just sure of it. Why do we always get stuck in these situations?"
All teams are now headed to Isle Delfino via three flights. The first flight, which departs at 1:35 P.M., carries the teams brothers Mario & Luigi, childhood friends Toad & Toadette, and best friends Peach & Daisy.
The second flight, which departs at 2:00 P.M., carries the teams dating couple Diddy & Dixie, brothers Wario & Waluigi, and engaged couple Yoshi & Birdo.
The third and final flight, which departs at 2:25 P.M., carries friends Petey Piranha & King Boo, co-workers Noki & Pianta, married couple Goomba & Koopa, roommates Boo & Dry Bones, and father and son Bowser & Bowser Jr.
Mushroom Airlines Flight 455 – Departs at 1:35 P.M.
The three teams on the first flight weren't very surprised to see each other when the got on the plane, as they had already acquainted themselves with each other before the show.
"Oh, hi Mario! And Luigi!" Toadette greeted, dragging along a pink suitcase. "And Peach and Daisy too!"
"Hello," Toad said. Daisy gave them a shout-out, and Mario and Luigi smiled.
"Wow, Peach and Daisy are here too!" Luigi said aloud to himself, watching Daisy stowing away her and Peach's luggage enthusiastically.
"I've never been on an economy-class plane before," said Daisy happily. "I wonder what it'll be like."
"Well, it certainly looks crowded..." Peach stated, who has been used to the luxuries her private jet provided for her. She sat down in her designated seat with grace.
Mario looked out of his window seat, and saw that the plane was beginning to take off. "Off we go!"
"To Isle Delfino!" Toadette and Daisy shouted in unison, while Peach, Toad, and Luigi merely smiled.
Delfino United Flight 262 – Departs at 2:00 P.M.
Yoshi & Birdo and Diddy & Dixie socialized in their plane while Wario and Waluigi were staring at them malevolently from the back.
"I'm happy that we all made it on the second flight," Dixie said, smiling. "I hope we're not too far behind."
"Oh, I checked the lists; they only have a twenty-five minute advantage," explained Birdo.
"That's a relief," Diddy confessed.
Yoshi nodded. "Let's all try our best."
"Even those Gloombas back there, I suppose," Yoshi added as an afterthought, gesturing behind them, where Wario and Waluigi were plainly visible peeking over their seats to spy on them. The four of them laughed as the two brothers hastily sat back down.
Shy Guy Express Flights Flight 101 – Departs at 2:25 P.M.
Needless to say, the remaining five teams were rather disappointed to be on the last flight, merely mumbling greetings to each other and preferring to keep their own counsel.
"We're getting off to a bit of a bad start," declared Petey Piranha. King Boo mumbled an affirmative response.
"Oh, tell me about it!" Noki shouted in frustration, startling those around her. "I won't be able to stand up to myself if we get eliminated in the first leg of the race..." Pianta patted her on the back, causing Noki herself to jump and retreat inside her shell. Her partner chuckled, lugging their suitcases to the rack above them.
"Okay dear, it looks like we have to quicken our pace a bit," Koopa said to Goomba, who was staring at a television ad for Shroom Shakes on the screen in front of their seat. When Goomba didn't respond, Koopa pinched him, causing him to yelp.
"YOW!"
"I think we need to reconcile our efforts for a bit..." Boo muttered, rubbing his temples. Dry Bones clacked his bones in agreement.
"Dad, let's work harder from now on, okay?" asked Bowser Jr., his tone a bit demanding. "We can't lose in the first round..."
"Yeah, yeah, we will, Junior," Bowser assured him. "We can win the whole darn race. It doesn't take a braniac to figure that out."
Delfino Airstrip – 3:45 P.M.
The first three teams made their way out of their plane casually, breathing in their exotic surroundings and looking up in awe.
"Wow, this is amazing!" exclaimed Toadette, waving her arms and spinning around, giggling.
"Obviously!" Daisy agreed.
"Hey, look," Luigi pointed out. A rectangular clue box with a red and green-striped banner tacked on the post was lying straight ahead of them, in front of two water tanks and a small pool. "Is that the clue box?"
"I think it is!" gasped Peach. After an awkward moment of silence, everyone made a mad dash for the clue box, as if they just remembered that they were in a race.
Mario & Luigi – Brothers : Currently in 1st (Delfino Airstrip, Water Reservoirs)
"Here's the next clue!" Mario said, hastily pulling out a clue from the clue box and opening it. "It says, make your way to Delfino Plaza."
Teams must now make their way to Delfino Plaza. Once there, they have to find the Grand Pianta Statue, where they will receive their next clue.
"Okay! Let's go," Luigi said, who was peering over Mario's shoulder as he read the clue. "But... um, how do we get there? We're surrounded by sea."
"The ferry," answered Mario. Luigi shrugged his shoulders. The two of them began to head towards the saloon nearby, which also functioned as an airport.
Toad & Toadette – Best Friends : Currently in 2nd (Delfino Airstrip, Water Reservoirs)
"Hm, how will we get to Isle Delfino?" Toadette wondered, stowing away her clue in her backpack.
"Why don't we go ask the help desk?" suggested Toad.
"That sounds like a good idea." The two Toads headed toward the saloon as well.
Peach & Daisy – Best Friends : Currently in 3rd (Delfino Airstrip, Water Reservoirs)
Peach and Daisy walked to the clue box, due to them having trouble running in their dresses.
"Oh, maybe it wasn't such a good idea to wear dresses on a race," Peach said sadly, lifting up the hems of her dress to stop from tripping as they power-walked to the clue box.
"I thought you were used to it," Daisy coalesced, laughing. Peach gave her a befuddled and offended look. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry."
"So, Peach, I heard that you've been here before," Daisy said. "Any idea how to get to the plaza?"
"Last time I was here, we took a ferry to Delfino Plaza," Peach recalled from her memories. "Why don't we go ask and make sure?"
Delfino International Airport, Information Desk – 3:55 P.M.
"Why yes, we do have ferries that take you to Delfino Plaza," said a Pianta lady wearing some thick-rimmed glasses. "In fact, I think that the next one departs in around... five minutes."
"Five minutes? Thank you, ma'am." Luigi said, somewhat surprised. "We'd better hurry."
Toad and Toadette stumbled in to the information desk.
"Hiya guys! Are you looking for some transportation, too?" said Toadette happily when she spotted red and green.
"Yes, there's a ferry that leaves in five minutes!" Luigi told them, only to cover up his mouth in haste. Mario gave him an exasperated look.
"We all might be able to make it if we hurry," Toad said.
Toadette was staring blankly ahead of her before spotting a patch of pink and yellow. She hurriedly exclaimed, "And oh look, here comes Peach & Daisy! I think we'll all make it after all."
Delfino Ferry – 4:00 P.M.
Having paid the fee of ten coins for the passage, the three teams boarded on the ferry to Isle Delfino. It seems that they were the only passengers; no one else was present other than the ferry captain.
"Is that everyone?" said the Pianta captain, who had a cap with a Shine Sprite labeled on it on his head. "Off we go, then!"
The captain chuckled as he pulled the bell, which made a foghorn-like sound that was surprising coming from a little bell.
Delfino Airstrip – 4:10 P.M.
The second flight has just arrived on the scene. Yoshi & Birdo and Diddy & Dixie ran out of the plane, relieved to see that they've reached their destination and were turning wildly to find their next clue. Dixie spotted the clue box near the pool, and urged everyone to run. Wario & Waluigi trailed behind, looking sneaky, as usual.
"Okay, make your way to Delfino Plaza," Yoshi read.
"I recall reading about some ferries that take you to and from locales in Delfino Plaza in the brochure I got on the plane," blurted Birdo hurriedly. "Why don't we go search for one?"
"Yeah... unless we go by helicopter or water-ski over there," Diddy joked.
The four of them dashed towards the airport. Wario and Waluigi faced each other.
"Let's follow them?" Waluigi asked, his great spindly mustache spinning on his thin face.
Wario nodded. The two stalked off after them.
Delfino Plaza, Shorelines 4:15 P.M.
"Welcome to Delfino Plaza!" said the Pianta captain, as they arrived on the shore near some fruit stalls and a lighthouse. The passengers hastily thanked the captain before dashing across the sand, with the brothers out in front while the Toads and princesses lagged behind.
"Oof!" Toadette grunted as she tripped over the sand. Toad bent over to quickly help her up, in which the princesses over took them, walking a fast gait.
"I think I see the cluebox; it's over there, in front of that statue!" Daisy exclaimed.
Mario & Luigi – Brothers : Currently in 1st (Delfino Plaza, West Square, Grand Pianta Statue)
"Here's the clue," Luigi said, as this time he was the one to open it. "Roadblock. Who's ready to stand up to the sun?"
A Roadblock is a task that only one person may perform, and no one person can perform any more than eight on the entire race.
In this Roadblock, teams will have to make their way to the very heart of Delfino Plaza : the Shine Gate, known as the keeper of the Shine Sprites on the sunny isle. Players will then have to find a way to clamber up to the grassy greens behind the Shine Gate that overlook a waterfall and find a marker directing them where to go. Mountain climbing is a popular past-time on the island, for its high and exotic locales such as Noki Bay and Corona Mountain; and that is exactly what teams are to do : Climb the Shine Gate. Once at the top, they will receive their next clue from a Pianta.
"Oh boy, this doesn't sound very fun," mumbled Luigi, handing over the clue to Mario, giving him a look that plainly said, "I really, really don't want to do it."
Mario arched an eyebrow at him. "Fine, I'll do it." Luigi jumped in joy.
"Climb the Shine Gate?" Mario said, surprised. "Well, I've done it once before, I can do it again."
"Yeah, but that time, you had some help," Luigi pointed out. Mario ignored that statement, and ran out of the west square to search for the Shine Gate.
Peach & Daisy – Best Friends : Currently in 2nd (Delfino Plaza, West Square, Grand Pianta Statue)
"A roadblock..." Peach said. "Do you want to do it, Daisy?"
"Heck yeah!" replied Daisy with a shout, who hadn't even read the clue yet. "Oh, climb the Shine Gate? Neato!"
Daisy dashed off without another word, eager to get started on her task. Peach yelled out suddenly, "Wait! Daisy! Do you know how to get – Oh, it's too late... I hope she doesn't get lost..."
Toad & Toadette – Best Friends : Currently in 3rd (Delfino Plaza, West Square, Grand Pianta Statue)
"Roadblock!" Toad announced, reading the envelope. "Who's ready to stand up to the sun?"
"Ooh, that sounds interesting," said Toadette.
"Do you want to do it?" Toad asked.
"Sure!" was her reply. Toad handed her the clue.
"Scale the Shine Gate? Well, I'm not a very experienced mountain climber, but this sounds like fun!" exclaimed Toadette, her eyes shining brightly as she grasped the clue tightly in her fist. "I'm off!"
"I don't think it'll be like mountain climbing, but good luck, Toadette!" Toad called out to her.
"Hm... where could the Shine Gate be...?" Toadette said to herself. "The heart of the plaza... the center, of course!"
Mario (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Front)
"Hm, how to get behind the Gate..." Mario mumbled to himself. He looked around for some sort of ladder or staircase, but as was his last visit at Delfino Plaza, there were none. Mario walked around for a bit, before finding a Pianta lady sitting under a woven basket, of which a rope was attached to the side of it. Mario's eyes lit up.
"Hello, ma'am," Mario greeted. The Pianta lady looked up. "May I borrow the rope of your basket to err... climb up... there?"
The Pianta lady gave Mario a baffled look. "Um, sure. Watch your footing though, I keep all my pineapples in there."
"Will do." Mario replied, smiling. He started to climb up the rope, and headed to the back of the Gate.
Daisy (Delfino Plaza, Streets)
Daisy, who rushed ahead and did not take a map with her, ran into the crowded streets of the plaza and found herself lost, ambling in an alley.
"Oh, darn. I think I'm lost." Daisy said to herself, somewhat confused. She tapped the shoulder of the nearest Pianta. "Excuse me, do you know where the Shine Gate is?"
The Pianta pointed over somewhere to the east. "You walk up this alley, make a right, then a left, and straight until you reach the Delfino Pier."
"Ah, okay, thanks!" said Daisy, giving the Pianta a wave before trotting off again.
Toadette (Delfino Plaza, Streets)
"The Shine Gate is that way?" Toadette said, who was asking a Noki for directions. The Noki confirmed.
"Okay, thank you very much!" yelled Toadette, who immediately started to run, before stopping suddenly.
"Owww, my knee..." she moaned, rubbing her feet. "Why did I have to trip earlier?"
Mario (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Back)
"T-This seems a lot different than last time I was up here," Mario said hesitantly, gazing up at the looming structure. Instead of the smooth wall he was used to seeing, there were footholds and thresholds all over the place. Mario began his climb, taking each step slowly one by one.
"It's a long way up..." Mario panted, reaching for the next threshold.
Luigi / Peach / Toad (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Top)
"That was nice of them to bring us here to the top," said Luigi, looking down from their platform. "Gosh, this looks so high..."
"Yes, well, how else would we see the progress of our fellow teammates?" Peach reasoned. "It would've taken forever to get back down and find your partner."
"It would've been more fun though if you could parachute down from the top..." muttered Toad.
"Hey, look! There's Mario!" Peach interrupted, pointing down at a speck of red below. "Looks like he's the first one here."
Luigi spun around. "Oh! Hey, bro! Good luck down there!"
Yoshi & Birdo / Diddy & Dixie – Currently in 4th (Delfino Plaza, West Square, Grand Pianta Statue)
"Who's ready to stand up to the sun?" read Birdo, holding the clue out.
"I guess I can do it," said Yoshi. Birdo nodded, dropping down her backpack. She took out a map of the plaza and handed it to Yoshi.
Yoshi accepted it. Birdo gave him a wink, and said, "Here. You might need it."
"I have no idea what this means," Dixie confessed, turning to face Diddy. Diddy backed up a step when Dixie looked at him for help.
"I can do it then, I guess," said Diddy, which made Dixie smile as she handed him the clue. "Scale the Shine Gate? Sounds pretty easy."
Dixie's face brightened. "Ooh! You'll ace this one then, Diddy!" she said as Diddy ran off, with Yoshi running right behind him.
Delfino Airstrip – 4:45 P.M.
The third flight has just docked in at the airport, which held five teams. As it landed on the airway with a soft thump-thump, the teams inside stared out the window in agitation to get off the plane.
"Go go go!" Noki squealed delightedly as she ran out of the plane, Pianta right behind her. She looked up, and saw the clue box straight ahead of them. "There! The clue box!"
The roommates Boo & Dry Bones were on the co-workers' tails, followed by the father and son Bowser & Bowser Jr., the professors Petey and King Boo, and bringing up the rear are the elderly couple of Goomba and Koopa.
Wario & Waluigi – Brothers : Currently in 6th (Delfino Plaza, West Square, Grand Pianta Statue)
"...Roadblock." Waluigi grumbled, reading the clue with protuberant eyes. "Who's ready to stand up to the sun?"
"You should do this one," Wario said. "This one sounds like you need to jump for something, and I'm no good at that."
"Yeah... fine, I'll do it," agreed Waluigi. "But you'll have to do the next one. So, what do I have to do...? Climb the Shine Gate? That sounds ridiculous. The thing is like a hundred feet tall!"
"With your height, that won't be a problem," Wario told him, shoving him slightly. "Now go! You're wasting time. We've already lost track of those two couples."
Mario & Luigi – Currently in 1st (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Top)
"Whew," Mario sighed in relief, as the Pianta took off the fastenings around his waist. Luigi was waiting for him at the top, who yelled out, "You did it, bro!" and climbed down to see him. Mario accepted the next clue gratefully, and read, "Make your way to Pianta Village."
Players must now make their way to Pianta Village. Once there, they will have to make their way to the town spa, which is famous for its healing properties and soothing atmosphere, where they will find their next clue.
"To Pianta Village, then?" said Luigi looking around. Mario nodded. "Where do we head first, then?"
Mario pointed to a red pipe right next to them. Luigi gave Mario a blank look. Mario grinned and said, "The pipe that leads to Pianta Village is right there. That one."
Luigi stared at him. "Then, what are we waiting for? Let's go to Pianta Village!"
Mario agreed wholeheartedly, and the two brothers plunged down into the pipe in front of them, while Peach and Toad watched them in dismay.
"Oh, you'd better hurry, Daisy..."
"Come on, Toadette..."
Daisy (Delfino Plaza, Streets)
Daisy was still lost within the streets of the plaza. She bit her lip, looking awfully desperate to get this Roadblock over with.
"Agh... Did that Pianta say to make a right at the first turn? Or was it left..." she mumbled to herself.
Toadette (Delfino Plaza, Streets)
"Gosh, this is a lot harder than I thought," Toadette realized, walking through another alleyway. "And my stupid knee hurting doesn't help."
Yoshi (Delfino Plaza, Streets)
"Looks like Diddy and I have split up," commented Yoshi, unfurling the map Birdo gave to him. "Good thing Birdo was clever to take a map from the information desk..."
"Ah, so the Shine Gate is due north. That makes things much easier." Yoshi said after examining the map for a minute or so. He began to jog through the streets, curiously looking at the surroundings as he did so.
Noki & Pianta – Friends : Currently in 7th (Delfino Plaza, West Square, Grand Pianta Statue)
"Looks like we're the first of our group to make it here," noticed Noki, picking out a yellow clue envelope from the clue box. "There's still a few clues in the box."
Pianta shook his head. "That could mean anything, though."
"True," Noki said, before opening the clue and reading it. "Roadblock. Who's ready to stand up to the sun?"
Pianta looked at her. Noki said, "Hm. Well, I guess I can do this one. I like the sun; I've sunbathed on Gelato and Sirena Beach a lot when I was younger."
"Oh, gosh, that makes me sound so old!" Noki rebuked, covering her mouth. She hastily opened up the rest of the clue. "Scale the Shine Gate? What on earth?"
Pianta patted her on the back. "This is NOT what I had in mind, but oh well. I'm off!"
Diddy (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Front)
Diddy managed to get to the front of the Shine Gate without much effort, much to his surprise. But really, it was just a coincidence that he just headed on the right path which had a sign that read, "SHINE GATE PATH".
"Well, that was easy," Diddy said chuckling. "How to get up there, now..."
Diddy noticed the parasols sitting right against the wall. "Hm, I hope no one minds if I use one of these …"
Waluigi (Delfino Plaza, Streets)
"Hey! Sprout-head!" shouted Waluigi at a Pianta, trying to ask for directions. The Pianta looked offended and walked with a faster gait past Waluigi. "Hey! I need some help, here!"
"Grrr..." Waluigi growled. He jumped when a padded hand tapped his shoulder. He found a Tanooki standing right by him, wearing a straw head and carrying his child on his shoulders.
The Tanooki waved his arms in wide arcs. "What do you need help with? I'm acquainted with this place, Mister Long-Gangly-Legged Fellow."
Waluigi looked taken aback for a moment, talking to this raccoon-like person. "Err... I want to know how to get to the Shine Gate."
"The Shine Gate? Oh, that's easy. Just head up right along this path and take a left at the end. You'll see it when you get there." answered the Tanooki. "Good luck, whatever you're doing."
"Err, thanks," Waluigi said. He certainly didn't thank anyone very much. The Tanooki gave him a jolly wave as he departed.
Boo & Dry Bones – Roommates : Currently in 8th (Delfino Plaza, West Square, Grand Pianta Statue)
"Well, so much for doubling our efforts..." Boo muttered, pulling out the clue and reading it. "Roadblock. Who's ready to stand up to the sun?"
Boo and Dry Bones looked at each other. They both knew that they both hated daylight. "I... suppose I-I can do it."
Boo looked surprised. Dry Bones rarely volunteered for anything. Boo complied, and handed over the clue to him. "Good luck. And don't get lost."
Dry Bones nodded, clattering his teeth. "I'll d-do my best."
Bowser & Bowser Jr. - Father / Son : Currently in 9th (Delfino Plaza, West Square, Grand Pianta Statue)
"Roadblock," said Bowser, reading off the clue. "Who's ready to stand up to the sun?"
"Wanna do this one, Junior?" Bowser asked his son, turning around to face him. Bowser Jr. nodded.
"Yeah," Bowser Jr. said. "After that mess-up you made earlier, I'm not letting you make another mistake..." He whispered to himself that last part, so that Bowser couldn't hear.
"Well... good luck, boy." He handed him the clue.
"I won't need it," Junior said, trotting off into the crowd. "I just hope no one recognizes me as the culprit for their graffiti earlier ago."
Pianta Village was sitting quietly on a rock surrounded by cliff faces. Three gargantuan trees were sprouting from the edges of the rock, with an even bigger on in the very center of the village. Tall mushrooms could be seen scattered all over the village, where some villagers and tourists were ambling around, marveling at the historical sights. And all around the city in the abyss that lurked around them were some even more mushrooms, whose size could rival that of the trees on the isolated civilization. There were buildings made out of wood and a rickety bridge that led to a platform where a red pipe lay. And out of that pipe jumped out two people : a man in red, and a man in green.
Mario & Luigi – Brothers : Currently in 1st (Pianta Village, Village Entrance)
"Wowee!" was all Luigi could say as the two brothers leaped out of the red pipe. The two looked around their new surroundings. The sun was shining brightly above them, but there were a few patches here and there where a large leaf would filter out the sunlight.
"It feels like it's been so long..." Mario said, looking up at the sky. "I remember there were a few wind spirits here, right on that bridge. They would pummel you whenever you took a step."
"That sounds horrible!" agreed Luigi, who had already stepped on the bridge. An eerie sound began to whistle through the air. "Yikes!"
"Eh, it's fine. I'm sure they got rid of the spirits somehow; it'd be a pain for the tourists if not," Mario reasoned, joining Luigi on the rickety bridge.
Not feeling very reassured, Luigi followed his footsteps, staring determinedly ahead of him. "So, uh, where are we heading? The spa?"
"Yep. If I remember correctly, take any of the three paths here and you'll reach the spa... which just so happens to be in the very back of the village."
Diddy & Dixie – Dating : Currently in 2nd (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate)
Diddy used the parasols as a pseudo-trampoline to reach the ledge. Once there, he was harnessed by straps and began to climb the gate. Not feeling the least bit of strain on him, he climbed to the top at an alarming speed.
Seven minutes later, Diddy received the next clue from the Pianta. Dixie squealed in delight and ran down from the platform to wrap her arms around his neck lovingly as he read the clue.
"That was a piece of cake," said Diddy, patting Dixie's hands. "Make your way to Pianta Village. Let's go, Dixie."
Dixie shouldered her backpack, and trotted along after Diddy. "Oh, I'm so proud of you, Diddy!" Diddy grinned, and the dating couple plunged into the red pipe.
Yoshi & Birdo – Engaged : Currently in 3rd (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate)
"Well now, that wasn't too bad," Yoshi admitted, giving Birdo a slight smile as the Pianta unbuckled the straps around his waist. "I'm glad to have found the Shine Gate so quick, at any rate."
"You were amazing!" Birdo exclaimed happily. "There are only two teams ahead of us." Birdo pointed over to Peach, Toad, Wario, and Pianta, all of whom were watching them solemnly as they chatted.
Yoshi looked appalled. "Really? That's a bit surprising, considering how we only got on the second flight."
"Mhm. Things aren't determined by their first showing, that's what I say. Anyways, the next clue says that we have to make our way to Pianta Village." said Birdo, opening up the clue. "Any idea how to get there, honey?"
"According to the map, the pipe leading to Pianta Village is simply a few feet away from us," Yoshi told her, pointing to the red pipe nearby.
Daisy (Delfino Plaza, Streets)
"Ugh, this is taking forever..." moaned Daisy. She looked up in the sky, where she could see the top of the Shine Gate peeking over a rooftop. "I can see it now, so I must be getting closer..."
"Gosh, I hope we're not falling behind because of me..."
Toadette (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Front)
Toadette somehow found herself in front of the Shine Gate, much to her surprise. Even though Toadette had to walk for the most part, she had made it sooner than Daisy.
"I should have brought a map, but it doesn't really matter, now that I'm here..." Toadette said, looking up at the looming yet radiant structure. "Even my knee is feeling a little better! I just hope I can endure the climbing of the Shine Gate..."
Petey Piranha & King Boo – Friends : Currently in 10th (Delfino Plaza, West Square, Grand Pianta Statue)
"Darn, it looks like we're one of the last teams to arrive..." Petey Piranha said, taking out the clue and slashing it open with a jagged leaf. "Who's ready to stand up to the sun?"
King Boo raised his eyebrows. "I am definitely not doing this task, sorry, Petey. I can't even stand the sun as it is now."
And that statement was quite true. King Boo looked even paler than usual, and his crown was at such a deceptive angle that it gave the impression it was going to fall off of his head. King Boo's eyes were reduced to small dots, and he had an unpleasant frown on his face.
"I suppose I'll do it, then," Petey decided without much hesitation. "Oh... climb the Shine Gate. That sounds... difficult."
"It's the perfect time to start exercising now, Petey," said King Boo, wiping his forehead. His voice didn't have that sardonic tone as it usually did, in fact, he sounded quite relieved. "I wish you the best of luck."
"Thank you," Petey said, stuffing the clue into a back pocket. "And just for the record, I can still fit into my undergarments just fine, even after eight years."
Waluigi & Wario – Brothers : Currently in 4th (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Top)
Following the directions the Tanooki gave him, Waluigi found the way to the Shine Gate effortlessly. His long limbs allowed Waluigi to clamber up the Shine Gate with minimal effort, where he met a smirking Wario waiting for him at the top.
"Hah! Easy as pie," Waluigi stated, giving Wario a sly smile. The Pianta unharnessed him from the wires and lines, handing them the next clue.
"Good job, we're in fourth, I bet," explained Wario. "There's ample time to catch up to the rest... but those two couples are still ahead of us."
"Meh, I'm not surprised by who's left..." Waluigi said, chuckling as he opening the clue. "Next up, Pianta Village."
"And, the way over there is over there... Let's go!"
Peach / Toad / Pianta / Boo / Bowser / King Boo (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Top)
"Oh dear... there goes another team," Peach said worriedly, watching Wario and Waluigi jump down the red pipe.
Toad shook his head. "This isn't turning out too well... And I just realized that I had a map that I could have given to Toadette..."
"Ooh, you're right. I mean, I've been here before, but I don't think I'd know all the roads here and tell Daisy exactly how to get here... but I do have the general gist of it, from my last visit."
"The sun is awfully bright up here," muttered King Boo, trying to shield his eyes from the light emitting from the great Shine Sprite directly beneath them.
"The way the sun shines so bright here is something scandalous, in my opinion," agreed Boo, nodding.
"Well, I know for sure that my son is going to be the next one up here; you can count on it!" Bowser proclaimed nonchalantly. Everyone ignored him, causing his head to droop with disappointment.
"Yep..." said Pianta, looking down over their platform. "This is some view..."
"Hey, isn't there a team still missing here?" asked Toad, looking around the group.
"Hm... I think so... but who could it be?" Peach wondered.
Goomba & Koopa – Married : Currently in Last (Delfino Plaza, West Square, Grand Pianta Statue)
"Well, well, honey, it looks like things are really starting to heat up!" Goomba said. "I'm afraid that we seem to be in last place..."
"It's only the first roadblock, dear," reasoned Koopa, taking out a clue envelope and reading it aloud. "Roadblock! Who's ready to stand up to the sun?"
"The sun, eh? I don't reckon I'll be able to reach that high, since I have the movement of a Cheep-Cheep floundering on a sandy shore..." Goomba said, his eyes gazing far off into the distance. "If that made any sense at all..."
"Alrighty then. It's up to me, I suppose?" Koopa asked, stowing away the clue into her beige-colored purse. Goomba gave his consent. Koopa took a glance at the rest of the clue. "Hm... Climb the Shine Gate... Can't say I've ever done that before!"
"Splendid! Here's a map, Koopa-bun!" laughed Goomba happily, giving Koopa the map he picked up at the information desk in the airport. "It's been a while since we've been in Isle Delfino, so I picked this up in case you forgot."
"Oh, no, I remember the path to there perfectly! Just walk straight up from here," Koopa assured him. Goomba gave her a quizzical look. Koopa giggled. "Well then, I'm off!"
Noki (Delfino Plaza, Streets)
"Hmm... there's the Shine Gate," noticed Noki, who saw the great Shine Gate at a far-off distance. "I must be heading in the right direction..."
Dry Bones (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate)
Dry Bones traveled on the same route as Diddy did; a straight path from a sign that read, "SHINE GATE PATH". Within a matter of minutes, Dry Bones reached the front of the gate.
"I-I'm here..." said Dry Bones, talking to no one in particular. "W-Wow... That looks r-really … high..."
Dry Bones climbed up a steep slope to the back of the Shine Gate, where he saw a few Piantas waiting for him.
"Oh, good. I don't think anyone else has been here yet..."
Mario & Luigi – Brothers : Currently in 1st (Pianta Village, Spa)
The spa at the village was clearly a popular place, both for the locals and tourists. Aside from the steaming hot pool that laid before a great Pianta Statue, a group of dancing Piantas were waiting for them there, along with the aforementioned locals and visitors. The boys could hear the uplifting melody before they arrived, and hastily ran over to reach their destination.
"There's the clue box, bro!" Luigi pointed out to Mario, aiming his finger at the clue box sitting right next to the bust of the Pianta.
"Good job, Luigi! Mama mia, a Detour!" exclaimed Mario. "Shroom Spray or Chain Train..."
A Detour is a choice between two tasks, each with its own pros and cons. In this Detour, players must choose between Shroom Spray or Chain Train, both of which involve some of the eccentricities of Pianta Village. In Shroom Spray, players must equip themselves with a broom and bucket and search for three mushrooms that have graffiti on them. Once they find one, they must use the broom and bucket to clean off all of the grime ailing the mushroom. Players must go back to the spa and refill their bucket with water if they happen to run out. Once they have completed cleansing three mushrooms from the putrid goo, they will receive their next clue from the mayor of Pianta Village, who can be found on a Golden Mushroom near the center of the village. Teams with good endurance will excel in this challenge, as they will have to carry much weight on their backs throughout this detour. In Chain Train, players must make their way to the entrance of the village, where they will find a Pianta lady with a gabble of Chain Chomplets. Once there, the team must claim one Chain Chomplet and teach them three tricks, any three tricks at all, before they will ask the Pianta lady to confirm their tricks and receive their next clue. Teams that are good with animals or have done some tutoring work in the past may find themselves finishing this challenge in a matter of minutes, but the Chain Chomplets aren't exactly endearing, either.
"Hm... I think we should go for Shroom Spray," Mario said. Luigi gave out an audible sigh of relief. Mario knew Luigi wouldn't fancy to work with Chain Chomplets.
"I'm all for it on that one, bro."
They smiled at each other. "Okay then, let's grab a bucket and broom from the Pianta." decided Mario, calling out towards a nearby janitor.
Boo & Dry Bones – Roommates : Currently in 5th (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Top)
Boo was slightly startled when he saw Dry Bones' head peek out from the edge of the ledge. Nevertheless, he quickly floated down to meet him. Dry Bones looked relieved to see Boo.
"Oh, B-Boo, you're h-here," Dry Bones gasped, as the Pianta unbuckled the straps around his waist. "S-Sorry for t-taking so long..."
"You still made it up here earlier than some of the others, that's something to be proud of," stated Boo as he read the clue given to him.
"Make your way to Pianta Village," Boo read aloud. "Well, judging from the fact that everyone else ahead of us jumped into that red pipe after they finished the Roadblock, I'm guessing that leads to Pianta Village."
Dry Bones hastily put on his backpack while Boo floated over towards the pipe, trying to catch up with him. The two roommates left a disgruntled group of people staring at their backs as they plunged into the red pipe.
Toadette (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Back)
"That really took a while..." said Toadette, having made it to the Shine Gate after what seemed to be like hours. "Now here comes the hard part..."
The Pianta patted Toadette on the back and told her that she could start. Feeling slightly apprehensive, Toadette reached for the first foothold. She made it onto the first one without much effort.
"Well! This actually seems like it could be pretty easy!" Toadette laughed, the pain of her knee disappearing.
Toad & Toadette – Best Friends : Currently in 6th (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Top)
In ten minutes, Toadette found herself at the top of the Shine Gate, where she met a relieved Toad and gratefully accepted the next clue from the Pianta.
"I knew you could do it, Toadette! Sorry I forgot to give you a map earlier..." Toad said happily. "Is your foot alright?"
"Oh, it's nothing," she shrugged, "Although those streets did confuse me a bit... So far, it seems to me that this has been nothing but an a-maze-ing race, what with all of those turns and all that..."
Toad pointed to the clue impatiently. Toadette rolled her eyes, and read, "Make your way to Pianta Village."
"That's good news," Toad said with a chuckle of his own. Toadette raised an eyebrow. "Because the pipe leading to the village is right there!" he added in explanation, pointing over to the red pipe Toadette hadn't noticed up until now.
"That makes things a whole lot easier..." Toadette agreed. "I wouldn't want to have to navigate through these streets once more..."
Bowser Jr. (Delfino Plaza, Streets)
"Argh, I'm LOST!" Bowser Jr. shouted, attracting a few stares from the people in the pavilion he was in. A Pianta mother quickly clutched her daughter and ran away from Bowser Jr., which didn't help his attitude the least bit. "Why, why, oh WHY do I have to be lost... At a time like this..."
"There has to be a map somewhere..."
Petey Piranha (Delfino Plaza, Streets)
"I... I think I see the Shine Gate..." Petey panted, relieved to see that the Shine Gate was only a few blocks or so away, after treading through the streets for thirty minutes or so. "King Boo wasn't kidding when he said I needed to exercise... and boy, do I need it..."
"The architecture here is amazing, however..."
Peach & Daisy – Best Friends : Currently in 7th (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Top)
"Ugh, so we really did drop after all..." groaned Daisy, after she had finally reached the Shine Gate. She climbed the gate in merely five minutes, being rather acquainted with scaling cliff faces after sneaking out of her castle multiple times. "And the challenge itself took only five minutes..."
"Oh, don't be so disappointed," Peach consoled. "You did fine. We're still in the front of the pack, if I believe correctly. Or at least, we're still ahead of the people from the third flight."
Daisy said an emotionless "Thanks" to the Pianta as she snatched their next clue. "Make your way to Pianta Village. Any idea on how to get there, Peach?"
Peach clapped her hands once. "Oh, yes. The other teams simply jumped into that red pipe there."
Daisy was re-energized at once. Peach looked slightly startled when Daisy said, "Awright! Come on, Peach, I think we'll be able to catch up!"
"Where did that come from?" Peach said to herself.
Mario & Luigi – Brothers (Pianta Village, Spa Entrance)
"Okay, now that we've all geared up, it's time to find those mushrooms!" Luigi said, ready for the challenge. Which was a bit of a rare occurrence, to be contrite. "But... where could they be?"
"Probably those tall mushrooms that look like they're on fire, Luigi." suggested a jovial Mario, pointing over at a mushroom nearby, whose cap indeed looked as if were on fire. The mushroom did not disintegrate in the least, despite the flame burning atop its cap.
"I've experienced goo like that before; it can burn anything it touches, however, I think it can only burn human or rather... Pianta flesh." Mario explained to Luigi. Luigi's eager look was replaced by a look of sheer horror.
"D-Did you have to tell me that, bro?" said Luigi hesitantly, looking at the broom he was holding in his hands.
Diddy & Dixie – Dating : Currently in 2nd (Pianta Village, Spa)
"Oh, I thought I saw a glimpse of red and green..." said Dixie, looking startled. "Maybe it was Mario and Luigi."
"Maybe. Look, there's the next clue." Diddy said, grabbing Dixie's hand and running towards the clue box amidst the dancing crowd.
"Detour. Shroom Spray or Chain Train," read Dixie. "Training a Chain Chomplet? That sounds a bit difficult..."
"We've dealt with harsher things in the past," Diddy told her. "Come on, I think we should do Chain Train."
Mario & Luigi – Brothers (Pianta Village, Streets)
"I think we've found our first mushroom," Luigi said, pointing over to the mushroom that had its cap lit that they saw earlier.
"Good job, Luigi. Now we just have to scrub it off."
The two brothers finished wiping away the grime from the mushroom within a few minutes. They had used about a third of their bucket.
"That wasn't too bad..." Mario said. "Although I did find it easier to use with a nozzle and water tank."
~ Mario & Luigi : 1 Out of 3 Mushrooms Completed ~
"Me, I've tackled stains like these in our bathroom at home, but none of them burned as hotly as these..." admitted Luigi, sponging their dirty broom in the bucket.
Mario rubbed his mustache. "Time to find the next mushroom! It's a shame that the other one at the end of this bridge here doesn't have goop on it."
Yoshi & Birdo – Engaged : Currently in 3rd (Pianta Village, Spa)
"I sure hope we're in the lead, here," Birdo said anxiously, while Yoshi took out the clue and opened it.
"Detour. Shroom Spray or Chain Train? What awkward names for a challenge." said Yoshi, slightly befuddled.
"Hm, I'm not very good with animals, I hate to say," Birdo said. "Maybe the cleaning task is better for us."
"Okay then. I'm not much of a fan of Chain Chomps myself, but there was this one pup, Poochy, that was especially friendly to me and the other Yoshis..." said Yoshi.
"So, Shroom Spray it is!" Yoshi concluded. The two reptiles walked over to a Pianta that had a broom and bucket near him, waving.
Noki (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Front)
"I'm finally here... That was a bit too long for my liking," muttered Noki, speculating the steep slope she was supposed to climb to reach the back of the Shine Gate. "Is there any other way to get up there?"
She looked at the parasols scattered all over the balcony. "Nope... someone would need to do some crazy acrobatics if they wanted to get up there... Might as well just climb..."
Mario & Luigi – Brothers (Pianta Village, Streets)
The two brothers found their next mushroom behind a pile of crates on the eastern side of the village. Luigi eagerly pointed out an entire field of tiny straw mushrooms.
"Good job, bro! Looks like we've found our next mushroom." said Mario, looking at the large array of mycelium in the area.
They walked over to a mushroom in the very center of the field, where one particularly small mushroom had a small flame protruding off of the top.
"And... there! All done," Luigi declared happily, after wiping the tiny mushroom clean of its infliction.
~ Mario & Luigi : 2 Out of 3 Mushrooms Completed ~
"One more to go!" said Mario. "This is certainly much better than cleaning an inferno without a water nozzle."
Diddy & Dixie – Dating (Pianta Village Entrance)
The dating couple found a Pianta lady wearing some black-rimmed glasses standing at the entrance of the village, accompanied by eleven Chain Chomplets, all of which were bound to one wooden peg. None of the Chain Chomplets looked happy to be bound together. The Pianta lady shared their expression of irateness when they approached.
"So... I'm assuming you two are part of the Amazing Race, eh?" the Pianta lady asked. Without waiting for a response, she continued, "No matter. Any visitor is welcome to meet my darlings; no one visits them regularly anyways."
"Well then, pick a Chomplet. And don't you dare hurt its feelings in any way, or else I'll have your tails bound together on the same peg as my pets, and you surely, certainly won't enjoy that." said the Pianta, a vindictive smile on her face, as if she were challenging them to dare to even try make the Chomplets even remotely discontent.
Diddy and Dixie chose a Chomplet that looked a bit more tame than the others; how they could tell, neither of them knew. The Pianta lady yanked off the chain of the Chomplet, and with surprisingly little effort, she tied up their chosen Chain Chomplet onto another peg a few yards away.
"Very well, you may start."
"Er, okay..." Diddy started hesitantly, "Roll... Roll over." The Chomplet didn't move, and merely barked. Dixie shrank back in fright.
"This is going to take a while..."
Pianta / King Boo / Bowser / Goomba (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Top)
"Well, things are certainly looking rather dismal now," King Boo said, crouching over the edge of the platform to see if anyone has arrived after taking a glance at the other people remaining. "Oh look, here comes the shell girl..."
Everyone turned to see Noki start to slowly climb up the wall. Bowser groaned. "Where are you, Junior?"
"He's probably lost somewhere in the streets, even though he ran through these alleyways endless times from Mario while holding some sort of item..." smirked Boo. Bowser didn't hear him, and no one questioned how Boo knew this.
"My, my, why don't we just enjoy the view while we're waiting here?" suggested Goomba, tipping his hat merrily and smiling at the sullen group. "It's not everyday you get to be on top of the Shine Gate, after all."
"Yeah, it's great. Especially for someone that has acrophobia, like me," King Boo muttered quietly under his breath.
"Don't they have any air conditioning up here?" Bowser asked.
"You can withstand bathing in boiling tubs of lava; I can't imagine why you're scared of the heat," Boo piped up again. This time, Bowser heard him. Boo quickly turned away.
Goomba watched the trio fight each other verbally, a frown on his face. He turned to Pianta. "Well, I dare say, it's good that at least one of us will be able to get out of here soon, eh?"
Pianta said nothing. He merely looked down at his partner, watching her struggle to reach the next threshold.
Mario & Luigi – Brothers (Pianta Village, Streets)
"That's it. Three contaminated mushrooms, sparkly clean!" Luigi said happily, as he finished wiping off a smudge of goo off of a tall yet thin mushroom.
"Good job, Luigi," complimented Mario, taking note of Luigi's splendid cleaning work. Luigi chuckled.
"I never knew my housekeeping... err... plumbing skills would come in handy on a game show," Luigi commented, planting his hands firmly on his hips as he examined the mushroom.
~ Mario & Luigi : 3 Out of 3 Mushrooms Completed – TASK COMPLETE ~
"Now all we have to do is find the Golden Mushroom the mayor of the village is on, right?" asked Luigi. Mario nodded.
"The Golden Mushroom is on the highest set of wooden blocks; we should be able to see it from here," Mario told him. The two immediately found the mushroom, as it was glinting and sparkling in the sunlight, almost blending in with the hue of the sun itself.
"Off we go!" Mario exclaimed, waving his broom in the air. What they didn't notice as they walked toward the mushroom was that a small, flying chicken was flying directly overhead of it, flapping its wings in a devious manner.
Yoshi & Birdo – Engaged (Pianta Village, Streets)
"I believe I see our first mushroom," Birdo announced.
Yoshi turned his head around immediately. "Where?"
Birdo pointed to the set of mushrooms sitting atop a grassy hill near the pond. One of them, the one in the center, had its cap lit."Right up there."
"It... it looks like it's burning!" gasped Yoshi in shock.
Birdo shrugged. "That may be so, but the mushroom itself isn't on fire, only the cap is." she noticed.
"I guess we should head over there before someone else claims it, huh?" Yoshi said, looking anxiously at the mushroom.
Wario & Waluigi – Brothers : Currently in 4th (Pianta Village, Spa)
"There's the clue," Wario grumbled, jogging over there as fast as his stubby little legs would take him. Waluigi was already there, unsurprisingly. He tapped his foot until Wario caught up with him.
"Detour. Shroom Spray or Chain Train," read Waluigi. "What stupid names. Which one should we do, Wario?"
"Hmm..." Wario contemplated, his grubby fingers on his chin in thought. "Chain Train. Carrying a bucket of water and broom would be too troublesome. We'd have to run all over the village."
"Alright..." Waluigi mumbled, stowing away the clue. Wario wasn't satisfied by this response.
"What d'you mean, 'Alright...'?" asked Wario, nudging him in the shoulder. Waluigi looked at him in disgust.
"I just don't like Chain Chomps, that's all."
"They're feeble compared to us," Wario said, folding his arms. "Or me, at least. Come on, you shouldn't be scared of things like that anymore."
"I'm not scared, idiot!"
"Let's do it, then."
"I never disagreed with you in the first place..." Waluigi groaned.
Mario & Luigi – Brothers (Pianta Village, Mayor's Mushroom)
"Hello, mayor!" Luigi called out, as the two reached the platform of the golden mushroom. There was no response. Doing two jumps that were certainly worthy of the name of the Mario brothers, they landed on top of the golden cap.
"...Mayor?" Luigi asked hesitantly. He looked down, and gasped. He quickly poked Mario's shoulder, who turned to face him and asked, "What?". Mario looked down, and he gasped as well.
The area the mayor was supposed to be was covered by a glop of brown, putrid goo. In the very middle of the goo creating some small ripples was a small sapling. "Mama mia, what happened to the mayor?!"
"He's stuck in the mud! Or goop. We have to wash it all off to free him," Mario hastily said, wiping the mushroom cap and wringing out the excess goop in a bucket.
"Mama mia... I never knew goop could be so dangerous," said Luigi, bending down to help Mario. While he was scrubbing, Luigi suddenly stumbled and fell headfirst into the goop. Mario gave out a shout when Luigi sank deeper and deeper, until only the green cap remained.
"Oh, Luigi..." Mario said, laughing, as he wiped away the area Luigi fell into. Luigi sprang up and in doing so, splattered the goop everywhere.
"Mama mia..." said Luigi.
Diddy & Dixie – Dating (Pianta Village Entrance)
"Roll over..." Diddy said tiredly, as the Chain Chomplet ran in circles around the peg. The dating couple have spent twenty minutes trying to teach their Chain Chomplet its first trick, to no avail. The Chain Chomplet would just not listen, and instead liked to run amok.
"Gosh, this thing isn't listening to us at all! Even the Kritters were more tame than this..." said Dixie exasperatedly.
"Maybe if we use a different approach... It'll listen..." Diddy suggested, yawning.
Petey Piranha (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Back)
Petey made it to the Shine Gate not long after Noki started her climb. Feeling relieved that there was another team still here but also a bit panicky at how they might be last as well as the upcoming struggle of climbing the wall, Petey walked over to the nearby Pianta.
"Hello, I would like to err... Climb this wall," Petey said hesitantly. The Pianta bound a few straps around his waist and told him he could climb. "Here I go..."
Petey found it less difficult than he imagined. The holds had slight indents in them, so that the players' hands could get a firm grip on it, and in Petey's case, the sharp edges of his leaves. It helped lock his arms in place as he hoisted himself up to the next foothold. However, his speed was still rather slow, with Noki almost finishing as Petey reached the halfway point.
Noki & Pianta – Friends : Currently in 8th (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Top)
"That was really bothersome," complained Noki, as she took the clue and Pianta patted her gently on the back. "I'm never going to try mountain climbing again, even though Noki Bay is littered with tourist spots of them..."
"Anyways, the clue says we should make our way to Pianta Village," Noki said. She turned to face Pianta. "You do know how to get to Pianta Village, right?"
"That I do," Pianta responded. "The pipe leading to the village is right there." He pointed at the red pipe.
Noki was caught off-guard by this response. "Oh, right! How silly of me. Well, that makes things a lot easier."
Petey Piranha & King Boo – Friends : Currently in 9th (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Top)
"Thank you," Petey said, as the Pianta handed him the professors' next clue. "Make your way to Pianta Village."
"Well, off to the red pipe. After all, this is what all of the teams ahead of us did..." said King Boo, floating over to the red pipe. Petey followed. "Let's try and hurry, shall we?"
Mario & Luigi – Brothers : Currently in 1st (Pianta Village, Mayor's Mushroom)
"Oh, thank you so very much for saving me from that horrendous substance!" exclaimed the mayor of Pianta Village jovially, handing the boys their well-deserved clue. "Here you are!"
"Ya-hoo!" Mario shouted into the air. "Oh wait; we have to return our brooms and buckets."
"I'll get rid of them!" Luigi decided. Then, with surprising strength, especially from Luigi, he hurled all of the items into the air clumsily, where it was seen landing in the very middle of the spa. They could hear the splash and some surprised shouts all the way from the mushroom. "Eh."
"Woops." Mario furrowed his eyebrows at him and opened up the clue. "Make your way to the Pit Stop."
Players must now make their way to Ricco Harbor. Isle Delfino's biggest port-city, with its exotic Blooper rides and the Ricco Tower, it is here that will be the first pit stop of the race. Once there, they must find the docks and board the ship called the S.S. Delfino, where they will have to jump from a series of moving planks that will connect them to the upper part of the harbor. Teams will need to find the heliport located east of the market, where they will find the pit stop. The last team here may be eliminated.
"The pit stop, eh?" Luigi said, raising an eyebrow questioningly. "We're close to the finish, bro!"
Koopa (Delfino Plaza, Streets)
"Oh dear, I think I may be lost..." Koopa whispered hesitantly, looking from side to side with a questioning expression on her face. "The Shine Gate should be that-a-way..."
Koopa trotted along the path at a slow and steady gait, not having the least idea of where she was going.
Yoshi & Birdo (Pianta Village, Streets)
"There's our next mushroom!" Birdo said happily, spotting a goo-covered mushroom near the fringes of the village. "Be careful though, it's quite close to the edge..."
"I've got it," Yoshi stated, rushing over with a towel ready in his hand. He proceeded to wipe the mushroom at a fast and frenzied pace.
~ Yoshi & Birdo : 2 Out of 3 Mushrooms Completed ~
"Wonderful!" Birdo exclaimed.
Diddy & Dixie (Pianta Village Entrance)
"Honestly, that took long enough," said Dixie, after finally teaching the Chain Chomplet to sit when told. Dixie managed to have a bit more control over the Chain Chomplet than Diddy, probably by her calmer demeanor and attitude towards it.
~ Diddy & Dixie : 1 Out of 3 Tricks Completed ~
"At least we're making some progress..." Diddy muttered. "And lookie here, there's another team coming towards us..."
"Who is it?" Dixie inquired, looking up as she was waving a keychain in front of the Chain Chomplet's face.
"I think... it's the Wario brothers," Diddy said hesitantly, squinting to see the smudge of yellow and purple in the far-off distance.
Boo & Dry Bones – Roommates : Currently in 5th (Pianta Village, Spa)
"Detour!" Boo read, opening up the clue with his fingerless hands. "Shroom Spray or Chain Train. Which one do you think sounds better, Dry Bones?"
"U-Um, w-whichever one you'd p-prefer, B-Boo..." said Dry Bones, looking up.
"Well, personally, I think that Shroom Spray would be the better choice; I'm not too used to taking care of brutes like Chain Chomplets." stated Boo.
"M-Me neither. W-Well, I guess we're d-doing Shroom S-Spray then..."
Toad & Toadette / Peach & Daisy : Currently in 6th (Pianta Village, Spa)
By chance, the two best friend teams found themselves running together towards the spa. Without speaking much this time, other than a few hasty greetings, the two teams dashed towards the clue box as fast as they could once they entered the spa.
"Ah!" Toadette exclaimed, reaching the clue box first. She waited for her partner to arrive before opening it and reading it. "Detour; Shroom Spray or Chain Train!"
"What's a detour?" Toad asked. Toadette handed him the clue. Peach and Daisy had just arrived on the scene.
"Whew..." said Daisy. "Detour. Shroom Spray, or Chain Train. Another task already. Which one do you think we should do, Peach?"
"Hm, Shroom Spray sounds like the better choice for us, I think," Peach said after a moment of thought. "Plus I'm a bit hesitant about teaching a Chain Chomplet tricks..."
"Oh, let's do Chain Train, Toad!" exclaimed Toadette excitedly. "I've never trained a Chain Chomplet before, I heard that they can be quite tame if you have patience with them..."
"I bet..." Toad said before being dragged along by Toadette along the path that led out of the spa. Peach and Daisy stayed behind to pick up their mops and bucket.
Wario & Waluigi (Pianta Village Entrance)
"There are those two ditzy apes... Come on, let's pick a Chomp and get this over with," muttered Wario as they reached the training site.
The Pianta lady wearing spectacles gave the two brothers a thorough look before saying, "Pick a Chain Chomplet... just don't rouse them, please."
"Sure, whatever," Waluigi answered, shrugging. He pointed to a rather active Chain Chomplet that kept bumping into its siblings whenever it barked. The Pianta lady untied the chain tying the Chain Chomplet to the pole and brought it over to the one next to Diddy & Dixie's.
"Okay, let's teach this thing three tricks," Wario said decisively, rolling back his sleeve and balling his fist as he approached the somewhat bewildered Chain Chomplet.
Diddy & Dixie (Pianta Village Entrance)
"Yeah, it's really them..." Diddy said. "Let's hurry, Dixie."
"I am, don't worry," Dixie told him, waving the keychain in front of the Chain Chomplet. It seemed to have lost attention though, and turned around to bark at a passing butterfly..
"Really!" Dixie humphed.
Mario & Luigi – Brothers : Currently in 1st (Delfino Plaza, Blue-Coin Hut)
"If I recall correctly, there should be a piece of graffiti on the side of this hut that leads to Ricco Harbor," said Mario, pointing over to a hut over on the edge of a wooden pier.
When the two brothers reached the familiar hut, it seems that their first instinct was wrong. Instead of the usual luminescent 'M' graffiti imprinted on the side of the hut as it was during Mario's first visit there, there was a sign that replaced it now.
"...'NOTICE : RICCO HARBOR CAN NOW ONLY BE ACCESSED BY FERRY'..." Luigi read, while Mario looked dumbfounded. "I'm guessing that that portal is gone?"
Mario shook his head. "Er, yes. I suppose we have to find a ferry now..." Luigi chuckled.
Yoshi & Birdo (Pianta Village, Streets)
"This darn mud just won't come off!" said Birdo angrily, as she pressed down on the mushroom with her towel, trying to rid it of its filth. The two reptiles have found their third mushroom, it seems on the opposite ledge of a fruit tree.
"Here, let's use some more water..." suggested Yoshi. He handed her the bucket of water, which only had a few droplets left.
"Oh, that helped a lot," Birdo stated. "I didn't realize that my towel was so dry."
~ Yoshi & Birdo : 3 Out of 3 Mushrooms Completed ~
"Now we just have to get the clue from the mayor!" Yoshi told her.
Boo & Dry Bones (Pianta Village, Streets)
"That takes care of things," Boo said as he finished wiping a mushroom, backing up to admire his handiwork.
~ Boo & Dry Bones : 1 Out of 3 Mushrooms Completed ~
"You know, I think we might be able to catch up yet," Boo contemplated, eyeing Dry Bones as he timidly squeezed his towel into a water-filled bucket.
Peach & Daisy (Pianta Village, Streets)
"Mushroom top, mushroom cap, let's give it a clap, yes – Oh!" Daisy hummed to herself, as the two princesses found their first mushroom perched atop a ledge overlooking the abyss around the village. Its top was flaming red.
"How lovely... you hardly see any mushrooms as large as these as home; but nothing can top Little Fungitown's gargantuan fungi." Peach said happily.
Bowser / Goomba (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Top)
"Any sevens?" Goomba exclaimed, putting down a card onto a makeshift table in their observation deck. To pass the time, Goomba whipped out some playing cards and decided to play some Go Fish with Bowser there.
Bowser merely grumbled and handed over a card over to him in response. "I'm being creamed here," Bowser thought. Goomba chuckled as he looked at his hand. "Junior, why aren't you here yet?"
Yoshi & Birdo – Engaged : Currently in 2nd (Pianta Village, Mayor's Mushroom)
"Thank you, sir," Birdo said to the mayor as she received a golden clue from him. Yoshi looked down all around him, marveling at how sturdy and tall the mushrooms grew here. "Dear, come here."
Yoshi walked over to her. Birdo read, "Make your way to the pit stop. In Ricco Harbor!"
"That sounds nice," said Birdo wistfully. "Certainly much better than washing mushrooms all day!"
"That's a given," Yoshi said, laughing.
Noki & Pianta – Friends : Currently in 8th (Pianta Village, Spa)
"What a shell shock!" Noki ejaculated as she and Pianta reached the clue box. Slightly disgruntled, she pulled out one of the clues. "There aren't many left... I'm sure we must be second to last right now!"
Pianta stared at her with a solid stolidity. He said to her, "...Don't be so negative."
Noki ignored him, or at least, didn't hear him as she read the clue aloud, "Detour. Shroom Spray or Chain Train. Those are some bizarre names for challenges."
"So, which one would you like to do?" Noki asked him.
Pianta waited for a few moments before answering. "Shroom Spray."
"Right. Exactly what I was thinking too, since this is your hometown and all that; this challenge would be a piece of cake since you know the layout of the village so well," blurted Noki.
Toad & Toadette (Pianta Village Entrance)
Blasting past the others in the Chain Chomplet challenge, the two Toads, or rather, Toadette, managed to complete the Detour in less than ten minutes.
"Oh, wow, this isn't as hard as I thought it would be!" Toadette said happily as the Chain Chomplet in front of her rolled over twice, jumped once, and to end it all back-flipped in the air. The Pianta lady looked reluctantly impressed by the performance.
~ Toad & Toadette : 3 Out of 3 Tricks Completed ~
"You actually thought it was hard?" asked Toad incredulously. He thought that Toadette never took things very seriously, even if they were unbelievably difficult. But then again, Toadette did have that quality about her that made those difficult things look easy.
Wario & Waluigi / Diddy & Dixie (Pianta Village Entrance)
"Are you serious? They're done already?" Dixie said, turning to face Diddy.
"Bah! That Toad girl just got an easy Chomplet," Waluigi tried to say as an excuse.
"Either way, they've gotten ahead of us," Diddy said, frowning. "Still, at least it's only one team though, right?"
Toad & Toadette – Best Friends : Currently in 3rd (Pianta Village Entrance)
"Thanks!" said Toadette, when the Pianta lady handed over the clue to her. "Make your way to the pit stop, in Ricco Harbor! Looks like we're almost done!"
"It's just the beginning," Toad stated, hoisting their bags over his back. "But more importantly, how did you get such good control over that Chain Chomplet?"
Toadette looked rather flattered. "I've worked with animals in the past."
"Yeah, but..."
"Come on, let's go!" Toadette pulled him by the hand as she jumped into the red pipe.
Petey Piranha & King Boo – Friends : Currently in 9th (Pianta Village, Spa)
"Whew. We certainly are behind," King Boo said as he took out a clue. "Not many clues left in the clue box either."
"Anyways, Detour! Shroom Spray or Chain Train... These sound rather unorthodox," he muttered, handing the clue over to Petey.
"I think we should do Shroom Spray, what about you?" Petey said with some uncertainty.
"Yes, I think so too that Shroom Spray is altogether the better choice," agreed King Boo. "Training Chain Chomplets is no easy task, I've heard. And I can't imagine why."
Mario & Luigi – Brothers (Delfino Plaza Ferry Services Information Desk)
"Hello, we'd like two tickets for the next ferry to Ricco Harbor," Mario inquested of the Pianta sitting behind the counter. Luigi was peering at a vase filled with some rather vibrant orchids.
The Pianta tapped at a few keys on the laptop in front of her. Some whirring sounds were emitted before she handed them two sparkling tickets that read, 'DELFINO FERRIES – RICCO HARBOR TICKET NO. 358323'.
"There you are," the Pianta said. "That will be twenty coins, please. The ferry will arrive in ten minutes." The brothers handed him twenty coins, leaving a good sum of one-hundred and sixty coins left in their bags.
"I guess all we have to do now is wait," Luigi said. "Looks like we're in a pretty good position, eh, bro?"
Mario smiled.
Boo & Dry Bones (Pianta Village, Streets)
"There! All three mushrooms, wiped clean," Boo said graciously. Dry Bones peered down at the one they just washed. They could see their reflections in it.
~ Boo & Dry Bones : 3 Out of 3 Mushrooms Completed ~
"It wasn't r-really that h-hard to find the m-mushrooms after all," said Dry Bones enthusiastically. "Once you g-get the h-hang of looking f-for obscure c-clusters, it g-gets much easier."
Boo & Dry Bones – Roommates : Currently in 4th (Pianta Village, Mayor's Mushroom)
"Thank you, good sir," Boo said to the mayor. Slicing open the clue, he read right there, "Make your way to the pit stop."
"The p-pit stop?"
"It's a stopping point in the middle of a race; it signifies the end of this first leg," explained Boo. Dry Bones nodded in understanding.
"So where is it?" Dry Bones asked.
"It's in Ricco Harbor. Time's a wasting; let's go, shall we?" Boo suggested.
"W-Wow. We m-might b-be in the lead!" Dry Bones dreamed.
"I kind of doubt it... but hey, anything could happen."
Diddy & Dixie (Pianta Village Entrance)
"Really... this darn Chomplet just won't listen!" Dixie said exasperatedly, clenching her fists in frustration. Diddy put a consoling hand on her shoulder. "I got it to listen once before, I should've been able to do it again!"
"Here, let me try. We'll make it through this, don't worry." Diddy said. Dixie gave him a tearful glare.
Wario & Waluigi (Pianta Village Entrance)
"Finally! Stupid mutt..." Wario grumbled as their Chain Chomp sat down obeyingly.
~ Wario & Waluigi : 1 Out of 3 Tricks Completed ~
"Now for two more... Any ideas for a trick, Waluigi?" asked Wario to his brother.
Waluigi looked at him as if he were daft. "...Roll over? Jump? Fetch? Play dead, for crying out loud!"
"That's what exactly I want to teach this Chomplet right now..." Wario said. Waluigi could guess which trick he wanted.
Yoshi & Birdo (Delfino Plaza Ferry Services Information Desk)
"We would like two tickets on the earliest ferry to Ricco Harbor, please!" Birdo said politely. The Pianta nodded and with a few whirrs and clicks, he handed the couple their tickets.
"We're in good shape!" Yoshi said happily, peering down at Birdo, who was counting their coins. Noticing a flash of red and green in the distance, he continued, "Eh? Aren't those the Mario brothers?"
"...Looks like they finished the challenge before we did..." said Birdo absentmindedly.
"Still, it's a relief to see that we're not behind anyone," Yoshi said, laughing.
Koopa (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate)
"Honestly... That took quite long enough!" said Koopa angrily as she climbed a steep slope that led to the back of the Shine Gate. However, her high heels for the trip are hardly suitable for this easier climbing challenge, that she fell and landed at the bottom on her... well, bottom.
"Goodness!" she exclaimed.
Koopa (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate)
"There... I must've been dense to not have noticed the stairs there," Koopa said, noticing a hidden flight of stairs that were well camouflaged behind the slope. Each of the steps were covered with a layer of damp moss. Without further ado, she climbed up.
"There we are... I assume I have to climb this wall, now?" Koopa asked the Pianta once she reached the landing. The Pianta nodded.
"Here I go!" Koopa said cheerfully. She began climbing step by step.
"Dear me, I hope we're not in last..."
Toad & Toadette (Delfino Plaza Ferry Services Information Desk)
"Two tickets to Ricco Harbor, please. The earliest ones, if you will!" said Toadette hurriedly to the Pianta.
"There's a ferry that leaves at 7:15," said the Pianta, looking over the computer screen.
"Do you have any earlier trips?" Toad asked.
"Um, yes, the 6:45. That's going to be boarding in about two minutes," the Pianta replied.
"T-Two minutes? Will we make it on time?" Toadette asked her partner. Toad shrugged. "Then two tickets on that one, please."
"A-Are you sure, Toadette?" Toad asked her incredulously.
"Yes, I am. Now let's hurry!"
Delfino Ferries – 6:45 P.M.
The two pairs of red and green walked up the ramp onto the ferry, handing the conductor their tickets as they got on.
"Looks like we're off to Ricco Harbor!" Luigi shouted exuberantly, immediately running over to the side of the deck.
"Ooh, I feel all queasy..." said Luigi, as soon as he lurched over the rails to take a closer look at the clear water around them.
"We're not even moving yet," Birdo said, rolling her eyes.
"Anyways, looks like we're the only teams that made it on, correct?" Yoshi asked Mario, who was standing next to him.
"I think so..." Mario said hesitantly. He jumped when someone tapped him on his shoulder.
He saw Toad and Toadette smiling happily at him. "Hi guys!" greeted Toadette enthusiastically.
Mario looked somewhat surprised. "Er, hi, Toadette. And hi, Toad."
Yoshi gave him a questioning look. Before they had a chance to say anything, however, a large, ringing bell sounded. "ALL ABOARD!" shouted the conductor.
"I'm so glad we made it," said Toadette happily.
Peach & Daisy (Pianta Village, Streets)
"Look! There's one!" Daisy yelled out, pointing over to a cluster of mushrooms lying on the edge of a field.
"Oh, goody," said Peach.
"Okay... Just another few wipes there..." Daisy mumbled. "There! Sparkling clean!"
~ Peach & Daisy : 2 Out of 3 Mushrooms Completed ~
"Just one more, then?" Peach asked her partner, wringing out their mops.
"Yep; we're almost there."
Noki & Pianta (Pianta Village, Streets)
The two friends, while experienced of their current location, found themselves struggling to find a graffiti-covered mushroom.
"Argh! I can't find any dirty mushrooms at all!" Noki said in frustration.
"...Maybe the others already took them all?" suggested Pianta. "The obvious ones, I mean."
"That just makes things a whole lot harder for us..." Noki muttered under her breath. "I mean, we're already in the back of the pack, and now there's this! It's so … aggravating."
"You don't need to grovel any more; there's one right now."
"WHAT?!" Noki exclaimed. She looked at where Pianta was pointing. "Oh gosh, oh gosh, Pianta, you're a lifesaver!"
~ Noki & Pianta : 1 Out of 3 Mushrooms Completed ~
"...We still need two more though... This is so stupid..." Noki said, realizing the fact after she had cleaned the mushroom of all of its filth.
Petey Piranha & King Boo (Pianta Village, Streets)
"Altogether now..."
King Boo was focusing on getting rid of this one, small smudge on the mushroom that they were cleaning. This particular smudge, however, was near impossible to remove.
"Petey! A little more water, please," the Boo of royalty asked. Petey acquiesced and handed him the bucket.
"Ah... Ha!" King Boo said, standing back.
~ Petey Piranha & King Boo : 1 Out of 3 Mushrooms Completed ~
"This isn't too bad..." Petey thought, wiping his forehead with a leaf.
Diddy & Dixie – Dating : Currently in 5th (Pianta Village Entrance)
The dating couple, after spending near an hour at their detour, finally managed to teach their Chomplet its last trick (Talk, oddly enough), and received their next clue graciously from the Pianta lady.
"Oh, my, gosh! That took just forever!" Dixie said, handing the clue over to Diddy. "I'm really impressed with how you handled the Chomplet though, Diddy. You didn't work so well with him at the beginning."
"He softened up to me, I guess," Diddy said. "Giving it the keychain worked good enough. Anyways, make your way to the Pit Stop! In Ricco Harbor."
"Hooray! We're almost through. Hopefully we didn't drop too much," Dixie said happily. "But let's stop by the souvenir shop after we check-in, alright? You have to get me another keychain."
Both of them laughed.
Wario & Waluigi (Pianta Village Entrance)
"Y-You've got to be kidding me..." Waluigi stuttered incredulously. "Those two managed to teach the Chomplets two tricks in ten minutes!"
"Hey! We've gotten two tricks taught already, don't complain," said Wario menacingly.
"Yeah, by sheer intimidation... Still, whatever works..."
Boo & Dry Bones (Delfino Plaza Ferry Services Information Desk)
"Hello. We'd like two tickets to Ricco Harbor, please," said Boo. Dry Bones was standing next to him quietly, fiddling with the straps of their bags.
"Sure. Will the 7:15 ferry suit you?" inquired the Pianta, tapping away at her keyboard.
"Is that the earliest one?" Boo asked. The Pianta nodded. "Then that's fine."
"Okay... here you go!" The Pianta handed them their tickets. "Enjoy your trip, and thanks for riding Delfino ferries."
Boo handed him the coins. Dry Bones looked up, and blurted out suddenly, "T-Thank you!"
The Pianta smiled at him. Boo stuffed the tickets to a back pocket, and shouldered his bag. "Let's go wait then, shall we? We still have twenty minutes on our hands, after all."
Koopa (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Top)
"That climb sure was a doozy... But luckily I was quite the mountaineer when I was young," Koopa said, patting her face as the workers unstrapped the buckles around her waist.
"And feisty!" shouted a voice. Koopa turned around, startled. Goomba was spotted running towards Koopa. "You did great, Koopa!"
"Why, thank you!" Koopa said, as Goomba handed back her beige purse. "It was rather enjoyable."
"Is that a clue for us?" Goomba asked as a Pianta pressed a yellow ticket onto him. "Oh, it looks like it is!"
"Whew... I certainly don't have the same amount of stamina I had..." said Koopa. "So where are we going next, hubby?"
"...Pianta Village! Glorious!" Goomba said happily. "I've heard that they made great smoothies."
"Funny, I think I've heard of that too! But let's not dilly-dally; after all, we're still in a race!" Koopa reminded him.
"Indeed, that is true. You did great, dear." Goomba said, nodding.
And so, the elderly couple jumped down the red warp pipe, leaving a disgruntled figure behind.
Bowser (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Top)
"Junior... Where are you, for crying out loud?" Bowser grumbled, folding his arms.
Bowser : The time it took for Junior to get here, it was just frustrating. I felt like I could burn a whole castle down, that was how fast my patience was running low.
Bowser Jr. (Delfino Plaza, Streets)
"I've been wandering around for hours now... I'm totally lost," said Bowser Jr., who was still loitering around the streets, looking like some strange delinquent. "And no one's willing to help me..."
He sighed. "...Oh, why didn't we get a map...?"
Ricco Harbor was a rather extravagant place. All of its streets and piers were polished until they gleamed, and it had a nice breeze flowing through it consistently each day, which had a salty sort of scent; the kind of scent that reminded you of the sea, of course. There were two wooden piers and a deck leading off of the side of the main entrance, where there were a few crates and storage houses. Leading up from a metallic ramp was a large ship, the S.S. Delfino.
Mario & Luigi / Yoshi & Birdo / Toad & Toadette (Ricco Harbor Port Entrance), 7:00 P.M.
The three teams zoomed out of the ferry as soon as they arrived, with the Mario Bros. in front, best friends Toad & Toadette not far behind them, and jogging at a moderate pace were the engaged couple, Yoshi & Birdo.
"We're here! And wow, everything's so shiny," Luigi noticed, looking around in awe.
"And here's the S.S. Delfino," Mario pointed out. Toad and Toadette had just caught up with them.
"Hi, guys!" Toadette said again. "Ooh, is this the boat that we need to climb on? It looks like a cruise liner!"
"I wouldn't mind staying on that thing for the night," confessed Toad, shrugging.
"Why don't you two go first? After all, you did get here before us," Toadette said, pushing Luigi forward a bit.
"What're we doing again?" Luigi said, confused.
"Platforming, of course," Yoshi and Birdo had arrived on the scene as well. "It's a platforming challenge." Yoshi repeated.
Mario & Luigi (Ricco Harbor, S.S. Delfino)
"Eh, here's where the bars are..." Luigi pointed out, looking at the construction bars that were moving back and forth in a recurring rhythm. "I'm guessing we're supposed to jump onto them from one to the next?"
"Yep! But don't you think that this will be a piece of pasta?" said Mario, shrugging his shoulders.
Mario leaped onto the bar nimbly with that familiar 'Boing' sound that seems to mysteriously pop up whenever he jumps. Truly a trademark jump of his, but none that his brother, Luigi, can't outperform. Hurried by his older brother, Luigi took a hesitant step towards the edge of the ship deck before performing a scrabbling jump towards the bar. After a moment of brief suspense, Luigi exhaled deeply as he saw that he made it safely.
The two still had a few more bars after that though, but it took only a few minutes for them to reach the upper part of the harbor. They were the Mario Brothers, after all.
"Wee! Thanks the for the entourage, guys!" Mario shouted out to the other two teams waiting on the deck of the ship. "We'll see you at the finish line, yep!"
"I'm glad that we got that over with... Where's the heliport?" asked Luigi, wiping his forehead with the brim of his cap.
Mario directed a finger over somewhere to the east. The heliport was plainly visible in the bright sunlight. "We're almost there!" he said. "Come on, bro, let's go!"
Delfino Ferries – 7:15 P.M.
Boo & Dry Bones are the only team on the second ferry to Ricco Harbor. Feeling both a sense of dread and hope, the two departed the ship slowly as it docked onto the pier. Boo unfurled the clue once they reached the S.S. Delfino.
"Okay, looks like we have to jump on these bars..." explained Boo, gesturing to the iron bars rotating ahead of them. "There are an awfully large amount of physical tasks..."
"I-I guess so," Dry Bones sighed. "S-Still, w-we have to complete this... the f-finish is j-just ahead..."
Boo raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Very well then, let us jump..."
????? (Ricco Harbor, Heliport)
The heliport seemed as if it were in a beacon of light as two figures stood in the center of it, waiting on a pad with a colorful depiction of Isle Delfino printed on it. Rosetta blinked a few times as she squinted to get a better look at the oncoming team. Once she saw their clothes clearly, she smiled and stood back a bit to let them on.
An exuberant Mario & Luigi leaped onto the mat simultaneously.
"Welcome to Ricco Harbor!" exclaimed the Pianta standing next to Rosetta. Mario recognized him at once; it was the captain of the harbor, wearing a pair of sunglasses and his trademark captain's cap. "Oh, if it isn't Mario!"
"Hello, captain!" Mario greeted. Luigi gave a slightly puzzled look, but nevertheless turned to look at Rosetta.
"Hiya, you two! Mario & Luigi... you're team number ONE!" Rosetta exclaimed, extending her arms and waving them in the air with the air of someone trying to suppress their enthusiasm.
Mario & Luigi – Brothers : 1st Place, 7:36 P.M.
Luigi looked ecstatic. Turning to face his brother, Luigi gave him a choking hug. Mario struggled a bit before getting out, and with an expression of happiness that matched the one on Luigi's, he asked, "That's amazing. First out of eleven teams."
Rosetta paused them for a moment. "Yes, well, that's not all of it. As the winners of this leg of the race, you two have won a paid-trip to the Beanbean Kingdom, where you will experience an all-kingdom tour, tasting the fermented cola of the Chucklehuck Woods, visit ancient relics in Teehee Valley, climb the astonishing Hoohoo Mountains, and other locales."
"Really?! Wow... That's..." stuttered Luigi, his eyes opened wide in surprise.
"Amazing?" Rosetta said with a chuckle. "How amazed were you two at getting first?"
"Toad & Toadette and Yoshi & Birdo were polite enough to let us go ahead though, so we're indebted to them, in a way, for this spot." Mario stated.
"Yeah, we wouldn't have gotten first probably if that hadn't happened," Luigi explained. "Or maybe we still would've... But oh, I'm getting way in over my head."
"Still, it's nice to get first on the leg. Let's hope we'll do just as well as the subsequent ones!" said Mario happily.
"Oh, believe me. We're just getting started!" Rosetta exclaimed, beaming.
Peach & Daisy – Best Friends : Currently in 6th (Pianta Village, Mayor's Mushroom)
"Thank you, mayor!" Peach said, as the grateful mayor handed her the team's next clue.
"Glad we got that over with..." Daisy mumbled, pulling out her parasol so that she could float gently down from the mushroom.
"Me too. Here, the clue says... Make your way to the Pit Stop," read Peach, pulling out her own parasol as well as she did so. "Whew, we're almost there."
Noki & Pianta (Pianta Village, Streets)
"There's our last mushroom... Hooray..." Noki said, stomping unhappily towards a mushroom by a set of swings with its cap aflame.
"Hand me the towel," commanded Noki. Pianta pulled a towel out of a bucket and gave it to her. She began scrubbing.
"And... voila." Noki walked back a few steps to examine her handiwork.
~ Noki & Pianta : 3 Out of 3 Mushrooms Completed ~
Pianta looked at Noki, his eyebrows raised. Noki waved her hand impatiently, and said, "Come on, let's go find the mayor..."
Petey Piranha & King Boo – Currently in 7th (Pianta Village, Mayor's Mushroom)
"Thank you very much, sir," Petey said as he tore open the clue given to him by the mayor. King Boo leaned over to look.
"Make your way to Pianta Village," he read. Turning to face his crowned partner, he inquired, "Back to the entrance?"
King Boo looked satisfied. He replied, "I believe so."
Goomba & Koopa – Married : Currently in 10th (Pianta Village, Spa)
"Detour! Chain Train or Shroom Spray, eh?" Goomba said, a spark in his eyes. "Which one do you think we should do, dear?"
"I'm fine with either. But I suggest Shroom Spray. Chomplet Training just isn't my forte." Koopa suggested energetically, swinging her purse around.
"Shroom Spray it is, then!" Goomba declared to the camera.
Diddy & Dixie (Delfino Plaza Ferry Services Information Desk)
"Hiya! We'd like tickets for the next available ferry," Diddy told the Pianta.
"Here you are; the next trip will occur at 7:45. Thank you for choosing Delfino Ferries," replied the Pianta mechanically.
"It's not like we had much of a choice," Dixie murmured.
"Well, we still have fifteen minutes. Why don't we wait?" Diddy suggested, looking over at some seats.
????? (Ricco Harbor, Heliport)
Another team waltzed onto the mat, looking cheerful and happy.
"Welcome to Ricco Harbor!" the Captain exclaimed.
"Thanks!"
"Toad & Toadette..." Rosetta paused. "Congrats, you're the second team to arrive!"
Toad & Toadette – Best Friends : 2nd Place, 8:05 P.M.
"That's great!" said Toadette with a beaming smile, mirroring that of Rosetta's.
"Yeah..." Toad murmured. "Second, whew!"
Wario & Waluigi – Brothers : Currently in 8th (Pianta Village, Entrance)
"There! That Chomplet can roll over, sit, and fetch. You happy now?" Waluigi said, spitting in the Pianta lady's face. Trying to control her anger, the lady handed the brothers their next clue.
"Finally! That was seriously rigged." Wario grumbled. "Make your way to the Pit Stop."
"Yeah, no more stupid tasks," muttered Waluigi, picking up his bags.
Noki & Pianta – Friends : Currently in 9th (Pianta Village, Mayor's Mushroom)
"Thanks... Make your way to the Pit Stop," said Noki with a tired expression. "Back to the plaza we go..."
Pianta patted her gently. "We're almost there. Don't give up."
"I just hope that we aren't in last... we've done so badly..." Noki complained.
"Don't compare it to anything just yet," Pianta replied with a solemn face.
Peach & Daisy / Petey Piranha & King Boo (Delfino Plaza Ferry Services Information Desk)
"Oh, hello, King Boo, Petey," Peach greeted as the two professors walked over to them.
Daisy repeated her request. "Yes, we'd like two tickets on the earliest, please. 7:45? That's fine, but... No? Okay then."
"Wait, add two more," Peach said. Petey Piranha and King Boo looked grateful as they stopped behind the counter. "Thanks!"
King Boo said to her imperiously, "Thank you, Princess Peach."
Peach smiled. Daisy threw her an affronting look. "Look, now it's my turn to demonstrate a good trick; be friendly." Daisy rolled her eyes but nodded. "Better to make friends than enemies."
Yoshi & Birdo (Ricco Harbor, Heliport)
The engaged couple held each others' hands as they jumped onto the mat.
"Welcome to Ricco Harbor!" said the Captain.
"Thanks!" Yoshi replied.
"Yes, thank you." said Birdo.
"Yoshi & Birdo... You're the third team to arrive!"
Yoshi & Birdo – Engaged : 3rd Place, 8:13 P.M.
"We're in the Top Three... That's what I call an accomplishment, for us, at least," Birdo said while whistling a cheerful tune.
"Yeah, it's certainly a relief we're in the front of the pack," said Yoshi, twiddling his thumbs. "It's a great start."
Bowser Jr. (Delfino Plaza, Shine Gate Top)
"Junior! Where HAVE YOU BEEN?" Bowser roared, absolutely furious for the amount of time Bowser Jr. took to simply reach the Shine Gate. "We've been here for HOURS!"
Bowser Jr. flinched as the Pianta took off his straps. With a defiant look on his face, the little tyke replied, "You would've gotten lost too! You're even more of an oaf than I am!"
Bowser's eyes widened. With a furious snort, he picked up his son, snatched the clue from the Pianta, and without even bothering to open it, he jumped down the red pipe. The Piantas looked slightly confused.
Goomba & Koopa (Pianta Village, Streets)
"Why, look, dear, there's another one!" Koopa exclaimed, swinging her purse at a mushroom lingering on the edge of a cliff.
"No wonder no one chose to clean this one... It's so close to the edge..." Goomba muttered, taking out a cloth.
After a few minutes, the two finished scrubbing their third and final mushroom. The elderly couple managed to complete the task with relative ease; mushrooms seemed to pop out at them when they needed them.
~ Goomba & Koopa : 3 Out of 3 Mushrooms Completed ~
"That was certainly quick," Goomba said.
"Well, when you're a Koopa, you're naturally Quick!" said Koopa, laughing.
Boo & Dry Bones (Ricco Harbor, Heliport)
The two roommates looked eager as they stepped onto the mat, staring somewhat blankly at Rosetta. Rosetta giggled as she saw this sight.
"Hi! Boo & Dry Bones... You're team number four!" exclaimed Rosetta.
Boo & Dry Bones – Roommates : 4th Place, 8:28 P.M.
"I-Is it really?" Dry Bones asked, shocked. He shook his head as if he couldn't believe that it was true. Rosetta gave him a sweet grin and nodded. "F-Fourth... T-That's a...amazing...!"
"Everyone has been saying that so far," Rosetta said, laughing. "That it's amazing, I mean."
"I wonder which teams are ahead of us..." wondered Boo. "Still, fourth place is a nice spot to be. Dry Bones and I have done very well so far."
Ricco Harbor – 8:00 P.M.
The three teams that made it onto the ferry are Diddy & Dixie, Peach & Daisy, and Petey Piranha & King Boo. They ran out of the ferry in that exact same order.
"Is this really a port town?" Dixie asked in wonder, looking around at the beautiful scene.
"Not really... It's a harbor, you see," Petey explained.
"It looks certainly like it could be one," said Peach.
"Hey! There's the boat! Aw, cool...!" shouted Daisy, running up the ramp that led to the S.S. Delfino.
King Boo smirked. "I bet it's a lot smaller than your personal cruiser, Princess Daisy."
Daisy ignored him. Watching Diddy and Dixie prepare to jump onto the bars, the two princesses sat on the bannisters while drinking a can of fruit juice. The two Kongs jumped onto the bars nimbly and effortlessly, much to everyone's surprise. In fact, the two seemed to get past the obstacle faster than even the Mario Brothers. Peach & Daisy felt encouraged by their performance, and lifted up the hems of their dresses to follow their footsteps.
"Okay, here we go..." Daisy said, counting down from three. "3... 2... 1... JUMP!"
The two princess made a valiant leap towards the bars, and miraculously, they made it. Unfortunately, both of them stumbled as they landed on the platform, as their high-heels caught on the holes in the bar, causing them to fall off.
"Ouch..." King Boo whispered to Petey, as two large splashes were heard.
Spluttering, Peach rose up to the surface and yelled out, "Oh, darn! What do we do now? We're soaked..."
Petey shrugged his shoulders. "I guess you just have to swim back to shore and start over again."
"Bummer..." said Daisy, a frown on her typically cheerful face.
Diddy & Dixie (Ricco Harbor, Heliport)
The two dating chimps leaped onto the mat with a furtive look on their faces, fully synchronized in their performance.
"Welcome to Ricco Harbor!" greeted the Captain.
"Thanks."
"Diddy & Dixie... You're the fifth team to arrive!" Rosetta proclaimed.
Diddy & Dixie – Dating : 5th Place, 8:35 P.M.
"Fifth... That's not bad at all, considering how bad we did when teaching those Chain Chomplets," Diddy reasoned.
Dixie looked satisfied. "I'm fine with this placing... We're still in the upper pack, at least!"
Wario & Waluigi / Noki & Pianta (Delfino Plaza Ferry Services Information Desk)
Because the two teams finished their Detour at approximately the same time, they weren't surprised to meet each other at the information desk at the Plaza Hall.
Waluigi scoffed when he saw the two co-workers walk up to them. Wario turned around, and asked in a gruff voice, "Two tickets to the next ferry to Ricco Harbor."
"Okay... the next ferry will arrive at 8:15. Here are your tickets..." the Pianta said somewhat distractedly. Wario took the tickets while the Pianta turned to face the next customer.
"Let me guess – You also want tickets to the next ferry? That's the only thing we have anyways..." said the Pianta, tapping in some information on the keyboard before handing them their tickets. "That will be twenty coins, please."
"Well! Let's hope we're not in last," Pianta remarked hopefully, while Noki handed the Pianta the coins.
Noki snapped her coin purse and stowed it into her pocket before saying, "We're not. There's still the old couple behind us, I'm sure of it. And it'd be unlikely for them to overtake us..."
Pianta shook his head. "You never know."
Goomba & Koopa – Currently in 10th (Pianta Village, Mayor's Mushroom)
"Thank you, mayor!" said Koopa politely as the elderly duo were handed their next clue.
"Make your way... To the Pit Stop!" Koopa exclaimed. "Oh, it's in Ricco Harbor!"
"Ricco Harbor, eh? We'd better get a move on!" said Goomba, snatching his bags.
"Oh, I'm sure we're doing well," said Koopa, regaining her usual chipper demeanor. "Time to find a ferry!"
Bowser & Bowser Jr. (Pianta Village, Spa)
"We are so in dead last... It's not even funny," Bowser Jr. muttered, taking out the clue from the clue box. Bowser stayed silent. "This has to happen on the first leg..."
"Okay, Detour. Shroom Spray or Chain Train?" said Bowser Jr., looking up at his father to see what he would choose.
"Chain Train, Junior. Let's just get this over with..." Bowser decided, slumping away.
????? (Ricco Harbor, Heliport)
Stepping up excitedly, the next team jumped onto the mat, waiting to hear Rosetta's verdict.
"Welcome to Ricco Harbor!" the Pianta Captain said to them, tipping off his hat.
"Thank you."
"Petey Piranha & King Boo... You're team number six!" announced Rosetta cheerfully.
Petey Piranha & King Boo – Friends : 6th Place, 8:43 P.M.
"Sixth... Whew, that's better than what we could have hoped for..." sighed Petey Piranha in relief.
"Yes, there has been a few close calls today, but nothing too temperamental. It's a decent start." King Boo said.
Peach & Daisy (Ricco Harbor, Heliport)
Knowing that the two teams ahead of them had already reached the mat, the two somewhat wet princesses stepped onto the mat, looking disgruntled but also satisfied.
"Welcome to Ricco Harbor." the Captain said in greetings.
"Thank you."
"Yeah, thanks! The harbor looks awesome at night."
"Peach & Daisy..." Rosetta paused for a brief moment in an attempt to create suspense. Unfortunately, it didn't work with these two. "You're the seventh team to arrive! And er, how did you guys get wet?"
Peach & Daisy – Best Friends : 7th Place, 8:54 P.M.
"We sorta fell into the water while jumping onto the bars," Peach explained.
"Seventh, huh? We can do better next time," Daisy said.
"Yes, I think so too, but I'm just glad we're still in this race," Peach said happily, adjusting the slopping wet crown on her head to stop it from falling.
Goomba & Koopa (Delfino Plaza Ferry Services Information Desk)
"So, our ferry arrives at 8:45?" Goomba inquired of the Pianta. Upon receiving confirmation, he said, "Oh, goody. That gives us a few minutes to spare."
"My, this has certainly been quite the wild ride... Although I'd like it a bit better if there were a bit less physical tasks."
Bowser & Bowser Jr. (Pianta Village, Entrance)
"Sit, boy!" Bowser shouted at the Chain Chomplet. Instead of teaching the Chain Chomplet manners, the father and son are actually infuriating it. The Chomplet tried to take a bite out of Bowser Jr., who luckily leaped back in time.
"Yow! That thing tried to get a bite out of me!" grumbled Bowser Jr., rubbing his arm.
A vein pulsed in Bowser's forehead. In a surge of fury, the Koopa King blew a jet of fire at the Chomplet, not helping it in the least bit with its fury. A few shutters, shouts, and clicks were heard before the camera shut off involuntarily.
Wario & Waluigi / Noki & Pianta (Ricco Harbor, S.S. Delfino Top Deck)
"We're going to go first," Waluigi declared obnoxiously, stepping forward and pushing ahead of Noki and tried to against Pianta.
"Oh, be my guest!" Noki humphed, stepping back. She whispered to her partner, "Honestly, I can't believe how rude these two are! At least the others seemed to be quite fine..."
The co-workers tried to stifle a laugh as they saw the two brothers plummet into the water in what they seemed to consider a 'leap', which comprised of merely jumping off the ship by a few inches. Needless to say, their splashes were larger than that of the princesses.
"Oops... I guess we'll go on ahead of you, then!" giggled Noki, walking forward happily with a grin on her face.
Noki & Pianta (Ricco Harbor, Heliport)
Upon reaching the mat, the two co-workers gave each other a quick hug before waiting for what Rosetta had to say.
"Welcome to Ricco Harbor!"
"Thanks; it's beautiful here."
"Noki & Pianta... You're team number eight!" Rosetta told them.
Noki & Pianta – Friends : 8th Place, 9:10 P.M.
"Eighth place... and that's when we're in an advantageous spot too..." Noki said sadly. "I would've liked to have done better, but... I guess I should be thankful we're still in this at all."
Pianta looked at her. "We still have a lot of legs ahead of us; there's endless time to improve."
"Yeah. I suppose you're right," said Noki, looking up at Pianta and smiling. "Anyways, I do want to get some souvenirs... I don't come to Ricco Harbor very often myself."
Wario & Waluigi (Ricco Harbor, Heliport)
Obviously grumpy, the two brothers stomped onto the mat without even so much looking at each other.
"Err... Welcome to Ricco Harbor..." the Captain said hesitantly, unsure of what to say.
Rosetta tilted her head. "Um, Wario & Waluigi? You're the ninth team to arrive."
Wario & Waluigi – Brothers : 9th Place, 9:19 P.M.
"We would've gotten eighth if we hadn't fallen..." Waluigi mumbled, folding his arms and wringing his cap.
"Yeah, we would've... If you hadn't tripped me," replied Wario, giving Waluigi an angry glare.
Bowser & Bowser Jr. (Pianta Village, Entrance)
"There. Three tricks. Sit, Hand, and Play Dead," Bowser told the Pianta lady, who was in a short-temper. Reluctantly, she handed the father and son their next clue.
"Make your way to the Pit Stop... In Ricco Harbor," read Bowser, Bowser Jr. standing awkwardly by his side. Without speaking a word, the two departed Pianta Village in search of their next destination.
Goomba & Koopa (Ricco Harbor, Heliport)
The elderly couple ran as fast as they could to the mat as soon as they had spotted it. With an enthusiastic jump, the two blinked as they waited for Rosetta's dialogue.
"Welcome to Ricco Harbor!" declared the Pianta Captain.
"Thank you, kind sir!"
"Yes, thank you!"
"Goomba & Koopa..." Rosetta paused. Goomba and Koopa leaned forward a bit, with hopeful looks in their eyes. "...You're team number ten. Congratulations, you two are still in the race!"
Goomba & Koopa – Married : 10th Place, 9:49 P.M.
"Oh, dear! We made it!" Koopa screamed, overjoyed. She threw her purse down and embraced Goomba tightly.
"Yes! We did!" Goomba said, returning the hug.
After a few moments, the two let go of each other. Charmed, Rosetta asked them, "How do you guys feel on still being on the race?"
"Ecstatic. I'm really very pleased that we're still in the race, I thought we were done for. I feel awfully sorry for the team left behind, however," Koopa said, shaking her head.
"Now, I don't want to sound too cocky here, but I actually did have a feeling we would make it..." confessed Goomba, looking proud of himself. "But yes, I am glad I am not going home tonight, but I wouldn't mind if it was with my little Koopa-bun, here!"
Bowser & Bowser Jr. (Ricco Harbor, Heliport)
Walking dejectedly up to the mat, the father and son team looked at Rosetta disparagingly as they arrived on the scene.
The Pianta Captain tilted his hat downwards. "Welcome to Ricco Harbor."
"...Thanks."
"Bowser & Bowser Jr... You're the last team to arrive." said Rosetta sadly.
Bowser & Bowser Jr. – Father / Son : Last Place, 10:28 P.M.
"...We figured." Bowser responded, after a few moments of silence.
"And I'm very sorry to say that you two have been eliminated from the race." Rosetta declared.
Bowser & Bowser Jr. – Father / Son
11th Place – ELIMINATED
"...Still... I'm proud of my son. We've done well." Bowser said.
Bowser Jr. looked up, tears in his eyes. "Junior and I... Well, there's no other father and son in the world that has the same type of bond we have." he continued.
Bowser Jr. hugged his dad quickly before saying, "Our race... may have been short, but I had a lot of fun. Spending time with my dad is something that I wish I had more of. I definitely won't forget this!"
Bowser : I don't regret joining the race with Junior, here. He's been a great partner, and I can't blame him for mistakes that I probably would've committed if I were I his position. It's been a short race for us, but I know that in the future better Koopas would get farther than us here.
Bowser Jr. : I had a lot of fun with my dad... These things happen, you know? Getting last first... Is something that I've never experienced, and I guess it's for the better that I did. I now realize how lucky I am to have a father like dad, as well as the holes in our relationship... or my navigation skills.
Rosetta wiped her eyes, asking the Captain for a handkerchief, who plucked one out of his chest pocket and handed it to her. Blowing her nose rather loudly, Rosetta nodded her head in agreement.
Walking out of the heliport, Bowser Jr. sat on his father's shoulders, leaving proudly their own impact on the race. The camera zooms out... and so, thus ends the first leg of the Amazing Race.
Next time, on the Amazing Race.
Teams have trouble finding directions to a map store...
"Honestly, if we had a map from the map store, we wouldn't have asked for one in the first place..." Noki scoffed.
"We're lost! In the middle of... somewhere." complained Toad.
...A team delves deep into the depths of dentistry...
"Seriously? We're supposed to clean teeth?" Peach asked incredulously.
"This isn't quite what I had in mind when I meant 'deep cleaning'," said Birdo crossly.
...And an exciting Roadblock proves to be too much for one team to handle...
"This is too extreme for me... Oh, I can't take it..." Koopa said, swooning.
Well, that's that for the first leg! Sorry if it seemed a bit short, or a bit long. Anyhow, I know that it was rather badly written; this was the result after a few tries, and I'm satisfied with it, for now. I promise the second leg will be more entertaining!
And I really am sorry Bowser & Bowser Jr. had to be the first ones to go... I was actually quite interested in their character dynamics, but it appears that the complete opposite happened here... My apologies. I'll try to get the second leg completed sooner than four months, as with this leg, haha! But it certainly should take a shorter amount of time, since I mean for the chapters to be MUCH, MUCH shorter as well. Feel free to drop a review if you'd like, I'm not used to receiving criticism, but I'd enjoy getting any!