Refreshed by the respite, the Yoshis eventually continued on.

"Looks like we're coming out of the trees!" one commented.

"Only in the literal sense," reminded Melon. "We're just getting started on this journey."

"Just how far away is the Pit?"

"Well," Melon mused, "by a rough estimate, we should reach it by about mid-afternoon. In any case, we should—"

At that moment he was cut off by an object whizzing past. Thankfully, no one was hit by it. "What the heck?"

The Yoshis inspected the object. It was a yellow ball, about the size of any one of the Yoshis' noses, with sharp spikes all over its surface—a Needlenose.

"LOOK OUT!" Another one came rocketing towards them—they did their best to dodge it.

These Yoshis knew full well that a Needlenose did not travel in this manner without propulsion, and they soon found the source. A round, green, cactus-like being that was shooting Needlenoses out of its protruding lips: a Blow Hard.

Pinky took the initiative. She ran up to the Blow Hard, slurped up the next Needlenose with her tongue, then spat it back right into its face. The dazed Blow Hard fell to the ground.

"That'll teach you!" Pinky taunted.

"That only stuns it," said Orchid. "We need to get out of here before—"

Just then, she was struck by another Needlenose. Melon, concerned, rushed to her. She appeared to have sustained injury in her arm.

Everyone was now in a panic—Needlenoses filled the air. Somehow, they had stumbled into a veritable patch of Blow Hards. How would they get out of this?

Eventually, Night had enough. He shouted, "Everybody stand back!" and sprang high into the air. Knowing what he was about to do, the other Yoshis moved away to give him a wide berth and braced themselves.

At the apex of his leap, Night did a complete front flip, then came down to earth with all his force. The shockwave stunned all the Blow Hards in the area.

Pinky congratulated him, "You did it, Night!"

Melon was still worried about Orchid. "Are you all right?" He helped her to stand up.

"I'll be fine, Melon," she assured him. "I was hit in the arm, not the legs. Let's go, everyone!" she announced to the others. "They won't stay down for long! We need to hurry!"


The group managed to escape into another cluster of trees, which housed another "rest stop" orchard. The Yoshis began rejuvenating themselves.

Melon helped Orchid in finding a seat, once again asking if she was okay.

"I'll be alright," she restated. "These bruises will heal in time. I should take something for the pain, though," she added, wincing from a fresh ache.

She looked around, then noticed some small bell-shaped, light-colored flowers with large, hairy broad leaves. "Comfrey herbs!" She picked up a few and started rubbing them on her wounded arm. "This does wonders to mend injuries. Don't worry about me, Melon," she chuckled, noticing him still staring at her with some concern. "Once my arm heals, I'll be right as rain."

"You sure?"

Orchid nodded.

Melon finally smiled. "Good." He started walking away. "I have something else to take care of," he mentioned.

Orchid watched him go, wondering what he was talking about.