Can I get the next chapter out by Saturday? I'll do one better and get it out on Wednesday! I don't know, I really felt like getting this chapter out quickly this time around, and if I wait until Saturday like I said, I'll forget.

Nan the Keyblade Master: Don't worry; it's not a bottomless pit. It's a little more complicated than that; you'll see in a second.

XxTerminaKonataxX: Wow! Not gonna lie, the length of this review scared me at first, but I was so happy to see only praise. That meant so much to me; you have no idea. I'm gonna try to talk about all of the points you made before publishing this and realizing I forgot something.

I really thought I rushed the fight scene (as long as it took me to publish it) but I really wanted to portray the emotional breakdowns happening on both ends. I feel like that happened way too fast, but I'm glad that it was still effective. Also, YES, these poor beans both need a hug! And believe me when I say I was actually mad at how good the donut burger was. Or doughnut...seems like I'm the only one who spells it like that.

The whole comforting scene was really fun to write; I don't know, something about all of them coming together like that was really sweet to write, and I'm glad you liked it.

If that whole spiel about jumping through the screen and talking some sense into characters isn't the biggest mood, I don't know what is lol. I wish I could do the same thing. We'll just have to wait for that. You mentioned that no one has talked about Cookie for a while; she's been out of the spotlight for a minute, but I can promise that she will have a role in later chapters. As for other POVs, I actually hadn't planned on delving into anyone else's thoughts for several chapters. You were right when you said that the main focus is on Daisy and Amber's strained relationship, so I didn't even realize that I hadn't focused on Luigi like at all. Maybe I can alter a few things later, so we can get some of his insight. Because you're right; we should hear from him at some point. Maybe later, though.

I know updates haven't been as frequent, but I will try a lot harder.

Anonymous Girl Gamer: The poor girls ;~;! But seriously, I'm really glad you enjoyed it.

Real quick, to all of the people that have stayed with this story despite the infrequent updates, thank you so much! I appreciate it more than I can say. So, without further ado, please enjoy!

Chapter 10

Ugh...

I came to with the worst headache I've ever had. I've never been so dizzy my life. I felt stiff and sore, as if I hadn't moved in days. Loud car horns blared from behind me, and the air was so muggy and gross that I couldn't breathe. The ground beneath me felt filthy and smelled like a dumpster. In the distance, I could hear some people arguing. Where am I?

It took a lot of strength just to open my eyes. When they finally adjusted, I stared for a few minutes before realizing I was staring at a brick wall. Two buildings rested on each side of me. That could only mean one thing: I was in an alley. Not again.

I picked my head up and turned around to face the exit. I saw people walking up and down the sidewalks and a line of cars on the street behind them.

Where the heck am I?

I stood up slowly, my body wracked with pain. I walked towards the exit as more people walked by. I looked up, and the sky was gray. There was garbage all over the ground, and the air got even worse. I started coughing and gagging as I tried to get my bearings.

What is this place?

I wasn't entirely sure where to go from here, so I was just standing there in everyone's way. Everything around me felt so foreign. I was just so confused. My stomach started growling, and I realized just how hungry I was. I figured that's where I should start; with some lunch.

I tried to walk down the street to find some food, but I kept bumping into everyone. It was a struggle and a panic to get to the crosswalk, which was only a yard away. At least thirty other people surrounded me and waited with me for the light to change. I hugged myself and started panting. I hate being in large tight crowds of people; it made me feel claustrophobic. My panting seemed to have gotten the attention of the person in front of me.

"Hey, watch it!" he exclaimed, kicking his leg back and striking me in the chest. I crashed into the person behind me; she flinched and moved over, but otherwise, didn't react. I looked at the man and he added, "Stop breathing on my leg, twerp!"

"Sorry," I replied, dusting myself off. Rude much?

Eventually we were able to cross the street, and I was able to break away from the crowd. I took a huge gasp for air, thankful that I could breathe again. I looked around at all of the huge buildings as I wandered aimlessly. I saw a big, light-up sign that said, "Best diner in Brooklyn."

"Brooklyn..." I mumbled. Why did that sound familiar? Then it hit me.

That's where Dad's from.

I don't know how...but I somehow managed to end up in the real world!

It was a lot to process; I had to sit down and lean against a building for support. How did I get here? Mom and Dad got to this world by warp pipe, but that warp pipe was all the way in Isle Delfino.

My stomach started growling and hurting. I couldn't ponder it too much now; I needed to find some food.

I stood up and stumbled around, clutching my stomach. I took in some of the sights as I walked; it would be a pretty city if it wasn't so gray. Mom said she loved her trip here; maybe it was just going to rain...I don't know. I turned a couple of corners and came across a hot dog stand. Finally!

I crossed the street and ran up to him. "Could I have a hot dog please, sir?"

"That'll be two dollars," he moaned.

"Uh...dollar?"

What in the world was a dollar?

"What are you, deaf?" He shouted rudely.

"No, sir, I heard you," I assured, nervously. "I don't have any dollars. I think I have some coins, though."

However, before I could reach for my suitcase, he said, "Nuh-uh. Bills only, kid."

"Bills?" I was so confused. What was he even talking about?

"Look kid, you got any greenbacks?" he asked, coming around from the other side and towering over me. I gulped and started shaking.

"N-No…" I whimpered.

"Then scram!" He screamed. He turned around and kicked a trash can on me. I was covered with greasy wrappers, used napkins, and ice from drinks.

"Go on, shoo!" he added, spitting at me. I stood up and ran for dear life. At least I tried, but I stepped on some loose concrete and fell on my stomach, scraping up my elbow and knee. I sat up and took a look at them; they were both bloody and dirty and they hurt really bad.

That's when it started raining. It started as a little drizzle, but by the time I stood up and took ten steps, it was raining cats and dogs. I was at a loss; I had nowhere to go, so I just sat down, curled into a ball and cried. I was cold, wet, lonely, and scared. I didn't know what to do anymore. I just wanted to go home.

I heard a throat clear above me. Standing over me was a tall woman with skin so dark I could hardly tell she was there. I could tell, however, that she had a big frizzy afro. She wore big baggy clothes, a black fuzzy jacket, and held an umbrella above her head. It looked kinda rough, but it was working as she was dry.

"You alright, little one?" she asked in a calm voice.

"Y-Yes ma'am," I stuttered. She stepped towards me and I panicked, scrambling to get up out of her way,

"Easy, honey!" she cried. I stopped moving and faced her. "I'm not goin' hurt you."

"Uh...o-okay," I replied, shivering. I was still scared, and I had finally realized how freezing I was. Out of the blue, I sneezed.

"Bless you," the woman chuckled.

"Thank you," I replied, still shaking. She held out the umbrella and I wasn't shivering so violently anymore. It was still pretty bad, though. My stomach growled loudly.

"Here you go, kid." She handed me a hot dog with mustard on it, still dry. Without hesitation, I snagged the hot dog and practically swallowed it.

"Thank you so much, ma'am!" I exclaimed. Finally, the pangs in my stomach had subsided. I sneezed again.

"You look awfully cold, hon," she said. She knelt down next to me, took her jacket off, and draped it around me. It was really cozy.

"Thank you," I smiled. I didn't feel so nervous anymore.

"No problem, sweetie," she said, patting my head. "What are you doing out here?"

"I'm lost," I told her.

"Well, I can't just leave you here, can I?" she said, holding out her hand. I hesitantly took it, and she helped me to my feet. "Come on, kid." She led me in another direction. I felt a little more at ease as we headed down the sidewalk. She walked into another alley a few blocks away. But I halted before we could go any further.

"Sorry, kid; it ain't exactly The Ritz, but it's dry," she apologized.

"Sorry, I just had a bad experience in an alley," I explained. "There's nothing in there to get me, right?"

"Don't worry, sugar. It's just me and my family."

"You have a family? And you're on the streets?"

"'Fraid so. We all grew up on the streets together. We were poor and couldn't go to school. Been camping right here in this alley for years, and we will be till we can find a home," she explained.

"I'm so sorry," I said, gripping her hand a little tighter.

"Aw, not your fault, honey," she assured. "Come on, let's go meet the folks."

As we walked down the alley, I heard a lot of squeals and screeches; I was scared, but I figured it was my imagination. It was dry; that was a bonus. It was a long way, too; it managed to get pitch black for a whole ten seconds. But eventually, I saw light and heard voices. It got a little bit warmer, too. We got to the end, and there was a fire set up in a tin garbage can with three other people surrounding it. One of them, tall and donning a bushy mustache, perked up when we got closer.

"Marla, you're back! Alright, man!" he exclaimed. He had a thick accent, but I didn't know what it was. It certainly wasn't Italian like Dad. "What you got for us, man?"

"Nothing today, Juan," Marla replied.

"Alright, then; give me my two dollars back, and I'll grab a hot dog," he demanded.

"I don't have it."

Everybody groaned loudly, scaring me out of my skin. A blonde-haired girl with a different accent spoke up.

"For crying out loud, Marla! You had the most money out of all of us, and you come back with nothing?!" she cried.

"I'm sorry, Susan. I would've, but that darn hot dog guy chased this little girl away when she couldn't buy one for herself."

"That was the last of your money?" I asked, astonished by her act of kindness.

"It was, but I couldn't let that man do what he did to you," Marla smiled.

"Someone really needs to call the police on that guy," the last person said. He didn't really have an accent; his dialect was kinda like mine.

"I know, Al, but there's nothing we can do about him," she replied.

"So kid, you got anywhere to stay?" Juan asked me.

"No sir," I answered, shaking my head.

"Hey, you don't need none of that "sir/ma'am" here, kid," he assured, waving it off. "Just call me Juan."

"Okay...Juan." It felt kinda weird calling an adult by their first name without some kind of title, but I guess I'd have to get used to it like I did with Mom before she adopted me. "If you don't mind me asking, what accent is that?"

"What do you mean, man?! You never heard this accent before?!" he shouted defensively. I screamed and hid behind Marla.

"Knock if off, idiot! She's a child; she's probably never heard your dialect before!" Marla scolded. She softened up a little, faced me, and said, "Juan's family was from Mexico."

"I'm Susan," the blonde greeted, shaking my hand. "I'm from Germany."

"Alexander and I were born here," Marla said.

"Where you from, kid?" Juan asked.

I gulped and answered, "Someplace I'm sure you've never heard of; let's just say 'it's a universe away from here.' I'm not sure how I even got here."

"Well, you're here now," Marla sighed. "How were you planning on getting home?"

"I don't know," I said. Truth is, I wasn't sure if I should even try to get home. Mom and Dad must be furious at me. I bet they wouldn't ever want to see me ever again after what I did.

"Well, we'll figure something out. For now, let's take some time to warm up by the fire, huh?" she suggested. I sat closer to the flame and felt myself warming up and drying off. I gently blew into my hands and rubbed them together to get some more heat before a question popped into my head.

"How long have you guys been living on the streets?" I asked.

"Alex and I have been like this since we were twelve," Marla answered somberly. "Juan and Susan found themselves on the streets at fifteen, and the four of us met when we were sixteen. So, I'd say we've been together for about...twenty years."

"Twenty years?!" I exclaimed.

"Mm-hm," she sighed. "But we've made it through this long; as long as we have each other, that's all the home we need."

"How have you done it?" I questioned.

"We use what we have around us, dear," Marla explained.

"That's right; everything can be used for something useful if you can think outside the box," Susan added. "Like that wood chair over there." She pointed to an old wooden rocking chair behind me.

"How?" I asked. "Aren't chairs just...chairs?"

"Maybe," Juan smirked. "But maybe that chair can also be an escape tool, or a weapon, or a jump booster. It could be anything if you know how to use it."

"Of course, some other objects require a little more bending," Marla replied. She picked up a long metal bar and leaned it up against a nearby pipe. A few bangs later, and the pipe was bent like a boomerang. Sure enough, when Marla hurled it down the alley, it came right back. My jaw dropped and I clapped in amazement.

"Unfortunately, surviving with no roof, money, job, or food means that we have to do a good bit of sneaking around and stealing, so we're a little in trouble with the law, too," Juan said.

"We hate having to steal, but it's the only way for us to survive at this rate," Alex groaned.

"It's a lot of work, too," Susan added. "You gotta be slow, quiet, and sneaky. And God forbid you make any noise or you're gonna get caught."

"That's awful," I said sadly.

"It's just the way things are," Susan shrugged. We sat in silence for what seemed like forever.

"Well, it's getting late; why don't we try to get some sleep?" Marla suggested with a yawn. Everyone else mumbled in agreement and curled up on the ground by the fire. I lied next to Marla and dozed off, but not before wondering just what Mom and Dad were up to. I probably shouldn't even care. It's not like they care about me anymore. I guess I could make this my new home. Who knows? Maybe things will work out.

Meanwhile...

(Daisy's POV)

"Honey, why don't you get some rest?" Luigi urged me.

"I can't!" I cried. "We have to find her!"

It'd been several days since Amber ran off, and no one's found any trace of her. No sign whatsoever from here, the Mushroom Kingdom, or anywhere else. All her friends were worried sick about her. Not even Diego and Diana have seen or heard from her. It was almost like she had vanished.

I was a fool, the way I acted back there. No wonder she ran away. Both kingdoms have been searching endlessly for even a sign of her; so far we've come up with nothing. I feared that something happened to her. I myself searched without rest all over the kingdom. I hadn't slept at all; I couldn't sleep, not with Amber lost out there. Who knows what she could be going through?

I paced back and forth in the living room. Where did I not look? Where could I look again? Who else should I ask? What could I possibly say to her now? Is she even still alive? These questions and more wracked my brain and gave me a searing headache. I had to stop every now and again to clutch my forehead. I could tell Luigi was getting worried about me.

"You need to relax," he said. "We'll find her, but you need to get some rest. You're exhausted and it looks like you're in pain."

"I'm fine!" I snapped. "I just-" but before I could finish my remark, my head started pounding. I groaned and sank to the couch.

"Amber wouldn't want to come back and find you like this," he told me. And I knew he was right. "Why don't you take an aspirin or something and take a nap?"

"Yeah, okay," I sighed. "Could you let Cookie inside?"

"Yeah, I got it."

He stood up to go to the backyard, and I went to the kitchen. I took a pain medication and washed it down with water. I looked at myself in the reflection of the refrigerator. I really did look exhausted, and seeing how bad I looked made me realize just how tired I actually was. I released a loud yawn and headed upstairs. Before I could take five steps, however, the back door slammed open.

"I can't find Cookie!" Luigi cried.

"What?!" I exclaimed. Great, so that's two of my babies gone missing. I followed him outside and we started calling for her.

"Cookie!"

"Cookie? Come here, girl! Cookie!"

"Where are you?!"

"Great! That's just perfect! That's exactly what I needed!" I laughed in angered disbelief.

"Hey, calm down," Luigi said. "She couldn't have gone too far; I just let her out."

Before I could panic any farther, however, I heard a bark in the distance. I turned my head around to face it; it was coming from the woods. Sure enough, I could see Cookie bouncing towards us moments later.

"Cookie, you're alright!" I sighed in relief.

But when she got to us, I could see that she wasn't alright. She wasn't hurt, but something had her really spooked. She was barking like absolute mad and bouncing around in panicked circles.

"What's the matter, girl? What's wrong?" I asked, concerned. She gave me three more barks and rushed back into the woods.

"W-Wait!" I cried. "Slow down!" Cookie lessened her pace so we can catch up. We caught up to her and she led us to a small tree deep in the woods. She stopped in front of the tree and went mental. I saw why upon closer inspection.

There was a hole at the base of the tree. It looked like a rabbit hole...except it was huge! Cookie yipped at me and brought my attention to an article of clothing in her mouth. I gasped.

"This is Amber's tiara!" I exclaimed, picking up the crown. "She was wearing this when we came back from our honeymoon!"

"Yup," Luigi affirmed. "That sure is the same one. She must have dropped it out here, which means she came this way!" I held the tiara close to me and almost cried.

"Good girl, Cookie!" I sighed. Cookie barked in response.

"Do you think she fell in this hole?" Luigi asked. "It kinda looks like a warp pipe."

"Not sure, but we should let the others know," I replied. And with that new lead, the three of us rushed back to the castle to call the others about the news. I was thrilled; we're this much closer to finding my little girl.

"I'm coming for you, kiddo," I whispered. "Please be safe."

Real quick, if anyone can guess the Disney movie reference in this chapter, you get a free virtual cookie.