"Rosalina has won the ultimate veto competition, and she decided to not use the Power of Veto. This decision has sealed the fate of one of the Mario brothers, and with her decision, either Luigi or Mario will leave the house tonight," Chen T. explained, speaking right at the camera, "Found out tonight, on Big Brother: Mushroom Kingdom!"
The crowd clapped and cheered wildly, overly excited with the ending stage of the game. The penultimate episode was nigh, and Chen T. looked ravishing as always. Tonight, her Toadette cap was gone, replaced by an elaborate up-do of shiny black hair, rhinestones studded into the waves. Her shimmering black gown dazzled the crowd, and real black diamond earrings dangled from her acute earlobes. Her brilliant white smile accented the outfit perfectly, and the hostess looked marvelous.
"Now, let's take a look at what happened after the veto meeting before we speak with our final four," Chen T. said, and the JumboTron to her right zoomed in on the house, showing what had happened with the rest of the week.
Mario: I know either-a-me or-a-Luigi will be-a-going home! This is awful…we were so-a-close…
Luigi: I'm just-a-surprised Mario and I made it as far as we-a-did!
Both men settled down in their bedroom, chatting feebly about what would unfold. However, upstairs, Birdo and Rosalina pondered what direction Birdo should take with her single vote.
Birdo: As Head of Household, Rosalina cannot vote. Neither can both of the nominees. That leaves just me, so I determine which Mario brother is evicted this week. Once again, even though I'm not in power, I have the power.
"From this point onward, it's simply which one we think we have a better shot at beating," Rosalina thought aloud. "Say neither of us win the final Head of Household, which one do we think either of us can beat in the end?"
"I'd say Mario," Birdo pondered, "He hasn't done much since he got back into the game, he's kind of been a floater if you ask me."
"True," Rosalina said, "And that means you'd have to evict Luigi."
"However," Birdo choked on her own words, "I think I owe something to Luigi. I mean for Grambi's sake he put Mario up last week when he could have nominated me, he didn't because he promised me. I know I didn't promise him anything, but I still feel like I owe him something."
"Well," Rosalina was sort of shocked by Birdo's thoughts, "Luigi has no enemies on that jury. He's won three competitions, and was responsible for Peach's eviction. He's played an excellent game."
"Do you think the jury would vote for him over either of us?" Birdo asked, "If you go to the end, DK would vote for you, so would Pauline, and then myself, that's three votes."
"If you go to the end however," Rosalina countered, "I think my former alliance wouldn't know where to throw their votes. Although Pauline and I would vote for you, DK might throw his vote at Luigi."
"Peach and Mario would definitely vote for Luigi no matter what," Birdo nodded, "So it's really DK's vote that matters, because we think either of us would vote for the other, and Pauline would follow suit."
"Exactly," Rosalina concurred.
"So one of us just has to win this final HOH," Birdo said with determination, "But I'm still unsure who I want to evict on Thursday."
"I think it should be Luigi, he's played a fierce game and Mario doesn't have a shot at accumulating any jury votes, accept for Luigi and Peach's. DK would vote for Luigi, but I don't think he'd vote for Mario," Rosalina pointed out.
"I just don't know," Birdo sounded stressed, "Luigi's done so much for me in this game."
"But you have to think about yourself right now Birdo," Rosalina replied.
"But if I evicted him, I know I won't get his jury vote," Birdo retaliated.
Rosalina: I might've underestimated Birdo. She's very perceptive, and if we make it to the end together, she's realizing she might be one jury vote short. I think she wants to keep Luigi around, because if DK, Pauline, and myself make up the jury, she'd win the game by a three to two vote. This game has gotten so intense!
Birdo: I have to think of every scenario that could happen, and how the jury votes would fall given that scenario. I think the only way I can win is if Peach, Mario, and Luigi are all sitting on the jury, but then that means neither Mario brother can win the final competition. Ugh, this is so hard!
"Birdo seems to be in a bind, but before we find out who she decides to evict, let's chat with the houseguests," Chen T. decided, and the JumboTron began rolling the live feed, where the four houseguests sat in the living room. Mario and Luigi were seated in the nomination chairs, both wearing matching suits, one red, one green. They looked very dapper, and they both looked steeled. They knew one of them would be leaving the game, but they didn't know which one it would be.
"Hello houseguests," Chen T. called, and the four houseguests bid her good evening.
"Now, before we begin the eviction, I just want to congratulate all of you on making it so far into the game," Chen T. praised, and the four players all clapped for themselves and shared excited looks.
"I know it's been a tough journey, but every one of you should be proud. Mario, how did it feel to be resurrected in this game, and then make it so far with Luigi?" Chen T. asked.
"Mamma Mia, it felt-a-great! Luigi's not just-a-my brother, he's-a-my best friend! To share this experience with-a-him has been-a-great!" Mario answered, and Chen T. turned to Rosalina.
"Rosalina, you've won the past three competitions, emerging from the ashes of your broken alliance, do you think you could use that as a compelling argument to the jury if you make it to the final two?" Chen T. asked.
"Yes," Rosalina said, "I think so. I've worked so hard to get this far, dodging Waluigi's blow up and preserving past the division in the house. I think I've earned my place in the final four."
"You certainly have," Chen T. nodded, "Now Birdo, some would say you've played both sides, but what would you say?"
"I would say I've made friends with everyone," Birdo countered, "I haven't played anyone. Everyone knows who I am, and I've made friends with all of the houseguests. I think my social game helped me get this far."
"Luigi," Chen T. addressed the green plumber, "Mario's second chance helped him, Rosalina's physical prowess helped her, and Birdo's social game has excelled. What has helped you get to the final four?"
"My ability to make big moves," Luigi answered, "I did the unthinkable when I-a-voted for-a-Peach! I saved Mario-a-twice with the veto, and I cast the sole-a-vote to evict-a-Pauline! I've done a lot on my-a-own!"
"All of you have earned your place in the final four, but in just a few moments, Birdo will publically cast her sole vote to evict. But before she does, both Mario and Luigi have one final moment to plead their case to Birdo," Chen T. explained. "Mario, you're up first."
Mario rose, his red suit shining, "Well-a-Birdo, you and I have been aligned for-a-while now. I think if you chose to keep-a-me, you'd know I'd-a-take you to the final two if I won the final competition. Plus, we're both-a-friends of Peach, and we'd be doing her-a-favor by sticking-a-together!"
"Thank you Mario," Chen T. said, "Luigi, it's your turn."
"Well," Luigi began, rubbing his sweaty palms together, "I know I've-a-done a lot of big-a-moves, but please don't get-a-rid of me because of that. Birdo, I nominated Mario last week when I could've nominated-a-you. I've been-a-very loyal ally to-a-you, and if you-a-evict me, then you'll be spitting on that-a-loyalty."
Birdo sort of flinched at that remark, and Luigi was content with his speech. He sat back down, and Chen T. addressed Birdo.
"Birdo, I'm sorry, but you now must cast the sole vote to evict publically. Just a reminder, but when I say the name of the evicted houseguest, they will have but a few moments to say their goodbyes, grab their belongings, and leave the Big Brother house for good," Chen T. explained.
"Birdo, please cast your sole vote to evict," Chen T. instructed.
Birdo rose from her seat, her large pink bow bouncing on her head. Her gaudy diamond ring flashed on her finger, and she looked at both brothers before beginning.
"Well, I've grown close to both of you, but my decision is based on who I find more loyal to me and who I think I can go farther with in this game. I'm so sorry, but I have to vote for someone, and unfortunately, I choose to evict Mario," Birdo stated, and Mario rubbed his hands together, nodding his head in acceptance.
"It's official Mario," Chen T. spoke, "You've been evicted from the Big Brother house."
"Mamma Mia," Mario breathed out slowly, shaking his brother's hand. Luigi fought back tears, knowing his brother was truly gone this time. Mario hugged Birdo tightly, and she whispered she was sorry many times. Rosalina and Mario hugged briefly, and the plumber in his red suit shouldered his bag, heading for the front door.
"Hey-a-Mario," Luigi called, and his brother turned around.
"I'll see you soon," Luigi said, hugging his brother fiercely. Both brothers shed a single tear, and then Mario opened the front door, holding it open for everyone to look through. He held open the second door, and after looking back and locking eyes with Luigi, he departed the house for good. Closing the door behind him.
"The final three," Rosalina remarked, sizing up Birdo and Luigi.
"Who would've thought," Luigi mumbled, looking at the space where his brother stood moments ago.
"My goodness," Birdo said slowly, "His picture is fading already." It was true, for Mario's photo on the memory wall faded from its red capped hue to a distant black and white. Only three facial photos remained vibrant and colorful, those of Rosalina, Luigi, and Birdo. The other nine photos were coated in black and white, and it pained all three houseguests to look upon the memory.
Seeing Pauline's photo faded out hurt Rosalina inside a little bit, and seeing Yoshi's face in that smiling pose made Birdo regret the way she treated him. Luigi looked at Mario's freshly faded photograph, and all three houseguests hugged one another, knowing they had come a long way.
Outside of the house, the crowd cheered and whooped for Mario. He waved to everyone, giving them a good show. He dropped his bag by the seat, and shook hands with Chen T. for the second time.
"Mario, you were evicted twice this season," Chen T. remarked, "How does it feel?"
"Oh man," Mario exhaled, earning laughs from the crowd. "It-a-sucks!"
"Well, why do you think Birdo kept Luigi over you?" Chen T. prompted.
"They were closer," Mario answered, "Luigi-a-kept his-a-word to her-a-last week, and so she felt like she-a-owed him a favor."
"That's it?" Chen T. asked, wanting more.
"That's about-a-it," Mario replied, "It was a simple decision really. I think if Rosalina hadn't of won-a-HOH though, she'd be sitting out here and not-a-me."
"That could be," Chen T. pondered, "But in the event you were evicted tonight, the other three houseguests prepared video messages for you, let's take a look."
Mario fixed his eyes on the screen, waiting to see what the others would say.
Birdo: Mario, we've played this game together for a long time. I remember when I first found out about the Dream Team, and plotted to wedge you out of the game. We've been enemies then friends then enemies and then friends. However, despite all of that, you deserved your spot in the final four and I'm truly sorry you didn't make it any farther.
Rosalina: Oh Mario, I'm sorry that you were evicted tonight. You did so well with your second chance in the game, and I think things really did turn around for you. Unfortunately, we were never truly aligned, and for that reason, you are now outside of the house.
Luigi: Mamma Mia, Mario, I am-a-so upset and so-a-sorry if you are-a-watching this! I'm going to fight so hard in the final-a-competition for both of us, and I can't wait to bring-a-home the prize! It's going to be-a-tough without you, but I won't-a-give up! Goodbye bro!
"Well Mario, you had a fabulous run," Chen T. said with admiration, "But now, we must say goodbye once and for all." Mario nodded, shaking Chen T.'s hand one last time and then exiting the stage, becoming the fourth member of the jury.
"When we return, the three part final Head of Household competition will begin, and we'll see who is advancing directly to the final round. Stay with us," Chen T. said with a smile, and the cameras panned out.
The shot focused in on the hostess upon returning, and she spoke with bravado.
"Welcome back, before we left, Mario became the fourth member of the jury, and now the power is up for grabs for the last time this season. Birdo, Luigi, and Rosalina will compete for the final Head of Household title, and the first part begins now. Let's go to the backyard to check in with our final three," Chen T. proposed, and the JumboTron switched to an image of the three houseguests outside.
"Hello Final Three," Chen T. said with gusto, and the three houseguests smiled at their accomplishments. Each of them had played a stupendous game in their own right, Rosalina with her strategic alliance and competition prowess, Birdo with her social fluidity, and Luigi with his bravery in making big moves. Each one was now standing on the edge of 500,000 coins, but only one would walk away with prize.
"This is the first part of the three part Head of Household competition," Chen T. explained, "And the game is rather simple. The competition style is endurance, and the object is to be the last one hanging onto your koopa shell? Does everyone understand?"
The houseguests nodded, each one sitting on the flat top of an upside down koopa shell. They all were seated in a large pool of water, and were floating about on their shells. Whichever player remained on the shell for the longest amount of time would win, and falling off would result in elimination.
"Alright, then the competition begins now. Good luck houseguests," Chen T. said, and her voice floated out of the backyard. The game had begun.
Staying on was relatively easy for the most part. The shell rocked back and forth gently in the water, and the houseguests all kept their distance for one another. The game went on like this for a good ten minutes.
Then, the pool shook, and small waves were generated on the outer ring. Sweeping into the middle, the waves collided with the shells and produced small tremors, but they caused the houseguests to wobble. Their shells rocked back and forth with greater momentum, and the waves increased in power.
"Whoa!" Birdo called out, trying her best to hold on. The waves kept on coming, increasing in size and power. It wasn't long before Birdo's finger slipped, but she grasped for a grip and found one underneath the shell. She subsequently wrapped her other hand around the underside of the shell, finding it made for a fabulous hold. Running her fingers along the inside, she was able to maintain her balance in the frenzy of waves.
Then, tiny jet streams began pounding the shells from the bottom. On the floor of the pool, small cannons had opened up, and propulsions of compressed air were shooting upwards, slamming into the shells and causing them to bob about. This, in addition to the waves, made holding on even harder.
The game had gone on for about thirty minutes now. At various times, each houseguest had lost their balance, but they regained it every time. The waves would die down, then regenerate. Same with the jet streams. But sometimes, they would both be going at the same time with full force. Birdo was clutching the underside, her knuckles ghost white. Luigi was holding onto the top, but around the edges, so he had a good grip.
A large wave crashed down on Rosalina's shell, sweeping her right off. At the thirty four minute mark, the space beauty cursed, sliding off of her shell into the water. She had been eliminated, and the wave that trumped her continued along, its wake colliding with Luigi and Birdo. Renewed by Rosalina's fall, both competitors received a resurgence of motivation.
Beating herself up on the inside, Rosalina dried herself off and took a seat on the bench. She planned on watching Luigi and Birdo battle it out, but now she knew she had to win the next round, or she'd have no shot at winning the final HOH.
Birdo's fingers began to cramp up, but so did Luigi's. They had been here before, during the In Orbit challenge, where Luigi had to bribe Birdo to get her to let go. No bribes would work now, and the jeweler and the plumber held on for everything they had in them, every scrap of desire to claim the grand prize.
But one of them didn't have enough reserve. Another wave, strong as the one that had destroyed Rosalina, came surging through the pool. Both Luigi and Birdo noticed it, and they both held on tighter than before. But as they wave came in contact with their shells at the same time, only one managed to stay on.
"Congratulations Luigi!" Chen T.'s voice rang out from the loudspeaker, "You have won the first part of the final HOH competition, and will be directly moving on to round three!" Luigi cheered to himself, and Birdo hung her head in the freezing water. She paddled to the outside, and Rosalina helped her out. Luigi had just earned a ticket to the third round, and he couldn't be happier.
"Good work Luigi," Rosalina commented, and the plumber nodded, sensing the ice in the tone. Birdo seemed alright, not holding a grudge against Luigi. But she had paid her due, and he expected her to show no mercy if she progressed to the third round. But for now, he was safe. In the second part, the skill style competition, Rosalina and Birdo would battle it out, and only one of them would move on.
The game was coming to its final act, and all three players vowed to be standing there until the end.
Unfortunately, two were wrong.
Well, an eventful penultimate chapter! Birdo evicted Mario, which I'm sure did not surprise most of my readers, since Luigi had done her a massive favor last week. But, did she do the right thing, seeing as how Luigi just won the first part of the final HOH competition? Who will win the skill style battle, Rosalina or Birdo? And who will be crowned as the final HOH of the season? Plus, the final HOH will immediately evict someone during the finale, and then after some questions from the jury, a winner will be crowned! All of this and more, next time on Big Brother: Mushroom Kingdom!
Plus, I just wanted to say that this chapter will more than likely break the 100 review mark. Thank you to everyone for reviewing and reading, it is my audience that I put on for!
Also, I'm glad at seeing all of the enthusiasm for Season 2! It's almost here, the season will kick off this Sunday!
-AdmiralBobbery