Note: Well, my silent audience, I hope you are enjoying this so far. I am nearing the end of this story.


Super Mario Sunshine Adventure

Episode 7: Hold It, Shadow Mario!


"Is that a relative of yours?" questioned the ancient grandpa as he munched on a banana casually. He was staring behind him at the blue imposter of the great Mario. "Quite an odd family you've got!"

Looking in the same direction as the old man, the red-capped hero could see none other than Shadow Mario standing not too far from where they were, clutching the Magic Paintbrush in his hand and looking wickedly sinister.

"He is NOT my relative!" Mario snapped, miffed.

The grandfather raised his bushy eyebrows in alarm. "Oh…well, okay then. You guys DO look alike though. Could be twins. My mistake though."

"Yeah, sure," answered Mario, his voice dripping with sarcasm. The plumber was obviously ticked.

Sonic placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, giving him a comforting grin and a thumbs-up. "Hey, don't sweat it, Mario. It's cool."

"How is this cool?" Mario blared, throwing up his hands. "Nothing about this is cool!"

The blue speedster pursed his lips and put on a contemplative expression. "Well…" he drawled out, wrapping an arm around Mario's shoulders. "It could be worse! I mean, Shadow Mario could be running from us! It doesn't look like he's doing that at the moment. We could probably catch him this time and force him to take us to the mountain so we can rescue Peach and Amy! Sounds like an awesome plan!"

Silver hopped up and down. "Sonic's right! He's got a point! I mean, look at him!" Silver pointed at Shadow Mario who was just staring straight at them deviously. "He's just watching us and he isn't running!"

"That doesn't mean he won't start running once we've reached him…" trailed Pauline, hands on her hips as she glared at the imposter. "He always runs whenever we get too close. I don't think Sonic will be able to keep up with him because of his fear of water and all."

"Ahem, I'm standing right here, Paul!" Sonic boomed, crossing his arms.

Pauline sent him a sarcastic smile. "Yeah, I know! I wasn't intending for that to be an insult though. It's a fact, isn't it? And don't call me Paul!"

"A terrible fact!"

"So?"

"So, refrain from speaking of it!"

"I will do whatever I-"

"Guys, can you not bicker anymore?" Silver interrupted their sudden banter. "It was, uh, annoying the first time. Besides, you guys are friends. Friends don't argue."

The blue hedgehog peered at the other male. "You and Blaze argued."

"Yeah, but…that's all sorted out now…"

Sonic rolled his green eyes.

Pauline huffed and crossed her arms. Even though she did that, she gave Sonic an apologetic look and hoped that he wasn't angry with her. Seeing her look, Sonic gave her a thumbs-up and a small smile.

"I'm going after him!" yowled Mario as he took off after Shadow Mario, FLUDD secure on his back. "He's not going to get away this time!"

As soon as the words were out of the plumber's mouth, Mario jumped from platform to platform until he saw Shadow Mario much closer. The fiendish clown saw him and then immediately darted away, not wanting to be caught.

"Hold it, Shadow Mario!" hollered Mario as he jumped into the water after Shadow Mario, swimming after him. When he reached him, he grabbed him by the shoulders and attempted to shove him underneath the water that they were in.

"GAH!" Shadow Mario squirmed like a snake, desperately fighting the red hero.

Mario kept a firm grip on the imposter's shoulders and dunk him down into the water once more. "You're not getting away this time!" he yelled loudly. "You're going to take us to the princess and Amy and you are going to let them go!"

"Never! NEVER!" growled Shadow Mario, using his Magic Paintbrush to spin around and whack Mario in the face with it. From the sudden assault, Mario flinched and let go of the faker's shoulders. "Mama Peach and Aunt Amy are my family! I will never let you have them, you bad man!"

Rubbing his aching face, Mario shouted, "Wow! Bowser's really got your mind all jumbled up, huh?"

"Why you-"

Before the fiend could complete his callous sentence, Mario had punched him square in the face and without mercy. Wailing, Shadow Mario clawed at his features and swung his Magic Paintbrush all around, yapping like a baby.

As that was happening, Sonic, Blaze, Pauline, and Silver all watched from afar with the grandpa and his grandson. The six individuals were all lost in their own little world. However, that all changed when Sonic decided to make a joke.

"So," he piped up, voice smug. "When are you and Blaze getting married, Silver?"

Silver's face instantly flared up at that question and Blaze sent Sonic a contemptuous glare, wondering why he would even ask something like that! Blaze was utterly appalled and Silver was just completely shocked.

"We…we aren't getting married!" squeaked Silver, mouth open in a huge gape.

Pauline giggled at Silver, finding that to be cute. Honestly, the burgundy haired woman thought that Silver and Blaze getting together was beautiful and it made her smile. She thought they were cute together and it was nice to her. That made the ravishing woman think about her own love life. Yeah, she had been with Mario at one point, but that was it. She hadn't been with anyone else since then. Would she ever find someone?

"Don't be ridiculous, Sonic," seethed Blaze, looking about ready to pounce on the blue speedster. "Our relationship just started. Don't expect much from it now."

Silver looked at the purple cat. "What do you mean by that, Blaze?!" he exclaimed worriedly.

"Doesn't mean we're going to separate, Silver…" Blaze sighed, shaking her head.

Silver smiled jovially and pulled his best friend into a tight embrace. "Oh yay!" he cheered, jubilant and merry. "I don't ever have to worry about that!"

Blaze blushed and returned his hug.

Sonic smirked at them. "Silver and Blaze sitting in a tree K.I.S.S.I.N.G!"

"We don't care….!" Silver sang while rocking Blaze back and forth in the hug.

Pauline clasped her hands together as she watched the hedgehog and feline, stars in her eyes. "You both look so cute together!"

"Wow, thanks, Pauline!" Silver beamed in her direction, totally happy.

"You're welcome!"

Embarrassed, Blaze hid her face in the hedgehog's chest, unable to look at Pauline and Sonic. Why did she even agree to engage in a relationship with Silver? Well, it was because she cared for him deeply, that's why! She wanted this! But Sonic's teasing vexed her!

Anyway, Mario was still dealing with Shadow Mario and ignoring everything else around him. Eventually, he managed to get the fiendish clown on a platform and now Shadow Mario was throwing a giant fit.

"Curses! I won't forget this!" the fiend caterwauled outrageously before dispersing.

Of course, a Shine Sprite took his place.

Sighing in exhaustion, Mario reached over and grabbed the Shine Sprite, disappointed that he didn't get to catch Shadow Mario that time.

Hey, why was it that Shadow Mario always managed to get away in the end? It was so infuriating!