We return to Ricco Harbor once again. And just so you know, I won't do the red coin mission after this. I don't find any of them to have a contribution to the story, and just consider them to be pointless.

Luigi: So, you'll skip right to the next Shadow fight afterwards?

Me: Exactly. Now, let's a go!

Mario: Hey! That's my line!

nintendoscript15

Everyone's gotta be afraid of something. Even someone like Mario. In my Super Mario 64 adaptation, Mario was terrified of the Mad Piano and the Unagi. Because that's how most players back in the day felt. Mario's not DEATHLY TERRIFIED of ghosts like Luigi is, but he still feels rather uncomfortable around them. And as for the spider fear… well let's face it, spiders are terrifying! Thanks for reviewing!

breath20k

Why thank you! It'll get better as we get deeper into the story, trust me! Thanks for reviewing!


Arriving back in Delfino Plaza after getting another shine in Ricco Harbor, Mario and Aqua decided to check in on Peach and the Toads.

Peach: Mario! Aqua! You two have been through a lot lately, huh?

Aqua: You're telling me.

Mario: Maybe we should take a break for a little while.

Toadsworth: In that case, we were just about to have lunch. Would you like to join us?

Mario: Mmm mmm! Could use some of that succulent seafood right about now!

Aqua: I have no idea what that word means, but it sounds tasty!

They head down to a restaurant in the plaza, where they had fresh seafood. As Mario was chowing down at a pineapple, Toad was looking at a guidebook of the island.

Toad: According to the guidebook, this area has a… I can't believe it! An amusement park! How incredibly cool!

Toadette: That sounds amazing! Where is it?

Toad: It's on the island visible from the western boathouse!

When Aqua overheard the conversation, she started to grow sad.

Mario: What's wrong piccolo amico?

Aqua: What?

Mario: Oh sorry. That's Italian for "little buddy". I forgot to tell you that I'm of Italian descent.

Aqua: Oh cool! I'm just a little sad because… well you may not believe this but…

Mario: What? I trust you. Say it!

Aqua: I've… never… been to an amusement park before.

Mario: Wh-what?! Why not? I used to go to one all the time when I was your age.

Aqua: I never lived near one. So I never got to go to one. But I always heard people talk about it in school, and it sounded like a lot of fun! And it was the only reason I agreed to go on this trip in the first place. I would finally know what it's like to have fun on the amazing rides! But no. Those guys showed up.

Mario: I promise I'll take you there after this whole thing is over. You can count on it.

Aqua: Thanks Mario! You're the best!

Mario: No problem!

Peach: Aw! You really do know how to make her happy.

Mario: Well what can I say? I just want her to enjoy this vacation.

While they talked, FLUDD looked towards Ricco Harbor and saw something huge land on a circular platform in the distance. It looked familiar to him.

FLUDD: Mario! Ricco Harbor is in danger! We must head back immediately!

Mario: Well, duty calls! Let's a go!

Aqua: Bye!

Our two heroes left the table and went into the M portal.

Toad: There they go. Off to save the day again.

Toadette: Well, it's their job, isn't it?

Peach: *sigh* They grow up so fast.


Ricco Harbor

The heroes spawned back in the harbor.

FLUDD: We should start by-

Mario: Lemme guess. -talking to those two Piantas that are always here. I know! They always seem to have the information we need.

FLUDD: Fair point.

Said Piantas appeared to be fuming with rage. Interested in what they were so ticked out about, Mario listened.

Pianta #1: Looks like that huge blooper thing is over at the helipad now!

Pianta #2: I can't see anything from here!

Mario: Wait, WHAT?! That overgrown blooper is still alive?! How?! I thought we got rid of it!

FLUDD: It's that Piranha Plant from Bianco Hills all over again!

Aqua: What's a helipad?

Mario: It's a large circle with an "H" in the middle that helicopters are supposed to land on. But obviously, no helicopter is going to land on one occupied by a large blooper that shoots ink! How'd it even get up there?! Can it fly? Cause that's just weird!

FLUDD: Regardless of how it happened, we must get rid of it before it pollutes the harbor again.

Mario: That I can agree on. Let's a go!

After the conversation was over, Mario used his impressive acrobatics to flip and spin up to the girdles above. Aqua just used the hover nozzle to get up, since she's not as skilled. It took a bit, but the two heroes made it to the helipad on the other side of the harbor. The moment they landed, Gooper Blooper was already sitting there, and he was furious. It was clear he wanted revenge on the adult and kid for what they did to him last time. He made pig-like squeals and immediately started with a new attack which involved him swinging his arms around the helipad.

Mario and Aqua: Woah!

They kept jumping until Aqua tripped over one of his tentacles. Then he stopped.

Mario: You okay?

Aqua: I-I'm fine…

The battle went just as it did last time. The two pulled off all of Gooper's tentacles, sprayed off the ink on his face, and pulled off the cork on his nose.

However Gooper Blooper was now even more angry when he revived, and grabbed Aqua with one of his tentacles. She screamed as he was lifted into the air.

Mario: AQUA!

Aqua: LET… ME… GO!

The poor child struggled to break free, but Gooper Blooper used another tentacle to shut her mouth.

Gooper Blooper: BLOOP BLOOP BLOOP GOOP SHLOOP!

FLUDD: He said, "You dare try to pull my tentacles off, or spray that disgusting fluid in my face, and I'll end your daughter's game!"

Mario: Daughter? She's not my daughter! She's my friend!

Gooper Blooper: BLOOP BLOOP BLOOP BLOOP BLOOP SHLOOP!

FLUDD: Now he said, "I don't care! Now leave me alone, or she dies!"

Mario didn't know what to do. He didn't want this harbor to remain polluted, but he also didn't want his new friend to be strangled to death by this monster. He saw Aqua's petrified face of fear for both her and her friend's safety.

Luckily, Mario spotted another Pink Bubble Wand next to him and grew an idea. He grabbed the wand and his red cap and shirt turned pink, with his overalls turning sky blue. The "M" on his cap was replaced with a picture of a bubble. He was now Bubble Mario.

Gooper Blooper started confused at what Mario was planning. Bubble Mario summoned a bubble and used FLUDD to fill it up with water until it eventually exploded. Gooper was left paralyzed after a wave of water hit him, and his tentacles released Aqua. Bubble Mario caught her just in time.

Aqua: You saved me!

Bubble Mario: It's what I do for a living! Now to finish this thing off!

They both grabbed Gooper Blooper's nose until he was one again sent flying and splashed in the water. The Shine Sprite appeared in his place. Mario Lost his powerup when it appeared. He soon began to cry.

Aqua: Are you alright Mario?

Mario: No! I'm not! I almost lost you to that creature! If that powerup weren't conveniently placed, you would've been a goner!

Aqua: Well, I'm okay now Mario. You saved me like how I saved you! Peach always told me that friends look out for each other, and that's what we did for each other.

Mario: Well yes, but I wasn't about to get killed! You weren't worried about losing me forever!

FLUDD: That may be so Mario, but the way you felt about almost losing Aqua is similar to how your brother felt about almost losing you in that mansion last fall. Yet you never had a situation in which you almost lost him. You gotta appreciate what you do for each other whether the situation is dire or not. It's what friends are for. And I know all of this, because my creator programmed me with these kind of feelings.

Mario swept up a tear for a moment.

Mario: You know, FLUDD. I never thought a robotic water pump of all things would be some sort of therapy for me, but it works! You're a great friend!

FLUDD: Friend? Me?

Aqua: Well, you have been looking out for us, and you'd never let us down no matter what. So yeah. We are friends!

Mario: I wish we could do something to help you in return, though.

If FLUDD has a mouth, it would've smiled. These people were treating him like an actual person, rather than just some cleaning device, or robotic slave. He was glad his creator programmed him with feelings.

FLUDD: Oh no, no! I don't ask for anything in return. My purpose in life is to help others, but I never need it myself. But thank you anyways!

Mario: No problem, buddy! Now let's grab the Shine Sprite!

SHINE!

Mario and Aqua: YAHOO!


To think I'd put both a dire situation, and a heartwarming moment in the same chapter.

Luigi: That's what happens when you're a creative writer!

Mario: Nice job! You really got me to grow closer to FLUDD.

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to fav and review! See you next chapter!