I was originally going to have Toad and Toadette break the block on top of the lighthouse to get a Shine Sprite, but then I realized "how do they get up there?" Anyways, this might be my last chapter of 2019. New Year is coming!
Review Responses
nintendoscript15
Thanks again buddy. If I end up running out of ideas again, I'll be sure to reach out to you. You can ask me for help too, if you need it.
Still on Gelato Beach, Mario and Aqua noticed some people rolling watermelons toward the surf cabana. The brown Pianta ran to them with exciting news.
Pianta: Hey, guess what! The Watermelon Festival is now OOOOOOOOOOOPEN!
Aqua: REALLY?! YES! Mario! Can we participate PLEEEEEEEEEEASE?!
Mario couldn't help but giggle at Aqua's eagerness.
Mario: Well, it is for a Shine Sprite, so why not?
Aqua: Yay!
Pianta: Why must I stand here? I'd rather be drinking a smoothie!
The Pianta ran off to have a smoothie.
FLUDD: We're gonna need to find a watermelon first.
Mario: Oh yeah, right. Let's go check out the watermelons that the others got.
They went to the surf cabana to check out the watermelons.
Pink Pianta: The guy next to me forced a coin on me, and then… We'll, he made me switch watermelons with him. Yeah! Mine was so much bigger than his! What a meanie!
Aqua: I'm sorry that happened.
Mario: Jerk!
The guy who did it just so happened to be the captain from Ricco Harbor.
Captain: Hey! Didn't expect to see you guys here! So, how about it? Mine's the biggest, right? I mean right? This thing is in the bag, man! In the bag! Wah ha ha har!
Aqua: That was that lady's watermelon, you big jerk!
Mario: Yeah, that wasn't very nice! Plus, it's cheating! You should be disqualified!
Captain: Pffh! Oh yeah? I'd like to see you two get a bigger watermelon.
Mario: Oh Ho Ho! You'll see!
Noki: I think I have the biggest watermelon right now… But what'll I do if somebody brings a bigger one?! Oh no!
Mario: Well, you better brace yourself…
They walked away.
Noki: …What?
The duo found a watermelon nearby.
Mario: Well, that was easy.
Aqua: Let's bring it over.
Mario and Aqua rolled the watermelon over while Mario whistled Gelato Beach's theme. They received laughs from other contestants.
Captain: You call that bigger?! That's puny!
Mario: Ignore them.
Aqua: Uh huh.
They rolled their watermelon across the pier and to the judge, who used a needle to pop the watermelon, splashing them in the face.
Mario: Hey! What's the big idea?!
Judge: Oh, no, no, NO! That's too small. Tiny, really. I guess I'll have to choose one of those three over there…
Aqua: Nonononono! Give us a second chance! Please!
Judge: Alright. Go get me a bigger one.
Aqua: Thanks!
Mario: I guess we'll have to travel farther.
Farther ahead. There was a bigger watermelon next to the sand cabana.
Aqua: This should be good.
FLUDD: You might wanna take mind of the Cataquacks on the beach. They may try to eat your watermelon.
Mario: Good point. Aqua, you roll the watermelon while I defend it from Cataquacks.
Aqua: Okay! Teamwork!
It was harder getting the watermelon to the surf cabana, because it was farther away, plus Mario had to defend it from hungry Cataquacks. Once they got there, the judge was skeptical.
Judge: Hmmmmmmm… Well, that's not bad. But not great, either. It's not bigger than any of those three over there…
He pops it.
Aqua: How big does it have to be?
Judge: Humongous!
Aqua: Third time's the charm?
Judge: Not a chance, ki-!
Aqua stared at the judge with a pair of puppy dog eyes. He couldn't resist.
Judge: Grr! Alright, fine!
Mario: You want a humongous watermelon? We'll give you one!
They checked inside the store for hints.
Orange Pianta: People who eat watermelon with salt sprinkled on it are not allowed in the contest. No. Strictly forbidden.
Mario: Uh… why?
Orange Pianta: I don't know, that's just a rule we've always had…
Mario: Weird…
Aqua *whispering*: Hey, Mario? Could you not tell anyone here that I actually eat watermelons with salt?
Mario *whispering*: Really? Why?
Aqua *whispering*: I don't know. I just find them to taste better that way.
Mario *whispering*: Makes sense, I guess.
Mario: Has anyone seen a humongous watermelon anywhere?
Purple Pianta: Have you looked up in the hills yet?
Mario: Okay thanks.
The three walked up to the highest point of the mountain where there stood an abnormally sized watermelon.
Mario: Mamma Mia…
Aqua: Yes! This is perfect! Let's bring it over!
Mario: Well, exactly how are we supposed to bring this all the way down?
Both realized just how high up they were and how difficult bringing this watermelon over would be.
Aqua: Maybe if we're gentle?
Mario: Well, I guess we'll try it.
They tried slowly pushing the watermelon down, only for it to start rolling really fast.
Both: NOOOOO!
They slid after it and Mario tried to slow it down. Only to get stuck to the watermelon and began rolling and bouncing along with it.
Aqua: Oh dear…
Mario: HEEEEELP MEEEEEEEE!
The Gelato Beach citizens began running for their lives. The three other contestants were horrified by the sheer size of the melon. The Noki even fainted.
Mario and the watermelon bounced all the way to the cabana where the judge was mind blown.
Mario: Ta da…
Judge: Whoa! Now, that's a big ol' watermelon like I've never seen! I don't even need to get out the caliper for this one! Congratulations! You win!
He tossed the watermelon right into the blender. It shredded to pieces and the Shine Sprite came right out.
Judge: Now, I can make the best watermelon juice for the Shine Sprites! The yearly tradition is safe, thanks to you!
Aqua came over to Mario.
Aqua: Mario! Are you okay?!
Mario: I'm fine… But great news! We won! And the Shine Sprite is ready to be claimed!
Aqua: Yippee!
FLUDD: Congratulations, you two! Why don't you grab some watermelon smoothies before getting the Shine?
Mario: Good idea. Two watermelon smoothies please!
Aqua: Actually three. I want Toadette to try one of these, since she's been missing out.
Mario: That's nice of you!
Judge: You can have them for free since you won the contest. Here you go!
Mario took one and Aqua took two. One for her, and one for Toadette.
Mario: Thanks!
Both: To the Shine Sprites!
They took a sip of their smoothies and grabbed the Shine Sprite.
SHINE!
Both: YIPPEE!
Delfino Plaza
They arrived back in the Plaza at sunset. Toadette was waiting for them.
Toadette: There you guys are! I couldn't find any more Shines, but I did notice the sky got a LITTLE bit brighter. You two are doing great!
Mario: Thanks Toadette! I think that's it for Gelato Beach though. Tomorrow, we should go find somewhere new.
Aqua: By the way, Toadette. We got some free watermelon smoothies at this festival and I got one for you, too.
Toadette: Oh really? Thanks!
She took hers and sipped it.
Toadette: I love it!
Aqua and Toadette: Cheers!
They clinked their smoothies and took more sips.
Mario: Well, I'll see you two later. I'm gonna take a walk.
Aqua and Toadette: Okay!
Mario drinks his smoothie as he walks down the peaceful streets of Delfino Plaza. He was a bit nervous of the Delfino Police catching him "slacking off" but was trying not to think about it. Peach was right there in front of the Grand Pianta Statue.
Mario: Hey, Peach!
Peach: Mario!
The two hugged in front of the sunset and sat down next to each other.
Peach: Where's Aqua?
Mario: She's hanging out with Toadette. The best buds they are.
Peach: Yeah… so tell me what crazy stuff you two have been doing.
Mario: Alright… so…
Later after the sunset…
Peach: Wow! You actually found a watermelon that big?!
Mario: Yep! It was HUGE! And I ended up rolling it all the way down and was EXTREMELY lucky it didn't pop!
Peach: *giggles* Sounds like you two have been through quite a lot.
Mario: Yeah. And I'm still thinking about what possible shenanigans we could get into next. We still need to find Luigi and Daisy's keys. You know Peach, I really like your little sister. She's a very sweet and cute kid, who's selfless and was very brave to rescue me. Kind of like Yoshi, in a way. I used to be a lot like her when I was her age, and it really takes me back to those good old days.
Peach: Oh, Mario! It warms my heart to know how great you two get along! You really are Aqua's Sprite of Light. And honestly, *blushes* I think of you as mine as well.
Mario blushes as well, having a feeling of where this might be going.
Mario: Peach…
The two started to get closer to each other, and slowly began to close their eyes. Just as they were about to touch, Toadsworth intervened.
Toadsworth: Master Mario! Princess!
Mario and Peach opened their eyes and blushed at how close they were.
Toadsworth: Err… Was I interrupting something?
Mario: Uh… no, no! You're fine. What's up? (Please tell me it's important!)
Toadsworth: I just came to let you know that it's almost bedtime, and Toad and the girls are waiting back at the motel.
Peach: Okay, thanks. We'll be there in a minute.
Toadsworth walked away.
Mario: Bedtime already? I must've lost track of time. I planned on visiting Luigi and Daisy in jail. I guess not.
Peach: Hey, maybe you'll find one of their keys tomorrow.
Mario: Good point. I had a great night with you, Peach.
Peach kisses Mario on the cheek in response.
Peach: You two, Mario.
Mario giggles and both walk back to the motel.
Later that night in Motel Delfino…
Mario slept soundly in his bed with his cap off and just wore a grey shirt with his M logo and a pair of pajama pants. He felt a tap on his shoulder and woke up. He saw Aqua standing awake wearing a blue pajama shirt and white pajama pants.
Mario: Oh, hey-a kiddo. Whatcha doing up?
Aqua: Mario, can I sleep with you tonight? I had a nightmare.
Mario: A nightmare? What was in it?
Aqua: I don't wanna talk about it.
Mario: Aw… Come on in. I won't let any harm come to you.
Aqua: Thanks Mario.
She crawls into bed.
Mario: Goodnight piccolo amico.
Aqua: Goodnight… *yawn* …papa…
Mario: What was that?
Aqua: Um… I said goodnight.
Mario: Oh…
As they fall asleep, Aqua wondered.
Aqua: (Papa? Where'd that come from?)
Aqua: D-did I just call Mario "papa"?!
Mario: What?!
Luigi: So, does that make me her uncle?
Daisy: Luigi!
Luigi: Just saying.
I'm just gonna leave them to wonder. Happy new year!
