Note: I sincerely apologize for the delay, the ideas are flowing once more. :) And as a treat for having to wait so long the next three chapters will be released every three days (Dec. 15, 18, 21). Enjoy and please review!

Chapter 16 – Balls, Balls Everywhere

"WHAT A SHOCKING TURN OF EVENTS!!!" The referee shouted in the most dramatic voice he could muster.

Yoshi nodded arrogantly as he stood triumphantly at the half-court line. "Anyone else want some of this?"

Kammy Koopa started to cackle.

Lakilester gave her a look that spoke volumes. "What the hell are you laughing for? We just lost our best player!"

She simply laughed even louder, eventually regaining her composure. She pointed gingerly at the ecstatic Yoshi. "And they just lost their's."

Yoshi's smile quickly dropped. "What you talking about, Kammy?"

"Look at your foot, you stupid dinosaur. You were too excited to notice that you crossed the damn line!"

Suddenly everyone in the crowd was staring at Yoshi's feet. Sure enough his left foot had barely crossed the line.

His eyes grew wide in horror. "No, no, that doesn't count!"

"Yes, it does. I'm afraid you're out Yoshi." The referee stated.

"Ah, shit." Yoshi muttered in frustration as he made his way over to the bench.

Then all hell broke loose and balls were flying everywhere. Faces on the board started darkening right and left.

Petey Piranha was quick to get out, he was an easy target due to his size. Most of the older players didn't stand much of a chance either. That included Professor Gadd, while he was intellectually inclined he wasn't so much physically.

Soon there were twenty players remaining on Mario's team and only fifteen on Bowser's.

"Of course, Mario's the first one to get out yet his team somehow does amazing." Bowser sarcastically said to himself as he dodged a ball.

This was most likely due to Mario coaching from the sidelines. "Luigi to the left! Birdo duck! Parakarry ball to the-"

Wiggler had thrown a ball at his face. "Shut up you cheater!"

They stared evilly at each other for a moment, but that was all part of Mario's plan because Doopliss launched a ball and hit him right on the neck.

Wiggler growled loudly and turned red. He stormed forward toward Mario. He stood his ground and jumped just as Wiggler was about to hit him. He crashed into the bleachers and was rendered unconscious.

Bowser's team continued to dwindle while Mario's went slowly. Two whistle blows sounded from the referee, meaning that they could now go to the free throw line. A wide-eyed Brighton was at half court as several of Mario's teammates charged.

"Hold your ground!"

He did the opposite and started to run, he was pegged in the back with several balls.

Bowser ran forward toward them, a ball in each hand. "Grrr, take this you byotches!" He threw one at Lakilester and promptly got him out. Kammy threw one at him but he caught it. "On the evil team now, eh Kammy?"

She muttered curses to herself as she joined the growing numbers on the bench. For some reason, no one was able to hit Amazee Dayzee. She would simply run around crazily but it was like she had a sixth sense. Every time she was about to run into a ball she would turn and it would miss.

Yoshi wasn't the only one who had trouble staying within the line. Sonic dodged every ball easily because of his super speed… but he was going so fast he didn't realize he had gone over the line.

Pretty soon Bowser and Peach were the only players standing on their team. On the other side, however, Parakarry, Luigi, Amazee Dayzee, Birdo, Doopliss, Lady Bow, and Bombette remained.

Three whistle blows filled the gymnasium. The crowd cheered and the players grunted.

Parakarry smiled. It was seven to two and he was sure that they were going to win. "You know what that means!"

"Yep, it means we're going to lose." Peach said sadly with a sigh.

Bowser was quick to retort. "If you keep standing there doing nothing than yea, we will."

She glared over at him. "Well, if you hadn't of picked me I wouldn't be in this situation anyway!"

"Wah, wah, wah, woe is me, poor Peach." He replied, the sarcasm oozing as he spoke.

The princess growled and looked to the ref, a crazed gleam in her eye. "Can I throw a ball at him and get him out?"

The crowd gasped.

The referee thought this over for a moment. "No…you're on the same team, sorry."

"Dammit. Can I throw one at him period?"

"Sure, I mean, I couldn't stop you." He replied.

She laughed evilly and pulled her arm back to launch the ball at Bowser. "Take this, asshole!" Peach launched the ball and successfully hit her target, knocking him right between the eyes.

The heat of Bowser's anger fumed and was almost tangible for everyone in the room. He rushed forward with a battle cry.

Peach screamed and ran toward Amazee Dayzee. "Hit me with a ball! Get me out please!"

The idiotic flower nodded and reached out to shake her hand.

"Oh, lord. No, you fool!" She rushed forward with Bowser on her heels.

Bowser was determined to get her. "Come here, Peach, I want to show you something."

Peach ran directly toward Luigi. "Please throw a ball at me!"

"Um… okay." He tightly closed his eyes and pitched the ball forward. It was much too low for it to hit her so she ducked down to deliberately get hit.

The ball barely grazed her leg. She shouted with relief and glee. "Yes! I'm out!"

"That was real smart!" Bowser boomed.

Peach stuck her tongue out at him. "So was chasing me, you better watch out."

He rolled his eyes. "Watch out for wh-"

That was all he could get out before a ball to the head knocked him cold. The crowed roared in cheer and applause.

"Yes, folks, we all know what that means. Mario's team wins the first round! And they are now safe from elimination!"

There was a round of high-fives and congratulations at Mario's bench.

Bowser was loaded onto a stretcher where they tried to revive him. They poured water on his face and he quickly got up. "What happened? Oh… my head… I don't want to eat my vegetables, mommy."

The medical technicians looked at each other and then back to him. "I think he may have amnesia."

He pushed them away and stood up. "Amnesia my ass! I'm perfectly fine you idiots. Get away from me."

Kandy smiled that sinister grin of hers. "Thank heavens for that, we were almost considering passing you onto the next round since you were incapable to participate but since you're fine you get to keep going."

"Dammit, just my luck as always." Bowser shot back.

"We will now take a brief break. Then the winners will continue onward to see who wins the prizes." The referee stated.

"That's right, unnamed referee who is only important for this part of the story."

He looked around confused. "Who said that? Hey, my name is-"

The voice continued. "That's great, no one really cares!"

All of the contestants knew exactly who it was. Kandy confirmed their thoughts. "Tell the winners what they'll win, Johnny!"

"Why certainly, Kandy, the four lucky winners will get to return back to the base and relax in their brand new recliners!"

The crowed ooed and ahhed.

"That's right, the four lucky winners will receive the state-of-arc RelaxMaster 3000. Sit and take comfort with seven different massage levels, heat, cup holders, and so much more! Courtesy of Lay-Z-Toad. For all of your home needs take comfort in knowing Lay-Z-Toad has got you covered. A 150,000 coin value."

The referee pouted for a moment. "I want to be the announcer guy."

"Sorry I'm much more smarter, attractive, wittier, and overall cooler!" Johnny replied.

Kandy took the microphone from the referee. "Take a breather won't you?" He simply glared in return as Kandy turned her attention to the crowd. "The winning team will be divided into two teams to get us that much closer to the winners! It has been decided at random and the two teams are:

Winning Team 1: Luigi, Birdo, Bombette, Goombario, Lady Bow, Raphael, Johnny Depp, Kammy Koopa

Winning Team 2: Mario, Daisy, Lakilester, Parakarry, Doopliss, the Red Axem Ranger, Professor E. Gadd, Amazee Dayzee."

She continued in her cheery voice. "Good luck to them! Now for the suckafool losers!"

The 'Boo' signs were illuminated and the crowed booed them.

Peach rolled her eyes. "Nice touch."

"And the two loser teams are:

Losing Team 1: Bowser, Peach, Frogfucius, Toadette, Jinx, Wiggler, Brighton, Petey Piranha

Losing Team 2: Yoshi, Geno, Mallow, Twila, Jeffery Star, Sonic, Janice Dickinson, Valentina."

Thirty minutes later…

"WOW, WHAT A TOTALLY EXCITING MATCH!" The referee shouted.

Predictably, Mario's team overcame Luigi's. They were all already safe but his team gets that much closer to the lovely recliners.

"Would the losers please take their spots on the court."

Peach was extremely upset that she was on Bowser's team once again. "I can't believe that once again I have to put up with you."

"Just don't throw another ball at my face and we won't have any problems!" He scorned.

"Or I could shove one right up your-"

The whistle blow drowned out her hateful remark and Yoshi's team dashed forward. The odds were against both of them again… or so it would seem.