Sorry this chapter is kind of short. :P
I always seem to either have a few long chapters, or a lot of short chapters.
Which do you like better?

Dimentio's Epic Girlfriend: Yeah. :c

Wafflegirl0304: Wasn't too smart, was it? :P
And do you know what Shokuchu means? ;) Is this soon enough for ya?

.music156: Yes, of course he did. Thank you. ^^

RoseMarie Fanfics: Thanks! Ha ha ha! XD Don't worry; you'll found out what it was in this chapter. ;)
Yes, but in that game they were known as Kuribo's boot. Sockop is actually an enemy from Bowser's Inside Story. I just love those cute little guys! :3
Yeah, he should have listened to Fawful. Oh, wait. In this case maybe he didn't listen to Fawful, he would be fine. XD
Wow, thank you! :D

Hawk of the Cherrywood Vines: And that's funny? ._.
...oh, you said jk after that. It's okay then! XD

ME IS A BUNNY: I find it to be so much fun! ;3

"I'm so glad today is Friday," Star said as she shut her locker. "Two whole days of not having any homework to do!"

Dawn nodded in agreement. "I thought today would never end. I swear you guys, math class is always more boring than usual on Fridays. Always."

"You know, sometimes I think Fridays secretly have an extra hour in the day that no one really notices. That's why the school seems longer; because really it is!"

Dawn laughed. "You're crazy, Star! That isn't possible and you know it."

The whole time they were talking, Fawful had been putting books from his locker into his backpack. He only half listened to the to girls chat, as he was deep in worried thoughts.

Usually by now he would have jump in calling Star crazy as well. She came up with some pretty weird theories sometimes!

"Hey, how come you aren't making fun of me yet?" Star asked him suddenly.

"Alright then; that is your craziest theory yet. Happy?"

"Aww, come on, Fawful! You can do better then that!"

"One would think you like being made fun," Dawn said, looking amused.

Star shrugged. "I would rather be made fun of then have all my friends totally ignore me. But seriously; what's on your mind, Fawful?"

"Just stuff." Fawful closed his locker and picked up his backpack. "I haven't seen Dimentio all day; I'm a little worried."

"Yeah, I haven't seen him, either," Dawn frowned. "I don't think he even came to school. And I haven't had a chance to talk with Mimi at all today. Next time I see her I'll ask what's up."

"Here she comes now," Star said.

"Hey, guys," Mimi said as she walked up to her friends. "Ready for two days of no homework?"

"YES!" Star said, a little bit louder than she meant to.

Some near by students looked at her then laughed and shook their heads. Everyone at Toad Town High knew Star could get a little wild at times, but that was what they loved about her!

"Mimi, why didn't Dimentio come to school today?" Dawn asked.

"He caught the flu or something. He was really sick this morning so he stayed home." Seeing the worried looks on her friends' faces, Mimi quickly added, "But I'm sure he'll be fine in a few days"

"I knew it," Fawful muttered. "This isn't good…"

"Is something wrong?" Mimi asked him, looking concerned.

"I think so, but I have to go the library and do some research to be sure."

He turned and headed for the front door of the school.

"Fawful! Wait up!" Mimi, Star, and Dawn hurried after him. "What's going on?"

"I'll explain on the way," he answered. "I think I know why Dimentio's sick; and I'm almost positive it isn't the flu!"

A short while later, Dawn, Star, Fawful and Mimi sat at a table while Fawful read from a large book tiled The History of Dark Land Forest.

"Did you learn anything yet?" Star asked ten minutes later.

Fawful went back a few pages and started reading out loud.

"'Back in 1852 when folks started looking for places to settle in the Mushroom Kingdom, a large clearing was made in Shadow Woods', or what we now know as Dark Land Forest. 'In the clearing, a town was started. It was called Dark City, as the forest got very little sunlight, and settlers hoped one day the little town would grow to be a city.'"

"That obviously didn't work out," Dawn said with a smile. "Go on."

"'It was during the first winner the devious little creatures known as 'Sockop' were discovered. The villagers fed the seemingly friendly creatures and in return the Sockop shared the poisonous honey their bodies made.'"

"Why do their bodies make the honey?" Mimi asked.

"I read somewhere in here the honey is their food after they digest it. As for it being poisonous, well, thing of it as being, er…'waste'."

"So, what you're saying is," Star began, "Dimentio basically ate a Sockop's…" She couldn't seem to finish her thoughts.

Fawful nodded, knowing what she meant. "Pretty much."

The three girls looked disgusted.

"Eww!" they said at the same time.

"Yep. 'Within twelve hours of eating this honey, a villager would fall ill with flu-like symptoms. This illness was later called 'Shokuchu flu'."

"What the heck does Shokuchu mean?" Star asked.

Fawful shrugged. "It doesn't say. But you know how plants have scientific names?" He waited for the others to nod before continuing. "I'll bet Shokuchu is like the scientific name for Sockops. And it's obvious flu is in the name because of the flu-like symptoms."

Star nodded slowly. "Makes senses…"

"Good. Let's continue then. 'Victims of the Shokuchu flu were unable to keep food or even water down for more then a few minutes before vomiting.'"

"Wow." Dawn's eyes widened. "People couldn't even keep down a bit of water without getting sick? The poison must cause some serious stomach upset!"

Fawful nodded and bit his lip. "It gets worse from there. 'Due to the inability to drink water, many victims because dehydrated within a few days…many games were ended.'" Fawful read the last part in a low voice.

There was pure silence for a few moments before Mimi spoke up.

"Does…does that mean Dimentio's game could end?" she asked fearfully.

Fawful sighed sadly. "I really hate to say it, but yes. That's exactly what it means."

Oh noes! This didn't look too good, does it? :c

OMG! I was so excited to upload this chapter, I almost about Things to be Explained! DX
I'll make this quick; all of the stuff about the early days of Dark City and junk I made up.
But me and my bro made up Dark City so it doesn't matter too much, lol.

Also, a lot of the facts about Sockops I made up. :P

Will Fawful and friends find a cure? If they do find a cure, will they be in time to save Dimentio?
Will I ever finish writing the next chapter for Bowser's Retarted Story?

We'll find out the answers for the first two questions in the chapters to come.
As for the last question, well... =/

~Dawn