The train arrived at the Mushroom Kingdom. The girls stepped out and were greeted by small mushroom people, with red, blue, yellow, and pink spots on their white heads. They laughed and cheered and gave them all gift baskets, for welcoming to the Video Game World. The Mushroom Kingdom looked like an 8-Bit Mario game (Level 4-1).

A Toad laughed, "Welcome!"

The basket had a card that says: "Gift basket for outsiders. Mushrooms and power-ups, galore. Use responsibly and wisely."

"They sure are hospitable." Mai giggled.

A blue Toad called, "We have a huge coin field for our vending machines, too! We have such items that are NOT in the basket – 1-UP Mushrooms, Tanooki Suits, Hammer Suits, Cape Feathers, Metal Caps, and other vital items! Keep them, all you want. But they don't work, outside the world."

Tohru asked, "Uh… Why are we even here?"

The red Toad said, "Look at your wrists!"

They looked at their left wrist. On it was an LED number on their wrist, with the number zero on it.

The Toad continued, "That signifies how many lives you have. Stock up on 1-UP lives, as possible. They always come for the extra lives. However, if you die, well, bring your corpse back here and get some coins. We have an endless supply of power-ups."

Arisa said, "In other words, we die, we come back to life, right?"

Motoko smiled, "Well, be that as it may, having a meter on me seemed very awful."

Hanajima said, "We should get coins, before we head to the next train to iHyrule. The next train isn't until tomorrow."

Tohru laughed, "Then, there's time. Let's look around and see what we find here. We can make the delivery, afterwards."

She brought the package with and said, "Good thing the Conductor watched it for us."

Mai said, "You think we may find some mushrooms, too?"

Motoko stated, "Hopefully. In this world, they're safe. It's like they made drug-induced fungus into powerful truffles."

Tohru walked away from the others, as Arisa said, "Same thing. But we should stay together, in case any danger confides here."

Mio nervously said, "I don't like this play. It's so 8-bit."

They stared at her and were uneasy.

"Is there any reason it's not?" They asked.

Chapter 4
Plum Player (Part 1)

Tohru was in a grassy field, as the Athletic Theme of New Super Mario Bros was playing. She walked through the grass, as the Goombas and Koopas were walking by, dancing a bit, in some parts.

"How impressive. These creatures look bad, but they have such jovial skill," she said, "Maybe I should visit here, soon."

She then found a ? Block and said, "Oh. Maybe some coins will appear."

She punched the blocks and out came some coins and a Super Mushroom. It landed on Tohru and did nothing. Tohru read the instructions on the top.

"To activate power-up, pull white tab on the back. Super Mushrooms are like armor. One hit, and you lose your power."

She nervously said, "Oh… This is sudden. Who knew the mushrooms could be instructive. But I cannot die here. Not while I have a mission to do, and a promise to make."

She pulled the tab and glowed a bit. Nothing. All it did was make her stronger. Sadly, nothing changed about her. She read the label again.

"Caution: Outsiders cannot change, when consuming Super Mushrooms. See Life Counter for more details."

She examined her wrist and saw the mushroom, under her 0.

"Oh, what a relief." She smiled, "And here I thought I'd-."

She tripped and fell into the grass, hurting herself. She got up and said, "That hurts."

She then gasped and saw a white triangle with a black square and blue eyes. She thought, "Huh? What is that?"

We'll check back, later.

XXXXX

Jo and Lightning consumed some power-ups, as they were by the boardwalk. They sat down and had a meeting.

"No phone…" Jo sighed in disdain, "We're stuck here, until we return from iHyrule. I'm telling you, it's high time we start tailing the troublemakers."

Lightning started eating a lot of mushrooms and eggplants. He said, "SHA-weet! This has MEGA Protein!"

Jo shouted, "WILL YOU LISTEN TO ME?"

"Sorry. But Lightning wanted to taste some of these homemade power-ups!"

"It's something out of Sam's area."

"I know!"

Their LED Life Meter says "1". They had one 1-UP Mushroom, earlier.

Jo explained, "Well, they said that iHyrule's express train is set for tomorrow. For now, we spy on the girls, and see where they go."

Lightning smiled, "No biggie. Lightning has gotten to competition bug, since losing to that nerd. I wanted to try out and face that champion of Mushroom Kingdom, King Bowser! Sha-Koopa is Sha-kaput! Needs work, I know…"

A Koopa appeared, in a very sad mood. He was badly beaten up, as he walked by the Antagony thugs.

"YO! Turtle!" Jo cried, "What happened to you?"

The Koopa screeched and ran off. The Goombas cried, "ABOBO?"

The monsters ran off, as Jo and Lightning gasped, seeing a zeppelin of a huge tan-skinned man, with a mustache and a ripped body. It was Abobo on the screen. He laughed on the screen and the text says "Champion of Video Game World!"

"Sha-please! Lightning ain't scared of such a steroid freak!"

"That's what I like to hear. Maybe we can be a champion!"

They plotted, "Forget Tohru Honda… for now… we'll dethrone the champion. PAYBACK FOR CAMERON OF THE GOOD TEENS!"

The Good Teens consist of Cameron, Izzy, Mike, B, Dawn, Bridgette, Geoff, Zoey, Owen, and DJ.
Antagony consists of Jo, Lightning, Alejandro, Sierra, Cody, Courtney, Scott, Sam, Dakota, and Brick.
How Total Drama can you get?

The Resistance Girls were in a grassy field, as they were looking for Tohru.

"Tohru! Where are you?" Arisa cried.

Minami sneered, "We should've left her there."

Motoko said, "It's not natural. Even if she's our rival, she's still a private. That means… we cannot leave a woman behind."

Mai shouted, "You're right!"

Mio cheered, "We'll never leave one behind, for we are Resistance members!"

Minami, Mai, and Mio started dancing the Prince Yuki Fan Club dance, as Uo and Hana were angered.

"Will you four focus?" She shrieked at the girls.

"Sorry, boss!" They cried.

Hana pounded some blocks and grabbed a Lightning Bolt. She read the instructions:
"To activate, pull white tab on bottom, and then throw at enemies, upward."

"Instant Electric Waves," she said, as she put the bolt in her pocket, "What will they think of next?"

Meanwhile, Tohru was on the ground, as she found a small white triangle, from earlier.

"Oh, what is this?" She asked, as she approached it.

It spoke in Tohru's voice, "I am an Omusubi."

Tohru shrieked, as she stepped back. "Wh-, wh-, what is that?"

"I am your new owner… for fun stuff." It said, "I want you, Onigiri."

"Onigiri?"

That's NOT how she became Onigiri.

She picked it up and said, "You're friendly, are you?"

"Maybe… Maybe not… But I am a simple Omusubi."

"Oh. Do I get to eat you? You are a rice ball…"

"Oh, no. I'm not a rice ball… that is edible. I am your wonderful wearing thingy. In other words… a badge. Pick me up."

"I… I don't know… I'm scared. What if you tried to attack me?"

"I'm fine, but the world that you are in, it's so bizarre, as it is. Even I am that weird. I am a cute rice ball, with magical powers… that will help you on your task."

"You mean like… defeat Chris McLean? You heard of him, right?"

"Oh, no. I never even met him. I heard of a powerful monster in this kingdom. Someone I know, who took me in, and challenged the beast."

"Oh… Even evil than Chris?"

"The worst. If you take me, I can grant you EVERYTHING you desire, as long as it's for a use. I'm not bad… or good. I'm a simple Omusubi. Please, say that you would take me, Onigiri."

"Oni-? My name is Tohru Honda! You're just a figment of my imaginat-! Okay, I'll bite. Who is this monster, and how can I defeat him?"

"Goody! I'll tell you, as long as you agree to take me with you."

Tohru held the Omusubi and said, "So… How do I carry you? I have no pockets."

Omusubi said, "Pin me. Put me anywhere… Just not on your womanhood."

"HOW RUDE!"

"Sorry, but wearing me on skin, hurts really bad. Stick me on, like I am a ribbon, or something. Any cloth will do."

Tohru pinned on the Omusubi on her chest and said, "Like this? It looks fetching… and very cute."

"Ah… The heart of Tohru Honda. Good choice. It's perfect for your new powers. But in order to win, you have to inherit the bodies of many beings… as long as it is for the greater use, since I am Neutral. Then, you can succeed in your goal. For now, take me with you, and I'll take you to-."

It stopped talking, as Tohru said, "Huh? Did it stop? Hey! Speak to me!"

Arisa cried, "TOHRU! TOHRU!"

"Uo!"

She ran to the girls and said, "Uo-Chan! Hana! Motoko! Guys!"

Minami scolded, "Why did you run off?"

Tohru smiled, "Sorry. I guess I was in a bit of a lost mix. But luckily, I found a cute badge I got."

Arisa smiled, "Neat. It looks good on you."

Tohru said, "It can talk… but somehow it stopped talking."

Mio giggled, "She's crazy."

Mai said, "Anything can happen, you know."

Motoko said, "Well, you got what you want, but we cannot lose you. Remember… you get hit, you die."

Tohru looked at her wrist and said, "UH! Zero lives? I'm already dead!"

Hanajima said, "You're not dead. You get hit, you die. It's basic video game key."

Minami smirked, "Well, we may have zero lives, but we can score some extra lives. We'll try here, since-!"

BONK!
She got conked on the head by a purple shell. She turned pale, as her eyes went blank and her body was frail and dead.

GAME OVER – Insert Mushroom to Player

"MINAMI!" Motoko cried.

Hanajima turned and saw six purple shelled Koopa Troopas, with collars and sunglasses.

One Koopa chirped, "Hey, fools! Who said you can invade our turf?"

Arisa asked, "Any idea what they say?"

Hanajima responded, "No. They speak in chirps."

The Koopa shouted, "We'll show you who plays who!"

They fired shells at the girls. They all easily dodged them.

"Scramble!" Mio shouted.

Mai was…

BONK!

…Never mind.

"AH! I'm hit! I'm… hiiiiii…" She wound down.

Mai collapsed on the ground, much like Minami.

"MAI!" Mio sobbed.

GAME OVER

"Who's next?" The Koopa sneered.

He looked at Tohru and smirked. He spoke, "Aw, a weak and frail girl… Well, we know how to deal with cute little girls."

He shot a shell at her, kicking it to her.

"TOHRU! NO!" Arisa shouted.

Tohru gasped, "HUH? AAHH!"

She jumped up and ran off, whizzing past the shell. She swung around and landed on her feet.

"WHAT?" The Koopa gasped.

"Mio! Get Mai and Minami!" Motoko ordered.

"How can I?" Mio sobbed, "Two of my friends are dead!"

"STUPID! This is a video game world! We're still standing! There're five of us and six of them! And we need strategy!"

"I know… But…"

Hana called, "Do it!"

KICK!

"HANA!" Arisa shouted, as she shoved down Hanajima.

The shell missed, nearly nicking her hair.

"God, that was close," she smiled.

"UO! HANA! ANYONE!" Tohru cringed.

As she was about to be shot by a shell, Omusubi appeared and whispered, "Jump. Jump with all your might."

So long, Superman!

"What?" Tohru asked.

"They're not spiny shells. Do it. When it comes to you, kickback… and-."

It stopped talking again, with Tohru prepared. "Fine! But… I don't get it… I'm dead. Mom… I'm sorry."

Koopas kicked their shells at Tohru. She then jumped up and landed on a shell on her feet. The shell stopped and then…

"DAMN YOU, TURTLES!" She shrieked.

Something inside Tohru glowed inside of her… like she was a vicious girl. She lifted her right leg backwards, prepared a stance, and…

BONK! 100!

"WHOA!" The girls gasped.

The shell was kicked, with great velocity. The Koopas kicked their shells again, hoping to block the attack, but…

100! 200! 400! 800! 1000!

"NO!" The Koopas shouted.

2000! 4000! 8000! 1-UP! 1-UP! 1-UP!

The Koopas were all dead. POOF! They evaporated into dust.

"Holy shit!" Arisa gasped, "Tohru did it!"

Motoko cringed, "Impossible!"

Mio carried a motionless corpse of Mai and said, "Now I've seen everything…"

Tohru gasped for air and was angry. She calmed down and said, "That was for you… Omubusi…"

The rice ball said, "Omusubi. And I have a name… It's-." And then stopped.

She sobbed in tears, "SCARY! WAH!"

Uotani hugged her and said, "Aw, there, there… We'll get you to a safe place."

Motoko instructed, "Let's head back to the boardwalk and get some 1-UP Mushrooms for Mai and Minami. The way I see it, they-."

But then, a Spiny egg dropped onto Motoko's head. Mario Death music begins… She was stabbed in the head by the Spiny Egg, she, too, died in a video game form. Her body collapsed, all motionless and dead.

"MOTOKO!" Mio screamed.

A Lakitu appeared and laughed. It flew off, after that. The girls saw it, but refused to chase it.

"BASTARD!" Mio wailed, "I'm alone! I lost Motoko, Minami, and Mai!"

Hanajima said, "Tohru, you take Minami. Uo, you help Mio. I'll grab Motoko."

Uotani nodded, "Well, we cannot bury them, since they died. Of course, it's how you get your extra lives worth."

Tohru then examined her wrist. She said, "Oh. I must have had some newer lives."

Her LED Life Meter now reads "2". She picked up three extra lives, after defeating the Koopas. She wanted to say something, but couldn't yet.

As the girls were being carried off, Jo saw the whole thing.

"Whoa…" she said, "Can you believe it, Lightning?"

"No way! T-Honey has got mad skills! But she's nowhere near Lightning's strike! SHAZAM!"

ZAP!

Lightning fell dead, after being stung by a Zinger bee.

YOU LOSE – Lose one life! One life left!

Lightning regenerated himself, and was upset.

"Aw, no fair!" He cried.

Jo grabbed the bee and smashed it into pieces. She shouted, "Hey, thorax ass! NOBODY KILLS MY TEAMMATE AND LIVES TO TELL ABOUT!"

Lightning smirked, "Yo, thanks, bro!"

Jo gave him a 1-UP Mushroom and said, "Open wide, Jock Strap."

XXXXX

Meanwhile, Hanajima replenished her Resistance allies, with green mushrooms, and said, "We cannot lose our members, like this."

Motoko, Minami, and Mai were revived. They sat up and groaned. Mai moaned, "What happened?"

"You were killed," Hanajima said, "But at least we managed to replenished your lives."

Motoko said, "How did I die?"

Arisa grumbled, "Whoever sent that Spiny will pay. I'll bet King Bowser is behind this."

They all nodded, as Tohru was nervous. She then saw the zeppelin and saw Abobo's evil face.

"Huh?" She thought, "Who's he? He's scary."

They looked up and saw the blimp.

"Abobo…" a Koopa Paratroopa chirped.

Arisa asked, "You know this fella?"

The Paratroopa flew off. Arisa said, "Oh… kay. Any idea on this Muscle Man here?"

Mai saw a flier and said, "Here's why. Look at this."

Motoko read the flier:
"Witness video game's greatest hero and ruler, Abobo. The undefeated master of destruction will challenge ANYBODY to the fight of their lives. A three-round fight to the death, in which there MUST be a winner."

"Abobo…" Omusubi spoke.

Tohru cringed, "Onigiri Jr… You're back."

"Tohru. Abobo is one of the main vessels that are ruining the fabrics of dimensions. Perhaps we should speak alone, about this. But first, I want you to accept this challenge."

"Me?"

Arisa explained, "So. Looks like it's up to me. Whatever this Abobo is, he's going down."

Minami cheered, "YAY! Yankee Girl is gonna rock her!"

Omusubi added, "Look at your wrist. You have a chance."

She looked at her wrist and said, "Oh. I only have two lives. No biggie. Should I, or shouldn't I?"

Omusubi cried, "DO! DO!"

Hanajima bowed, "Perhaps we should train. Uo, I shall give a night's worth of training, and when we-."

Tohru called out, "NO! I'll do it!"

Motoko cried, "YOU?"

Arisa cried, "Tohru! NO! You can't fight him! You have 1 life to live."

Tohru shook her head and said, "No. I have but two."

She showed her wrist, which had a "2" on it. The others were in shock.

"A consecutive shot chain!" Mio gasped in astonishment.

Mai smiled, "She saved us and got two free lives."

Hanajima spoke, "She has three lives. The meter said 2, but she has three lives."

Uo stated, "She's right. If it's on 0, it's a last chance move."

She yelled at Tohru, "But it's suicide! You cannot face that man, alone!"

Tohru pleaded, "Please? I know I can do it. Omusubi told me so."

"Omu-what?"

"My rice ball friend."

They looked at the badge and thought, "I think the 8-bit acoustics are infecting her."

Motoko smiled evilly, "Go ahead and get killed. We'll let you. After all, you have three lives. You only get one chance."

Tohru nodded, "Thanks for your support. I can take anything!"

Toads were running, as they saw a huge Koopa, with red hair and green scales. It had a spiky shell.

"AAH! GODZILLA!" Mai shrieked.

"Worse!" Hanajima cried.

The Huge Koopa roared, as the girls screamed:
"BOWSER!"

Tohru gulped, "Well… I can take anything… but not that."

To be continued…