Author's Note: JUST TO MAKE IT CLEAR TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE READING AND TO THOSE WHO JUST LOOOOOOVE TO ASSUME THINGS, SONIC IS NOT IN LOVE WITH PAULINE AND HE NEVER WILL BE. NEVER. NEVER. NEVER. FREAKING NEVER!

Ahem...so, anyway, if you have a problem with what I write or don't like what I'm writing or don't like the idea of me writing this story...then get the heck out and read something else. It's your choice. It's not my fault that you're still here reading this when you clearly don't like it.

To those who DO like it...enjoy. :)

Super Mario Sunshine Adventure

Episode 4: The Secret of Ricco Tower

"I wonder how the girls are doing right about now," Sonic wondered as they arrived back in Ricco Harbor. When they had gotten back to Delfino Plaza, the three of them had enjoyed a large meal for lunch, which consisted of chili dogs, various types of seafood, and salads. The three characters had enjoyed their meals immensely and all had full bellies and were ready to tackle the next part of their adventure.

"I'm sure they're fine, Sonic," Mario answered him as he approached the two Piantas that were always standing around whenever they decided to make an appearance. The two dudes were gazing up at the large tower that had always been there in Ricco Harbor. "Hey, what are you two looking at?" he questioned them, stopping in front of them.

The rusty orange colored Pianta turned around to look at the red-capped man. "Now, the ocean is all dirty around that tower!" he responded. "It doesn't make any sense whatsoever! It just doesn't!"

"Okay, okay…" Mario muttered.

"Whoa, looks like trouble's a-brewing!" the other Pianta chirped suddenly, warning them. "That tower sure looks suspicious, seeing as how there is black goop surrounding the thing and whatnot."

Pauline eyed her two companions after the two Piantas were through pushing out their words. "Do you think we should go investigate the tower?" she asked them curiously, her voice soft. "Obviously, this whole mess has something to do with the tower and everything…"

"I so agree with you, Pauline," said Sonic.

"Me too," FLUDD talked, nozzle moving with each word he put out there.

"Alright," Mario remarked.

Pauline smiled. "Okay then!"

So, the trio made their way to the tower, and, by using FLUDD's Hover Nozzle and Pauline's windy techniques, they reached the top of the tower and headed on inside. Immediately, they found themselves surrounded by whiteness and falling down into complete nothingness.

"Where in the world are we?!" Pauline screamed, terrified as she reached over, gripping the closest thing to her which was Sonic's arm.

"Ow, your nails are digging into my arm!" Sonic complained, wincing.

Pauline instantly released his arm, blushing in embarrassment. "Sorry!"

"No problem!" retorted the blue hedgehog.

"But really, where in the world are we?!" Pauline repeated her previous question.

"We're obviously heading into another strange place like before. You weren't with us, Pauline, so you don't know. However, there's no need to worry because we'll be safe," Mario explained to her as best he could. "We just have to watch out for that imposter trying to steal-"

As if on cue, Shadow Mario appeared and snatched FLUDD right off of Mario's back, quickly disappearing afterwards with a hideous chuckle of evilness.

"…FLUDD." Mario finished in a deadpan-like tone.

"Oh, that's just great!" Sonic flatly stated.

Pauline became concerned for FLUDD. "Where did that fiend take him?!"

"We don't know!" replied Mario as they finally arrived at their destination, which was an even more complicated retro stage that they had to get through.

"What kind of place is this?" Pauline wanted to know, eyebrows shooting up in a surprised fashion. The female was completely puzzled and interested at the same time!

Mario refused to answer her question as he once again felt naked without FLUDD on his back. Now he was forced to only rely on his acrobatic skills. It was a scary thing to him, especially because he didn't want to fall down into the endless abyss below. If he fell, he'd definitely get a game over.

"Mario and I don't really know what to call these places," Sonic gave Pauline's query an answer. "So, I think we should give it a name. Let's call it…Secret Stages!" he announced, holding up his index finger with a grin spreading across his face.

"Secret Stages?" Pauline tilted her head, mimicking a curious cat.

"Yep!"

"Oh, okay…"

Sonic brought his gaze over to the obstacles that they would be required to use to get through the stage. Obviously, the stage required him and his teammates to cross over a giant gap using rotating beams with colored bumps protruding from them. There were some other things up ahead, but the speedy hedgehog couldn't see that far.

"So, are you guys ready to do this?" Sonic spoke to Mario and Pauline. "If we fall, it's all over."

"That seems a bit difficult…" trailed Pauline.

"You have that windy ability of yours," Sonic pointed out, looking over his shoulder at the female. "There's really no need to worry."

Pauline thought about it for a moment, unsure if she could conjure up her wind abilities so quickly like she had done back when they were in Ricco Harbor. It was tough, but she had managed to do it. The girl wasn't sure if she'd be able to save herself is she suddenly fell.

"Fine," Pauline ceased her thinking and stepped over to the blue hedgehog, nervous.

Mario had been quiet the entire time, but eventually followed his comrades to the rotating beams that floated in front of them. Sonic was the first one to leap onto it and dash across at supersonic speed, jumping from beam to beam until he reached the ledge on the other side.

"Why didn't you just take us with you!?" Mario hollered from where he stood, arms flailing about. "We could fall and DIE!" he was very irked.

Sonic sweat-dropped. "Sorry, Charlie!"

Anyway, Sonikku za Hejjihoggu rapidly went back for his companions and helped them get across with ease. So, the whole stage was pretty much like that. The blue speedster helped Mario and Pauline get across the obstacles. There were some near death experiences, but they managed to reach the end safely and without any 'game overs'.

Snatching the Shine Sprite out of the air, Sonic the Hedgehog held up the brilliant object and smiled to himself beatifically. "Wooo! Feelin' good!" he quoted himself from one of his awesome video games.

"Hurray!" Pauline jumped for joy.

Mario started doing a little dance, happy that they got that over with already.