Super Mario Sunshine Adventure

Episode 5: II Piantissimo's Surf Swim

"Thanks to you, our bay is clean again! Thank you!"

The day after the eel fiasco, the quintet returned to Noki Bay to see what else was up, but things seemed to be very peaceful and the water was no longer polluted. It was all thanks to them that the water was fresh and clear again. Now they could actually swim in it! They could even see through it very clearly. It made everyone feel good inside that they were able to help out.

"No problem, buddy!" Sonic stuck a pose and gave the male Noki a peace sign, grinning crookedly.

Mario nodded in agreement. "We did what we had to do."

"And it's much appreciated!" exclaimed the Noki wearing glasses, smiling brightly at the five heroes.

Silver was chortling and rubbing the back of his neck. "Aw, it was nothing, really!"

"We were glad to help," commented Blaze with a nod of her head, arms folded.

Pauline was grinning from ear to ear. "It was our pleasure!"

"Now, hopefully all of our people will return home again!" talked the grandpa that was standing on the other side of his grandson, smiling. "We owe it all to you five! Thanks! And say, do you know that guy?"

A discombobulated look struck the red hero's facial features and he tilted his head to the side, obviously flabbergasted. "Huh? Who?" he questioned wonderingly, not knowing who or what he was speaking of/about.

"What guy?" Sonic wore a similar expression.

The grandfather lifted a hand and gestured at a very familiar looking individual standing not too far from where they were. Everyone looked and they instantly recognized this guy, but couldn't recall his name, unfortunately.

"He's been waiting for you all up there for quite a while now…" yawped the old man.

A cocky smirk appeared on Sonic's muzzle and he peered at his friends, spreading out his arms and trying not to burst out with a guffaw. "Guys! It's that Piano guy!" he exclaimed, chortling a little bit, failing on keeping it in. "He must want another race with the fastest thing alive!"

"Well, while you're doing that, we're going to get some breakfast," remarked Mario, shrugging his shoulders and removing his red cap, examining it thoughtfully. "I need a break and we didn't even eat breakfast this morning. We came straight here."

As soon as Mario was done throwing out his words, Silver's stomach complained loudly and his face flushed in embarrassment at that. "Ooooooh, I am quite famished!"

"So am I," agreed Blaze, nodding her purple head. The cat had her arms folded and she seemed truly content at that moment. Her eyes were roaming the clean waters around them and she felt as though she wanted to go for a swim, despite being a cat and all. Hey, she wasn't like Sonic the Hedgehog.

Pauline totally agreed with them. "Yeah! Let's get something to eat!"

Sonic looked bummed out for a moment, but then recalled that he had to leave some guy in the dust again. The blue speedster gave them a peace sign before zooming up the rope to meet the other male at the top. He was standing there with his hands on his hips, watching him with mirth dancing in his eyes.

"Yo!" Sonic greeted him cockily. "'Sup, dude?!"

The weirdo guy released a wild laugh. "Ho HO, foolish blue rodent! I am II Piantissimo! Yes, that is me!"

"Oh, of course!" chuckled the blue speedster, going over and leaning an elbow upon the guy's shoulder. "You're that Piano guy! I remember ya!"

The strange guy gave him a miffed look and huffed. "Indeed! And now I challenge you to a race to that flag!" Lifting a hand, the odd man pointed at a flag that wasn't too far from where they were. The flag was red and it blew gently in the breeze.

When Sonic's emerald green eyes caught the sight of the flag, he became extremely apprehensive. He saw that they would have to cross water to get to the flag and that…would be difficult, somewhat, he guessed. Sonic's face morphed into an expression of pure disdain and contempt and he frowned upon the water below. Why couldn't he just get over his fear of water? What was wrong with him?

"It is a race to the finish!" gloated the weirdo guy, hands on his hips as he laughed ridiculously. "The best time is 00:40:00."

Snapping out of his fear, Sonic the Hedgehog nodded his head, already knowing that he was going to win. He just had to get by the water somehow. Hey, he could always use the platforms floating about, right? Right.

"Are you at the ready?" questioned II Piantissimo. "Then get set…and GOOOOOOOOO!"

Before the weirdo guy could even blink, Sonic was already gone. As Sonic blasted off, he felt so very free. Everything around him became a blur and everything went unrecognized. The blue hedgehog couldn't help, but grin as he jumped from platform to platform on the water, racing towards the flag.

"WOO!"

Sonic finally reached the flag and snatched it up with his gloved hand, holding it up above his head and grinning crazily, smug and whatnot. It took the weirdo guy a long time to make it, and when he did, he was huffing and puffing wildly.

"Whoo…haah…wheeze!" panted II Piantissimo, hands resting on his knees while he was hunched over. "You are quite speedy! You are like a fish!"

Sonic scoffed. "Please! I'm the fastest thing alive!"

Placing his hands on his hips, the guy let out another wild chortle like before. "You may not be the slow clam-chomper I took you for!"

Sonic rolled his eyes. "Fastest thing alive, remember?"

The weirdo guy glowered at the blue hero, but then sighed heavily and shook his head. "May we race again! Watch for me!" Then, he handed over a Shine Sprite, shockingly.

"Whoa! Thanks, dude!" Sonic snatched the Shine Sprite from him and held it up with a large grin plastered upon his facial features.