Author's Note: Shorter chapter compared to the previous one, but whatever. I don't care.

Super Mario Sunshine Adventure

Episode 2: II Piantissimo's Crazy Climb

Appearing back in Pianta Village, the quintet of heroes immediately realized how crazy hot it was! The humidity was thick too, which was strange because it wasn't like that last night! The sun was occupying the blue sky and it was using its harsh light to beat down on everything and everyone, causing them to break out in terrible sweats. Perspiration covered the bodies of those that were present and it made them highly uncomfortable.

"Oh," moaned Silver, using the back of his hand to swipe at his forehead. "Why is it so hot out here?! It wasn't like that last night and it wasn't hot back where we came from! It doesn't make any sense! It's like…it's like we're in a whole different world…which doesn't make sense…again…!"

Sonic glanced at him, squinting his green eyes at something on the other side of the long bridge. The blue hedgehog had some kind of feeling that they would be encountering an individual that they had met twice before. Whoever it was, Sonic sure as heck didn't feel like dealing with them. Besides, he just wanted to find some shade and relax in it. It was so hot!

"Calm down," Mario told his faithful comrades, peering ahead at the bridge. "We have to move on and ignore the heat. I know it's…it's outrageously hot, but we have to get through this. Another Shine Sprite awaits!"

"But it's so hot…!" Silver whined.

"Oh, can it!" Blaze barked at the hedgehog, arms crossed over her chest. There was a frown present on her facial features and she didn't seem happy at all. Clearly, she was still upset about yesterday, which made Silver even sadder.

Silver closed his mouth and looked away from the purple furred cat. Blaze looked guilty for a moment, but then put on an expressionless mask and turned away from her boyfriend, marching ahead and on to the bridge. The others followed her rapidly.

"Don't you think you're being kind of mean to him?" asked Pauline, gazing at Blaze as they trekked.

"No…" muttered Blaze in reply.

Pauline put her hands on her hips, perspiration coating her forehead and cheeks. "Right."

"Are you using sarcasm?"

"Yep."

Blaze glowered at the other female and walked a little faster to get away from her. She didn't want to deal with Pauline at the moment. Nope. The cat had other things to be thinking about, like how she was going to solve the problem with Silver. For some reason, she didn't feel like forgiving him so soon. There were many times where she felt like forgiving him and hugging him close to her, but…she always forced herself not to for some unfathomable reason!

"Hey!" Sonic yawped as they reached the end of the bridge, seeing that weirdo guy from before. "It's Piano! He's back again! I guess he wants to get his butt kicked again! Ha!"

Mario glanced at him. "What makes you race him all the time anyway?"

"I get it over with faster, duh!" Sonic caterwauled in response, throwing his hands into the air.

Mario rolled his eyes.

"Who in the world is this "II Piantissimo"? A rogue, that's who!" a Pianta man bellowed, shaking his head and causing his big nose to wobble. The guy seemed very miffed. "Let it be said that the Pianta people have no connection with him! That troublemaker is giving us a bad name!"

Mario stared at him. "Wow! We have a similar problem!"

"I doubt it…"

The plumber started grumbling to himself as Sonic sped over to the weirdo guy who was just standing there with his hands on his hips. Seriously, this guy was very weird looking and everyone noticed.

"Yo, Piano!" Sonic greeted the guy, already prepared to race him.

Pauline flopped down on the grass, smoothing down her red dress. "Well, we can leave this to Sonic. He's taken care of this weirdo two times already," she said. "I'm just going to relax right here."

"We should all go to the spring!" suggested Mario, raising a hand into the air.

"OH YEAH!"

Everyone totally agreed with the red hero! So, the four of them left to go to the spring while Sonic stayed behind to face the strange guy dressed as a Pianta.

II Piantissimo gripped his own hips and threw back his head, letting out a wild and ridiculous laugh as he caught sight of Sonic, completely ignoring his greeting. "It's me!" he boomed noisily. "II Piantissimo! And now, listen! See that flag over there?"

Sonic whirled around and saw that the weirdo guy was referring to a red flag on top of a long and overgrown tree. The tree looked as though it was drooping slightly and was about to fall down, but it wasn't. It wasn't even that far in the hedgehog's perspective and he would soon have this guy eating dust!

"Yeah, I see it." Sonic tapped his foot on the ground impatiently.

"Now, you and I shall race to get there the fastest!" declared the delusional male. "Yes!"

Sonic guffawed at this. "Please!"

"My personal record is 00:30:00! Impressive, eh?" The guy boasted, laughing crazily like he was the most amazing thing ever. This only made Sonic laugh even harder.

Sonic held his belly and shook his head as he roared with laughter. "You are SO confused, pal!"

II Piantissimo glowered at the blue hedgehog, offended by his words. "Are you at the ready?" he growled out, getting into a starting position to take off running. "Then get set! AND GOOOOOOOOOO!"

Sonic was already gone.

The blue hero found himself atop the tree and touching the flag before the numbers on the timer could move! Sonic put on a very cocky smile and made a silly pose, finding a Blue Coin that Mario might want for later.

When the weirdo guy finally reached the flag, he was breathing wildly and leaning forward, hands resting on his knees as he gazed in Sonic in disbelief. The guy acted as if Sonic didn't leave him in the dust two other times!

"Grrrr!" he growled like a deranged lion. "Yes, GRRRR! That was not so bad! You are quick! Yes!"

Sonic gave him a long look. "I am THE FASTEST THING ALIVE, buddy!"

The guy stared back at him, finally straightening up and accepting defeat. He frowned beneath his Pianta mask and didn't seem so happy about losing. Who wouldn't be? "I suppose, maybe I underestimated you a small bit. Perhaps."

"Uh…you underestimated me a LOT-"

"You try again after you have practiced," the weirdo cut him off, jabbing his hands onto his hips and throwing his head back and laughing crazily. "Until then…"

Handing over the Shine Sprite, Sonic snatched it out of his hands, chuckling to himself and shaking his head at the guy. "Hey, at least you tried! I'll give you a thumbs-up for that!" Sonic raised his hand and flashed the strange guy a friendly thumbs-up.

II Piantissimo couldn't help but grin a little. "Well, fine! That makes me feel a little better! Next time, if we ever meet again in the future, I shall beat you in a race!"

"I seriously doubt it, pal…"

The weirdo pursed his lips in an irate manner after hearing what the blue hedgehog said and turned away, clearly bothered by what Sonic told him.

"Nice job! Wow! You must be tired!" a female Pianta claimed as she danced to the wind's music slowly, grinning in Sonic's direction.

Sonic rolled his green eyes. "Lady, do you know who I am?"

"No…unfortunately…"

"I am the fastest thing alive!"