A/N: Omigosh, we're averaging 8-9 reviews a chapter! This is amazing :D I had no idea this story would be so successful! Thanks to everyone! In this chapter, the third prize challenge will occur, and some devious plots shall be hatched!
Thanks to those who reviewed!
Yoshpa: No problem! I hope you get your account fixed D: I'd be so upset for you if anything happened to your stories x.x
RedLumas: Thanks for reviewing again! I read your story and saw Birdo spoke the same way xP. I felt the same way, I liked everyone else better. Thanks for being so supportive!
Princess Shroob: You got a few votes, your majesty, but alas, you survived! Thanks so much for constantly reviewing! It means a lot :D
Evil Abigail: Thanks! Each review counts, and kind words here and there like yours inspire me to keep on writing!
TCKing12: Most people were fine with Queen Bee leaving, unfortunately D: Everyone seems to like Princess Shroob tho. Thanks again!
TheJirachi21: Thanks Joker! A lot of people have been talking about Black Yoshi, and I'm glad he's so popular. Will he outlast Queen Bee for much longer? Only time will tell…
ultimateCCC: I've been shipping Toadsworth and Zess T. since TTYD, and I'm glad someone else does too XD. Thanks for always being so loyal!
Owen96: Thanks! I think a lot of people like Black Yoshi…erm, Stanley. Thanks for always reviewing Piplup :D
The DreamStakes!
Team Manta: Mario, Peach, Birdo, Pauline, Flurrie, Princess Shroob, Zess T., Toadsworth, Black Yoshi
Team Dolphin: Bowser, Wendy, Kolorado, Noki, Boo, Kammy, Wario, Don Pianta, Rosalina
The new morning looked semi-promising, but on the wake of Queen Bee's violent elimination, everyone was feeling a bit on edge. As everyone woke up one by one and made their way into the Bianco Bar and Grille for breakfast, it settled in that the competition was on.
Toadsworth: I say, it did feel a bit merciless to execute Queen Bee upon her arrival, but there was no other choice!
Filing her nails at a table, Pauline smiled as her other alliance mates joined. Looking uneasy, Birdo sat down opposite Pauline with a tray of eggs and sausage.
"Who said you could sit here?" Pauline asked rather rudely. "You were supposed to vote for Peach! She's still here because of you!"
"Princess Shroob voted for Mario!" Birdo cried. "Isn't that worse?"
Digging her nails into Birdo's thigh, Princess Shroob gave the pink dinosaur a pained expression. Swallowing, Birdo grabbed her food and stood up.
"Sit down, peasant," Princess Shroob commanded at once. Her momentary spark of rebellion extinguished, Birdo listened to the space monarch. She ate in silence, with the other three women doing all of the talking.
Flurrie: My my, I wasn't quite ready to eliminate dear Princess Peach. Our best move was to knock off that honeybee before she caused any trouble. Now that she's out of the way, I can start moving forward with my plans!
As Pauline, Princess Shroob, and Flurrie plotted over their breakfast, another dastardly scheme began to cook itself up. Having hung onto the words of Yoshi before his untimely departure, Kammy Koopa was feeling a bit slighted by Bowser and Wendy. Taking it upon herself to change things up, the Magikoopa approached the reptilian monarch while Wendy went off to collect more food.
"Your vileness?" Kammy asked, slithering up to the table.
"Good morning, hag!" Bowser greeted warmly. "What is it? I'm spending time with my daughter, can't you see?"
"Yes, about that, your most repulsiveness, I was thinking perhaps today we could…"
"Wendy!" Bowser cried with affection as the koopaling returned with a mile-high plate of bacon. "She knows just what her father likes, eh?" Bowser asked Kammy, turning away from his aide to devour the large plate of pork.
Kammy Koopa: It seems Bowser has lost all interest in hearing me out. My partner is worthless…I'm beginning to feel as if my life in this game shall be quite short.
"Good morning!" Brighton cried, barging into the room. "I hope everyone's eaten a lot of food!"
"Why?" Boo asked, suspiciously pausing the incoming bite of sausage he had on his fork.
"Because!" Brighton cried with glee, "We're moving out! Bianco Hills is so boring, it's time for a change!"
"Oh great," Wario said with a roll of his eyes. "A long bus ride after I've eaten. Wahaha, ya'll better plug yer noses!"
"I hate my life," Noki commented quietly, dropping her fork and rising from the table.
"Finish up and meet outside as soon as possible!" Brighton commanded. He turned and left the building, allowing everyone to stack their plates and finish eating. Soon, all of them were aboard the bus and headed for Ricco Harbor.
Don Pianta: Ricco Harbor, eh? Yeah, I used to do alotta business dere. Here's ta hopin' da local fishermen still know my ol' face.
It took a while, but the bus eventually made it to Ricco Harbor. Everyone poured out in a waterfall of bodies, taking in the busy and industrial port with looks of awe and mystery.
Rosalina: The engineering here is very well done. I'd like to compare some of their pulley systems to the ones I have aboard the observatory.
"Alright everyone, gather around and shut up," Twila said, waving in all the contestants with the flappy ends of her blue robe. Raising her wand, she pointed to a nearby booth. Several lengths of logs floated in the water, marking themselves as the only way to get to the booth.
"Today, we're going to engage in a little spot of blooper surfing!" Twila announced, earning a mixed reaction of sighs and downcast looks from the players.
"That's right!" Brighton cried. "Each of you will be armed with your own paintbull gun and a blooper! Surf around the bay and try to shoot the other players with your gun! Don't shoot your teammate tho! The last team standing, regardless of who is still in the competition, will win…"
"Thirty thousand coins apiece!" Twila declared. At this, everyone's interest picked up quite a bit.
Zess T.: Before I learned how to cook…I learned how to kill.
"Now, cross over to the booth, pick up your guns and bloopers, and spread out!" Brighton ordered. Heeding his word, the contestants fanned out along the edges of the platform where the booth rested.
"What about us, old bean?" Kolorado asked the hosts, pointing to himself and Stanley.
"Since it's a prize challenge, you two will team up," Brighton ordered.
Black Yoshi: I like Kolorado. I think he's a good guy…but he was kind of rude to me yesterday when I arrived. Well…we'll see…
Kolorado: This is simply smashing! I know his kind is marvelous at using guns!
Everyone had boarded their bloopers and obtained their balance. Eighteen players were spread out in the bay, each armed with their own paintball gun.
"Alright!" Twila announced. "Go!"
The game began, and as the waves surged in the harbor, the bloopers took off. Staying on them wasn't too hard, but the turning was difficult for most people.
"Eat my bullets, baby!" Zess T. roared with delight, firing off a round of painted orbs. Her spraying tactic flooded the waters with paint. Caught in the crossfire, both Kammy Koopa and Flurrie screamed as they toppled into the water.
"Bull's-eye!" Zess T. proclaimed with might. In her celebration, the celebrity chef did not see Bowser swerve up behind her.
"Zess!" Toadsworth screamed, but it was too late. The king of koopas put a bullet in the old woman's back, and with a cry of defeat, she plunged into the depths of the harbor.
"Flurrie, Princess Shroob, Kammy, Wario, Toadsworth, and Zess T. are out!" Twila announced from the booth, using a megaphone to make herself heard.
"Hahaha!" Bowser roared with glee. "Now for little Mario."
Raising his weapon, the colossal reptile surged forward on his blooper. Seeing the approaching enemy, Mario swerved his blooper around a column of the harbor to pick up speed. Then, he cocked his gun and streamlined for Bowser.
"Mario!" Peach screamed, rushing to his aide. Mario seemed to be done for, but right before Bowser fired, Mario launched his blooper into the air. The squid flew over the king's head, landing on the opposite side.
"Mariohohoho!" Mario laughed with mirth. Firing off his gun, he hit Bowser in the shell. Defeated, the king of koopas returned to shore.
"Nice work, dad," Wendy spat, obviously disappointed with her father's performance.
"Bowser and Wendy are out!" Twila cried.
Meanwhile, Stanley and Kolorado were engaged in deadly combat with Pauline and Birdo. The two teams were missing and dodging, weaving in the water like sea snakes.
"Stay still, won't you?" Pauline begged, aiming for Kolorado but missing by a slim margin.
"This is exhilarating!" Kolorado yelled. "Now, eat my dust, eh?" He fired for Pauline and Birdo, his bullets slightly missing. As Kolorado fired, Stanley zoomed by Pauline. Firing his gun at her, he peppered her body with painted bullets, sending her into the water.
As Pauline got pelted with the bullets, Birdo let out a high-pitched laugh. The pink dinosaur couldn't contained the joy she received at seeing Pauline eat defeat like that. Rising out of the water, Pauline gave Birdo a death glare.
Pauline: I can't believe she laughed at me like that! I failed! I utterly failed!
"Pauline and Birdo are out!" Twila announced. As she made her way to shore, Birdo turned back to face Stanley. Mouthing "Thank You" to him, she followed Pauline out of the game. Caught up in his trance, Black Yoshi didn't see the Don fire a bullet straight at him.
"Black Yoshi and Kolorado are out!"
"IT'S STANLEY!" The dark dinosaur roared, making his way back to shore with a cross expression on his face.
Mario and Peach, Boo and Noki, and the Don and Rosalina remained. Having been keeping to the outskirts, Boo and Noki allowed the other teams to eliminate one another before moving in.
As the six players patrolled the waters for oncoming threats, the mood of the game shifted. As the money loomed closer, the seriousness of the game emerged. Attempting to sneak around the sides, Boo went for the Don.
"Not so fast, eh buddy?" Don asked Boo, seeing him out of the corner of his eye. Whipping around, the Mafioso swiftly gatted the ghost. At the last second, Boo turned invisible, allowing the bullets to pass through him.
"What's da big idea, eh?" Don asked, shocked by Boo's move. Firing in retaliation, the ghost assaulted the pianta with painted bullets. Letting out a wail, he fell into the water.
"Oh great," Rosalina said with a sigh. "There goes my money for a breast enhancement."
"Don and Rosalina are out!" Twila declared.
Don Pianta: Dat's da second swindler I've come across now. Mario and Boo betta watch dey backs…
"Mario!" Peach cried, trying to outrun both Boo and Noki. The duo was hot on her tail, but Mario came to her aide. Firing, he missed. The rocky movement of the water hindered his aim.
"FIRE!" Boo declared, he and Noki both pulling their triggers. They blasted Princess Peach in her back, sending her sprawling into the water face first. Hanging his head, Mario saw he had been defeated.
"And just like that, Boo and Noki win today's prize challenge!" Brighton cried. "Both of you have added 30,000 coins to your vaults!"
"Omigosh! We're up to 70,000!" Noki squealed. After yesterday's success during the high rope challenge, she and Boo now had the most money out of everyone.
Hugging Noki, the white ghost gave her an impromptu kiss on the cheek. He felt a bit awkward about it, but Noki didn't even flinch at the movement.
Boo: I'm very happy we won! However, I hope this doesn't paint a target on our back. We both have the most money out of anyone here…
For their stay in the harbor, the lighthouse had been renovated to hold rooms inside. It was quite large on the interior, even if it didn't look it. While everyone spent the day in the harbor, talks of strategy began to emerge.
"So," Don Pianta said, handing Kolorado a fishing rod. "Come talk with me." Obeying the wishes of the Don, Kolorado sat down with him on the water's edge. Both pianta and koopa put a line in the water and began their chat.
"I have a few words I'd like ta say," the Don said. "Afta da wrestlin' challenge and taday's shootin' game, I think it's quite clear there's some shady guys."
"Like who?" Kolorado pondered aloud.
"Dat Mario," Don said at once, "But we can't touch 'em. But Boo…Boo we can get. He went all invisible on me, da coward. Plus, he's got quite a bit a cash in dat vault, no?"
Kolorado: The Don has brought up some valid points, but Boo is quite a strong player. He did us well in the immunity challenge yesterday…but perhaps he did too well?
"That is true," Kolorado replied. "He's been winning quite a lot."
"Just think about it, eh?" Don Pianta offered. Having planted the seed of doubt in Kolorado's head, the Don considered his mission a success.
On the other side of the harbor, Rosalina was eating a succulent lunch of prawns and greens with Bowser and Wendy. The cosmic engineer was hoping to sway the royal duo if their team lost in the upcoming challenge.
"Well, I'd like to vote out Mario post-haste!" Bowser roared with laughter. "However, that can't be done, now can it?"
"Unfortunately, no," Rosalina said, even though she had no qualms with the plumber. "Don and I feel that if we lose tomorrow, Boo should be next."
"Why?" Wendy asked. "I'd say Kolorado is more of a threat."
"Boo's been winning a lot," Rosalina argued.
"We don't take that into account," Bowser said, sucking down a prawn. "If someone's weak, despite their winnings, keep 'em around!"
While the trio believed their conversation to be secret, a certain phantom had been hiding behind a tank of water. Taking all of this into account, he turned and invisible and floated away.
Turning her head, Rosalina thought she'd heard something. Brushing it off for now, she returned to her lunch with Bowser and Wendy.
As for the other team, Pauline was busy rooting through her supplies for some stationary.
"What ever are you up to now?" Flurrie asked the mad woman.
"I'm going to end this once and for all," Pauline declared. "Did you see how Mario didn't even react to my outage in the challenge today! It was sacrilege!"
"Perhaps he has no feelings for you?" Princess Shroob asked, taking a sip out of her trademark goblet.
"Don't be ridiculous," Pauline said, waving her hand in dismissal of the thought. "He's in love with me! I just have to make him see it!"
"And how do you aim to accomplish that?" Flurrie asked of her.
"With this," said with a grin. It was a letter, written in elegant script. The note instructed the receiver to meet down at the docks around midnight. It was signed…Princess Peach.
"Pauline!" Flurrie cried, simply aghast. "What do you intend to do?"
"Oh you'll see," Pauline said with a laugh, hurriedly writing another letter. This one said the same thing as the first, but was written in a less fancy script and signed…Mario.
"What a devious plot!" Princess Shroob cackled in mirth of the idea. Folding both notes into nice and neat squares, Pauline slipped them into separate envelopes. Handing one to Princess Shroob and one to Flurrie, she told them where to place them.
"Now," Pauline said with a vicious grin, "Let the games begin."
The sun began to set on the harbor, but as night made its way to the players, the real fun started. Two notes had been placed in two separate locations, and as the intended receivers read them…only chaos began to brew.
So it was kind of a short chapter, but a lot happened. Boo is now his team's target, so will he be able to win the next challenge to secure his safety! Or…will the Don's plans pan out? Plus, what will happen when Pauline's horrid plot comes to fruition? Find out all of this and more next time on…The DreamStakes!
Don't forget to favorite, follow, and most importantly, REVIEW!
-AdmiralBobbery