A/N: Yay this story is doing so well, we're a 76 reviews already! Thanks so much to everyone who supports this story. This chapter, we have another elimination T_T I don't like eliminating people, and as we weed out all of the bad seeds, I think it gets harder and harder to knock people out of the game.

Thanks to those who reviewed!

Ultimate CCC: He did x.x Everyone did. Wiggler wkrd m8

Owen96: I thought so too! It was my favorite challenge by far. I was thinking it was too soon to move locations from Gelato Beach, and I thought the Wiggler battle might work. I really wanted to focus on the flight-or-fight mechanisms of many of the characters. I think it worked well :D Thanks!

Cooking Yoshpa: Murflurrio:D Yay! This chapter was loved by everyone, I'm very happy with it! I'm glad you enjoys the romance we have going on here. Thanks!

TCKing12: Thanks for always reviewing! It means a lot!

Princess Shroob: Yes your majesty, you've found yourself in some hot water, but I'm sure you'll do fine. As more and more of your allies defect to join others…but who knows, Bowser and Kammy may suit your tastes just fine.

Evil Abigail: Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter!

TheJirachi21: Thanks Joker :D A lot of people told me they found that funny x.c I'm glad you liked it!

The DreamStakes!

Team Manta: Mario, Birdo, Pauline, Flurrie, Princess Shroob, Bowser, Kammy, Black Yoshi

Team Dolphin: Toadsworth, Zess T., Noki, Boo, Wario, Wendy, Don Pianta, Rosalina

This morning on Gelato Beach was a particularly pleasant one for Princess Shroob. She awoke with a new fire in her belly. Yesterday, many of the contestants had been proverbially screwed by the team switch. Wendy lost her shot at becoming this game's new power player, and Mario lost most if not all of his allies. However, for Princess Shroob, two villains had joined her team, and she was pretty confident she could swing them to join her alliance.

Princess Shroob: I know King Bowser quite well, actually. Once, I controlled his mind! Yes, it was quite the thrilling experience. Not like there was much inside his mind…which is why I'm confident he'll readily do anything I say!

The beach bar was full of the contestants. Despite being on different teams now, Mario and the elderly shrooms still ate breakfast together, accompanied by the budding romance of Black Yoshi and Birdo. Alliances in this game were easy to see based upon who people ate meals with. Sixteen of them remained, but after today's immunity challenge, one fourth of the contestants would be gone. It was a disconcerting thought. As the game got closer to its end, many realized it was only just beginning.

"Might we speak privately?" Wendy asked Rosalina, stooping down next to the woman at the beach bar. Nodding quietly, Rosalina dabbed her mouth with a napkin and followed the pink-shelled koopaling to a private quarter of the beach bar.

"What is it?" Rosalina asked vehemently. She didn't want to be seen having sheltered conversations at this point in the game.

"Both teams are split right down the middle," Wendy said with a sigh. "I doubt either alliance will be able to swing anyone either way. Toadsworth and Zess T. are firmly locked in with Boo and Noki. On the other hand, Wario and I have aligned with you and the Don after my father and his hag betrayed us. Same thing goes on the other team. Princess Shroob will no doubt recruit my dad, and Mario's teamed up with Flurrie it seems."

"What's the point of all of this?" Rosalina inquired.

"I'm saying…what happens at a perpetual tie-breaker?" Wendy offered. "If the votes keep splitting…nothing will get accomplished."

"So there must be some sort of competition to determine the fate of those who received votes, no?" Rosalina guessed. "It's the only option that makes sense."

"Right," Wendy said with a nod. "Meaning we've got to vote out someone we think couldn't beat Wario at a tie-breaker. I'm sure they've thought this through as well," Wendy continued, "so they'll cast their votes for Wario."

Rosalina: We haven't even played the immunity challenge yet, and Wendy is already scrambling for an elimination round. She's playing all of her cards far too quickly.

One person in particular was receiving a lot of the spotlight she so fervently adored. Waltzing into the beach bar, Madame Flurrie felt like the celebrity she knew herself to be. Princess Shroob and Mario were on her like dogs, offering her several favors and niceties.

"My, my," Flurrie said with a warm smile, "it's quite alright. Please, don't think you can buy my affection with some confections!"

Flurrie: My adventure with Mario yesterday proved to be quite the spot of fun! It really made me question my position in this game. I realized I don't have to be someone's pawn, and now my position as a swing vote has made me quite the catch, wouldn't you say? I just love the thrill of all of this!

However, Mario and Princess Shroob barely had time to campaign for Flurrie's assistance before Brighton and Twila entered the room. Their presence quickly launched the players into the thought of the looming immunity challenge.

"Good morning, competitors!" Brighton said with a warm expression, all puns aside. "I see you've all had a chance to eat breakfast, which is good considering we have a long trek ahead of us."

"Leaving Gelato Beach are we, old boy?" Toadsworth asked with a wave of his cane.

"Yep," said Twila with a nod. "It's time to head for bigger and brighter things, and I can't wait to tell you where we're headed!"

"Go ahead," Brighton said, prompting his sister with a smile.

"Pinna Park!" She cheered. "Wheee! I just love the rides, and you will too," she said with a dastardly wink. "Now come along, let's all board the bus and make way to the docks. We've got to get to Pinna Park bright and early. The whole park is sealed off just for our little game."

Black Yoshi: I love roller coasters! I just hope Birdo does too. If she's afraid of them, what kind of things will be in store for us?

The group finished their meal and made their way outside to join Brighton and Twila on the bus awaiting them. Of course, the budding couples all sat together, and since they had begun their coalition in yesterday's challenge, it was only natural they kept things going. Even though Stanley and Birdo were alone on Team Manta since the switch, they still kept up with their four companions. The alliance of six was quite strong given the amount of players remaining in the game.

"So," mumbled Zess T. "Give it to us straight, Boo. How's the dynamic of Team Dolphin?"

"Well," Boo said thoughtfully. "It's certainly changed now that Bowser and Kammy are gone. It's kind of sad really, since they jumped ship without giving Wendy a second thought. I mean, she is Bowser's daughter. Kind of harsh if you ask me. What would you say?" Boo asked Noki, turning his head to look at her. She immediately blushed, unsure of how to assess her teammates.

"W-well," the marine biologist stuttered. "I think Wendy's at a big disadvantage. She's grown desperate without her father and Kammy by her side. She's campaigning hard with Don Pianta and Rosalina, but she seems to be in need of allies." Her speech set a light bulb off in her head. "I'm sure she'd be willing to do anything for a few extra votes," Noki said, the beginnings of a devilish twinkle arising in her eyes.

"W-what are you implying?" Birdo asked. "Something unsavory?"

"I'm not really one for diabolical moves, but if we want to make progress in this game, Wendy's vote would be the way to do it," said Noki. "She's got no other moves to make. If we offer her solace, the five of us would be able to pick off Wario, Rosalina, and the Don without incurring any major setbacks. We do that successfully, and we'll probably make it to the point where the teams conjoin."

"You think there's a point like that, lass?" Asked Toadsworth with an inquisitive nod of his brown-speckled cap.

"I-I do," Noki stammered. "I don't see why we'd continue to be separate teams until the bitter end. If we all can find a way to remain in the game until that point, we'll hold majority." The clever deduction of the sea-shelled creature was met with affirmative nods from her allies. If they held strong…they would certainly prevail.

In the back of the bus, the race to get to Flurrie began.

"Oh you can't be serious," spat Princess Shroob vehemently. "One little day away from us and you're already contemplating switching sides? Talk about a lack of loyalty." The space queen rolled her eyes at Flurrie.

"So sweet of you, hon," commented the wind spirit dryly. "You think being rude to me will garner my vote? You can kiss the money goodbye if that's how you're going to act towards me."

"I'm sure she's just frustrated," said Pauline. "We lost a valuable ally in Queen Bee, and then Birdo decided to betray us. Now it's just us three."

"Five, if Flurrie remains loyal," Princess Shroob corrected. "I might be able to arrange a little something with the Koopa King and his aide."

"So we're split down the middle," Flurrie commented with a stroke of her double chin. The fat actress sighed. "I don't know what to do. You've both been good to me, but I'm starting to doubt where I stand."

"Why?" Princess Shroob begged to know. "You think it's because we'd vote you out?"

"That's exactly what I think, sweetums," said Flurrie testily. "You can't expect me follow a dead end path, do you? If I wavered before, you and Bowser would cut me like slack on the rope!"

Princess Shroob grounded her teeth together. Before she could conjure up a snarky reply, a certain mustachioed hero made his way to the back of the bus. "E-excuse me," he said tentatively, making sure to avoid eye contact with Pauline. "Could I borrow Flurrie for a moment?"

"You don't even have to ask, Mario," said Flurrie with a smile. She rose from her seat, following Mario back to where he was. From her seat with Pauline, Princess Shroob growled. "Just look at her…smitten for the man."

The comment caused a fire to brew in Pauline's eyes.

Pauline: I've been so depressed lately…but it's time to step up! If Mario isn't going to give me the time of day, I might as well make myself useful and give him the axe! Flurrie can't see through the smoke and mirrors, but I know one thing about Mario. If what he's doing doesn't benefit himself or that gaudy Princess Peach, he's not going to give it his all. In Flurrie's case, she'd be better off with us, I'm positive.

Now alone with Mario, Flurrie felt less tense. "So," she said, pursing her lips. "What is it you need?" She didn't say it rudely, but in a kind tone.

"I was just wondering where your head is at," Mario admitted. "It's-a-times like these that get me nervous about my future in this game. We're dead split if you decide to come with us."

"I understand," said Flurrie with an exhalation of breath. "I think I'm going to do what I want to do with my game…but I'm not quite sure what that is yet. Honestly, I don't see the big fuss of things unless we lose the immunity challenge."

Mario looked out the window, noticing they reached the port. "Well," he said with a nervous swallow. "It looks like you may get that opportunity yet."

As the players boarded the boat, not many of them spoke of the game. The short ferry to Pinna Park didn't take long, and everyone was more or less excited or fearful about their future in the theme park.

"Do you think we'll have to ride the rides, your vileness?" Kammy asked her lord. "My weak heart can't take such a thrill these days. Not to mention how the mechanism would be on my back. I sure hope we don't have to."

"Oh you'll be fine!" Cried Bowser, shrugging off her worries. "There's no point in getting so worked up about it. We'll win Immunity today for sure!" The Koopa King wasn't putting too much stock into what would happen if they lost. But he didn't really need too. He and Kammy were in a safe position, because Princess Shroob needed them. However, what Bowser didn't notice was the glare from Wendy coming from the other side of the boat. Arms crossed, the koopaling was more than furious with her father.

The boat gently bumped up against the shore, signaling for the players to filter out. Once they reached the park, a few of them were eager to enter, but Brighton stopped them.

"For today's Immunity Challenge, we won't be entering the park just yet," he said with a grin.

"Why not?" Pouted Stanley. "I was excited to ride the rides!"

"We'll get to that," said Twila, "provided you survive this round. Today's challenge takes place on the shores of Pinna Park. The resident sunflowers here look a little droopy. Your challenge today is to water them and restore their former shine. There's five of them in all. That's an odd number, meaning one team is bound to cure the withered plants more than the other. To do so, you're going to need to do a few things."

"The first thing you'll have to do," said Brighton, stepping in on his cue, "is to take one of these buckets here," he paused to point to a group of buckets arranged by one of the shady palm trees. "Three people on your team will have to be runners, that is, they have to go run to the sea, scoop up water, and bring it back to the pourer."

"What about the other four?" Rosalina asked. "Doesn't seem like this challenge has enough for eight people per team to do."

"You're exactly right," said Twila, deigning to speak to the cosmic princess for the sake of explanation. "You'll have to figure out which four from your team are athletic enough to compete. We'll leave that to you." Her cessation of speech signaled the end of the challenge explanation, and the teams turned to one another in order to best figure out who could fit the bill for the game.

On Team Manta, Mario and Stanley were immediately nominated to play. They were in the best shape.

"I wouldn't mind playing," said Pauline. "I'm in good shape, after all." Everyone nodded at her comment, save Mario, who preferred not to talk to the woman.

"I'll be the pourer," volunteered Bowser. "I can carry the most, so the heavy buckets won't be an issue for me. Put as much water in them as you can." Their decisions were final. It seemed to be the logical choice, and the four of them stepped forward to compete.

On Team Dolphin, a similar strategy was employed.

"I'm afraid I won't be of much use, good eggs," said Toadsworth plaintively. Zess. T concurred with a brassy, "I may be tough, but lifting is out of my skill set."

"So I'll pour," said Don Pianta. "I've got the strength. Rosa should fetch the water considering the shape she's in." The mob boss took charge of the delegation. "Wario's strength could be put to use, leaving Boo or Wendy for the last position."

Noki looked glum as she was immediately ruled out by the Don. Boo gave her a comforting pat and stepped forward.

"I'll do it," he said. Secretly, he wanted Noki to be able to chat with Wendy in order to employ their strategy from earlier.

With the teams set, Brighton and Twila sounded the alarm for the challenge to begin. Immediately, the runners scooped up pails in a haphazard manner and ran for the ocean. Wario was a bit slow on the uptake, being corpulent in size. Mario, Stanley, and Pauline all made a beeline for the water, scooping up a bucket full of water before laying them in a row in front of Bowser on the shore. Running back to the sidelines, they grabbed more buckets and took off again.

"Hurry up!" Rosalina barked at Wario, displeased with his performance. The engineer filled her bucket with water while Boo did the same. Finally reaching the ocean, Wario was already breathing laboriously. His lack of speed was setting Team Dolphin back, which greatly annoyed Rosalina. Shaking his pale head, Boo could only hope they could catch up.

"Faster, ya chumps!" Yelled the irate Don. "We'll lose at this rate!"

He was right, because Bowser had already made it to the first solemn sunflower. A "Go Your Horribleness!" From Kammy on the sidelines but some pep in the reptilian's step, and he dumped the bucket of water on the flower's roots. It wasn't enough to bring her around though, so he had to go back and get the second bucket of water. It looked like more than one pail was needed to do the trick. Sighing, Bowser rushed back to retrieve another batch of water.

Don Pianta rushed off to the same sunflower Bowser had watered, adding some smarts to his maneuvers. He splashed the sunflower's roots with his pail, and the sunflower popped up with a smile. Smiling slyly, Don Pianta had scored Team Dolphin their first point.

"Hey!" Shouted Bowser. "That was cheap!"

"There's no time to dither!" Yelled Stanley at Bowser. "Just start anew!"

Nodding, Bowser knew there was no time to waste. He quickly retraced his steps and picked up the third bucket. At the same time, Mario and Stanley returned with new buckets. Pauline was lagging behind a little, but she got the job done. Bowser decided to take two at a time, and the task was easy considering his strength. He reached a sunflower and dumped both buckets on her roots, causing the plant to spring up with happiness.

"That's one point for Team Dolphin, and one for Team Manta!" Brighton announced. "Only three sunflowers remain…who will claim them!?"

His announcement put fire in everyone's eyes. They increased their paces, but Wario was still lagging. Rosalina and Boo had already lapped him in terms of efficiency, while on the sidelines Noki began a covert conversation with Wendy.

Don Pianta decided to target the large sunflower. He thought if he got to work on it now, Bowser wouldn't be able to take it from him. Carrying one bucket at a time, he made routine trips to dump water on her overgrown roots, but two pails didn't do the trick. This miscalculation gave Bowser enough time to finish the process of watering his second sunflower to completion.

"Team Manta only needs one more!" Twila shouted. "Keep it up!"

Panic setting in, Don Pianta turned to his team. Wario was sluggishly coming up the beach. "I need more buckets, ya doofus!" He shouted. "Come on, pick it up!" His shouts did nothing however, as Wario was plum exhausted. Boo and Rosalina did all they could, but they were falling behind in terms of buckets filled. Mario, Stanley, and Pauline, all three of them now in synchronization, delivered another batch of buckets to Bowser's side.

"Go!" Shouted Mario. "Just-a-go!"

For once, Bowser listened to his nemesis. Carrying two buckets at a time, he made it to the fourth sunflower. Without enough buckets, Don Pianta could only watch in horror as Bowser watered the final sunflower needed for Team Manta's victory. With a roar of flames, Bowser blew his fire into the sky and signaled a win for his new team.

"And just like that, Team Manta slides into victory!" Brighton announced. Bowser high-fived his teammates, even giving Mario a smile. Kammy danced a little jig, pleased with her master's work. On the sidelines, Team Dolphin sighed.

"Looks like you've got to vote someone out," Twila said to them, almost sneering at Rosalina. "We'll see you in the elimination chamber tonight."

Don Pianta furiously turned to Wario. "You're strong, man! Show it. I thought ya could do da job!"

"Well obviously I couldn't," panted out an exhausted Wario.

Don Pianta: I don't care if it cost me da numbahs! Wario cost us da challenge, and it's not in my book ta let losers slide in dis game!

Noki clandestinely met up with Boo, giving him a sly thumbs-up that the negotiation with Wendy had gone well. The pink-shelled koopaling looked at Boo and Noki, sighing a little.

Wendy: The best I can hope for now is that my father's alliance holds. I've tried over and over with Rosalina and the Don, and I'm just giving much more than they are. Hopefully my actions tonight will show them that I'm serious about playing this game.

As Team Manta happily went away to a celebratory dinner, Team Dolphin was met with the fate of visiting the elimination room that had been constructed on Pinna Park's beach. As the night fell, the eight remaining members of Team Dolphin met with Brighton and Twila on the sands. Torches flickered wildly in the night, casting a dim glow on the face of each disappointed team member.

"So let's get down to it," said Twila. "You guys blew the challenge."

"Thanks ta Wario," mumbled the grumpy Don.

"Hey!" The fat plunderer defended himself. "You signed me up for the job! You were the one being so pushy about who did what! I find that as much to blame."

"I don't find much use in squabbling," noted Rosalina. "We have to weed out the weak to make our team stronger."

The comment sounded as if it were meant for Wario, but in her chair, Noki squirmed uncomfortably.

"What do you think, Boo?" Asked Brighton.

"I think Rosalina's right," said Boo decisively. "If we want to stop coming here, we're going to have to get stronger. To do that, out with the weak."

"It raises the question of who's the weak link, however," noted Zess T. "Is it physically, or mentally?" As she said both comments, the cameras panned to separate shots of Noki and Wario.

"I'd like to think physicality is what we need at present," said Toadsworth, "but everything depends on who your allies are. The meek shall inherit the earth, so they say, or in this case, the coins."

"Well," said Twila. "It's time to vote. Toadsworth, you're up first." The brown-capped shroom nodded, hobbling away with the help of his cane. Everyone was anxious to see how the votes would fall. One by one, the competitors cast their votes, and by the time it was over, Twila held eight votes in her hand.

"I'll read the votes," she said, unfurling the first sheet of parchment.

FIRST VOTE….NOKI.

Noki gulped in her seat. Knitting his brow, Boo rubbed her shell affectionately.

SECOND VOTE…WARIO.

Wario grumbled quietly, having expected as much.

THIRD VOTE…NOKI.

Noki's breath began to quicken as Boo narrowed his eyes.

FOURTH VOTE…WARIO.

"Hmph," grunted the fat man.

FIFTH VOTE…NOKI.

"E-eep," said the marine biologist with a swallow. She looked to Boo for comfort, who couldn't take his eyes off of the ballots.

SIXTH VOTE…WARIO.

"Come on," groaned Wario.

SEVENTH VOTE…NOKI.

"J-just one more vote," stammered Noki, realizing things hadn't gone to plan.

EIGHTH VOTE…WARIO.

"We have a tie," said Twila at the end of it all. "This means that we must vote again. Wario and Noki cannot vote, and you can only vote for Wario or Noki. Toadsworth, you're up first again." Nodding, the elderly toad walked to the voting box. Now that six of the players knew they were safe, it was time to see how their loyalties lay. One by one, the six of them, excluding a very nervous Wario and Noki, went to vote. As Boo went up, he gave Noki a peck on the cheek, reassuring her. All eyes were figuratively on Wendy, who was the only person with the chance of swinging things in Noki's favor.

"Alright," said Twila. "I'll read them once more."

FIRST VOTE…WARIO.

Wario was sweating, as per usual, but this time it was in greater capacity and born out of nerves.

SECOND VOTE…WARIO.

Wario sighed while Noki looked hopeful.

THIRD VOTE…WARIO.

"Just one more," thought Noki.

"Fifth person voted out of The DreamStakes," said Twila, showing the piece of paper with Wario's fate written on it. "Wario, four votes is enough. It's time you bring me your bags."

"Ah, well I had fun," said Wario. "Didn't think I'd win, but I did hope to make it a bit further." He turned to his team. "Stay strong," he said sagely, giving them a tip of his hat before bidding them adieu. They watched him go, some of them sad, but others not so much.

"Well," said Brighton as Twila led Wario away. "Tonight you showed your team's definition of strength. Hopefully," he said gravely, "you made the right choice." They all thought on his words as they left the beach behind. They could see Wario's silhouette in the distance, boarding a boat to take him back to the Delfino Airstrip. One more player had been voted out, and with one fourth of the competition gone, things were only bound to heat up from here.

Official Vote Results

Round One

Noki (4): Rosalina, Don Pianta, Wario, Wendy

Wario (4): Zess T., Toadsworth, Noki, Boo

Round Two

Wario (6): Rosalina, Don Pianta, Wendy, Boo, Toadsworth, Zess T.

Wow! I am so sorry I stopped updating this, but I took about a two month break from fanfiction to write a novel! I finished it, but I'm not seeking publication just yet. I'm writing other books in case no publishers like my first one. Anyway, please still support me even though it's been a while! I hope I didn't drive people away! I'll try and get back into the swing of updating things now that I'm back into fanfiction!

~ AdmiralBobbery