A/N: Yay I'm back and I'm being consistent! It's a miracle! (It's actually because first year is done, but whatever). So in this chapter, the players will compete in their first challenge at Pinna Park! But when Black Yoshi gets tired of all the racism…he begins brew to a plan of his own. Plus, Princess Shroob learns ray guns can't melt iron pans.
Thanks be to those who reviewed!
ultimateCCC: Not as close as you'd think, about halfway there, actually. Thanks for always reviewing and being so loyal!
TheJirachi21: YAY I'm back! And yes, Noki did survive. Wario was bleh, but the reason why Rosalina and Don and Wendy turn is explained, but I'll also say it now. They got scared that something random or chancey would happen if the tie broke, so they booted Wario instead of risking their own elimination.
Owen96: Piplap-pi! I wanted to have a nail-biting scene like that, but I thought the outcome would be obvious. I'd never keep Wario over Noki XD
Yoshpa: *gasp* Next time don't review on guest accounts x-x And yay for you loving my story! It means so much :D
Diamondjub and "Guest": Thanks for the reviews! Hopefully you'll become loyal fans! :D
So here we go – Episode 13!
The DreamStakes!
Team Manta: Mario, Birdo, Pauline, Flurrie, Princess Shroob, Bowser, Kammy, Black Yoshi
Team Dolphin: Toadsworth, Zess T., Noki, Boo, Wendy, Don Pianta, Rosalina
At the edge of Pinna Park, there were small huts erected for everyone to stay in. There were seven of them in total, and each one held two players, except for the seventh one which held three. The producers tried to arrange them by gender and team…but some of the sleeping arrangements proved less than compatible as everyone regrouped after Wario's elimination.
"There is no way I'm sleeping with that gaudy excuse for an actress!" Kammy Koopa spat, folding her arms and sticking her tongue out at Flurrie. The wind spirit looked abashed, and she fingered her coral necklace while coming up with an equally crude reply for the haggish Magikoopa.
"Y-your robes are so old and dusty!" Flurrie yelled. "And what do you wash your crinkly gray hair with? Cobwebs and cat urine?" Kammy looked like she could kill Flurrie there, but Twila broke into the tent to separate the verbal war. Even though Wendy and Kammy were on separate teams, the production team could only see the koopaling as a suitable sleeping partner for Kammy, so Wendy was ushered into the small seaside tent with the magic hag.
"Oh, gross," Wendy said with a roll of her eyes. "Just don't touch anything of mine, alright? I don't want to contract any sort of disease you might have."
"I'm in good health!" Kammy argued, trying to lunge at Wendy, but her back snapped. "O-oof," Kammy sighed, rubbing her back. "Maybe not in as good health as I thought I was."
Wendy didn't say anything, she just sighed plaintively and sat down on her bed. In the tent next to them, Princess Shroob was having a heated discussion with Pauline. She took a sip from the jewel-encrusted wine goblet she kept on her person at all times, sloshing the red liquid about the small enclosure as she talked animatedly.
"I cannot believe the rotten amount of luck we had!" Princess Shroob cried in angst. "All of the peasants, they are revolting! It's like the Great Shroob Rebellion! This is…this is highly unacceptable! I'll burn their huts down by dawn if they don't cooperate with me!"
Pauline reached out and rubbed Princess Shroobs' arm apologetically. "Even if Flurrie defects, they won't have enough votes to knock someone out of the game. We'll have to go a tiebreaker or something of the sort."
"Is that not the same exact situation that plagued Team Dolphin?" Princess Shroob said back quite venomously. "And look what happened to them! Even though Wario had himself three allies, somehow, he got booted! Wario's fate worries me greatly, Pauline." She banged her fist on the small table in the middle of the enclosure. "We cannot lose now…not to these peasant-folk!" She pointed one finger into the sky and wiggled it vigorously to make her point.
"We'll find a way around all of this," Pauline said, grinning devilishly. "If Flurrie won't obey…I'm sure someone else will."
Princess Shroob caught wind of Pauline's meaning, and with a sordid little grin, she and Pauline concocted a new plan to place themselves in the seat of power.
The largest of the seven huts was occupied by Don Pianta, Bowser, and Rosalina. While production tried to keep the teams and genders somewhat organized, the odd number of both men, women, and number of players on each team prevented this from being entirely feasible. So, the largest of the enclosures was a jumbled mix of men and women from different teams. Bowser snored soundly already, so Don Pianta and Rosalina talked of what went down at the elimination council and tried to steer their game in a better direction.
"We shouldn't have agreed to do that," Rosalina hissed, upset they had shafted Wario when it came to the tiebreaker.
"What was we supposed ta do, eh?" Don Pianta asked her. "We had no idea what da tie-breaker could. Dere was always da chance somethin' random was gonna happen."
"I know," harrumphed Rosalina, folding her arms. "That's why we cut Wario. Upon two ties, the way to break it could have been anything. I didn't want the night to blow up in our faces…but now what are we going to do? Even if we have Wendy's loyalty, we don't have the numbers against those old fungi and the two birdbrains."
"Patience," advised the Don. "Ya never know what dis game is gonna send ya way, Rosa. Mark my ways, a reversal of our fortune is a comin'."
"I hope you're right," said Rosalina shrewdly. "By the seven star spirits, I hope you're right."
In the tent over from them, Mario and Stanley were talking before they turned in from the night.
"This is not-a-right," mumbled the ever bigoted Mario, shaking his head in sheer disgust that Black Yoshi was sharing the same sleeping space with him. "The princess told me one-a-thing before she went and got eliminated. She said 'Mario, stay away from that-a-Black Yoshi. He's-a-nothin' but trouble!'"
Black Yoshi: I thought the racism was done! Peach had been nothing but cruel to me, and then that foul Kolorado. Oh, don't get me started on Kolorado! But now Mario? I seriously hope he didn't think I was taking him seriously when he told me he was my master on my first day here…
"A-are you joking?" Stanley asked in a rage.
"I wish I was!" Said Mario with a sick laugh. "But you, Black Yoshi, are simply inferior to the great Mario! Mariohoho!"
"Why I oughta," Stanley began, but he bit his lip. This was Mario he was dealing with. The Mario! If only the people of the Mushroom Kingdom knew what kind of rulers they were dealing with. Black Yoshi had good mind to write a shocking exposé on the Mushroom Kingdom's rich and famous and their attitude towards certain skin tones once this whole thing was over.
"So I figured," said Mario. "With Flurrie on our side, we'd be able to leverage against the damage Pauline might be able to do to us."
Black Yoshi agreed, putting on his best act and saying, "Oh yes, that sounds like a very good idea." Satisfied with their conversation, Mario terminated further speech and settled down for sleep. However, as the hero clad in red did so, Black Yoshi turned his thoughts to a more malevolent line.
Black Yoshi: I'd rather walk away from this show penniless, which is impossible since I've won some coins already, but I'd rather give those all up than endure such bigotry! No way does Mario have my vote, and tomorrow morning, I'm telling Birdo everything that fat-lipped plumber said!
On the topic of Birdo, the ugly pink monstrosity was sharing a cabana with Flurrie. The wind spirit had been forcibly removed from the company of Kammy Koopa after a violent round of swearing had deemed her unfit to sleep with the hag. Now, she and Birdo were getting along much more pleasantly.
Flurrie: This is only further proof of my involvement with Mario and his friends. Why would I ever align myself with that awful old hag? I think she's just the worst!
Flurrie and Birdo were talking, and Birdo thought she might try and swing Flurrie to their side while they had this exclusive amount of time just to the two of them. "So," said Birdo, her circular mouth moving about in a disgusting way. "Have you been enjoying the game thus far? It's comforting to know we made past the beginning of the game."
"To tell the truth," Flurrie said quietly, "the first time I actually enjoyed being here was when Mario and I dodged that wiggler together. I've gotten all wrapped up in this awful business with Pauline and Princess Shroob and I just don't know where my head's at in this game."
Birdo took the opportunity to talk to Flurrie about the game. "Hmm…," said Birdo. "Well, what does your heart tell you to do?"
Flurrie sighed. "My heart tells me to join Mario!" She exclaimed.
"Then that's what you should do," said Birdo simply.
Birdo: I'm happy Flurrie is finally going to play the game for herself. I do feel a bit guilty however…talking strategy isn't really my forte.
In the last two enclosures, Toadsworth roomed with Boo and Noki was staying with Zess T. The ghost and the sea-shelled creature had grown quite fond of the elderly toads.
"What a day, eh?" Toadsworth asked Boo as he climbed into bed. "I can't believe I've still got my eye on the prize! I thought I would stake my game for the princess, but ever since she got eliminated, I realized I'm having quite the spot of fun, huzzah!"
Boo smiled at that. "Yeah, I'm glad you realized that. It's a blessing you're here, actually," he said to his older companion. "Without you and Zess, I doubt Noki and I could stay sane amid all this chaos."
"How is the lass?" Toadsworth asked him. "It seems like this show's strings are being pulled by fate, eh wot? You and her being on this show together was destiny or my great aunt doesn't make the best marmalade in the kingdom!"
Toadsworth's expressions humored Boo. "I am fond of Noki," he said, smitten over the girl. "She's just down to earth. What about you and Zess?" Boo asked him. "It doesn't seem to be too late for romance for the both of you."
"You can say that again," chuckled Toadsworth. "She's got a belly full of fire, but her cooking is exquisite. I dare say I'm rather glad to have found ol' Zess."
"We control the majority now," Boo commented quietly, suddenly the shifting the topic of conversation. If the teams don't switch, the four of us can coast until the end," he remarked with wide eyes.
"We just have to hope Stanley and Birdo stay safe," Toadsworth added. "If all six of us make it to a point where the teams combine…we'll make it all the way."
The grand thoughts pleased both of them, and with smiles on their faces they drifted off to sleep.
Morning rose on the sands of Pinna Park, and one by one, the contestants readied themselves inside of their cabanas and joined Brighton and Twila out near the entrance to the park.
"Good morning!" Brighton cried.
"Says you," grumbled Bowser. "I barely slept a wink last night."
"I found the huts to be…," Rosalina began but was cut off by Twila.
"Yeahnoonecares," Twila quipped rather quickly. Rosalina folded her arms and gave the celestial hostess a contemptuous glare. "What you should care about," Twila continued, "is today's prize challenge."
"But we just-a-woke up!" Mario cried. "How can-a-we compete all-a-ready?"
"Why do you only speak in your accent sometimes?" Stanley asked, turning around to face the overall-wearing man.
"How-a-dare you speak to your master in such-a-tongue!" Mario cried, shaking his fist at Black Yoshi vituperatively.
No one did anything to combat this obvious racism besides Birdo, and all she did was give Stanley a sympathetic look.
"Ahem!" Brighton cried. "Don't try and steal the spotlight, Black Yoshi. We're trying to explain the challenge here, if you don't mind." He gave the colored Yoshi a sour look. Stanley could only sigh.
"Today," Twila said, "we've rented out Pinna Park just for you! The prize challenge will take place inside, so let's go!" She merrily led everyone to the front gates of the park, where a Noki attendant waved to them and operated the turnstiles for them to enter.
"Good morning," he said to them.
Bowser just wasn't feeling today, so he roasted the poor Noki with a hot stream of fire. Everyone stopped, gasping as the poor man was charred.
"E-erm…," he gasped, toppling over as little tendrils of smoke curled off of his body. No one said a word in fear that Bowser would roast them next.
Bowser: I slept terribly last night! All that fat pianta and Rosalina did was talk game! Yeah, I know all of their diabolical plans, but at what cost? I'm so tired and that stupid shell thing had the audacity to tell me 'Good Morning'. What nerve!
As they entered the park, everyone could see it truly was empty. The park manager greeted them, and he explained how the entire park was theirs for the duration of their stay at Pinna Park's shores.
Noki: I've lived in Delfino all my life, but I rarely visit Pinna Park! Even for a local like me, to have the park all to ourselves made me feel like royalty. But, I doubt anything we do here is actually going to be fun…
As the players entered Pinna Park, Twila and Brighton led them over to the two massive wooden pirate ships that made up the park's famous swinging ride.
"Are we gonna get to ride that thing!?" Zess T. screamed. "Please tell me we get to ride the ships!"
"You indeed do," Brighton answered, to which the old chef did a hearty fist pump. "Today's prize challenge goes to the person who can ride these swinging pirate ships the longest. There's quite a lot of you still, but there's two ships that swing parallel to one another. So, seven and seven will go on both ships."
"What about the fifteenth person?" Rosalina asked.
Twila acted like she hadn't heard her.
"I said…what about the fifteen person!?"
Nobody said anything.
"Hey," Boo said at last. "Uhm, what about the fifteenth person?"
"Glad you asked Boo!" Twila said jovially, annoying Rosalina. "Someone will have to sit out, so everyone form your prize pairs and then we'll see who the unlucky duck is."
Everyone formed their teams.
"Ugh," Wendy said with a sigh, realizing no one wanted to partner with her.
"Aww, too bad Wendy O. Ugly," Brighton said, patting her back.
"What did you just call me?" Wendy asked, shrieking at the host in disdain.
"Your birth name!" Bowser said with a roaring laugh. "Ohoho…I hate you so much, Wendy."
"D-d-daddy?" She asked, her eyes tearing up.
Wendy: I'm really beginning to think my father doesn't like me at all…
Bowser: Man, I hate Wendy! I wanted seven boys! That's what I always told Clawdia! And whaddaya know? Wendy goes and ruins everything! I got six out of seven…man I wish she was a boy.
"So what's the catch?" Boo asked. "I doubt we just strap in and ride these pirate ships."
Brighton and Twila burst into a fit of laughter. Laughing uncontrollably, Twila had to steady herself on Brighton's shoulder before wiping a tear from her eye and speaking. "Oh, strap in! You sure are funny Boo!"
"W-wait?" Noki asked. "We're not going to strap in?"
"Of course not!" Cried Brighton. "That's the point of the challenge. With each swing, the ships will get closer and closer to doing a complete three hundred and sixty degree rotation. The last person to remain on both ships without falling into the water below wins 50,000 coins for their vaults!"
The staggering amount shocked everyone.
"T-that's a ton of money," Pauline whispered to Princess Shroob. "We can't lose this one."
"Of course we're going to win!" Cried the alien queen.
Princess Shroob: It's time I won some coins! How am I going to fund my nuclear death ray if I never win a single prize challenge?
"Go on now," instructed Twila. "Everyone, besides Miss Ugly, get on your ships!"
Wendy sobbed in her hands on the sidelines as the pairs boarded opposite ships.
Pairs: Mario and Flurrie, Princess Shroob and Pauline, Bowser and Kammy, Don Pianta and Rosalina, Toadsworth and Zess T., Noki and Boo, Birdo and Black Yoshi
Ship 1: Mario, Pauline, Bowser, Rosalina, Toadsworth, Boo, Black Yoshi
Ship 2: Flurrie, Princess Shroob, Kammy, Don Pianta, Zess T., Noki, Birdo
"Alright!" Brighton laughed maniacally. "It's time to begin this prize challenge!"
Everyone gulped simultaneously.
With a pull of the crank, Brighton launched the ships into action. As the wooden boats lurched forward in opposite directions of one another, everyone scrambled to find something of substance to hang on to. Most people rushed to the main mast, with many of the others pushing people out of the way to get to them. However, a few people found solace on some of the ships' railings, clutching to the bannisters for dear life.
"This isn't so bad at first," remarked Pauline as the ships gently swayed. The boats swung forward, the feeling of anti-gravity scrambling some of the player's stomachs. Swinging back now, the ships began to pick up speed. It was still pretty calm, but the ships were beginning to rhythmically pick up speed. Like a metronome they swung back and forth, going from slow to quick in just a short amount of time.
"Whoa!" Shouted Boo. "Noki, hold on over there!" He shouted across the ships.
"I'm trying!" Noki replied feebly, her weak arms having a tough time clutching to the bannister. In the middle of her ship, a fight for the mainmast began as the ships began to tilt upwards. Sliding across the deck, Flurrie hit her face against the wooden floor.
"I dare say!" Roared the veteran actress. "That was rude of you!"
"Oh can it," snapped Princess Shroob. "You're a rotten traitor, Flurrie, and I'll treat you like the dog you are!" Stomping on Flurrie, Princess Shroob kicked her away from the mast before turning around and shoving her body up against it for support. As they ship careened into the sky, Flurrie slid about the deck without anything to hang on to.
"Flurrie!" Mario cried from the other ship. "Grab something!"
"What does it look like I'm trying to do?" Flurrie asked in hysteria, grappling for anything as Princess Shroob cackled madly behind her.
"You're pretty evil, ya know?" Don Pianta told her as they both swung on the mast.
"Oh don't make me snip that little tree off your head, boss boy," Princess Shroob said offensively.
Don Pianta: Does that psycho know what that would do? I'd die! Holy smokes she's insane!
"Mariooooo!" Flurrie wailed as the ship made a right angle against the ground. Sliding against the bannister, she hit the wall with a wince.
"You're still on!" Mario yelled. At the same time, a few people on his ship were incurring difficulties. Bowser's large size prevented him from securely staying in one place. He cried out as he fell backwards on his shell. Popping into the protective layer, he slid about the deck like a spiky ball of death.
"Good Grambi!" Shouted Toadsworth. "He'll kill us all!"
"Jump onto the mast!" Black Yoshi ordered, doing a flutter jump as the boat leveled out from its most recent return. Boo followed his command, floating up to the mast.
"W-wait for me!" Toadsworth hollered, but it was too late. Too dizzy to stop himself, Bowser smashed into Toadsworth and both of them went flying over the deck.
"Toodletoes!" Zess T. screamed as she clung to one of the railings on the opposite pirate ship. As he fell, Toadsworth bravely hooked his cane on the edge of the ship.
"It's a miracle!" Brighton shouted. "Toadsworth is hanging on by the end of his cane!"
"Master Mario!" Toadsworth barked. "H-h-help me!"
"On it!" Mario yelled, dashing to that side of the ship while it was level and pulling up Toadsworth. Beneath them, a large splash of water signaled the end of Bowser in this competition.
"Bowser is the first one to fall off, and it's been some time!" Twila announced. "Crank up the speed!" She ordered.
"Roger that!" Brighton said in reply, pushing the crank forward. The ships lunged forward, shocking most people. The sudden jolt was enough to root out Flurrie from her insecure position, sending the wind spirit toppling into the water below.
"Great," said Mario with a sigh, swinging Toadsworth around and clinging to the mainmast.
"That leaves twelve players," said Boo, doing the simple math. "Hang on Noki!"
As he said that, both ships soared skywards, reaching their highest point thus far. Everyone was sent tumbling towards the ground. Hanging onto the mast with one hand, Mario held onto Toadsworth with the other. In the crow's nest, Black Yoshi and Boo held on for dear life.
"Wooooah!" Black Yoshi roared, clinging to Boo and holding the both of them down.
"B-b-birdo!" Noki shouted, watching the ugly dinosaur thing fly towards the other side of the ship. Reaching out, Noki grappled for Birdo's outstretched hand. But Princess Shroob held onto the mainmast with one hand and fired her ray gun at Birdo's hand with the other.
"Traitors get what they deserve!" She shouted maliciously, shooting Birdo in the hand.
"Ow!" Birdo screamed, waving her hand back and missing Noki's hand. Screaming, she plunged into the water below.
"How is that fair?" Noki asked Brighton and Twila as the ships came back down.
"All is fair in love and war," Brighton replied, "and this is certainly war."
"Shoot," said Black Yoshi quietly as the ships swung back down. His partner was out, and now only he could contend for the prize.
"I was here first!" Zess shouted, kicking Kammy in the face as the old Magikoopa crawled to Zess's safe position.
"Oof!" Cried Kammy. "Can't you see I'm just trying to win?"
"Back off!" Zess warned, removing her frying pan and smacking Kammy in the face with it. With a delirious roll of her eyes, Kammy crumpled to the deck. Limply sliding off the ship as the boat came back around, she fell into the water.
"With that, Bowser and Kammy are the first pair out of the challenge!" Twila announced.
"Serves them right," said Wendy, blowing a raspberry at her father and his aide as they sulked out of the water.
Ship 1: Mario, Pauline, Rosalina, Toadsworth, Boo, Black Yoshi
Ship 2: Princess Shroob, Don Pianta, Zess T., Noki
The ships came back around, swinging upwards with great speed. Tumbling back towards the ground, everyone had to repeat their former moves. But the angle was a little steeper this time, and both beauties aboard ship one were having a tough time.
"Crap!" Pauline shouted, loosening from her position and soaring downwards. "H-h-help me!" Before she plummeted, Rosalina grabbed her hand.
"Thanks!" Pauline cried.
"Oh, don't thank me," snickered Rosalina. "I just wanted to inform you that I think your dress is tacky before I let you fall."
"Oh you absolute bi-," Pauline began but was cut off by her own scream as Rosalina let go.
"Have a nice trip!" Rosalina shouted after her with a laugh.
As Pauline crashed into the water, Princess Shroob fished her ray gun out and aimed it at Rosalina on the opposite ship. Seeing the action out of the corner of his eye, Don Pianta seized the moment and tackled her to the ground as the ship's leveled out.
"Don Pianta and Princess Shroob are brawling it out on the deck!" Brighton cried in fascination of the wild challenge.
Standing up, both pianta and alien queen stared one another down.
"Don't be thinkin' I'm about to let ya blast Rosa away," the Don growled, reaching forward for Princess Shroob. Skirting out of his way just in time, Princess Shroob stalked behind him and lifted her dress so she could kick him in the back.
"Ack!" Don Pianta croaked, flying forward. His stomach hit the railing as he crashed into Noki. Just as this happened, both ships began to make their first three hundred and sixty degree rotation. Everyone screamed and hung on, clutching to whatever things they could as their legs dangled in the air. Princess Shroob cursed and stashed her ray gun, retreating to the safety of her mast. Without anything to hold on to, Don Pianta leaned over the railing and fell into the water below. He nearly took Noki with him, but the marine biologist closed her eyes shut tight and prayed she could hang on.
Black Yoshi and Boo's decision to use the crow's nest proved fatal as the full rotation of the ship claimed the both of them. Watching Boo fall downwards with wide eyes, the flopped scene played out before Noki. Realizing she was the only one left for her prize pair, the pressure was on more than ever.
"What fun!" Shouted Brighton. "The ships have claimed three more!"
Ship 1: Mario, Rosalina, Toadsworth,
Ship 2: Princess Shroob, Zess T., Noki
Only six remained, and only one full pair remained. As the ships leveled, Princess Shroob fired away at Zess T. to dislodge her from her secure position, but the chef deflected the lasers with her trusty frying pan.
"Wahaha!" Zess T. laughed. "You can't best me, freak-a-zoid!"
"Don't get a big head!" Toadsworth warned from his ship. "Just focus on hanging on!"
His sage words were crucial to heed as the ships swung back for another full rotation, this time in the opposite direction. Falling downwards, everyone out of the challenge watched with keen interest as the remaining six hung on.
"Go Mario!" Flurrie shouted.
"Keep ya head focused, Rosa!" Encouraged the Don.
"Shoot 'em all!" Screamed Pauline. Nodding, Princess Shroob held tight onto her gun, but Zess T. looked back at Toadsworth quickly.
"Win this, toodletoes!" She shouted.
"W-what?" Toadsworth stammered. "Zess, what do you plan on doing?"
"AAAAH!" Screamed Zess, rushing forward before the ships flipped and throwing her frying pan at Princess Shroob. Screaming in horror, the space queen was hit in the head by the metal device and crumpled to the ground. Tackling her before she hit the deck, Zess lunged over the side with Princess Shroob in her arms, splashing into the water below.
"Zess T. and Princess Shroob are out!" Brighton cried. "That means Noki is the last player remaining player on ship two! She and Boo have won 50,000 coins!" As he announced this, he pulled back the second crank, causing the second ship to grind to a halt. Throwing up all over the deck, Noki woozily fell over the side and into the water.
"Oh gross," commented Rosalina from the other ship.
"We did it!" Boo cried, floating up to Noki and kissing her on the cheek.
"So…dizzy," said Noki, collapsing into his arms. Looking a bit concerned, Boo took Noki and floated back over to the sidelines.
"It's not over yet!" Kammy cried. "The first ship is still in motion!"
True to her words, the first ship performed its second full rotation. Hanging on to Mario, Toadsworth tried to do right by Zess' sacrifice, but his arthritis decided to flare up at that moment.
"Darn my age!" Toadsworth hollered as he splashed into the water below. Now with just Mario and Rosalina in contention, the second pair of winners would soon be determined.
"Go Mario, you big hunk of a man!" Flurrie cried.
"Knock 'em down, Rosa!" Shouted the Don.
As the ship leveled out, Rosalina decided to make a brazen move. She staggered forward to try and knock Mario off, but the heroic plumber did a triple super somersault.
"Mariohohoho!" He said, jumping three times and flipping around in the air.
"W-w-what the…," Rosalina began, but Mario landed behind her and kicked her in the ribs.
"It's-a-me!" He shouted, giving the camera a thumbs-up. Screaming, Rosalina flipped over the side and fell into the water below.
"And that's it!" Exclaimed Brighton. "Mario and Flurrie have won 50,000 coins!"
"Yes!" Flurrie shouted, floating into the air. Ship 1 stopped and Mario hopped off it, landing on the ground without so much as a scratch. Flurrie floated up to him, giving Mario a big hug.
Flurrie: This is the second prize challenge in a row that Mario and I have won! Working with him has been an absolute blast! We've won 80,000 coins together! I-I can't believe it!
"I'm sorry, Zess," Toadsworth said glumly. "I hung on for as long as I could."
"That's alright, hon," said Zess with a smile. "You did your best, and that's what matters." She gave him a peck on the cheek, causing the old steward to blush. On the sidelines, both Princess Shroob and Noki were coming back around.
"What an eventful challenge," remarked Bowser. "Man, I bet it would've been boring if Wendy was in it."
Wendy just fell onto the ground and cried.
However, as everyone talked about the results of the challenge, Black Yoshi grabbed Birdo and pulled her aside.
"W-what's wrong?" She asked him, batting her large eyelashes in concern.
"I can't take Mario anymore!" Black Yoshi said, almost a bit too loudly. "I know he's our ally, but he's awful to me! He calls himself my master. And look, he had no qualms in assaulting Rosalina like that. I just don't trust him at all."
"What are you saying?" Birdo asked in confusion. "We need Mario and Flurrie to fight against Princess Shroob."
"Mario's a jerk, and Flurrie will do whatever you tell her to do. Besides, I'm sure Princess Shroob feels threatened by Bowser and Kammy. She's going to want to take them out sooner or later," Black Yoshi continued.
"I don't quite understand," Birdo said naively.
"What I'm saying is," Black Yoshi reiterated himself, "is that it's time we really start playing this game. If we want to win, we're going to have to make a big move, and I think that move would be joining up with Princess Shroob to take down Mario."
"B-but why would we ever do that?" Birdo asked.
"Because Mario's awful," Black Yoshi explained. "He and Peach are terrible people. I mean for Grambi's sake Peach was talking about segregating Shy Guys because she hates the way they look. Mario's a bigot, and the princess is no better. We may think Princess Shroob is the villain here," he said, leaving his words hanging as his eyes drifted towards Mario. The mustachioed hero was talking animatedly with Toadsworth, Zess T., and Flurrie by a pluming fountain of water.
"But I think the devil is right there," he said, "and he doesn't have horns. He wears overalls and a red cap."
Birdo and Black Yoshi exchanged a look, and as their sight drifted back towards Mario, both of them contemplated making the biggest move of this game.
And there is the longest chapter this story has ever seen! *falls over* I hope you liked it! Please, if you're a fan, let me know your thoughts in a review! Thanks for always reading, reviewing, and following!
Will Black Yoshi and Birdo follow through on the plan to knock out Mario, or will the hero of the Mushroom Kingdom lead his team to a victory in the immunity challenge and foil their plans? Now that Rosalina and the Don are in the minority, will the winds of fortune blow their way or will they be picked off one by one? Find out all of this and more next time on... The DreamStakes!
- AdmiralBobbery