A/N: So it's been two months, and I know that, but I've been very busy. However, the U.S. Season of Big Brother is in full swing and I recently purchased this season's live feeds, which allow you to look back and watch previous seasons. Anyway, all this binge watching of reality competition TV reminded me of how badly I want to finish this story! I know I've been back and forth about it, but I really want to try and complete this! So, here we go again :D
Thanks to those who reviewed :D
Yoshpa: :O Don't murder Pauline!
ultimateCCC: That's exactly right. Mario may have Toadsworth and Zess T., but without Flurrie by his side, he truly is one vs. all.
Owen96: Thanks for the double reviews! I'm sorry Flurrie left but I realized she had made peace in this competition. She had discovered that she needed to speak for herself and not let others railroad her and speak for her. In doing this, I think Flurrie won the ultimate reward of self-gratification and was able to bid the competition goodbye with a smile.
Heysoup: I'm sorry about Flurrie! I know people really enjoyed her, but we can't win them all. Anyway, thanks for reviewing and appreciating my interesting spin on Mario! I derived the racism he expresses from his countless endeavors across the Mushroom Kingdom. He puts menial species like goombas and koopas and yoshis to harsh use and straight up murders them in order to get to Princess Peach, so I feel like it's fitting.
Joker: Thank you! Thanks for appreciating the blindside and appreciating it. Thanks for being someone who's not mortified that Flurrie went home.
Meta: Wooooow! Thankyousomuch for reviewing every chapter! You are amazing and deserve one million cookies! You're the bomb :D Every review was so thoughtful and insightful and I really appreciate that!
Gabby-Star: Thank you for reviewing! I'm sorry, but no Iggy! Thanks for appreciating the game tho!
Angelatheherablist: Thanks for the review! It's easy to disagree with something so different to what you're used to!
The DreamStakes!
Team Manta: Mario, Birdo, Pauline, Princess Shroob, Bowser, Kammy, Black Yoshi
Team Dolphin: Toadsworth, Zess T., Noki, Boo, Wendy, Don Pianta, Rosalina
Following Flurrie's surprise elimination, several members of Team Manta were left scratching their heads.
Mario: I'm-a-completely-a-blinsided by-a-Flurrie's elimination! If-a-Pauline wanted to go for-a-me, she could have done the deed right-a-there! But-a-no! She hacks off Flurrie instead! What a night!
Pauline: Flurrie got exactly what was coming her way. She backstabbed Princess Shroob and I, and she only got what she deserved. At the end of the day, snitches get stitches and Flurrie's only gone because of what she did to herself.
Black Yoshi: This is the pits! With Flurrie gone, Birdo and I have to completely rely on ourselves to move forward. I know Mario is Pauline's primary target, but if we don't do something fast, we'll follow Flurrie out the door soon enough.
Princess Shroob: This is perfect! Flurrie-slave is gone and since her defection, Pauline and I have only grown in strength. With Bowser and Kammy on our side, there's nothing that pink horror show and her useless boyfriend can do to stop us!
The next morning, the members of Team Dolphin were shocked to note the absence of the lively wind spirit as they met for breakfast outside of Pinna Park. Brighton and Twila had prepared basket breakfasts for everyone including muffins, yogurt, and a banana along with some orange juice. Since there wasn't a hotel on the theme park island for them to stay in, the dining options were a bit more…continental.
"I dare say!" Toadsworth hissed to Zess T. as they munched on their chocolate chip muffins. "With Flurrie gone…things don't look good for our allies on the other side!" Zess T. agreed with him through a slow nod of understanding. A deep frown creased the chef's face, and she could only brew on the thoughts that flashed across her mind. Things did not look good for Mario, Birdo, and Black Yoshi.
Zess T.: It's unfortunate that Flurrie is the one who ended up going home. Without her on our side, if the teams ever merge, we'll be down a number. If we don't merge soon…Pauline and her crew can pick off Mario, Birdo, and Stanley one by one. This is not good!
Despite the sour looks that pained the expressions of Mario and his allies, Pauline was looking rather chipper. She peeled her banana slowly and with glee. She looked out over the remaining players and could barely contain her excitement as she ate her small meal. Beside her, the Koopa King and his faithful lackey enjoyed their breakfast just as much. The team switch had placed them in a position of power with Pauline and Princess Shroob, and now the four villains had free reign over their team. No matter what happened, they held majority. Mario would be sure to go home next.
"Well," Brighton said, rubbing his hands together as he approached everyone. "For some odd reason, Delfino's disappointed with our ratings."
"But we've been giving them lots of spicy drama!" Noki argued, upset that Delfino would be so disappointed with them.
"Hush now, Noki," Boo said, giving her a comforting pat on the head. "It's not your fault." The little seashelled creature gave the ghost an affectionate look before returning to her breakfast.
Noki: Boo and I are very close in this game. Not just for strategy…but he's someone I could see myself with. He always cheers me up when I'm sad and puts me in a good mood. I'm thankful he's here…because I don't know how I'd survive without him.
"Unfortunately," Twila said with a frown, "the networks tend to disagree. So today…there is no prize challenge!" She was met with a wave of dropped jaws. "Furthermore," the celestial host continued, "the losers of today's challenge will have to go straight to the voting arena where a member of their team will be eliminated! It's curveballs like these that will keep the viewers entertained!"
"And raise our pay!" Brighton said with the kind of grin a con man would wear. He earned several disgruntled looks from the players.
Rosalina: Winning today's challenge is imperative for the Don and I. If we lose, the foursome of Toadsworth, Zess T., Boo, and Noki will vote one of us out. I know that Wendy has caused trouble in the past, but they don't perceive her on the same threat level as the Don or I. If we lose…one of us is definitely going home.
Mario: I have to win today's-a-challenge not only for-a-myself, but for-a-Black Yoshi and-a-Birdo!
"If you'll follow us," Twila said, "we'll take you to the challenge."
Only nervous glances and mixed expressions existed between the players. Flurrie had just been eliminated the night before…and now someone else would quickly follow her out. What a shocker this morning had been.
As they walked back into the park, the players noticed that an elderly noki was awaiting them by the Yoshi Carousel. Wondering what this meant, they all journeyed along with Brighton and Twila before reaching the old gent's side.
"Good day!" Toadsworth said with a nod of his brown cap.
"Ah, how are you, good sir?" asked the old noki.
"Wonderful! You are the park manager, I presume?" asked Toadsworth.
"Right-o!" exclaimed the old manager. "Lovely weather, isn't it?"
"If I do say so myself!" Toadsworth said. "Capital!"
"ENOUGH!" Wendy shouted. "You two geezers can make out after we win this super important challenge. Until then, zip it!"
"Actually," Brighton cut-in, "the manager can't 'zip it'. He has to explain today's challenge while Twila and I go get a mani-pedi at the Pinna Park salon!"
"You're leaving us?" Birdo asked, sounding dejected and somewhat offended.
"Oh God!" Twila shrieked. "I just hate the way your mouth moves when you speak!"
"It's alright, Birdo," Black Yoshi consoled her as she crumbled to the ground in shame. The dark Yoshi shot a glare at Twila as she and Brighton walked away, but it seemed to do no good.
"Well…there go our hosts," Bowser muttered.
"And here goes the park manager!" bellowed the noki, earning everyone's attention. "As the park manager, it's my duty to explain today's special elimination challenge to you! Before me is the Yoshi Carousel!"
"Duh," whispered Wendy.
"The challenge is simple. Pick a Yoshi, hop on…and hang on for dear life! If you fall off the carousel, you're out! Last one hanging on wins!"
"I doubt this thing goes much faster than a child's pace," Pauline muttered as she picked out a red Yoshi.
Park Manager: Little do the players know…the machine has been outfitted to do all sorts of crazy things! It can go super fast, and I can even make the Yoshis spin around! Ohoho, what fun this shall be! Good thing they all signed waivers directing any of their injuries away from the park's legal trust!
Everyone had selected a Yoshi. Unbeknownst to them, the park manager had outfitted the carousel with all sorts of crazy maneuvers. A simple ride around the carousel would soon turn into a deadly battle of endurance that would ultimately end in one of them going home. As they held onto the poles extending out of the ceramic Yoshis, they wondered how difficult this challenge could really be.
The pace started off slow, and coupled with the annoying music, many of the competitors found this game to be a joke.
"I bet Brighton and Twila just wanted to get rid of us for the day while they had their spa day!" Bowser bellowed in anger. "I wish I was in the spa! My shell needs waxing!"
"No your vileness!" Kammy shouted. "It's the shiniest shell in the kingdoms!"
"You bet your boxers it is!" Bowser said with a roar of laughter, a few embers escaping his nostrils.
Black Yoshi: Bowser and Kammy disgust me! They think they're invulnerable now that they've teamed up with Pauline and Princess Shroob…but, they kind of are.
Ten minutes passed without anything of importance happening.
"Come on!" Don Pianta grunted. "What's da hold up? When is dis challenge gonna get interesting?"
"Glad you asked!" the park manager cried, cranking a lever nearby the carousel. Suddenly, the ride lurched forward, picking up in speed a great deal.
"Whoahoho!" Toadsworth shouted. "What a turn of events!"
"Can it, old man!" Wendy snapped. "You're beginning to sound like Ballyhoo! Why don't I throw you off a windmill!?"
Her sassy remark caused Toadsworth and Zess T., who was riding her Yoshi nearby, to share a mixed look.
Rosalina: This is great! If Wendy keeps her brash attitude, Toadsworth and Zess T. may think twice about sending the Don or I home.
Wendy: (#*$&% Toadsworth! I hate old people! I once knocked the kickstand off my grandmother's wheelchair and let her roll down a hill to her death just because I hate old people so much! Oops! I think I just confessed to murder on national television…
The Yoshi Carousel began to speed up, and with it, the Yoshis bobbed up and down with greater force. Soon, the smaller contestants were finding it harder to hang on.
"Hold tight, Noki!" Boo urged. "I know you can do it! Just keep at it!"
"I'll try!" Noki said, thankful for Boo's encouragement. He couldn't see it, but the marine biologist gave him a look of endearment from her position. His words of encouragement meant more to her than he knew. However…they couldn't do much. Being so little, it wasn't long before Noki was the first to fall off the carousel.
"Noki is out!" the park manager declared.
"Oof!" Noki shouted, hitting the padding on the edge of the carousel.
"You alright!?" Boo asked from his Yoshi.
"Y-yeah," Noki stammered, "I'm good!"
Boo: Noki shouldn't be disappointed that she fell of first. She tried her best, and this competition obviously wasn't suited to her frame.
Noki: While I know Boo probably just did a confessional about how I should be proud of myself, I can't help but feel disappointed for being the first off…however, anything can happen.
Something did happen, and it wasn't good for Team Dolphin. Being just as small as Noki, Toadsworth and Zess T. were soon to follow. Their arms were weak for being so old, and with a startled cry, both fell off at almost the exact same time.
"Oh no!" the park manager shouted. "Both Toadsworth and Zess T. are out!"
"Me back!" Zess T. cried. "Omigod! My back!"
"Should we call in medical?" the park manager asked.
"Nahhhhhh," everyone said in unison.
Princess Shroob: Zess T. and Toadsworth fall off after Noki! What useless old slaves! Back on my home planet, we exile the elderly since they're so useless!
The game continued with four members remaining on Team Dolphin and seven on Team Manta. However, the park manager wasn't done yet. Slamming a button near the lever, he smiled as the Yoshi Carousel began to make the ceramic Yoshis spin their riders around.
"G-Gah!" Kammy shouted, surprised by the sudden switch. With a cry, the old Magikoopa fell off her Yoshi.
"You're fired!" Bowser grumbled, torching the old hag.
"Your horridness!" Kammy screamed, her tears drowned out by the singe of the flames. Wiping a tear from his eye, Bowser laughed at his aide's misery as his team lost a member.
Kammy: …..
The spinning Yoshis also threw the bigger players for a loop. Their girth made it hard to stay balanced, so both Don Pianta and Bowser found themselves flung off by the rotating dinos.
"Bowser and the Don are out, bringing the game to 5-3 in favor of Team Manta!" the park manager announced. Right after he said this, Mario, Birdo, and Black Yoshi all exchanged smiles as they realized the odds were in their favor. Just Rosalina, Wendy, and Boo needed to drop…and then they'd be home free.
Pauline: The plan is to get rid of Mario…so why not just throw the challenge?
Sharing a nod with Princess Shroob, conveying her meaning, Pauline launched herself from her Yoshi and hit the padding. Shortly after, Princess Shroob did the same with a maniacal, "So long, peasants!"
"Hey!" Black Yoshi shouted. "That's not fair! You guys are throwing the challenge!"
"Oh no," Pauline said in a very sarcastic voice. "We'd never do such a thing!"
"Yes we would," Princess Shroob said, giving her a confused look.
Princess Shroob: What is this sarcasm you speak of? On my home planet we have no such thing! Shroobs speak their mind!
Mario gritted his teeth, realizing this meant the game was now 3-3, however…he could not let go. Fortunately for him, Wendy soon hurled up chunks and passed out, slipping off her Yoshi and hitting her head on the metal below.
"Good things you signed those waivers!" the park manager bellowed.
"Wahahah!" Bowser chuckled. "Wendy's out cold!"
Bowser: Oh man…what a sack of useless toadstools!
Just Boo and Rosalina held on for Team Dolphin, but the numbers swung back to a settled state because Birdo couldn't hold on for much longer.
"You won't be mad at me if I drop, right?" she asked Stanley.
"Of course not, I'd hate you!" he joked. "No, I'm just kidding. If you feel like you can't go on anymore, then Mario and I got this!"
"It's-a-alright, Birdo," Mario reassured her. "This mongoloid and I won't-a-fail!"
"Seriously?" Black Yoshi asked him with creased eyes.
"Alright then," Birdo said with a sigh. "Off I go!" She jumped from her Yoshi, landing in the padding and removing herself from the game.
"It's 2-2!" the park manager announced. "Boo and Rosalina for Team Dolphin, Mario and Black Yoshi for Team Manta! Who will prevail!?"
Rosalina: I know I desperately needed to pull off this challenge to give the Don and I a win…but my arms were jelly by this point. We'd been hanging onto this death trap for thirty minutes and I just couldn't do it anymore…
Rosalina jumped from her Yoshi, leaving just Boo to fend for himself.
Boo: Uhm…I don't really need this! Noki and I can just team up with Toadsworth and Zess T. and vote out one of the other three. If I let go…it only helps us get further!
"Congratulations Team Manta!" Boo chirped. Without further explanation, he floated off of his Yoshi…handing the win to Mario and Black Yoshi.
"YES!" Birdo cheered from the sidelines, hugging Mario and Stanley as the ride stopped and they wobbly stepped down from their sides.
Birdo: Yes, we did it! With Boo's help, neither Mario nor Stanley will be going home!
Birdo was so ecstatic she planted a kiss on Stanley's cheek, causing the dinosaur to blush.
Black Yoshi: Oh man…winning the challenge was cool, but I think snagging that smooch from Birdo was even better!
Mario jabbed his finger in Pauline's face. "How's-a-that?" he asked her with a sneer. "Your little plan did not-a-work against-a-me!" He danced a triumphant jig, causing Pauline to fake vomit.
On the other side of the park, Noki hugged Boo tightly as he floated over.
"It's alright," Boo told her. "I handed them that win since Mario's our ally and he's in trouble. We can just vote out Rosalina tonight."
Boo: Tonight, my target is Rosalina. She's obviously the brains of the operation, and sending her packing would make it a lot easier for us to maintain our status as top dogs. Wendy and the Don aren't much competition after that…
"What a show!" Toadsworth exclaimed. "Everyone did their best!"
"I tried…" Noki said, still sounding dejected that she had fallen off.
"Hey," Boo said, pulling back from the hug. "You did your best, that's all that matters." He gave her a light kiss, causing her to blush slightly. Whatever confidence had seeped away was now renewed by Boo's affirmation of his affection for her.
"So looks like you chumps lost," Brighton said with a laugh, blowing off his fingernails as he and Twila appeared from seemingly nowhere. "That's tough…but like we said, the elimination is immediate. Let's go!"
"We get no time to discuss our votes?" Boo asked, a bit horrified.
"If you can squeeze it in on the walk over," Twila told him. Looking between himself and his allies, the pale ghost tried to devise and whisper out a plan as they made their way out of the park and out to the edge of the beach where Flurrie had been booted just last night.
Don Pianta: Going into dis…I'm afraid either Rosa or myself will get da boot!
Rosalina: I've played aggressively and strategically…and knowing that, I think I might not be too safe.
Wendy: *#*%&*#^% TOADSWORTH!1!
Toadsworth: That Wendy lass sure is nice! I hope she sticks around longer!
Zess T.: For the love of all that is holy and good someone call an ambulance! I snapped me back in half!
Noki: I may have felt a little under confident earlier…but knowing Boo believes in me makes enduring this game a lot easier!
Boo: We control the majority…so whoever our target is…they're going home!
"Welcome to the voting arena," Brighton said, standing on top of a milk crate. "I just got a pedicure with Twila, so you've got another thing coming if you think I'm gonna get grains of sand underneath these toenails."
"That's right," Twila said from her own milk crate. "But enough about that. Shortly, you'll each cast your votes. The victim of this impromptu elimination will be sent packing! What a bummer for you, losers!"
"I don't remember you two being so mean yesterday," Noki pointed out.
"Oh, it's for ratings," Twila explained. "Harsher judges like Piers Morgankoop and Simon T. get larger audiences on reality shows. Brighton and I felt like we should copy their behaviors to get more appeal!"
"Anyway," Brighton said, "it's now time to vote! One by one, cast your votes!" Obeying his words, the players did so, and as they all went to vote, Twila tallied each paper and put them in a box. Once she had all seven papers, she addressed the players once more.
"Alright. I'm going to read the votes. Once the name of the eliminated player is read, it's curtains for you! You'll grab your bag and hop on that little boat and sail back to Delfino Plaza!" she explained, pointing a nearby dingy that would take them ashore.
Twila opened the voting box and began to read the votes.
"First vote…TOADSWORTH."
"Dear me!" Toadsworth exclaimed.
"Second vote…BOO."
Boo: Mostly like the Don or Rosalina…
"Third vote…BOO."
Boo scowled, shooting both the Don and Rosalina a glare.
"Fourth vote…ROSALINA."
Rosalina gritted her teeth, scared that this sole vote meant the next three would be for her.
"Fifth vote…ROSALINA."
Rosalina: Looks like Boo's wised up…
"Sixth vote…ROSALINA."
'Great," the cosmic princess said, blowing a stream of her hair.
"Haha!" Twila cheered, unfurling the seventh vote. "Booyah! You're going home, sucker!" She revealed that the seventh piece of paper bore Rosalina's name. Twila danced a little jig as she sealed Rosalina's fate by displaying the final vote.
"You could be a more gracious host," Rosalina said with a scowl.
"Who cares!?" Twila snorted. "Even if I wasn't copying the harsh host routine, I'd still be ecstatic that your star-stealing butt is going home! Hasta la vista, loser! I'd get your bags for you, but you can show yourself to the boat!"
"Whatever," Rosalina said, dismissing Twila and turning to give them Don a big hug.
"I'm gonna miss ya, Rosa," the Don said, wiping a tear away. "You've been a true ally ta me."
"Oh Don," she said, giving the orange pianta a kiss on the cheek. "I hope you make it quite far."
"Bye Rosalina," Boo said, sticking his hand. The cosmic princess shook it with a firm grip of her own.
"You outfoxed me, Boo," Rosalina said with a nod. "I can respect that. Now take that sharp mind of yours and crush Team Manta! Finish them off."
"Will do," Boo said with a nod.
"Bye Rosie," Noki said with a wave. "Sorry it had to go down this way."
"Bye Noki," Rosalina said with a smile. "And goodbye to you too, frail toads!" Toadsworth barely had time to wave goodbye amid helping the fractured Zess T. to her feet. Rosalina completely ignored Wendy.
"Well, this is it," she said, grabbing her bags.
"Get lost already!" Twila bellowed.
"As you wish," Rosalina said with a smile, ignoring the boat and just floating gracefully into the sky until she disappeared into space.
"God I hate her," Twila said with a breath of hot air.
"I'm gonna miss her," the Don admitted. They all turned away from the beach, but above them in the sky…a star twinkled just for Team Dolphin.
Vote Results!
Toadsworth (1): Wendy
Boo (2): Rosalina, Don Pianta
Rosalina (4): Boo, Noki, Toadsworth, Zess T.
So, I felt like the best way to repay you all for waiting for two months was to do a surprise elimination. I felt like in any logical scenario, Boo would get rid of the only mind that could challenge his…Rosalina. While I wanted to expand her relationship with Don Pianta and get down to some scheming, Rosalina's machinations were ultimately overshadowed by those of Pauline and Princess Shroob. I felt like her place in the game was a murky one…hence the axe she got tonight. Hope you enjoyed it! Also, please excuse any grammatical errors. I typed this all in one go on inspiration and I didn't look back to proofread because I was just so excited to get this chapter out :D
Let me know what you thought in a review, and thanks for always tuning in. See you next time on…The DreamStakes!