A/N: Goodness me! I'm sorry to my faithful readers and reviewers. I know I said I'd be swift on the updates, but school/work/clubs/friends started to consume things for a little while there. I think I'm slowly working on balancing out the semester, so now I have two 3-hour blocks devoted to writing every week. Hopefully in this time I can work on finishing this story and moving on to working on other fics and things I have planned. Thanks for bearing with me!
The DreamStakes!
Team Manta: Birdo, Pauline, Princess Shroob, Bowser, Kammy, Black Yoshi
Team Dolphin: Toadsworth, Zess T., Noki, Boo, Wendy, Don Pianta
Morning rose over Noki Bay, and the twelve remaining competitors woke up inside their shell cottages and meandered outdoors to meet one another for breakfast. From observing the members of Team Manta, those on Team Dolphin could tell who had met an unfortunate end last night. Mario was gone. Now the teams were six against six, and while they were all hoping for the dawn of a merge, something much more sinister and surprising was awaiting them.
"Good morning!" Twila cried with a giggle and a sneer as the competitors filed into the breakfast cottage. "Looks like ol' Mario bit the dust, huh? How saaaaad," she said with a roll of her eyes. Jamming her finger down her throat, Twila mocked the competitors. "I bet that really does you in, doesn't it, Pauline?"
The woman in scarlet turned red and decided to say nothing against Twila.
"W-why are you being so mean?" Noki dared to ask the crescent moon.
"Why?" Twila spat. "Why!? I'll tell you why! Someone here knocked me out cold! One of you assaulted me! Now that I'm back, I'm back with a vengeance, and I'm going to shake things up until I find out which of you is responsible for bashing my head in!"
Zess T. innocently whistled and hid her trusty frying pan.
Zess T.: Whoops! 'Twas ol' Zess who bashed Twila, but we shan't let her know! Ohohoho~
Brighton arrived on scene, munching a muffin in his right hand. "Good morning sis," he said with his normal cheery disposition. "Good to see you're back to normal."
"Normal?" Twila asked with a hiss. "I'm anything but normal, Brighton! I'm angry! I'm furious!"
"Calm down," Brighton told her, holding up a hand. His orange and red robe's sleeve slid down a bit as he did so. "Let's just tell these fools what lays in store for them now that you're back."
"Oh fine," Twila spat, sticking out her tongue at everyone.
Black Yoshi: A shake up is definitely what we need. Twila may look scary, but her temper may benefit Birdo and I. We lost Mario last night, and while he was a bigot, he was a number. Birdo and I face Princess Shroob's gang of villains alone…and we need something to get us out of this bind.
"So!" Twila shouted. "You may be hoping for a merge…but too bad!"
Everyone groaned.
"Instead, we're just gonna shake the teams up again. But this time, it'll be done in style! The Mushroom Kingdom's been watching this game with earnest, and they think each of exhibits heroic traits…and sometimes villainous ones. Which is why this twist is going to be called…Heroes and Villains!"
"Eh wot!?" Toadsworth cried.
"Can it, gramps," Twila spat. "As I was saying, the Heroes and Villains twist works like this. The remaining twelve players will be divided into two new teams of six apiece. On one side will be the Heroes…and on the other side, the Villains. This means Team Manta and Team Dolphin are no more!"
Everyone gasped.
Princess Shroob: Kyehehe! Finally! Something that works in her royal highness's favor!
Boo: This could actually work out really well…if we think about it…or bad…hmm, I'm not sure.
Don Pianta: Dere it is, baby! With Rosa gone, I'm all alone…but a shake-up like dis might shuffle da cards in my favor!
"So, without further ado," Brighton supplied, "it's time to introduce the new teams. For the Heroes…"
"Birdo, Black Yoshi, Boo, Noki, Toadsworth, and Zess T."
All six allies stared at one another with doe-eyes. All six of them were aligned…and any hopes of them controlling a majority at the merge was now thrown out the window.
"Which means that Princess Shroob, Pauline, Wendy, Don Pianta, Bowser, and Kammy make up the villains," Twila explained. "So now that that's been arranged, enjoy your breakfast! We'll be back momentarily for the prize challenges!" She snickered evilly and sauntered away. Brighton flashed the players a peace sign and took his exit as well, muffin still in hand.
"By my Great Aunt's Glasses!" Toadsworth exclaimed. "What in tarnation do we do?"
"There's nothing we can do," Birdo said sadly, drawing her new team into a huddle by the bay. "If we ever lose an elimination challenge…we're forced to turn on one another."
"So that's the catch!" Zess T. said with a wink and a laugh. "We just never lose!"
"How?" Stanley asked, his lips trembling. "Look at them! They've got Don Pianta and Bowser, Kammy's magic, and Princess Shroob's devious mind! We don't stand a chance!"
"Then we'll have to be smart," Boo said, rubbing his ghostly chin. "It's the only way." All six of them nodded, trying to be strong but at the same time fearing their future in this game.
Princess Shroob quickly took charge for the villains. She rounded them all up outside the breakfast cottage and began things with a dastardly speech.
"Well, plebes!" she shouted. "Today is your lucky day! You've fallen under the command of Her Excellency, Princess Shroob!" She raised her wine goblet in victory.
"Ehehehe," Don Pianta laughed, slapping his gut. "We've got mo' muscle an' mind den dose chumps ova dere!" he laughed, his accent thick with the hint of elation. "We can't lose now!"
Don Pianta: Things are lookin' up! Yessir! But…if I want ta really make it fa', I've got ta make an alliance outta dis new bunch.
"Man, I'm starving!" Bowser cried, stomping his foot. "Can we eat?"
"I recommend this course of action," Kammy advised. "His Vileness is rather…grumpy when he gets hungry."
"Let's go!" Bowser roared, shuffling into the cottage. Kammy was right behind him, but Princess Shroob cautioned the other three to stay back.
"I believe it is clear where the line is drawn," she said, eyeing Wendy. "That is…if the Koopa King's daughter has no qualms?"
"Quorum established," Wendy droned. "I've been around by my Dad and that hag all competition! I'm tired of them! If you ask me, it's high time we kick them out!" Don Pianta rubbed his hands and snickered in agreement.
"What say you, Pauline?" Princess Shroob asked, arching an eyebrow.
"I…ok, I guess," Pauline mumbled.
Wendy: Pauline should go next! Yes, my Dad and Kammy are awful! I hate them right now! But Pauline's dead weight since Mario got sent packing! I've been laying low this whole time, but I'm ready to start playing!
Pauline went ahead into the breakfast cottage, tired of talking. When she disappeared into the shell, Don Pianta turned to the remaining two women.
"I like dis," he told them. "Dis three right here, I think we'd go fa'." Wendy immediately nodded and expressed her agreement. Both of them turned to the space princess.
"I know you've been workin' wit Pauline," the Don said, "but can't ya see it's time ta let 'er go? She's nuttin' but an anchor now!"
Princess Shroob sighed. "You are right, filthy pianta man. I may have started this game with a powerful alliance of four women…but every last one of them has betrayed me. First that ugly pink thing, then Flurrie-slave, and now last night, Pauline tried to swing things in Mario's favor. She is no ally of mine."
"So this is it, then?" Wendy asked them. "The three of us use Pauline to take out my Dad and Kammy…and then we turn on Pauline?"
Princess Shroob nodded. "That is the best course of action. Together, the three of us will make it rather far now."
Princess Shroob: Regrettably, I must turn on Pauline now. She's served her purpose, and her place on the totem pole with the others isn't high enough for me to be able to work with her any longer. She's nothing more than a liability at this point. With Wendy and the Don at my side, things work out much better for me.
Alliance crafted, the three of them went to breakfast.
Breakfast didn't take very long. Quick foods like danishes, muffins, and yogurt was consumed before Brighton and Twila came back to fetch the players.
"How's it going?" Twila asked maliciously.
"Things are – " Birdo began.
"I DON'T CARE!" Twila shouted. Birdo looked horrified, but Stanley patted her back comfortingly. "Now that you've shut that horribly odd mouth of yours, I can discuss today's prize challenge with you. Since we're back at an even number, we can play with partners again…so find someone…NOW!"
Everyone scurried to find a partner under Twila's command.
Prize Challenge Partners
Heroes: Boo and Noki, Stanley and Birdo, Toadsworth and Zess T.
Villains: Princess Shroob and Pauline, Don Pianta and Wendy, Bowser and Kammy
"So, let's begin the explanation," Brighton filled in. "We've already had you scale the waterfall and fight Eely-Mouth, ahem, unintentionally of course, but today's challenge is different. It's a challenge of mentality. Prepare for the Ultimate Delfino Quiz!"
"Yay!" Don Pianta and Noki cheered while everyone else booed.
"Every round, we'll ask you a multiple choice question. You and your partner can discuss the answer and then write your selection on your whiteboard."
"What whiteboards?" Boo asked.
Twila pelted the players with sets of mini-whiteboards and dry erase markers. "Those whiteboards," she said casually.
"Anywaaaay," Brighton continued, "if you miss a question, you're out! The last pair standing will win 50,000 coins for their vaults! Sound good?"
Everyone nodded enthusiastically.
"Then please, everyone move to separate tables with your partners, and let's begin."
Once the general set-up had been defined, Brighton and Twila stood at two podiums at the front of the breakfast cottage. Everyone had gotten a bit of food to munch on during the game, seeing as how today's challenge was pretty casual.
"Let's begin," Brighton said. "Question 1! The Delfino Isles take the grand shape of…"
A. Dolphin
B. Crab
C. Monkey
"Please write your answers!"
Not much discussion was needed. Even the stupidest among the players, namely Bowser, knew the answer here. Every duo held up "A" on their boards.
"Correct!" Brighton announced. "Twila, please ask the next question."
"With pleasure," she purred, suspiciously gazing out over the players. "Question Two! Which one of you bashed my head in!?"
"Twila," Brighton said with a roll of his eyes, "please stick to the script."
"You're no fun," she pouted. "But fine. Question Two! Which of the species is not native to the Delfino Isles?"
A. Noki
B. Pianta
C. Tanooki
Once again, no one was to be made a fool of yet. It seemed the first few questions would be pretty easy. Everyone held up "C", and all the teams advanced.
"Alright, time to spice things up!" Brighton announced. "Question Three! Who dwells at the bottom of Ricco Harbor?"
A. Gooper Blooper
B. Cheepskipper
C. Toadsworth's Aunt Judith
"Ah, Aunt Judith did mention visiting the harbor once!" Toadsworth exclaimed. "Perhaps she fell in?"
"No, you dolt," Zess T. hissed, smacking him over the head. "Pay attention!" Twila looked closely at the smack, trying to measure the trajectory with her eyes.
All the teams held up "A", making it through the third question.
"I'll stump you suckers this time," Twila said with a devious cackle. "Question Four! Which of these fruits is not regularly sold in Delfino Plaza?"
A. Bananas
B. Mangoes
C. Coconuts
This question seemed to serve its intended purpose. The players were talking quietly amidst themselves.
"It must be B," whispered the Don.
"I'm sure they sell bananas," Noki muttered.
"Coconuts, perhaps?" Toadsworth asked Zess T.
In the end, everyone held up "B"…save Bowser and Kammy.
"The answer was B, not C!" Twila snapped. "You stupid fools! You're out!" She marched over and snatched away Bowser's whiteboard, kicking them from the competition. With a grumble, Bowser ate a whole muffin in one bite.
"Moving along," Brighton continued, "Question Five! Which of these enemies is not found on Pinna Park's beach?"
A. Bullet Bills
B. Mole Mechanics
C. Electro Koopas
Once again, they seemed stumped.
"If I remember correctly…" mused Stanley.
"It must be C," whispered Princess Shroob.
"The moles…hmm…" guessed Boo.
"Time's up!" Brighton announced. Everyone held up their answers. All the teams had "C"…except for Birdo and Stanley.
"The answer was C!" Twila snapped. "You idiots!" She snatched up Birdo's whiteboard and spit on her face.
"Hey!" Stanley cried, but no one did anything as Birdo collapsed into the worthless heap she was.
"Let's keep going!" Twila shouted. "Question Six! What must you do to awaken a Yoshi from its egg here on Delfino Island?"
A. Sing to It
B. Give it Fruit
C. Shove it in the Water
"Well…water kills Yoshi," Toadsworth pointed out, adjusting his spectacles.
"I think they like music?" Pauline guessed.
"Perhaps it's this one…" Wendy wondered aloud.
"Time's up!" Twila cried. "Show those answers!"
Everyone but Pauline and Princess Shroob had answered with "B". The two women had chosen "A".
"Yoshis have no ear for music!" Twila shouted.
"We most certainly do!" Stanley defended his people.
"Whatever," Twila said with a jab of her tongue. "It's the wrong answer, so Pauline and Princess Shroob are OUT!"
Three teams remained. It was now time for the seventh question.
"Question Seven!" Brighton announced. "Who's hiding in the Serina Beach Hotel Casino…?"
A. King Boo
B. Petey Piranha
C. Toadsworth's Aunt Judith
"Aha!" Toadsworth cried. "Aunt Judith has a severe gambling addiction!"
"No, no!" Zess T. corrected him. "Think!"
Everyone sorted through their answers, and eventually, all of them showed "A".
"Correct!" Brighton said, sounding a bit disappointed.
"Question Eight, your smarties!" Twila shouted. "At Gelato Beach, who's going to hatch from that big egg in the tower?"
A. The Legendary Grand Koopa
B. Wiggler's Bastard Child
C. The Legendary Sand Bird
"I think it must be this one…" said Wendy.
"Perhaps here…" murmured Noki.
"Show those answers!" Twila commanded. Boo and Noki had chosen "A", but that was wrong. The other two teams had chosen "C", which was correct.
"You live here, stupid!" Twila roared. "How could you not know!?" She revoked their whiteboard and beat Noki over the head with it.
"Ouchies," said the shelled creature. "Oh well, we tried." Boo kissed her head, and the two of them watched the final two duos battle it out.
"Question Nine!" shouted Brighton. "What creepy man likes to dress up as a Pianta and challenge people to races?"
A. Il Piano
B. Il Piantissimo
C. Il Poplockanddropit
"Ah, it must be this…"
"I know dis guy…"
"And time's up!" Brighton shouted. "Show your boards?" One team was right…and one was wrong.
"Il Piano!?" Twila cried. "How could you be so dumb!?" She marched over to the two old Toads and stole their whiteboard.
"Congratulations Don and Wendy!" Brighton shouted. "You've won the prize challenge and 50,000 coins apiece!" Don and Wendy did a little dance. Wendy started twerking on top of the table.
Wendy: Woohoo! This game is turning around for Wendy O. Koopa! I've won 50,000 coins, and I've got a new alliance! Best. Day. Ever.
Don Pianta: Looks like I mad it through da fire and da flames, huh? Ol' Don's got some coins and a new alliance. Ehehehe! Peekabo, clear da way, I'm comin through fo'sho!
With the prize challenge over, everyone congratulated the Don and Wendy, and the new teams broke off to do whatever for the rest of the day. They wouldn't have to do anything until the elimination challenge tomorrow, which would either put King Bowser and his magical aide in hot water…or sever an alliance of heroes that had existed since the beginning of the game.
This chapter was shorter…but it served its purpose! A new alliance of Princess Shroob/Don Pianta/Wendy has been crafted, and will they come out on top? What will the heroes do if they ever lose a challenge? Find out next time on…The DreamStakes!
Also, did you like the new twist? Let me know in a review! I write for my fans, so tell me if you liked it! Thanks for reading/following/favoritng/reviewing! I'll try to be quicker with the updates!
~AdmiralBobbery