Chapter 62: Another Trip To The Yellow Stone

We left the ruins soon after Scarlett treated Daisy, Kris and Candace's injuries with her magic. It was a race against time so we had no choice but to transform back to our HGU forms. Along the way, they didn't know what happened because we were hurt so we were explaining right away that Infinite betrayed us and is going to a location where we were first going to. And they all looked livid. Well… one person was.

"You're kidding, right?! Infinite betrayed us?!" It was Candace.

"Yes." I said. "As soon as we claimed victory, It was a total mistake on my part for giving the stone to Infinite. He looked injured, so I gave it to him, it healed him, and he betrayed all of us, healing both Cackletta and Fawful. Now he's using them both as their backup to turn the tide of his goal."

"This piece of… Well, it was your fault for giving him that stone for whatever reason, but when I see him, I'm SO giving him a piece of my mind for tricking us like that! Especially since he attacked me!"

"You're not wrong. I would do the same thing too." I said with a sweatdrop.

So Infinite's in on finding those stones as well. As well as Cackletta and Fawful. I wonder how they have a connection with the other villains I've encountered.

"So what's the plan now? We only have an hour left so we're gonna have to make some quick and clever decisions." Darius said.

"If I may ask, when you all arrived in this dimension, what was the first location you went to?" Peach asked.

"We went to Yellow Toad and Blue Toad's house first. The ones who escorted us to you." I said.

"Ok, then we'll go there first. We can't let them leave my world in dire straits and we also didn't come this far for nothing."

"But then that would mean we have to get through Twinsy Tropics, Doop Doop Dunes and Sunbeam Plains. I'm not sure how long that will take." Kris said.

"I'll make sure to let the Toads know that whatever conversation they have with me will have to wait because our situation with Infinite is essential."

"Are you sure you don't need to talk to other people for assistance?" Zack asked.

"I'll do it when we're all out of options."

"You're now starting to become a lot more leader-like, Peach. I'm starting to notice it now." Daisy said.

Yeah, it sure is. I'm sure Mario would be proud of her.

"I know! She's not a joke about her realm! That's why she's a great princess to be around." Gemma said.

"I thank you. I'm glad that I was able to become a great assistance to you all."

"Hey, you wouldn't have a leg to stand on if we didn't come. I'm glad you decided to trust us for this." Darius said.

"Well as much as I would want to give more praise to Peach, time is of the essence so we should consume most of our energy and make haste. Infinite's not gonna wait that long." I said.

"Yeah… we better make haste now. After your "committed cardinal sin" had us going on a long journey again." Kinsley said, teasingly.

"Th-That wasn't all on me! It was Infinite who was playing mind games! I wasn't aware!"

"But you were aware of where Cackletta was when she was using her clones as a smokescreen!" Darius shouted.

"Th-Those were two different things!"

"And that different thing made us have a whole hour to get that stone back. That's a bad start for a protagonist." Kris said.

"Yup. Definitely a bad start." Kinsley said.

"Guys, get off her back." Alexis said. "I viewed Infinite as a trustworthy person up until that moment. So it was not entirely Kaze's fault."

Thank you! I would've sent out more proof that he was, to me, generous! But all in all, we should've made Infinite come with us so he can justify his innocence. Instead, we decided to be his puppets and do all the work for him.

"Let this be a lesson to never trust strangers again. Unless they desperately need our help." Blue said.

"Agreed. I should use my best judgment at all times." I said.

* BACK AT SUNBEAM PLAINS*

After getting through both Twinsy Tropics and Doop Doop Dunes, we've finally reached Sunbeam Plains at the cost of… what say 20 minutes. Peach, of course, decided to tell all the toads in both areas that she would decline all requests to speak with her until that stone was found, so that saved a lot of time for us… but not before this happened…

"Golly… My legs hurt. Did we really have to run all this way to go to one single building?!" Mimi whined as she looked exhausted.

"Come on, Mimi. Don't tell me you're exhausted already." Peach said, looking agitated.

"Peach. My legs are weak. I look exhausted. Us having to run a mile is making me tired already."

"Did you even bring water with you? Because if not, therein lies the problem." Scarlett asked.

"No! I don't drink that filth! My mouth can't take that!"

"That's no excuse not to drink it!" Daisy shouted.

"Oh my…"

It left Alexis, Kinsley, Darius and Peach shaking their heads, putting their hands in their face and even huffing and puffing at the fact that Mimi is not a fan of water.

"Mimi, you have to get used to drinking water. It helps you become less exhausted." Blue said.

"Yes. Hydration is more important for your health, you know." I said.

"Even still, it's disgusting!" Mimi whined.

"Then I have a solution. I'll carry you for the rest of the way until you get your strength back." Gemma said.

"Wow, thanks! Finally I can rest my le…"

"But! You have to promise me something before you get on my back!"

"Wh-What is it? Is it about that water thing?" Mimi asked with a sweatdrop.

"As Kaze and Blue said, Water is good for you, so you must drink it from this day on." Gemma said. "We all want you to survive. I know you hate it, which I understand, but you'll love us once you start drinking it more. Sounds good? You'll love us."

Mimi then went silent. She didn't seem too happy about it at first, but then decided to give in after thinking about the deal that Gemma proposed.

"I-If it makes you all happy, then fine. Gosh, it's so disgusting."

"Great! Well then."

Gemma then went into a bright light and transformed to her HGU form.

"Hop on, Mimi! We'll make sure those legs are back in full strength again!" She then said.

"Mimimimimi! Thank you for helping a cute little girl like myself! I'll be sure to repay you one day!" Mimi said as she then climbed onto Gemma's back.

"Well that's one way to solve that problem." Peach said with a sweatdrop. "So how much time was wasted? Does anyone know?"

"I don't know."

"I'd say… 15… 20 minutes."

That was Darius saying that. The rest of us didn't know how much time was left.

"By the time we cross paths with Infinite, he's a dead man! I swear of it!" Candace shouted.

"Well, we're only going after him for the stone, not just him." I said. "Again, we were his puppets, so we're gonna get our payback. And we'll make sure your world is safe, Peach."

"I know you will, Kaze." Peach said. "Even though your mistake was as terrible as it was, I'm still gonna take a chance on you no matter what."

"So I heard you saying earlier that you know every toad's building." Scarlett said.

"Yes. I have a ton of experience living here so I should be able to memorize every building."

"Perfect, so Infinite's does not have anywhere to run." I said.

"Well, he does teleport, Kaze. He can go from building to building to building." Blue said.

"Oh, right. That too."

"Are you sure, though, that was your first location that you went to? The toad building?" Peach asked all of us.

"It was. When we first arrived, we saw the two toads in dire need of help. So we're positive that was the first location we went to." I said.

"Very well. Let's move forward."

As we were moving as fast as we could to Yellow Toad and Blue Toad's house, I felt my heart racing a little. Probably because now I was starting to get this feeling that the location we are now going to, isn't the right one. I was starting to feel doubt. But I decided to not blurt it out until I felt ready. I didn't want to think that Infinite is going where I think he is going.

Please tell me this is the location we're going to. Please tell me this is it.

"It's been a while since I stepped foot here. I've been in Sarasaland for too long." Daisy said as she was looking at the place.

"Well some things have changed." Peach said. "It was all thanks to me of course. Other people wanted to work with me in making this world more well-protected. I'm even glad that you were willing to help me, Daisy."

"Hey, girl, it's what princesses do. I'm always there to help no matter what."

"I hate to break the ice, but there is a third princess that is right here." Darius said.

"Huh? Who's that?"

"That's Candace. She's also known for royalty too…"

" Th-They don't need to know that! Stop blurting things that are irrelevant!" Candace yelled, blushing.

"It's relevant, Candace." Blue said with a sweatdrop. "Your actions like laughing like a queen, putting on beautiful clothes, making people bow down to you, and all sorts of stuff are what make you a princess to begin with."

"To be honest, I-I have to agree… I've paid attention to her actions. Yes, Peach, Daisy… Candace is also a princess." Scarlett said while blushing.

"I-I didn't know you swung that way, Candace." Peach said while looking surprised. "Is it actually true?"

Candace was blushing really hard as she was remaining silent for several seconds. She wanted to go off on Darius at one point, but it was too late to defend herself so she said this…

"Y-Yes. I am… B-But just for my hometown… I'm a celebrity and a fashionista. Everyone really loves how I look. And… let's just say I set records."

"Wow! So you're a celebrity, overall?!" Daisy asked. "That's cool! I can't wait to hear how you became a celebrity right off the bat!"

"Well… I'll explain all of this another time along with knocking someone's head off. Shouldn't we keep pushing to find that stupid Infinite?"

"Only one person wants to get the job done at least." Kinsley said with a sweatdrop.

"I'm doing this because our worlds are in danger, so I have to act fast.

…

Well… "We" have to act fast." Candace said after she misspoke on what she was saying.

"Yeah. You're still not wrong, Candace. Look! We're getting closer anyway!" I said.

"It felt like a breeze, don't you think?" Kris asked.

"At one point, it was, until all of the sudden, Mimi…" Scarlett said with an annoyed look on her face.

"Trying to waste a bunch of time due to being exhausted." Alexis said with the same expression.

"Don't put this on me! I'm not the type that really likes to run!" Mimi retorted.

"But, Mimi! Don't you wanna live healthier? I mean…"

"Alright, can we put that to rest already?" Kinsley asked, cutting off Gemma. "We're nearing Infinite. We just need to make sure that he's actually here."

After walking a few more yards, we were now at Yellow Toad and Blue Toad's house once more. But for some reason…

"W-Wait… No one's in here." I said as I was looking through the window.

Infinite was supposed to be here! Why isn't he, damn it?!

"I know this is not some kind of trick, yet again! I know where we first went!" Darius shouted.

"My point exactly!" Alexis shouted.

"Those were his exact words! Head to the first location! Now he's making us spend more time!" Scarlett yelled.

"Now what do we do?" Zack asked.

"Now we have to… * sigh* head to the Mushroom Castle." I said with a worried look.

"I figured was using this house as a smokescreen, just so that he can get the castle." Blue said.

"If that's the case, then he won't have any mercy! He shall be receiving what's coming to him!" Peach said with determination on her face.

"Wait, you still believe us, Peach?" Gemma asked.

"You were with Yellow Toad and Blue Toad, yes? I know this house all too well. If it weren't the case, then losing my patience and chastising all of you would be my next course. But you gave me evidence so you're fine. Infinite, on the other hand, will be in for a rude awakening when we see him."

"Wow, that sure ticked off Peach." Alexis said, looking surprised.

"Which is good. Even I want to see Peach act this way." I said. "Her kingdom is in trouble and the people need her help. We can't let Infinite get away with this."

"Then it's off to Peach's Castle." Scarlett said.

"So let's get it!" Darius said.

"Let's go!" Alexis said.

We all were moving as fast as we could to get to Peach's Castle since Infinite made us hit a dead end and decided to go to Peach's Castle instead. And yes, that pissed me off too. We're gonna make him get that stone back and regret tricking us at a time like this.

No matter his power, I'll be sure he gets punished.

Author's Note: This chapter took me a while to get through, but it's done. It was a struggle advancing the story on a time limit. Let's just say that. Kaze and the others have limited options that they won't be able to breathe at what they were wanting to do.

There's optimism that these next… 2 or 3 chapters will be the last chapters of the Mushroom Kingdom arc. My mind is going one way. My mind is going the other way. I'll see what happens. Whatever happens, happens. Honestly, this stuff kinda happens when you throw in a certain character not from the Mario series into a story that has zero experience in a dimension. But I'll figure it out going further.

That's all I have for now. If you guys enjoyed this story, follow/favorite/review this story, and I'll see you guys in the next chapter.