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CrystalPhoenixBlader here, bringing in another chapter to the fanfic! It’s time we got time to start the rescue of the baby Yoshis, and.... for once, I really don’t have much to say this time, so let’s just cut to the chase, okay? Anyways, disclaimer time: I do not own any of the Mario characters or the iDOLMASTER characters; the Mario characters belong to Nintendo and the iDOLMASTER characters belong to Namco Bandai. In addition, the characters “Reiji Arisu”, “Xiaomu”, and “Saya” belong to Namco Bandai and Monolift Soft. In addition, the character “Boshi” belongs to Nintendo and Square Enix. With all that aside, let’s return to the tropical island adventure!

*Opening theme: “Other Side of Time” (The Legend of Heroes: Gagharv Trilogy)*

**Mario & iDOLMASTER Partry**
Chapter 53
Chief Yoshi and Kotori Kidnapped?! Lava Ghosts at Blargg’s Boiler!

*Yoshi’s Island ~ Nearby Lake*

*Insert Theme: “Wildlands” (Yoshi’s Island DS (Super Smash Bros. Brawl version))*

Chief Yoshi, satisfied that many of the villager Yoshis were unharmed in the chaos with the Chain Chomps and relieved to the fact that Team Mario and the Idols were going to rescue the younglings at the molten hot Blargg’s Boiler, walked around the area. He was passing through a grove of tropical trees when he saw Kotori quietly sitting on a large rock by the lake.

“Ms. Kotori.” The large Yoshi called out to the attendant, which startled her enough for her to stagger. “OH! H-H-H-HAI!!”

The elder Yoshi responded to Kotori’s shock with a friendly smile. “Hi to you, too.” This was enough for the secretary to sweat a bit as she gave an awkward smile. “Ehhh...”

“Still shaken up from the Chain Chomp attack?” Chief Yoshi asked kindly to the green haired attendant answered with concern... especially on one certain Idol. “Y... Yes. I... I wonder if everyone is alright after all that. Especially Hagiwara-san.”

Chief Yoshi nodded to assure Kotori that the incident is resolved, and asked in wonder of Yukiho’s frightened behavior. “Ah, yes, the matter of that has been settled, only to piled with another problem. What WAS with that girl anyway? She wasn't like that just toward the Chain Chomps, but to little Poochy, too.”

*End Theme, Insert Theme: “Main Theme” (The iDOLMASTER)*

Kotori closed her eyes for a bit and explained. “Oh, Hagiwara-san is like that toward many members of the dog family. If it looks or acts like a dog, she can't hold back her fear.” The attendant sighed as she removed her yellow hairband from her head and scratched her head, as she began the time spent with the girls and their Producer and the very reason she came to the Mushroom World.

“To be honest, I hanged out with those girls and the Producer a lot, I got to know them little by little, detail by detail. But besides that, when they entered this world, or dimension as Benjamin-kun puts it... I was afraid of these dangers that live in here that may take them away from us and we never see them again. So I decided to go here with the Shinra agents to make sure they were okay and I'm satisfied to know they're still alive. But all the crazy and dangerous things they told me about, like the one about the Black Holes from the previous event they got sucked into, I thought I was going to faint or my heart would pop like a balloon and I'd die!”

*End Theme, Insert Theme: “Yoshi’s Island DS (Yoshi’s Island DS)*

Chief Yoshi heard the explanation as he began to express his reaction. “Hmph, I know how that feels all too well, my human guest. Back in the days when I, Moyoshi, and the rest of our friends were helping Mario reunite with Luigi, we never could tell what dangers lay in wait on our adventure... but we marched on, regardless of the untold perils ahead. Chain Chomps, Piranha Plants, Blarggs, Nep-Enuts, ghosts and traps, spikes and lava, we all faced those together even if there was the slightest fear in each of us. When it was finished, we put our mind at ease and carried on with life like usual. I had to keep businesses in business and stabilize order in the village as part of my duty as the chief to ensure my people live and sleep peacefully every day.”

“Goodness... You done a lot more than I could do...” Kotori gasped as she gripped her removed hairband. Chief Yoshi turned to Kotori’s eyes as he spoke. “So! Don't start thinking that you just entered an entirely new world doesn't mean that danger is going to be around every corner of the world—“

*End Theme with Record Scratch sound*

Just then, as the chief spoke, a spell was fired out from somewhere, heading straight for Chief Yoshi and Kotori!

“HUH--?!” The chief and the attendant reacted very poorly as the spell hit them, enough for Kotori to even drop her hairband. Within moments, the two were turned to stone! (They’re still alive, just unable to move now!)

*Insert Theme: “Kamek’s Theme” (Yoshi’s Island DS)*

From out of the trees, Kamek, who made the ambush, flew out of the trees and stopped near Chief Yoshi. The mage sported a smug grin on his face as he laughed. “Kehehe... I did it. I got him! I GOT THE DEFIANT YOSHI RIGHT WHERE I WANT HIM! Hehe! Hee hee hahahahahaha!” Kammy, who just arrived to see the attack, flew to her son with a look of satisfaction. “Well, would you look at that! Nicely done, Kamek, my boy.”

The Koopa mage gleamed happily before turning a confused eye on the petrified Kotori. “The surprised expression mixed with a little horror- a fitting sight for a statue form for his ugly reputation. Oh, Mother, your plan was great! I don't know what EVIL distraction you pulled off, but it worked out in our favor! I knew I could count on you. But... who's she?”

The Magikoopa matriarch then looked at the petrified attendant and answered her son’s question. “Hnn? Her? I think she calls herself 765 Pro's attendant earlier..”
Kamek hovered for a moment to think on what the attendant had said from his mothers point of view, then decided on a proper course of action. “765's attendant? ... Hmmmm, she did say she knew the Idols of 765 quite well... ummmm... ... Mother? Perhaps we should take her, she might prove some use to the King in a way of whatever he desires.”

“Hm? You really think so...? Perhaps we'll see what the King thinks. We may need to come with whatever we want if he thinks otherwise...” Kammy quietly considered the idea. Within moments, 20 of Kamek’s Toadies hover on the scene.

“Ah, there you are. You Toadies took your time; I had to request five times the amount I had before.” Kamek shrugged, remembering he had to use four Toadies to do things in the past. The mage then cleared his throat and pointed to the petrified Chief Yoshi and Kotori. “See those two? Bring them with us to the old castle! ... Well, don't just float around there, DO IT NOW!”

Not wasting any time, the Toadies split into two groups of ten and picked up Chief Yoshi and Kotori along as Kamek and Kammy head off to the castle ruins. Unknown to the Magikoopa mother and son, there was a witness at the clearing as Poochy walked out of the bushes and looked at the spot where Chief Yoshi and Kotori were standing. The hound then sniffed at Kotori’s hairband, before beginning to whimper and howl in sorrow.

*End Theme*

Meanwhile, back to the party...

Producer-san began to take his bearings of where he, the Idols Team Mario, and the Shinra agents stood. The man then asked, looking at the large skeletons sticking out of the massive pool of molten hot lava. “So this... is the Blargg's Boiler...?”

“Oh dear. We make a wrong turn?” Azusa worried as she looked around in worry; Unfortunately, Ritsuko had to correct her as she was sweating from the intense heat of the area. “No, Azusa-san... I think this is definitely the place...” Within moments of the comment, the lava began to bubble...

*Yoshi’s Island ~ Blargg’s Boiler*

*Insert Theme: “Curry in a Hurry” (Yoshi’s Story)*

The insides of the cavern feel very similar to the crater of a volcano with the intense heat coming from the large pool of lava, with large skeletons exposed, providing steep yet dangerous foothills to traverse as well as paths of heated earth. Yoshi began begun to shiver in nervous fear of the place. “Brrrrgh... I sound cold, but I'm not, I'm actually uncomfortable in places like these...!” Yukiho placed her hand on the nervous dinosaur with a worried look on her eyes. “I-I... I know how that feels, Yoshi-chan...”
“Me, too, Yoshi-chan! That lava is not good news.” Yayoi responded, looking a little shaky as well.

“This place may not be a closet, but you sure can find a lot of skeletons in here!’ Dry Bones pointed to the skeletons sticking out of the lava that don’t look at all charred, which made Koopa groan.

Makoto looked around and began to gulp for a moment. “Some part of me just wants to turn back and hightail it outta here...” Yumeko, on the other hand, sighed in disdain as she crossed her arms. “But with some kids in danger, turning back's not an option, huh?”
Shy Guy’s expression changing mask showed his discomfort as he gave his comment. “Gah... The sooner we get those Yoshi Kids, the better.” Birdo, looking pretty sweaty as she continuously began to fan herself, frowned. “Now I see for myself why the Yoshis dread this cave...”

The entire group follows the treacherous pathway until they reached a fork in the road with three paths.

“Hmmm... The path goes in three directions." Benjamin placed his hand on his chin as he looked at what he thought would be a good path. But before he could say a word, the Idols eagerly already have chosen their path, pointing to a more earthen route. “We'll go this way.”

"Uhhh, WHY?" Benjamin said in confusion with a dumbfounded look on his face. Eri then decided to give a reasonable explanation. “There's more stable earth and there is no possible way the lava can reach that high, Benjamin-san.”

“Xiaomu and I are sticking with the Idols to make sure nothing goes against what that Idol said.” Reiji made his decision as he hefted his rack of the weapons he carried, with the Sage Fox happily tailing behind.

“If that's-a how it's-a gonna be, we'll-a take-a this path.” Mario nodded as he looked at the third path, which was a balance of a few bones and barren landscape.

*End Theme, Insert Theme: “Ishnail’s Theme” (Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door)*
"... *Sigh* Fine... I'll take this way.” Benjamin sighed as he took the second path... walking on top of a giant skeleton. The shaky calcium rich matter of the skeleton was enough to unnerve Miki. “B-Ben-kun! Be careful!”

“H-HEY! What are you thinking?! Show some respect for the dead!” Ritsuko yelped out, to which Benjamin turned to her in a defensive stance. “I've seen many skeletons be used as bridges for other people and YOU don't see ANYONE complaining about it.” With that, the interdimension being walked off, leaving Ritsuko’s jaw on broken hinges... and for Luigi to ask Mario one question. “Do we count as part of da ‘otha people’ category, Mario?”

Mario shrugged quietly with one answer in mind. “Let's-a think on dat lata, Luigi.”
Reiji began to move for a bit, but then halted his movement as if he noticed that he, Xiaomu, the Idols, and Team Mario were not the ONLY people exploring the cave.

“You okay, Reiji?” Xiaomu asked her superior, before beginning to speak in her flirty tone. “Is the heat getting to you, tooooo?” That very question left the zebra haired Shinra agent in a tsundere like blush before regaining his stoic composure. “You wish. Just stay alert and keep your eyes out for something that may be threatening. Or SOMEONE.”

*End Theme*

As if the man had had a sense for troubles in that caliber, Saya watched the group from above the rocks, clearly out of his sight.

*Insert Theme: “Evil Profusion” (Namco x Capcom)*

“Ah, little Reiji, you should be, 'cuz I'm in the heat... I'll be keeping my eyes on you and your little Sage Fox friend, not to mention those cute little Idols you're guarding, from the corners and the shadows all the way....” Saya curtly spoke from the shadows... before she too began to feel the intense heat from the lava as she pulled her jacket collar a bit and fanned herself with her hand. “...And whatever business you have here, please make it quick, I don't want to be scalded or scorched again...”

*End Theme*

*Yoshi’s Island ~ Blargg’s Boiler ~ Lava Corridors*

*Resume Theme: “Curry in a Hurry” (Yoshi’s Story)*

*POV: Team Mario*

This particular path smells of brimstone everywhere one would walk, even on the hardened obsidian walkway. Daisy began to reel from the scent as she covered her nose. “I will NEVER understand why Bowser enjoys places like these..”

Koopa then spoke to the Sarasa Land princess. “It takes time to know the Koopa King. After all, the three of us were originally in the Koopa Troop before we quitted.” The former follower then turned to his pals, only to notice that only Dry Bones is present. The undead Koopa then looked around and asked. “Hey, where's Magikoopa?”

“Now that you mention it, where are Boo and Blooper?” Peach began to wonder as well, with Birdo giving out the answer. “I think they went with the Idols. Personally, I could have gone with Yayoi and Ryou... As the bowtie wearing dinosaur gave her answer, Yoshi sighed for a brief moment with one thought in mind at the moment. “I could have had some more time with Iori...”

Luigi was walking as well, when he felt something behind him. He turned around and saw nothing. The green plumber continued his walk until he felt something behind him again! Becoming nervous, Luigi called out to Mario. “Oohhhh...! M-Mario, I-I-I think we're being w-w-w-watched!”
Waluigi snickered in Luigi’s sudden fear, while Mario scratched his head. “Oh, Luigi, it's-a probably da Blarggs looking at us go by.”

“I don't think it's a Blargg, M-Mario. I-I think it's a G-G-G-GHOST!” Luigi, getting panicky as he was waving his arms, cried out, but Wario scoffed at him. “Pah. I haven't seen a single ghost ever since we came in. None of us have!”

Waluigi then crossed his long arms and lifted his chin in a confident grin. “Nyahhhh! I'm-a not afraid of no ghosts! If one ever came up to me, I say, ‘Put-a up your dukes, ghost!’"

*End Theme*

*Splash!*

Just then, a single Lava Ghost jumped out of the lava, hopping over the heads of the team while giving out a strong moaning scream. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...!”

(Wario & Waluigi) “WHAH!!!”
(Yoshi) “WAAAGH!”
(Luigi) “UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!”

*Insert Theme: “Run!” (Mario Party 9)*

Within moments, the screaming Lava Ghost dove back into the lava, leaving Mario a little stunned.
“Holy Cantellini, that was-a bigger than a Podoboo!” Mario gasped, catching his breath. (In case you didn’t know, Podoboo is another name for the Lava Bubble in the Mario series.)
Yoshi was still shaking as he spoke. “I totally forgotten this place also had Lava Ghosts dwelling in here! The cave's also haunted!” However, the very mention of the term ‘ghost’ made Luigi spill all of his color out of his frame into the obsidian walkway and make his spine shake like crazy! “L-L-L-LAVA GHOSTS?!?!?!”

“HUH?!” Peach and Daisy shout out in shock, but just then, more Lava Ghosts leap out out of the lava, each with their own moaning screams, enough to greatly scare Yoshi and Luigi and make them scream!

“Here come more!” Hammer Bro pointed his hammer as a Lava Ghost landed on the obsidian pathway. The flaming specter then began to creep closer to try to reach Team Mario, moaning all the way!

“Move it!” Mario shouted as the entirety of the team hightailed it out, with Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, and Luigi screaming all the way! Wario, however, scoffed as he ran. “Oh no! Nobody’s gonna toast MY rump again!”

*End Theme*

Meanwhile, on the Idols’ end...

*Yoshi’s Island ~ Blargg’s Boiler ~ Barren Pathway*

*POV: Team 765 Pro*

(Boshi) “Yoshi! If anything terrible happens to Liboshi, you better prepare to feel my wrath! He's the only little brother I have in this world. So I want to make sure you and your girlfriends don't mess this rescue up!”

These very words the crude blue Yoshi rang quietly in Chihaya’s mind as she walked. She began to recall two people who had lost loved ones as well as her as he shed a tear. As she looked at the ground, she began to think for a brief moment. “Bobbery lost his wife, Scarlette, to illness decades ago and lived alone and was unfriendly toward the sea and others... until he met Mario-san...

*Flashback of her conversation with Bobbery onboard the S.S. Scarlette*
. Rosalina-sama lost her mother before her father and... brother, a few centuries ago... before she started raising the Lumas...
*Flashback of the very book she read in the Library at the Comet Observatory*
I lost my little brother, Yuu, to a car accident..
*Flashback of the very accident itself that claimed Yuu Kisaragi’s life*

...Now Liboshi, Boshi's little brother... If... If he dies, too...! I...! I can't allow that! I WON'T!!!” The very thought alone gave the songstress the courage she needed to make sure Liboshi does not suffer the same ill fate so easily.

“Chihaya? Are you crying?” Haruka stopped for a moment to ask her dear friend The blue haired songstress wiped her face with her gloved hand and looked quietly at the tear she shed. “.. I can't let something like this stop me...”

Xiaomu wanted to chat with Yukiho for a bit, but the bob-haired Idol seemed to be avoiding for some reason. After a few more attempts to attempt to talk with the Idol, which all ended in failure, the Sage Fox turned to Makoto. “Oy, Makoto.”
“Hai, Xiaomu-kun?” The boyishly handsome Idol responded as she looked at the Sage Fox, who then asked in curiosity. “Yukiho has been avoiding me, ever since she met me. Why is that?”

Makoto rubbed the back of her head in confusion with one answer in mind. “Ano... I know she's abnormally afraid of dogs, but..”

“Uhhhhhhhhhhh, there's no way. I'm actually a Sage Fox.” Xiaomu tried to corredt the tomboyish Idol, but Reiji, who decided to grip the ice blade once used by his father, “Sorin”, just in case, corrected his partner. “Xiaomu. Foxes are relatives of the canine family.”

Xiaomu began to think for a second on what Reiji meant, then froze with her fox tailed hairs standing on end with one thought. “Wait a minute, if that's the case, then getting HER autograph on my poster will be impossible...” Turning desperate, the fox girl decided to look at Yukiho and feign crying. “Bwaaaaaa! Yukiho hates me because of my species!”
“E-Eeeeeeehhhhh?!” Yukiho gasped in shock, prompting Makoto to glare at the Sage Fox and for Reiji to press his palm on his face without a word.

“Would you stragglers stop goofing around and move it?!” Ritsukos snapped at the group behind her, enough for Yukiho to whimper and for Reiji to sigh, wondering if even Saya will handle her without making her mad.

Azusa, fearing that she might get lost in such a dangerous location, decided to grip Producer-san’s arm as she spoke in a loving tone. “Producer, you don't if I keep holding your arm like this, do you? I don't want to get lost in this hot and scary cavern.”
“Uhhh, sure, Miura-san... Eheh...” Producer-san blushed nervously, enough for Ritsuko to sigh.
Blooper looked like it had seen better days as it lied on Hibiki’s head, looking dehydrated. “Bloopaaaaa...”

“Blooper-kun? You could've stayed behind if you feel like you're not up handling this stuff.” Hibiki spoke to the weakened creature, but the creature was defiant of his condition. “Bloooo... But Hibiki... I have to stick with you guys, I don't want to think about you pretty human girls frying up in here... or me! I don't want to be served as someone's cooked entree!”

“Uh, I don't that's going to sound like a tasty meal...” Hibiki grabbed her stomach, feeling that an overcooked Blooper might not be a tasty meal.
Takane overheard the conversation and showed herself in. “I unopposably agree. While squid may be delicous, I say Blooper-san is exceptional to the Sushi menu.” That comment from the Silver Queen however made Blooper frown. “Blooblooooop...”

Hibiki then looked on her shoulder, where Hamuzou, sat, fanning itself. “I think I'm gonna' like this guy. What about you, Hamuzou?” Seeing how friendly the squid is, the hamster gave a thumbs up ... if hamsters even have thumbs...

In the meantime, the net surfing Magikoopa had just informed Eri of a chat site he usually goes to. “Yeah, I know a awesome chat site. I'll send the link over to you by E-mail.” The mage replied to the former hikikomori, who took it by delight. “Really? That will be wonderful--!”

*Splash!*

*End Theme*

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh...!” The moaning scream of a Lava Ghost resonated within the area, right in the sights of all who saw it.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!” Producer-san and ALL the Idols scream in panic, startling Boo, Blooper, Reiji, and Xiaomu. Before long, the specter dove back in the lava.

*Resume Theme: “Run!” (Mario Party 9)*

“WH-WHAT THE *COIN*?! Nobody told us there were ghosts here!” Ritsuko freaked out, flailing her arms up and down. Producer-san also added his two yen to Ritsuko’s reaction. “Lava Ghosts, specifically! Now I've seen a reason why the Yoshis hate this cave!” (Wait.... Producer-san, how’d you know these things were specifically called “Lava Ghosts”??)

“Lava covered ghosts...?” Makoto asked in confusion, as she tried to console a hysterical Yukiho. Yayoi, however, noticed that Boo moved onwards towards the flaming specters. “Looks like someone's trying to make new friends!”

A small group of Lava Ghosts were moaning and passing by by the time Boo arrived.

(Boo) “Hey there! How's it going?!”

*No response...*

(Boo) “Yo yo yo! Wazzaaaah?”

*Ignored again...*

(Boo) “Ah... Not the social bunch, are they...?”

Eri, feeling a terrible chill on her spine, began to whimper. “This cave is haunted! I want to get OUT!”
“I second that, Eri.” Ai also felt scared, but before things could get better...

*Splash!* *Splash!* *Splash!* *Splash!*

A group of Lava Ghosts fell on the ground, blocking the way of the exit! Without warning, the specters began to moan as they attempted to reach for the group! Producer-san, clearly panicked as well, had only one thing to say... “RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!”

Without hesitation, all of the Idols ran off in fear, some screaming as well. Reiji, frowning at the situation, decided that one action was the right choice. “Xiaomu, retreat!”
“I hear ya, Reiji! Getting all slimy with that plant earlier was one thing, but getting barbequed is too much!” Xiaomu yelped as she too had to run.

*Yoshi’s Island ~ Blargg’s Boiler ~ Crossroad*

The Idols kept running, attempting to get away from the Lava Ghosts, until....

*CRASH!!!*

*End Theme*

(Mario) “... Hello.”
(Luigi) “Hi.”
(Haruka) “Konnichiwa.”
(Ritsuko) “Uh... Hey.”

..Apparently, ALL of the Idols, as well as Team Mario, ended up crashing into each other in a colorful heap on the ground!

“'EY!" Benjamin called out, getting everyone’s attention.
“Benjamin!” “Benjamin-san!” “Ben-kun!” “Ben-nii!”
The now cyan Yoshi huffed as he crossed his arms and tapped his foot. “You each took your time getting here. And some people think I'm crazy when I talk to myself, would talking to your double count?" As if by some sick joke, his Double was right there by the original! “Hello!” That was all th e Double said to the group before he disappeared.

“Doesn't have much people to talk to, doesn't he?” Mario scratched his head. (And there he goes, breaking the fourth wall...)

"Luckily, we've not far to go...": The interdimensional being smiled, enough for everyone else to stare at him. “Huh?”

“I heard the wail for help from a young Yoshi. Female, Pink Color. Around 5 years old." Benjamin inquired to the group, which was more than enough to encourage Iori to go to the rescue. “Then we are getting close to them! C'mon! Let's hurry before more of those magma-coated ghouls appear!”

“I second that!” Yoshi quickly agreed with Iori, as well as Luigi. “Third!”
As the group walked over to the deepest part of the cave where the young Yoshis were kept prisoners, Benjamin, realizing something, called out to the Shinra agents. “Reiji. Xiaomu.”

“Yeah?” The agents responded at the same time with confused looks on their faces. The interdimesnional being then took the time to talk. “"Regarding your gun problems from earlier, it.. oh, just come over here." Noticing that the cyan Yoshi does not have time for small talk, Reiji and Xiaomu , remembering the small incident when Reiji’s guns, despite being fully loaded, would not fire, walked to Benjamin to understand what he wanted to do with their guns...

*Yoshi’s Island ~ Blargg’s Boiler ~ Deepest Part*

*Insert Theme: “Lethal Lava Land” (Super Mario 64)*

After the short conversation between the Shinra agents and the interdimensional being, he group followed Benjamin until they reached the deepest part of the cavern. Yoshi noticed the young Yoshis held hostage beyond the bank of molten hot lava. “There they are!”

(Brown Young Yoshi) “Hey, look! Help's here!”
(Pink Young Yoshi) “Pwease help us!”

Putting on a bold front, Iori called out to the younglings. “Don't worry, we'll save you!” Before she could rush out recklessly to the rescue, Yumeko grabbed the rich girl’s arm and responded. “Then how do you plan to cross this hot lava to get to that islet?”

“Um...” Iori halted to realize that there were no foothills whatsoever to safely cross the hot gap with being scorched. Ami and Mami began to frown sadly that this time Kammy may have really outsmarted the group.

(Ami) “Nnnnahhhhhn! That old hag got us stumped now...!”
(Mami) “How can we get across and save them?!”

Feeling that crossing that seemingly impossible will be like a walk in the park to him, Benjamin smirked as she said one word. “Spatius...” Within moments, a pair of glowing magenta claws appear, and with them the cyan Yoshi slashed downwards, creating a rip in space, enough to snatch Iori’s attention. “Uwah?!”

Taking his chance, Benjamin ran through the rip in space and leapt out through another rip near the kids! “It's all right, just follow me and we'll get you home." The enigmatic being called out to the Yoshi children.

“Wow, that was cool!” “Thanks, mister!” “Can we go home now?” “Whoa!” “Yay!”
“... He's like a Swiss army knife full of surprises and tricks...” Producer-san’s jaw hit the floor, while Ayane simply just shrugged. “Well, that fixes our problem.”

*End Theme, Insert Theme: “Negotiation’s not my strong suit...” (Fire Emblem: Awakening)*

Within moments, the young Yoshis leap out of the rip in space with Benjamin. Iori then walked to the being with a smile. “Benjamin-san, you've helped us out of another predicament yet again.”

"Eh, what can I say? I can bridge the gaps of situations like those." Benjamin smiled with a blush.

(Yellow Young Yoshi) “That was scawy! I'm happy you saved us!”
(Purple Young Yoshi) “Can you take us home, pwease?”

Mario smiled and looked at the young dinosaurs. “Sure thing! Just stay togetha and we'll all-a get outta here togetha!” The young green Yoshi in the group smiled with gratitude. “Thank you, mister Mario!” Luigi, on the other hand, felt left out... again.. as he pointed at himself with a sad look on his face. “Hey- what about me?”
Wario, however, was not amused as he sat down on a large rock and picked his nose. “Look at that goody-two-shoes gettin' chummy with the little lizards” Unknown to the chubby rival, the rock he was sitting is proving to become very hot...

“Hey, you! Cyan Yoshi.” A lone rough voice among the group of little Yoshis called out to Benjamin, who quickly responded. "You talking to me?"
“I don't know how you got to this side, but thanks. I'm Liboshi, by the way. I'm the brave Yoshi in this group!” The small blue Yoshi who was the voice within the group, spoke in a cocky, yet confident tone, until a young orange Yoshi in the group made a snark on the overconfident youngling. “H'yeah, brave until a Lava Ghost pops up and he starts clinging on one of the girls!”

“Oh, shut up!” The Yoshi scamp pouted. Takane decided to look at Liboshi and wondered. “So that's the rogue Yoshi's little brother?”

“I can see that for myself; he looks like his big brother." Benjamin noted, seeing as the two blue Yoshis have a similar taste for eyewear and shoes. Producer-san responded with a quiet deadpan. “So we see...”

Ritsuko diverted her attention to Yayoi, who was staring a some oval shaped rocks with spots for some reason. “Yayoi-chan, you've been staring at those weird rocks for a long time.” Yaoi turned to the intelligent Idol with one question in mind. “But don't they look like eggs to you?”

*End Theme*

“Eggs?” Yukiho asked with a visible question mark on her head, easily getting Benjamin’s attention. The interdimesnion being in a Yoshi form looked, and his left eyed started to twitch. Oh, *coin* pits..." As if things weren’t out of hand already, Waluigi, noticing something strange, began to sniff the air for a bit... and it smelled of smoke emitted from a grill. “What's cooking?”

“Ehh? What are you--?” Wario got up from the molten rock he was sitting on and asked in confusion, but then began to smell the smoke as well, and realizing the source of the smoke... was coming from his butt... THAT’S NOW ON FIRE!!!

*Insert Theme: “Flaming Wario” (Wario Land 3)* (Oopsies..)

“WHAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!” The poor rotund rival screamed as she started to run erratically with his butt fully on fire, quickly grabbing everyone’s attention in an instant!
“Huh?!” Haruka’s jaw fell down on the sight of Flaming Wario, as he is called when his bottom is set on fire, though not a full-fledged power up, but a reaction unique to Wario. “Oh my gosh!” Hibiki and Makoto gasped in shock, while Ami and Mami, our little peanut gallery, fell to the ground laughing at the hilarious sight!

“Shut up, you guys!" Benjamin yelped, sweating bullets to the fact that all the noise emitted by the group might wake something from the molten depths up!

“YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!” Wario screamed again as the flames on his butt start to get larger and envelop his entire body, smoldering the chubby rival and causing Waluigi to panic. “Wario!”

*End Theme*

The flames on Wario began to die down, leaving him in a black sooty mess. The chubby miscreant shook off the soot and sighed a breath of relief. “Okay, I'm good.”

*WHAM!!*

Waluigi face planted on the ground, finding it hard to believe that after such an experience, Wario remained alright.

“D'ooh, you guys...!” Benjamin pressed his palm on his face, but then turned around and froze at the sight of the very creature for which the place is named for. “Oh *coin* it all, you're in for it now!"

“BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGG!!!!!!”

*Insert Theme: “Alert!” (Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga)*

“Oh my...!!!” Ritsuko gasped at the sight of the large lava monster, while Toad pointed his finger at the creature and yelped. “It's a Blargg!”

“All that yelling has attracted all the way here!” Yoshi shouted in realization to Wario’s yelps of pain from the flames. The Yoshi kids began to panic as they began to hide behind the bold dinosaur. “IT'S GOING TO EAT US!”

“We got this!” Xiaomu eagerly smiled as she readied Suiren, while Reiji wasted no time readying his weapons kept on the rack he carried. Miki, looking frightened, went to cling on to Producer-san’s arm. “Honey, what are we going to do?”

“I... I don't know...!” Producer-san, equally as panicked, yelped, unsure of what to do. As everyone stared at the large lava monster, Benjamin frowned as he gave one comment. “The worst is just coming, everyone..."

*End Theme*

Oh boy, talk about being cornered! Team Mario and the Idols have all come into contact with the lava creature Blargg, and with the Yoshi kids on tow, can they defeat the creature before they all get barbequed? Find out next chapter!
..Oh, and will they notice that Kotori and Chief Yoshi were kidnapped? Whoa, cliff hanger!

Description
CrystalPhoenixBlader here, bringing in another chapter to the fanfic! It’s time we got time to start the rescue of the baby Yoshis, and.... for once, I really don’t have much to say this time, so let’s just cut to the chase, okay? Anyways, disclaimer time: I do not own any of the Mario characters or the iDOLMASTER characters; the Mario characters belong to Nintendo and the iDOLMASTER characters belong to Namco Bandai. In addition, the characters “Reiji Arisu”, “Xiaomu”, and “Saya” belong to Namco Bandai and Monolift Soft. In addition, the character “Boshi” belongs to Nintendo and Square Enix. With all that aside, let’s return to the tropical island adventure!

*Opening theme: “Other Side of Time” (The Legend of Heroes: Gagharv Trilogy)*

**Mario & iDOLMASTER Partry**
Chapter 53
Chief Yoshi and Kotori Kidnapped?! Lava Ghosts at Blargg’s Boiler!

*Yoshi’s Island ~ Nearby Lake*

*Insert Theme: “Wildlands” (Yoshi’s Island DS (Super Smash Bros. Brawl version))*

Chief Yoshi, satisfied that many of the villager Yoshis were unharmed in the chaos with the Chain Chomps and relieved to the fact that Team Mario and the Idols were going to rescue the younglings at the molten hot Blargg’s Boiler, walked around the area. He was passing through a grove of tropical trees when he saw Kotori quietly sitting on a large rock by the lake.

“Ms. Kotori.” The large Yoshi called out to the attendant, which startled her enough for her to stagger. “OH! H-H-H-HAI!!”

The elder Yoshi responded to Kotori’s shock with a friendly smile. “Hi to you, too.” This was enough for the secretary to sweat a bit as she gave an awkward smile. “Ehhh...”

“Still shaken up from the Chain Chomp attack?” Chief Yoshi asked kindly to the green haired attendant answered with concern... especially on one certain Idol. “Y... Yes. I... I wonder if everyone is alright after all that. Especially Hagiwara-san.”

Chief Yoshi nodded to assure Kotori that the incident is resolved, and asked in wonder of Yukiho’s frightened behavior. “Ah, yes, the matter of that has been settled, only to piled with another problem. What WAS with that girl anyway? She wasn't like that just toward the Chain Chomps, but to little Poochy, too.”

*End Theme, Insert Theme: “Main Theme” (The iDOLMASTER)*

Kotori closed her eyes for a bit and explained. “Oh, Hagiwara-san is like that toward many members of the dog family. If it looks or acts like a dog, she can't hold back her fear.” The attendant sighed as she removed her yellow hairband from her head and scratched her head, as she began the time spent with the girls and their Producer and the very reason she came to the Mushroom World.

“To be honest, I hanged out with those girls and the Producer a lot, I got to know them little by little, detail by detail. But besides that, when they entered this world, or dimension as Benjamin-kun puts it... I was afraid of these dangers that live in here that may take them away from us and we never see them again. So I decided to go here with the Shinra agents to make sure they were okay and I'm satisfied to know they're still alive. But all the crazy and dangerous things they told me about, like the one about the Black Holes from the previous event they got sucked into, I thought I was going to faint or my heart would pop like a balloon and I'd die!”

*End Theme, Insert Theme: “Yoshi’s Island DS (Yoshi’s Island DS)*

Chief Yoshi heard the explanation as he began to express his reaction. “Hmph, I know how that feels all too well, my human guest. Back in the days when I, Moyoshi, and the rest of our friends were helping Mario reunite with Luigi, we never could tell what dangers lay in wait on our adventure... but we marched on, regardless of the untold perils ahead. Chain Chomps, Piranha Plants, Blarggs, Nep-Enuts, ghosts and traps, spikes and lava, we all faced those together even if there was the slightest fear in each of us. When it was finished, we put our mind at ease and carried on with life like usual. I had to keep businesses in business and stabilize order in the village as part of my duty as the chief to ensure my people live and sleep peacefully every day.”

“Goodness... You done a lot more than I could do...” Kotori gasped as she gripped her removed hairband. Chief Yoshi turned to Kotori’s eyes as he spoke. “So! Don't start thinking that you just entered an entirely new world doesn't mean that danger is going to be around every corner of the world—“

*End Theme with Record Scratch sound*

Just then, as the chief spoke, a spell was fired out from somewhere, heading straight for Chief Yoshi and Kotori!

“HUH--?!” The chief and the attendant reacted very poorly as the spell hit them, enough for Kotori to even drop her hairband. Within moments, the two were turned to stone! (They’re still alive, just unable to move now!)

*Insert Theme: “Kamek’s Theme” (Yoshi’s Island DS)*

From out of the trees, Kamek, who made the ambush, flew out of the trees and stopped near Chief Yoshi. The mage sported a smug grin on his face as he laughed. “Kehehe... I did it. I got him! I GOT THE DEFIANT YOSHI RIGHT WHERE I WANT HIM! Hehe! Hee hee hahahahahaha!” Kammy, who just arrived to see the attack, flew to her son with a look of satisfaction. “Well, would you look at that! Nicely done, Kamek, my boy.”

The Koopa mage gleamed happily before turning a confused eye on the petrified Kotori. “The surprised expression mixed with a little horror- a fitting sight for a statue form for his ugly reputation. Oh, Mother, your plan was great! I don't know what EVIL distraction you pulled off, but it worked out in our favor! I knew I could count on you. But... who's she?”

The Magikoopa matriarch then looked at the petrified attendant and answered her son’s question. “Hnn? Her? I think she calls herself 765 Pro's attendant earlier..”
Kamek hovered for a moment to think on what the attendant had said from his mothers point of view, then decided on a proper course of action. “765's attendant? ... Hmmmm, she did say she knew the Idols of 765 quite well... ummmm... ... Mother? Perhaps we should take her, she might prove some use to the King in a way of whatever he desires.”

“Hm? You really think so...? Perhaps we'll see what the King thinks. We may need to come with whatever we want if he thinks otherwise...” Kammy quietly considered the idea. Within moments, 20 of Kamek’s Toadies hover on the scene.

“Ah, there you are. You Toadies took your time; I had to request five times the amount I had before.” Kamek shrugged, remembering he had to use four Toadies to do things in the past. The mage then cleared his throat and pointed to the petrified Chief Yoshi and Kotori. “See those two? Bring them with us to the old castle! ... Well, don't just float around there, DO IT NOW!”

Not wasting any time, the Toadies split into two groups of ten and picked up Chief Yoshi and Kotori along as Kamek and Kammy head off to the castle ruins. Unknown to the Magikoopa mother and son, there was a witness at the clearing as Poochy walked out of the bushes and looked at the spot where Chief Yoshi and Kotori were standing. The hound then sniffed at Kotori’s hairband, before beginning to whimper and howl in sorrow.

*End Theme*

Meanwhile, back to the party...

Producer-san began to take his bearings of where he, the Idols Team Mario, and the Shinra agents stood. The man then asked, looking at the large skeletons sticking out of the massive pool of molten hot lava. “So this... is the Blargg's Boiler...?”

“Oh dear. We make a wrong turn?” Azusa worried as she looked around in worry; Unfortunately, Ritsuko had to correct her as she was sweating from the intense heat of the area. “No, Azusa-san... I think this is definitely the place...” Within moments of the comment, the lava began to bubble...

*Yoshi’s Island ~ Blargg’s Boiler*

*Insert Theme: “Curry in a Hurry” (Yoshi’s Story)*

The insides of the cavern feel very similar to the crater of a volcano with the intense heat coming from the large pool of lava, with large skeletons exposed, providing steep yet dangerous foothills to traverse as well as paths of heated earth. Yoshi began begun to shiver in nervous fear of the place. “Brrrrgh... I sound cold, but I'm not, I'm actually uncomfortable in places like these...!” Yukiho placed her hand on the nervous dinosaur with a worried look on her eyes. “I-I... I know how that feels, Yoshi-chan...”
“Me, too, Yoshi-chan! That lava is not good news.” Yayoi responded, looking a little shaky as well.

“This place may not be a closet, but you sure can find a lot of skeletons in here!’ Dry Bones pointed to the skeletons sticking out of the lava that don’t look at all charred, which made Koopa groan.

Makoto looked around and began to gulp for a moment. “Some part of me just wants to turn back and hightail it outta here...” Yumeko, on the other hand, sighed in disdain as she crossed her arms. “But with some kids in danger, turning back's not an option, huh?”
Shy Guy’s expression changing mask showed his discomfort as he gave his comment. “Gah... The sooner we get those Yoshi Kids, the better.” Birdo, looking pretty sweaty as she continuously began to fan herself, frowned. “Now I see for myself why the Yoshis dread this cave...”

The entire group follows the treacherous pathway until they reached a fork in the road with three paths.

“Hmmm... The path goes in three directions." Benjamin placed his hand on his chin as he looked at what he thought would be a good path. But before he could say a word, the Idols eagerly already have chosen their path, pointing to a more earthen route. “We'll go this way.”

"Uhhh, WHY?" Benjamin said in confusion with a dumbfounded look on his face. Eri then decided to give a reasonable explanation. “There's more stable earth and there is no possible way the lava can reach that high, Benjamin-san.”

“Xiaomu and I are sticking with the Idols to make sure nothing goes against what that Idol said.” Reiji made his decision as he hefted his rack of the weapons he carried, with the Sage Fox happily tailing behind.

“If that's-a how it's-a gonna be, we'll-a take-a this path.” Mario nodded as he looked at the third path, which was a balance of a few bones and barren landscape.

*End Theme, Insert Theme: “Ishnail’s Theme” (Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door)*
"... *Sigh* Fine... I'll take this way.” Benjamin sighed as he took the second path... walking on top of a giant skeleton. The shaky calcium rich matter of the skeleton was enough to unnerve Miki. “B-Ben-kun! Be careful!”

“H-HEY! What are you thinking?! Show some respect for the dead!” Ritsuko yelped out, to which Benjamin turned to her in a defensive stance. “I've seen many skeletons be used as bridges for other people and YOU don't see ANYONE complaining about it.” With that, the interdimension being walked off, leaving Ritsuko’s jaw on broken hinges... and for Luigi to ask Mario one question. “Do we count as part of da ‘otha people’ category, Mario?”

Mario shrugged quietly with one answer in mind. “Let's-a think on dat lata, Luigi.”
Reiji began to move for a bit, but then halted his movement as if he noticed that he, Xiaomu, the Idols, and Team Mario were not the ONLY people exploring the cave.

“You okay, Reiji?” Xiaomu asked her superior, before beginning to speak in her flirty tone. “Is the heat getting to you, tooooo?” That very question left the zebra haired Shinra agent in a tsundere like blush before regaining his stoic composure. “You wish. Just stay alert and keep your eyes out for something that may be threatening. Or SOMEONE.”

*End Theme*

As if the man had had a sense for troubles in that caliber, Saya watched the group from above the rocks, clearly out of his sight.

*Insert Theme: “Evil Profusion” (Namco x Capcom)*

“Ah, little Reiji, you should be, 'cuz I'm in the heat... I'll be keeping my eyes on you and your little Sage Fox friend, not to mention those cute little Idols you're guarding, from the corners and the shadows all the way....” Saya curtly spoke from the shadows... before she too began to feel the intense heat from the lava as she pulled her jacket collar a bit and fanned herself with her hand. “...And whatever business you have here, please make it quick, I don't want to be scalded or scorched again...”

*End Theme*

*Yoshi’s Island ~ Blargg’s Boiler ~ Lava Corridors*

*Resume Theme: “Curry in a Hurry” (Yoshi’s Story)*

*POV: Team Mario*

This particular path smells of brimstone everywhere one would walk, even on the hardened obsidian walkway. Daisy began to reel from the scent as she covered her nose. “I will NEVER understand why Bowser enjoys places like these..”

Koopa then spoke to the Sarasa Land princess. “It takes time to know the Koopa King. After all, the three of us were originally in the Koopa Troop before we quitted.” The former follower then turned to his pals, only to notice that only Dry Bones is present. The undead Koopa then looked around and asked. “Hey, where's Magikoopa?”

“Now that you mention it, where are Boo and Blooper?” Peach began to wonder as well, with Birdo giving out the answer. “I think they went with the Idols. Personally, I could have gone with Yayoi and Ryou... As the bowtie wearing dinosaur gave her answer, Yoshi sighed for a brief moment with one thought in mind at the moment. “I could have had some more time with Iori...”

Luigi was walking as well, when he felt something behind him. He turned around and saw nothing. The green plumber continued his walk until he felt something behind him again! Becoming nervous, Luigi called out to Mario. “Oohhhh...! M-Mario, I-I-I think we're being w-w-w-watched!”
Waluigi snickered in Luigi’s sudden fear, while Mario scratched his head. “Oh, Luigi, it's-a probably da Blarggs looking at us go by.”

“I don't think it's a Blargg, M-Mario. I-I think it's a G-G-G-GHOST!” Luigi, getting panicky as he was waving his arms, cried out, but Wario scoffed at him. “Pah. I haven't seen a single ghost ever since we came in. None of us have!”

Waluigi then crossed his long arms and lifted his chin in a confident grin. “Nyahhhh! I'm-a not afraid of no ghosts! If one ever came up to me, I say, ‘Put-a up your dukes, ghost!’"

*End Theme*

*Splash!*

Just then, a single Lava Ghost jumped out of the lava, hopping over the heads of the team while giving out a strong moaning scream. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...!”

(Wario & Waluigi) “WHAH!!!”
(Yoshi) “WAAAGH!”
(Luigi) “UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!”

*Insert Theme: “Run!” (Mario Party 9)*

Within moments, the screaming Lava Ghost dove back into the lava, leaving Mario a little stunned.
“Holy Cantellini, that was-a bigger than a Podoboo!” Mario gasped, catching his breath. (In case you didn’t know, Podoboo is another name for the Lava Bubble in the Mario series.)
Yoshi was still shaking as he spoke. “I totally forgotten this place also had Lava Ghosts dwelling in here! The cave's also haunted!” However, the very mention of the term ‘ghost’ made Luigi spill all of his color out of his frame into the obsidian walkway and make his spine shake like crazy! “L-L-L-LAVA GHOSTS?!?!?!”

“HUH?!” Peach and Daisy shout out in shock, but just then, more Lava Ghosts leap out out of the lava, each with their own moaning screams, enough to greatly scare Yoshi and Luigi and make them scream!

“Here come more!” Hammer Bro pointed his hammer as a Lava Ghost landed on the obsidian pathway. The flaming specter then began to creep closer to try to reach Team Mario, moaning all the way!

“Move it!” Mario shouted as the entirety of the team hightailed it out, with Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, and Luigi screaming all the way! Wario, however, scoffed as he ran. “Oh no! Nobody’s gonna toast MY rump again!”

*End Theme*

Meanwhile, on the Idols’ end...

*Yoshi’s Island ~ Blargg’s Boiler ~ Barren Pathway*

*POV: Team 765 Pro*

(Boshi) “Yoshi! If anything terrible happens to Liboshi, you better prepare to feel my wrath! He's the only little brother I have in this world. So I want to make sure you and your girlfriends don't mess this rescue up!”

These very words the crude blue Yoshi rang quietly in Chihaya’s mind as she walked. She began to recall two people who had lost loved ones as well as her as he shed a tear. As she looked at the ground, she began to think for a brief moment. “Bobbery lost his wife, Scarlette, to illness decades ago and lived alone and was unfriendly toward the sea and others... until he met Mario-san...

*Flashback of her conversation with Bobbery onboard the S.S. Scarlette*
. Rosalina-sama lost her mother before her father and... brother, a few centuries ago... before she started raising the Lumas...
*Flashback of the very book she read in the Library at the Comet Observatory*
I lost my little brother, Yuu, to a car accident..
*Flashback of the very accident itself that claimed Yuu Kisaragi’s life*

...Now Liboshi, Boshi's little brother... If... If he dies, too...! I...! I can't allow that! I WON'T!!!” The very thought alone gave the songstress the courage she needed to make sure Liboshi does not suffer the same ill fate so easily.

“Chihaya? Are you crying?” Haruka stopped for a moment to ask her dear friend The blue haired songstress wiped her face with her gloved hand and looked quietly at the tear she shed. “.. I can't let something like this stop me...”

Xiaomu wanted to chat with Yukiho for a bit, but the bob-haired Idol seemed to be avoiding for some reason. After a few more attempts to attempt to talk with the Idol, which all ended in failure, the Sage Fox turned to Makoto. “Oy, Makoto.”
“Hai, Xiaomu-kun?” The boyishly handsome Idol responded as she looked at the Sage Fox, who then asked in curiosity. “Yukiho has been avoiding me, ever since she met me. Why is that?”

Makoto rubbed the back of her head in confusion with one answer in mind. “Ano... I know she's abnormally afraid of dogs, but..”

“Uhhhhhhhhhhh, there's no way. I'm actually a Sage Fox.” Xiaomu tried to corredt the tomboyish Idol, but Reiji, who decided to grip the ice blade once used by his father, “Sorin”, just in case, corrected his partner. “Xiaomu. Foxes are relatives of the canine family.”

Xiaomu began to think for a second on what Reiji meant, then froze with her fox tailed hairs standing on end with one thought. “Wait a minute, if that's the case, then getting HER autograph on my poster will be impossible...” Turning desperate, the fox girl decided to look at Yukiho and feign crying. “Bwaaaaaa! Yukiho hates me because of my species!”
“E-Eeeeeeehhhhh?!” Yukiho gasped in shock, prompting Makoto to glare at the Sage Fox and for Reiji to press his palm on his face without a word.

“Would you stragglers stop goofing around and move it?!” Ritsukos snapped at the group behind her, enough for Yukiho to whimper and for Reiji to sigh, wondering if even Saya will handle her without making her mad.

Azusa, fearing that she might get lost in such a dangerous location, decided to grip Producer-san’s arm as she spoke in a loving tone. “Producer, you don't if I keep holding your arm like this, do you? I don't want to get lost in this hot and scary cavern.”
“Uhhh, sure, Miura-san... Eheh...” Producer-san blushed nervously, enough for Ritsuko to sigh.
Blooper looked like it had seen better days as it lied on Hibiki’s head, looking dehydrated. “Bloopaaaaa...”

“Blooper-kun? You could've stayed behind if you feel like you're not up handling this stuff.” Hibiki spoke to the weakened creature, but the creature was defiant of his condition. “Bloooo... But Hibiki... I have to stick with you guys, I don't want to think about you pretty human girls frying up in here... or me! I don't want to be served as someone's cooked entree!”

“Uh, I don't that's going to sound like a tasty meal...” Hibiki grabbed her stomach, feeling that an overcooked Blooper might not be a tasty meal.
Takane overheard the conversation and showed herself in. “I unopposably agree. While squid may be delicous, I say Blooper-san is exceptional to the Sushi menu.” That comment from the Silver Queen however made Blooper frown. “Blooblooooop...”

Hibiki then looked on her shoulder, where Hamuzou, sat, fanning itself. “I think I'm gonna' like this guy. What about you, Hamuzou?” Seeing how friendly the squid is, the hamster gave a thumbs up ... if hamsters even have thumbs...

In the meantime, the net surfing Magikoopa had just informed Eri of a chat site he usually goes to. “Yeah, I know a awesome chat site. I'll send the link over to you by E-mail.” The mage replied to the former hikikomori, who took it by delight. “Really? That will be wonderful--!”

*Splash!*

*End Theme*

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh...!” The moaning scream of a Lava Ghost resonated within the area, right in the sights of all who saw it.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!” Producer-san and ALL the Idols scream in panic, startling Boo, Blooper, Reiji, and Xiaomu. Before long, the specter dove back in the lava.

*Resume Theme: “Run!” (Mario Party 9)*

“WH-WHAT THE *COIN*?! Nobody told us there were ghosts here!” Ritsuko freaked out, flailing her arms up and down. Producer-san also added his two yen to Ritsuko’s reaction. “Lava Ghosts, specifically! Now I've seen a reason why the Yoshis hate this cave!” (Wait.... Producer-san, how’d you know these things were specifically called “Lava Ghosts”??)

“Lava covered ghosts...?” Makoto asked in confusion, as she tried to console a hysterical Yukiho. Yayoi, however, noticed that Boo moved onwards towards the flaming specters. “Looks like someone's trying to make new friends!”

A small group of Lava Ghosts were moaning and passing by by the time Boo arrived.

(Boo) “Hey there! How's it going?!”

*No response...*

(Boo) “Yo yo yo! Wazzaaaah?”

*Ignored again...*

(Boo) “Ah... Not the social bunch, are they...?”

Eri, feeling a terrible chill on her spine, began to whimper. “This cave is haunted! I want to get OUT!”
“I second that, Eri.” Ai also felt scared, but before things could get better...

*Splash!* *Splash!* *Splash!* *Splash!*

A group of Lava Ghosts fell on the ground, blocking the way of the exit! Without warning, the specters began to moan as they attempted to reach for the group! Producer-san, clearly panicked as well, had only one thing to say... “RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!”

Without hesitation, all of the Idols ran off in fear, some screaming as well. Reiji, frowning at the situation, decided that one action was the right choice. “Xiaomu, retreat!”
“I hear ya, Reiji! Getting all slimy with that plant earlier was one thing, but getting barbequed is too much!” Xiaomu yelped as she too had to run.

*Yoshi’s Island ~ Blargg’s Boiler ~ Crossroad*

The Idols kept running, attempting to get away from the Lava Ghosts, until....

*CRASH!!!*

*End Theme*

(Mario) “... Hello.”
(Luigi) “Hi.”
(Haruka) “Konnichiwa.”
(Ritsuko) “Uh... Hey.”

..Apparently, ALL of the Idols, as well as Team Mario, ended up crashing into each other in a colorful heap on the ground!

“'EY!" Benjamin called out, getting everyone’s attention.
“Benjamin!” “Benjamin-san!” “Ben-kun!” “Ben-nii!”
The now cyan Yoshi huffed as he crossed his arms and tapped his foot. “You each took your time getting here. And some people think I'm crazy when I talk to myself, would talking to your double count?" As if by some sick joke, his Double was right there by the original! “Hello!” That was all th e Double said to the group before he disappeared.

“Doesn't have much people to talk to, doesn't he?” Mario scratched his head. (And there he goes, breaking the fourth wall...)

"Luckily, we've not far to go...": The interdimensional being smiled, enough for everyone else to stare at him. “Huh?”

“I heard the wail for help from a young Yoshi. Female, Pink Color. Around 5 years old." Benjamin inquired to the group, which was more than enough to encourage Iori to go to the rescue. “Then we are getting close to them! C'mon! Let's hurry before more of those magma-coated ghouls appear!”

“I second that!” Yoshi quickly agreed with Iori, as well as Luigi. “Third!”
As the group walked over to the deepest part of the cave where the young Yoshis were kept prisoners, Benjamin, realizing something, called out to the Shinra agents. “Reiji. Xiaomu.”

“Yeah?” The agents responded at the same time with confused looks on their faces. The interdimesnional being then took the time to talk. “"Regarding your gun problems from earlier, it.. oh, just come over here." Noticing that the cyan Yoshi does not have time for small talk, Reiji and Xiaomu , remembering the small incident when Reiji’s guns, despite being fully loaded, would not fire, walked to Benjamin to understand what he wanted to do with their guns...

*Yoshi’s Island ~ Blargg’s Boiler ~ Deepest Part*

*Insert Theme: “Lethal Lava Land” (Super Mario 64)*

After the short conversation between the Shinra agents and the interdimensional being, he group followed Benjamin until they reached the deepest part of the cavern. Yoshi noticed the young Yoshis held hostage beyond the bank of molten hot lava. “There they are!”

(Brown Young Yoshi) “Hey, look! Help's here!”
(Pink Young Yoshi) “Pwease help us!”

Putting on a bold front, Iori called out to the younglings. “Don't worry, we'll save you!” Before she could rush out recklessly to the rescue, Yumeko grabbed the rich girl’s arm and responded. “Then how do you plan to cross this hot lava to get to that islet?”

“Um...” Iori halted to realize that there were no foothills whatsoever to safely cross the hot gap with being scorched. Ami and Mami began to frown sadly that this time Kammy may have really outsmarted the group.

(Ami) “Nnnnahhhhhn! That old hag got us stumped now...!”
(Mami) “How can we get across and save them?!”

Feeling that crossing that seemingly impossible will be like a walk in the park to him, Benjamin smirked as she said one word. “Spatius...” Within moments, a pair of glowing magenta claws appear, and with them the cyan Yoshi slashed downwards, creating a rip in space, enough to snatch Iori’s attention. “Uwah?!”

Taking his chance, Benjamin ran through the rip in space and leapt out through another rip near the kids! “It's all right, just follow me and we'll get you home." The enigmatic being called out to the Yoshi children.

“Wow, that was cool!” “Thanks, mister!” “Can we go home now?” “Whoa!” “Yay!”
“... He's like a Swiss army knife full of surprises and tricks...” Producer-san’s jaw hit the floor, while Ayane simply just shrugged. “Well, that fixes our problem.”

*End Theme, Insert Theme: “Negotiation’s not my strong suit...” (Fire Emblem: Awakening)*

Within moments, the young Yoshis leap out of the rip in space with Benjamin. Iori then walked to the being with a smile. “Benjamin-san, you've helped us out of another predicament yet again.”

"Eh, what can I say? I can bridge the gaps of situations like those." Benjamin smiled with a blush.

(Yellow Young Yoshi) “That was scawy! I'm happy you saved us!”
(Purple Young Yoshi) “Can you take us home, pwease?”

Mario smiled and looked at the young dinosaurs. “Sure thing! Just stay togetha and we'll all-a get outta here togetha!” The young green Yoshi in the group smiled with gratitude. “Thank you, mister Mario!” Luigi, on the other hand, felt left out... again.. as he pointed at himself with a sad look on his face. “Hey- what about me?”
Wario, however, was not amused as he sat down on a large rock and picked his nose. “Look at that goody-two-shoes gettin' chummy with the little lizards” Unknown to the chubby rival, the rock he was sitting is proving to become very hot...

“Hey, you! Cyan Yoshi.” A lone rough voice among the group of little Yoshis called out to Benjamin, who quickly responded. "You talking to me?"
“I don't know how you got to this side, but thanks. I'm Liboshi, by the way. I'm the brave Yoshi in this group!” The small blue Yoshi who was the voice within the group, spoke in a cocky, yet confident tone, until a young orange Yoshi in the group made a snark on the overconfident youngling. “H'yeah, brave until a Lava Ghost pops up and he starts clinging on one of the girls!”

“Oh, shut up!” The Yoshi scamp pouted. Takane decided to look at Liboshi and wondered. “So that's the rogue Yoshi's little brother?”

“I can see that for myself; he looks like his big brother." Benjamin noted, seeing as the two blue Yoshis have a similar taste for eyewear and shoes. Producer-san responded with a quiet deadpan. “So we see...”

Ritsuko diverted her attention to Yayoi, who was staring a some oval shaped rocks with spots for some reason. “Yayoi-chan, you've been staring at those weird rocks for a long time.” Yaoi turned to the intelligent Idol with one question in mind. “But don't they look like eggs to you?”

*End Theme*

“Eggs?” Yukiho asked with a visible question mark on her head, easily getting Benjamin’s attention. The interdimesnion being in a Yoshi form looked, and his left eyed started to twitch. Oh, *coin* pits..." As if things weren’t out of hand already, Waluigi, noticing something strange, began to sniff the air for a bit... and it smelled of smoke emitted from a grill. “What's cooking?”

“Ehh? What are you--?” Wario got up from the molten rock he was sitting on and asked in confusion, but then began to smell the smoke as well, and realizing the source of the smoke... was coming from his butt... THAT’S NOW ON FIRE!!!

*Insert Theme: “Flaming Wario” (Wario Land 3)* (Oopsies..)

“WHAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!” The poor rotund rival screamed as she started to run erratically with his butt fully on fire, quickly grabbing everyone’s attention in an instant!
“Huh?!” Haruka’s jaw fell down on the sight of Flaming Wario, as he is called when his bottom is set on fire, though not a full-fledged power up, but a reaction unique to Wario. “Oh my gosh!” Hibiki and Makoto gasped in shock, while Ami and Mami, our little peanut gallery, fell to the ground laughing at the hilarious sight!

“Shut up, you guys!" Benjamin yelped, sweating bullets to the fact that all the noise emitted by the group might wake something from the molten depths up!

“YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!” Wario screamed again as the flames on his butt start to get larger and envelop his entire body, smoldering the chubby rival and causing Waluigi to panic. “Wario!”

*End Theme*

The flames on Wario began to die down, leaving him in a black sooty mess. The chubby miscreant shook off the soot and sighed a breath of relief. “Okay, I'm good.”

*WHAM!!*

Waluigi face planted on the ground, finding it hard to believe that after such an experience, Wario remained alright.

“D'ooh, you guys...!” Benjamin pressed his palm on his face, but then turned around and froze at the sight of the very creature for which the place is named for. “Oh *coin* it all, you're in for it now!"

“BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGG!!!!!!”

*Insert Theme: “Alert!” (Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga)*

“Oh my...!!!” Ritsuko gasped at the sight of the large lava monster, while Toad pointed his finger at the creature and yelped. “It's a Blargg!”

“All that yelling has attracted all the way here!” Yoshi shouted in realization to Wario’s yelps of pain from the flames. The Yoshi kids began to panic as they began to hide behind the bold dinosaur. “IT'S GOING TO EAT US!”

“We got this!” Xiaomu eagerly smiled as she readied Suiren, while Reiji wasted no time readying his weapons kept on the rack he carried. Miki, looking frightened, went to cling on to Producer-san’s arm. “Honey, what are we going to do?”

“I... I don't know...!” Producer-san, equally as panicked, yelped, unsure of what to do. As everyone stared at the large lava monster, Benjamin frowned as he gave one comment. “The worst is just coming, everyone..."

*End Theme*

Oh boy, talk about being cornered! Team Mario and the Idols have all come into contact with the lava creature Blargg, and with the Yoshi kids on tow, can they defeat the creature before they all get barbequed? Find out next chapter!
..Oh, and will they notice that Kotori and Chief Yoshi were kidnapped? Whoa, cliff hanger!