I had to write this, I'm more into the mario fandom lately than any of my others and I was so bored one night, so Joy Ride was created. :) R&R much appreciated, thanks!

The girl sat there alone in the dark spread out on her bed, thinking. She usually didn't muse for the heck of it but tonight she had an interesting idea that no matter how hard she pushed it out of her mind it would return strong and persistent as ever.

But, she thought, it's a dumb idea, totally laughable. So not ever going to happen. Some thing kept pushing her though, the words: what if, came to mind. What if this idea actually worked? This was the plot and she was the one to go through with it…she after all was its creator. The great idea had been her invention, something that had flitted into existence, just a random thought, yet one that refused to go away.

The real question is, the girl thought hugging a pillow to her chest twisting a piece of her long hair between a finger, will it work?

Cora Leah woke up the next morning eager to begin what was to be the greatest idea in history, well in her opinion. Nothing could top this great plan! Nothing!

The girl, a tall red head, stared at her friend in disbelief, "Seriously Cora, I sometimes doubt your intelligence."

Cora stuck out her tongue and laughed, "Oh come on! It's not that bad."

The red head, April, sighed, "ok tell me again what's the big idea? I may have misheard you at first."

Cora smiled and lifted up a box, "Inside this box is all the games I have ever played in my life, thus far."

"Ok."

"And this," Cora pointed at her T.V, "Is how I view and interact with my games and enjoy all they have to offer." Cora sat the box at the end of her bed and sat down, "I'm going to create a way for us to go inside the video game world, well what do you think?"

"…"

Sigh. "Really April?"

April shook her head, "what do you want me to say?"

Cora grinned, "about time maybe?"

April looked thoughtful, "well…it would be a lot of fun."

"Yes!"

"That doesn't mean I'm going public with you on this."

"What gives you that idea? This is between you and me." Cora grinned and opened the box looking inside. April jus made a relieved sound, "Thank all that is merciful on this earth, last time was embarrassing enough."

~Flash Back~

A ten-year-old Cora stood on her desk at school, "I got it!" she yelled pointing a finger dramatically in the air.

"Umm, Miss Lee, please sit down." the short portly man, Mr. Robin, stared nervously at the girl. He was relatively new at the job and was still unused to the weird random antics of children. Hopefully he wouldn't suffer another nervous breakdown like at the old people's home.

"I!" the girl announced, "shall create a bridge that can transport anyone who stands on it to another dimension!" The students in the room all stared blankly at Cora who looked pleased with herself and her logic.

Everyone began to laugh and after awhile the young girl looked very uncomfortable and sat herself down. She never brought the idea up again.

~END~

Cora frowned, "I was just a kid April, that was several years ago."

"Yeah but your imagination is still kicking, and no one can create something like that, face it. " April sat down beside her friend, "its impossible, it can't be done. Cool idea-but not happening any time soon."

Cora picked up her box and sat it down gently on her lap; she placed a hand on it and stared at the top of it her eyebrows furrowed in thought.

April watched Cora stare at the box for a long time, after awhile Cora sighed, "Yeah, I guess it is a bit far fetched. " She frowned and her eyes looked a bit sad, "It would be so cool though."

"Yeah," April sighed, "This world is too harsh for us, were still kids at heart, you and I."

Cora nodded and was silent for a while finally she spoke, "If we could enter a game world, what would you pick?"

April grinned, "Resident evil."

"Be serious, "Cora smiled.

April rolled her eyes, "Fine, but don't laugh at me."

Cora's eyes brightened curiously "go on, I'm all ears."

"…."

"April!"

"Fine, fine…I kinda…well, always wanted since I was little…" April paused, "I love the Mario world."

Cora squealed, "oh my gosh that's a surprise! I never thought a miss toughie like yourself loved games that weren't mature rated."

April ran the toe of her shoe over a line in the wood floor, "Well, don't get me wrong. I still love blowing crap up but I still have a spot deep inside for certain games."

"I love those the best too!" Cora laughed excitedly, "I've always wanted to meet a toad or ride a Yoshi."

April grinned, "I'd join up with Mario's gang and kick some baddie tail! Oh sweet chaos!"

"Ooh! Ooh! Who's your fave character?"

April laid back on the bed and looked up at the ceiling, "Well, I kind of like a lot of them, except Peach. She's wimpy."

Cora giggled, "I'm sure you two would get along well."

"Nope, " April said cheerfully.

"I love a lot too, it's hard to choose a favorite sometimes."

"Yeah…"

Silence….

"April?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks for sharing this with me. I wont tell anyone, wouldn't want to mess up your rep." Cora said humorously.

April sat up and groaned, "what rep?"

Cora Laughed and April smiled. After chatting some more about fandoms, fave flavors of soda, and the chances of them actually creating a path to a parallel universe, April left for home and Cora sat on her bed alone. The sun was setting in her window and she felt saddened by this. She couldn't explain it but it almost told her that another day was wasted-today she could have done something great or made a difference in the life of another person. But, Cora thought, I did open up a part of April that I never thought Id see." April was a friendly girl, only to her. No one else at school could get the girl to talk, but one day she started a random conversation and they both earned a friend. Cora relaxed on her bed for a long time her box of games on her stomach; life was much better with April in it.

"Where have you been?"

April closed the door slowly, "I was with Cora, we were just hanging out."

A women with dark red hair touched lightly with grey and red lined eyes glared sharply at her, "You should be home instead of running off and "hanging out.""

"But mom-"

The women shut the fridge after pulling out a can of soda, "Go clean your room or something."

April stood there for a long while after her "mother" left the kitchen; finally she pulled up a chair at the kitchen table and sat down. She heard her mom turn on the T.V in the other room and rested her head on the table. She was the only girl in her grade that had a mom that didn't love her. The only foster kid…. the only kid that didn't seem to matter. If she got even a C at school in even the hardest classes she would hear criticism from her teachers. One day she had walked down the hall past the lounge and heard her teachers talking.

"Yeah, April is one of my C students." It was her math teacher Mr. Ridgewrite.

"April Lowen?"

"Yes, that's her." April leaned against the lockers outside the door and listened.

"Isn't she a foster kid? Its no wonder then." A female voice.

"What?" April felt her heart in her throat, what did she mean?

"They're all raised wrong, all wrong, nothing but delinquents. I had a foster kid living next door to me one day, I swear to this day that he was the one who was cutting up my roses."

"Its a pity really."

"Yeah, " the women said, "think of the parents that have to put up with the kid, I could never do it."

April felt tears prickle in her eyes. No…she was not a bad person. It wasn't her fault, she didn't do anything wrong. It was the teacher's fault! He never gave out a review or-April brushed away the tears and ran down the hall.

Remembering that day April felt the tears threaten to return.

"April." Mom called from the other room." The T.V just went out, it's your fault for playing all those damn games-"

The tears began to fall once more and April did nothing to stop them. She sat at that table for a long time, her nails digging into the table, wondering what she did wrong to end up here.

That night Cora slipped on her nightgown and brushed out her long brown hair. She stared at her reflection for a while, mostly looking into her deep sea green eyes. She wondered faintly if the boy next door would think she was cute with green eye shadow or blue. After a moment of thinking this she realized that was a stupid thought and kicked it out of her head. So far the boys she met were kind of dumb anyways, so she might as well wait till high school was over or whatever.

Cora relaxed on her bed for a while then switched off the bedside lamp and burrowed under her sheets. She left her head popping out and kept her arms under. It could get very cold at night in the house; her dad was obsessed with keeping the house a constant temperature of sixty-four.

She thought of her day and after awhile began to daydream about her great, impossible, wish. After some time passed she eventually fell asleep and fell immediately into a dream.

Cora's eyes were closed but she felt light on her face so she opened her eyes. She was amazed to see that she was floating in a beautiful space that seemed to go on into forever. Small flecks of light seemed to dance though the air like silver fish in water. She looked up and down and felt vertigo when she realized she couldn't tell if she was upright her actually upside down, both up and down looked the same. Finally she felt her head, and yep, her hair was normal around her shoulders, not flying above her face.

"Hello?" Cora yelled. Her voice seemed to hang in the air, and then head into different directions, echoing as it went.

"Welcome to a place between all that is connected." The voice was melodious and clearly a woman's.

Cora looked around but saw no one, "Who are you?"

"I am the portal guardian, the one who lies between planes."

"Oh…um, well hello."

The voice replied in an amused tone, "Hello to you as well."

Cora smiled lightly. At least the voice had a sense of humor. That was always a good thing.

"You, young Cora. You have a desire you wish to fulfill?"

"Uh...well, yes. I want to travel away from my world to another."

"That can be done."

"But-"

"This world is not of your own? It is merely linked by an idea?"

Cora sighed, "yes."

The voice seemed closer, "I will only grant this request because you are needed for a great quest."

"Wait, a quest?" Cora was puzzled. What was she talking about?

"My sister, Areola, has dropped something in the realm you wish to visit, and I need it back as soon as possible."

"Wait a minute! So you're only fulfilling my dream because you need me to fetch something for you?" Cora felt slightly hurt, so this entity cared nothing for her dream, only wishing to take advantage of her to get what she wanted.

"Don't you see?" The voice said softly, "We both get what we want, really. But, I will not force you to go. This quest may prove dangerous. You must make the choice."

Cora was hesitant. A quest? What would she have to do exactly to get this object? Would the risk really be worth it?

The voice said, "I can give you gifts to help you on your journey."

Cora paused then smiled, "Really? What sort of gifts?"

"I will allow you a special power that can get you through any danger or trials you run into. You will also be very resistant to attacks of a magic sort and I will supply you with the currency you need as well on your travels."

Cora thought about it for a minute. So she wouldn't exactly be defenseless but..."So were talking about the Mario world right?"

"Yes."

"Cool, which ones? The older versions, the-"

"They are all inter-connected." The voice said almost impatiently. Cora would be cautious but she sensed only desperation in the woman's voice.

"Why can't you go?"

"I must stay at my place here, the dimensions need me to guard their doors, there are many evils out there that would do anything to get their hands on keys to the outer and inner realms."

Cora sighed, "Ok, but what is this object?"

An image appeared in front of Cora. The girl stared at it for a long while and giggled, "That's the important object? " The image was of a small necklace made of what appeared to a silver rope like material with a dark blue stone on it.

"Yes, and you must do all you can to find it, it is of the utmost importance that you return it to me. If you fail, your world may be at risk, "the voice warned.

"Wait what?" Cora yelped, "You mean the world will blow up or something if I don't find it!"

"Not exactly, "the voice sighed, "But you would possibly get attacked by a race of evil creatures from another dimension."

"Well it could be worse, "Cora pointed out.

"Come races enjoy destroying planets."

"…Never mind."

"So, "The voice said, "Have you decided what to do?"

Cora nodded, "Yes, but on one condition."

April rolled over and yawned. Sleep had to be the best thing life had to offer. Nothing felt better than a good long rest.

April smiled, her eyes closed, and rolled onto her back. She felt sun on her face and smiled. Wow it was gong to be a beautiful day-wait the sun? Where the heck is my ceiling?

She opened her eyes and sat up.

"…."

Cora had been in a nearby forest gathering berries when she heard a scream. She quickly ran towards where April had been sleeping.

She stumbled through the thicket and found a cowering wide-eyed April in the clearing.

April noticed her, "Cora?"

Cora smiled, "Morning April."

"Oh yeah, good morning, WHERE THE HECK AM I?"

Cora smiled, "Relax April, were in the Mushroom Kingdom."

"…What?"

Cora's eyes sparkled, "Its real! Were actually here!" she squealed.

"Get out, really?" April wondered faintly if she was in a nut house or dead. Cause the latter seemed impossible. She looked down at herself. She was wearing her black tank top and matching shorts that she had fallen asleep in. April also noticed unhappily that she was bare foot. Cora on the other hand, April noticed she was wearing a soft rose-colored blouse and a jean skirt with lavender leggings, "Umm, why are you wearing actual clothes Cora?"

Cora blinked, "oops I forgot." She pulled out something from her pocket; it appeared to be a small white marble or something. Cora spoke into it, "Fila?"

"Who is Fila?" April said aloud.

"Yes?" April jumped in her skin at the sound of a strange female voice nearby.

"Fila, April needs to get suited up still."

"She is awake?"

April was annoyed, "I'm standing right here lady."

Fila laughed all around them her voice like bells, "Sorry my dear, I can only speak from the stone not see your surroundings."

"Can someone please tell me what on earth is going on?"

Cora began explaining everything to April….

"So, were here in the actual Mario world to look for a necklace or something?"

"Yup!" Cora said happily, "Were on a quest!"

"So…do I get clothes now?"

Several minutes later April was dressed in a scarlet tank top, blue jeans, and black tennis shoes.

"And now for your power." The voice began.

"Power?" April glanced at Cora who grinned.

"Yes, " The voice said, " To help you along your journey you will be given a special talent to see you on your way."

"Sweet!" April cheered, "This is the best day ever!"

Suddenly three objects appeared in front of April. They were three floating stones (seriously what the heck is with all the rocks?) each a different shape and color. The one to her right was purple and rough looking, the middle smooth and green, and the third black and misshapen, "Choose wisely. The first is the power to use the element of wind, the second is the power to run great speeds, and the third is the power to move objects with your mind."

April grinned with her teeth. This was going to be fun. "Hmm, speed is overrated…so that leaves two left. Well, with wind I can certainly move some things."

"Have you chosen?" The voice, Fila, asked.

April reaches out to touch the purple stone and a glow is cast over her body, after only a few second it fades. Cora watches as April smiles with her teeth her hair moving slightly in a phantom breeze, "This is officially the awesomest day ever."

"I wish you luck adventurers." The voice said and without another word, was quiet.

"Is she gone?" April asked.

"Yup." Cora tucked the stone back in her pocket.

"So…"April started, "What's your power?"

"Cora grinned, "Ill let you figure it out on your own."

"What? Oh come one!"

"Nopers."

"Please?"

"Nope (^ . ^)"

"Ugh!"

Cora laughed and put her hair up into a ponytail, "Ready to go?"

April rolled her eyes, "Fine, where to?"

"Well, she said that we should start by asking around town for any news of a curious kind."

"Toad town?"

"Yep!"

"Woo hoo!"

Cora pulled out a map from the pack on her back, "Hmm, it says that the town is about south east from here."

"Ok. Lets a go!" April cheered.

The two laughed and began their journey through the woods. The adventure had finally begun.

I know I already started two other fics and did not get close to finishing the first part of either, but I jus had to write this! I spent two or more hours with this and I think I may get somewhere with this story, plus its my first Mario fic! Points for me! :D Review and you get more! If you don't…my confidence go boom! Then you get nutting. :P By the way, I have issues with writers block so feel free to pm me with any ideas if you wish. ^^