Chapter 1: Dreams Do Come True!

I can't believe it. I'm actually here, in the Glitz Pit, home of the greatest entertainment in the world! Don't get me wrong; I've been here lots of times before, but this time is different. I'm not watching fights; I'm signing up to become a fighter and be a part of those battles. It's been a dream of mine ever since my father introduced me into it. The first fight I saw was Rawk Hawk versus Prince Mush, and it still is, to this very day, the greatest fight I've ever seen! That was eight years ago. I'll never forget it…

Eight Years Earlier…

"Hey Dad, who's that?" I asked, curious about who were about to come on TV. "Those two fighters are called Rawk Hawk the current champion, who is on your left, and Prince Mush, who is on the right. Prince Mush was the very first champion. He came out of retirement this year and he's finally matching up against Rawk Hawk," he explained. I never understood why they fought at the time, but that didn't matter. The only thing that mattered to my ten-year-old self is how these two fighters were going to knock their blocks off of one another. I always thought they were cool, but never sat through one. I would catch glimpses, but I never paid attention to it until Dad called me over to watch it. When to two fighters laid eyes on each other, so many flashbulbs went off. "Dad, why is it flashing so much? I curiously asked. "Those are flashbulbs from cameras. They're all going off because people want to take a picture of a historical moment before the fight begins. It happens frequently in title matches," he explained. "So, this is a title match?" I responded, trying to fit all this information together. "Yes," he replied. "But this title match marks Prince Mush's first since returning. All eyes are on him to see If he has his mojo back, and on the Rawk Hawk to see if he defends his title, which he's had for a long time," he explained. It was pretty cool to see how fighters put everything on the line like this. The match begun, and everything about it was amazing. At the end of the match, however, Prince Mush came out on top. Dad was excited about it, and I was, too. At that moment, I knew exactly what I wanted to do: be a fighter at the Glitz Pit.

After Dad and I were done celebrating, I asked him, "Hey Dad?" I asked. "I wanna become a fighter!" His eyes were wide open. He was obviously surprised what I said. He looked concerned, if anything. "You do? Did you just see that fight? It was one of the roughest there was!" He said. He was protecting me. Anybody could see that. "But I wanna become a fighter! I don't care how rough it was!" At that very moment, Mother walked in. She was hearing the conversation as clear as day, and she just stood by, listening. She could see the sparkle in my eyes, the will to become whatever it takes to become a fighter. In that moment, she whispered to Dad and they walked in the other room. "Honey…" she started, "This is the first time we've ever seen him so interested in something. The first time he's ever had this much motivation for something." Dad understood where she was coming from, but he protested, "I just don't want our boy to get extremely hurt and have permanent damage somewhere!" Mother defended me to the very end. "And so what? He's willing to take that risk! You said fighters make decent money, right? If somehow, some way, he makes a name for himself, imagine the future he'll have with his own family. That's what we wanted, right?" Dad was stunned. He had no idea she actually investigated the whole fighting business. "Alright. As long as he's motivated, I'll see it through." They nodded to each other and headed back into the room. I had a stern look on my face as they're about to speak. "Okay, son. If you're willing to become a fighter, then I see no problem with it." The moment he said that, I had cheered and jumped for joy, until he said, "On one condition," I stopped. "I will train you, as well as a couple other people I know who are in the fighting business. Is that clear?" I looked at him and said, "Of course Dad! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!" My Mom and Dad saw the joy and hope in my eyes. Each and every day, for eight long years, I trained and trained for this very moment.

Present Day…

…And now, that day has finally come. I walk into the Glitz Pit and I'm greeted by another Toad saying, "Welcome to the Glitz Pit!" I smiled and said "Thank you! Have a good day, alright?" He obliged and thanked me for my kindness. I was always taught to treat people the way you should be treated, and that not everyone comes from the same situation as you. Seeing that Toad smile probably made his day. As I keep walking, I'm met with a security guard blocking the door. "Excuse me," I said. "I'm here- "He cut me off, "What is it, bub?" He said with a gruff in his voice. Well nice to meet you, too. Sheesh. "I'm here to sign up to become a fighter. An interview with Jolene?" I hand him my letter I received from the mail. "Ah, an interview? Sorry about that, pal. Go right on through." Okay, that was strange, but whatever, I'm in. "Ms. Jolene's office is right down the hallway. You can't miss it. Head on through," he explained. I thanked him and I headed on through.

I go down the hallway and I see a few fighters that I've seen before. Bandy Andy, King K, etc. I get to the door where Ms. Jolene's office is and I'm met with another security guard. "Hi, my name is Lance Vernon and I'm here for an interview with Ms. Jolene to become a fighter," as I said, approaching him. I give him my letter and as he reads it, he gives me a smirk. "Interview to become a fighter, bub? Alright, go on in. Ms. Jolene's just inside." I open the door and the office is big. A picture of Prince Mush and Ms. Jolene is on the wall, and I hear a conversation. I wait outside and as they finish, Prince Mush walks on by. "Hey, there," he says to me, and give a little wave, but inside my head, however, I'm saying OH MY GOD HI CAN I HAVE YOUR AUTOGRAPH AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Yeah, who isn't a huge fan of this guy? He's the CHAMP! As I'm daydreaming in my head, Ms. Jolene calls my name. "Mr. Vernon?" I get out of my daze. "Oh! Yes?" "You can come in now," she says with a weird look on her face. "Sure! Sorry about that." Embarrassed, I can only walk in, wishing that never happened. Great, what an amazing first impression you made, Lance. Nice going. Sigh.

I sit down in her office and I hand in my physical and information. We shake hands and while she's looking through my information, she asks questions. "So, I'm going to cut to the chase right away. Why do you want to become a fighter?" I already knew what to say. "I want to become a fighter because I knew since watching fights with my Dad on television. I worked very hard to be in the position that I'm in right now, and I want that to pay off. I also want to make my hometown proud, as well as my family and friends." Way to sound cliché, Lance. Doofus. "Well, it seems like you have a nice track record. You did well in school, you were very much involved, and you seem physically ready for this business. Can you explain how you got to the point you are now?" Easy question. "My father trained me for 8 years. Flare and others helped me along the way for some tips and serious, tedious training." Ms. Jolene's head shot up. "You were taught by Flare?! Lucky you! May I ask what he taught you? Let's see if this can convince her. Well, I know you're interviewing me Ms. Jolene, but I'd rather not say. I'd rather show you rather than tell." Ms. Jolene's face smiled. She knew I was being testy, but in a good way. "I respect that, Mr. Vernon." I thanked her, and she continued.

"Eight long years, and here you are: very polite, well-rounded, and mature at a young age of eighteen. I'm quite impressed." Thank God. I guess zoning out just vanished out of her head. "However," Oh crap, here we go. Where's the computer saying ACCESS DENIED? "I want to ask you one more question. How far do you think you will go?" Oh. False alarm. "I believe I can go all the way to the top, becoming champion. I've always said to myself, 'Why not me?' because anybody can be anything as long they put their mind to it. At least, that's what I think." Ms. Jolene looks up at me, then smiles. Did I nail it? If so, KA-CHING! "Well," Ms. Jolene started, "One thing's for sure: you have a great attitude and great expectations for yourself. So, without further ado," she brings out a sheet of paper and takes out a pen and signs on the paper. "If you could just sign this contract if you're ready to start your career, then please sign here, and on the side, please insert a name you would like to be called in the ring." KA-CHIIIIIIIIIIIIIING! BOOM-BASSA-BOOM! NAILED IT. I sign the contract and write down "Crusader of Destiny" as my nickname. I shook Ms. Jolene's hand and says, "Welcome to the Glitz Pit, Lance. May you strive for success here." I have the biggest smile on my face, which starts to hurt because of it, but that's normal. "Let me show you to your locker room."

As excited as I was, I was kind of nervous, too. I wonder if anybody in the locker room would like me? Who knows. As I walk in the locker room, there's a Koopa and a Hammer Bro. "This is where you will be staying, until you get to the major league, if you get there. Your first match is tonight in a few hours, so you have time to settle in. You're our fortieth fighter, so your rank is #40. Defeat fighters who are higher than your rank, you move up, and the reverse happens if you lose to an opponent who's lower. I decide who you face and I'll let you know when you have a match in the future. You will have no say in this. Be safe, and see you in the ring Crusader of Destiny!" A fight on my first day, huh? Interesting. I find an unoccupied locker and I set my things up beside my bed and in my locker. After I settle in and lay down for a bit, I hear a voice call my name.

"Yo dude!" I sit up and see that the Koopa who I saw earlier is walking toward me. "Hey there. How are you?" He keeps walking over, then stops. The Red Koopa with his red boots looked pretty serious. "I'm doing pretty good. My name's Kevin. What's yours?" I replied, "Lance. Nice to meet you Kevin." He smiles, and I noticed the Hammer Bro hasn't done anything. It didn't bother me, though. "So, the 'Crusader of Destiny,' huh? Nice name! Sounds like you mean business!" Of course I am. Who wouldn't be if they worked here? "My sister actually came up with it before I came here. Thought it was pretty cool, so I used it." He laughed and said "I see you're a family-type guy, huh? I like that. Look, I know you have a match soon, so we can catch up a little bit later. If you need to kill time, go out for some fresh air. It helps and works every time," he stated as he headed out the door. "Alright, see you later!" As he left, I was getting ready. Time to show people what I'm made of. My first fight, first impression. Let's show this training pay off!

End of Chapter 1