Okay, so super long chapter. I didn't mean for that to happen, but I'm really proud of this one. Special thanks to breath20K. This story's first favorite and request. Also, a big thanks to StarlitDuck for the first comment. You guys motivate me. Please enjoy and don't be afraid to make requests.
"Can you believe it?" Goombella asked, "The hotdog stand guy want US personally to try his new hotdog recipe."
"Yeah, and were still only minor leaguers," Koops smiled.
Mario nodded in agreement. It was amazing. Maybe they just stood out in the crowd of fighters. They did race through the minor leagues pretty quickly. Rumors about them had spread and Glitzville almost wouldn't talk about anything else!
"You are just as likely to get offers as a rising star as you are a shining star, dears. It's how the business runs. Companies do it all the time. They're called, investments."
Koops scratched his head. "So… he thinks if we like them, everyone will like them?"
"In a manner of speaking," Flurrie replied, "Often, when businesses invest in a upcoming trend the hope is that the trend will tell others about them. If we like it, we'll talk about it. That's advertising. And if we trust it, then they can too."
"Oh, I get it," Goombella smiled, "So he wants us to try it then spread the word. Like, I can totally do that."
Koops smiled and rolled his eyes. "You don't say."
The team stepped out of the front doors of the Glitz Pit and Goombella turned to face Koops, "What was that?"
"No! Stop! Behave yourself, egg!" They heard an alarmed oink from the Hotdog stand. They raced over and saw the stand owner rush out of his truck. "No! Bad! Come back! Someone help! My imported egg has escaped. Catch it!"
"Oh golly, let's go, guys!" Koops said rushing over to help.
The others followed him and attempted to tackle the egg. Koops dove for it but it hopped away and over his head onto his shell then past him. "Goombella get it!"
She jumped and grunted as it flew over her head. "Uh, hello? No hands. Mario its coming your way!"
Mario tried to stop it, but it went between his legs. He looked down between them to see Flurrie try and swipe it. but it jumped all around her. "Uh, this doesn't seem very dignified!"
Koops and Mario both tried caging it in but both of them ended up charging into each other. Koops shook and rubbed his head. "No kidding."
Goombella jumped in front of it and tried to divert it back to the others. "Gotcha, eggy! Oof!" The egg jumped on her face then over her and the Hotdog stand owner.
"No! Catch it! Catch it!" He urged pleadingly.
"Ow," Goombella tried rubbing her face. "That little guy is kinda spry for an egg."
"Are you alright, Goobella, dear?" Flurrie asked as she stared at the egg. It was not on top of the hotdog stand and for some reason standing completely still.
"It looks like we tuckered it out," Koops said as he looked around. "Mario, the billboard, let's go!" Mario ran behind him and both climbed the Watering Hole and the Billboard. "Ready Mario?" Mario gave a thumbs up and jumped. The white boarder appeared, and he flattened into paper. Then he began to fold and turn into a paper airplane. Koops grabbed on and both steered to the top of the hotdog stand. The egg was completely still. "We got it." Koops picked it up and wiped a sleeve over its surface to shine it. He and Mario jumped down and regrouped with the others.
"Sure was a lot of trouble for some lunch," Goombella joked.
"Yeah," Koops agreed with a chuckle.
Goombella stared at it as Koops was sort of holding it like it was a baby. "You know, now that I'm getting a good look at it, it's kinda cute."
Flurrie clasped her hands together and leaned forward to get a better view. "Yes, absolutely… scrumptious if you would permit me a pun."
The egg suddenly snored. The group froze. Soon the stand owner caught up with them and huffed a thank you. "Oh, at last. I'm terribly sorry for all the trouble. I'll take it back and get started on…"
"Wait a sec," Koops said, pulling his arms back. "…Mario, I think this egg is alive… I mean, it WAS just hopping around everywhere."
"Yes but…" The pig began but then Goombella pipped in.
"We can't just hand over this poor innocent eggy-weggie," She rubbed her cheek on it and it suddenly sprang back to life. It rubbed her back making her giggle. "Aww, are you trying to apologize for stomping on me? That's okay, your cute, so I forgive you."
"I…er...," The stand owner scratched his head as the egg started playing with his customers. Mario gave him an apologizing look then handed the fee for some standard hotdogs. He sighed in defeat and gave Mario a smile, "Aww, alright. People don't like eating stuff that jumps all over the place anyway. I'll just have to serve you my ordinary menu."
"Can I have extra cheese on mine?" Koops requested.
"As usual," The stand owner smiled, "Of course." The gang got their hotdogs then headed for the Watering Hole.
When they entered the barkeep welcomed then then gave them a large smile, "Hey, it's today's big news! So, how about those drinks? The usual? Or are we switching it up a bit?"
"Just the usual for me," Flurrie smiled. The others said the same.
Koops set the egg on the bar stool next to him with a chuckle and a pat. "Don't suppose you want anything little guy?" The egg jumped twice but said nothing. "Alright, let me know if you change your mind." It jumped once then sat still.
Everyone got their drinks and enjoyed their meal. While they had meant to spend the afternoon in the quiet of the bar, their fans had other plans. They swarmed around them and asked questions and for autographs. The attention was nice at first, but now it was becoming tiring. Even Flurrie, who could never get enough, was starting to remember why she left the business.
"Yes, thank you, have a nice down now, run along," Flurrie scooted the last batch of children away. "Whew, what a day."
Goombella sucked the last of her lemonade from her cup and let out a sigh. "The spotlight getting too bright for you, Flurrie?"
Flurrie whipped her head with a napkin and replied, "Just about, Goombella, dear. It's nice to be adored but once in a while the peace and quiet calls to you back."
"Do you regret leaving Boggly Woods?" Koops asked.
"Not even for a moment," Flurrie laughed, "I'm quite content traveling with our handsome leader." Goombella rolled her eyes with a grin. "But I do miss the quiet of it. the wind on my face and the smell of the white grass. The trees swaying away in the gust. I miss it all. But our journey still has quite a ways away. And I'm sure… moments like this? We'll have plenty to relish in the future."
Mario smiled and lifted his glass. Koops followed his example, "To the quiet moments in life."
Goombella nodded back since she couldn't lift her glass. "Here here."
"Yes, to the quiet moments." Flurrie lifted her glass, and everyone finished their drinks. The egg jumped a few times in agreement as well.
"Welp, we'd better get back, right Mario? We need to rest up for tomorrow's match," Goombella smiled, "Tomorrow, we're entering the big leagues."
The team agreed together and Koops handed the barkeep another tip. "Keep the change." He used that joke every time.
"Alright," The barkeep smiled, "Have a good evening, team. Goodluck out there."
"Thanks," Goombella replied as the last one out.
In the morning everyone was preparing. Goombella was stretching, Flurrie put on a fresh coat of makeup, and Koops was preforming some stretches as well. He went over a few moves to hype himself up to put style in some of his moves. But they had forgotten about the egg until it jumped in front of Mario, who had just finished a shower. He looked around and cleared his throat. When everyone saw him he pointed down at the egg.
"Oh… we completely forgot!" Goombella said, facepalming if she could.
"Yeah, who's gonna watch the little guy?" Koops asked.
Goombella ran to the terminal. "What's out match up?" She scrolled through it then found, "The Iron Harriers. They look pretty tough… but nothing we can't handle I'm sure."
"Maybe me and Mario should go out. We've delt with clefts before," Koops advised. But then the egg jumped on him. "H-hey! Watch out little guy!" Koops laughed as the egg.
Goombella giggled and looked over the conditions. "Aw no. Mario will have to do this one alone. We can be there, but Mr. Grubba says he wants us to hang back a bit."
"It's probably because Mario's let us soak in some of the limelight. He wants them to remember who the team is staring."
Mario sighed and spun his cap. His fixed it on his head then gave his team a wink. They smiled in assurance. "Great." Goombella closed the computer terminal, "Koops, eggy likes you the most. You should take care of him."
Koops chuckled as he set the egg down on the couch. "Yeah, okay. I'll watch him. It's not like these guys will have anything on Mario. He's super."
"Wahoo." Mario jumped to bring Koops's point home.
"See?" Koops grinned at the egg as if his point was proven.
The door opened and a security guard walked in. "Gonzales. Fight time, bub."
"Well, the stage awaits," Flurrie smiled, "Hurry, everyone, our fans await."
"Good luck, guys. I'll take care of the little guy," Koops waved.
Goombella winked back. "See yah."
The door shut and Koops sighed. "Okay… so… what to do… hmm."
Koops had begun burning through a list of things to do with the egg. And with it unable to speak, he wasn't sure what it wanted to do either. "Well, I guess we could go watch the fight. Maybe we should. Just so long as you don't jump around and get lost in the crowd…" Koops imagined the egg jumping around and having to chase it down. Then will all the cheering and absent-minded fans just screaming for Mario's victory, it might get bumped and end up on the floor. Then someone would squash it! He thought about how awful it would be to see the yolk leak al over then everyone would get angry at him and shame him for taking the egg to see the fights! Then he'd get kicked out of the group! "…Maybe not. nevermind." The egg seemed sad about his decision.
"We could go for a walk…" Koops imagined taking the egg out for a walk. But knowing his luck he'd trip when looking out of the floating city and he'd drop the egg over the side! Then the group would get mad, shame him for taking an egg out for a walk and he'd get kicked out for sure! Despite the egg approving of the notion, Koops retracted again. "Er, maybe not. I'd probably drop you or you might accidently jump over the side."
Both of them seemed to sigh. Koops looked at the white and multicolored spotted egg. There were so many different kinds that Koops had wondered what the egg would even hatch. Could it be a dragon egg? A a giant snake? It was from a tropical island. Maybe it was a bird egg? "I wonder what kind of egg you are. I've never seen an egg like you. Especially one that can bounce around. And you have so many colors too. What color would you be…?" The eggs jumped a few times causing Koops the chuckle. "Maybe, you'll be a pink bird. Goombella's pink… don't know if that actually effects anything…" Koops hummed. "Or you could be blue… Flurrie does like treating you like a baby. She rocked you to sleep last night. That was kinda funny." The egg jumped twice and around him. "Or maybe you'll be red like Mario's cap! He's the one who convinced the hotdog guy to let you go. Mario is a pretty cool guy… Even I want to be a little like him… I've been thinking about getting a red shell. Mine right now is green. She's a little beat up, but she carries everything I need. And she's been with me through thick and thin. So… I guess I should keep her… could use a waxing though."
Koops sighed and leaned back on the couch. "Well, whatever you are, buddy. I'm sure you'll be a great one. And whatever color you are will look fantastic. Just you wait…"
*Crack *
Koops withdrew his hand and his eyes hot open. "Oh… OH! Oh no! Oh no! I broke it!"
*C-crack * *Crackle *
"Wait… your hatching!" Koops calmed down and watched intently. "Come on, little guy, you can do it! Just a little more! Come on…" Koops watched intently as the egg cracked just a little more. Then…
"Hiiiiiyaaaa!" the egg shattered open, and a little green Yoshi shook his fist as he stretched out. "Whew, about time!" the Yoshi looked up at Koops who was filled with joy.
"Wow! You're a Yoshi! That's awesome!" Koops exclaimed.
The Yoshi kid put his hands to his side. "Sup dude? Thanks for takin' care of me, homie. It was getting stuffy in that egg, and I was almost ready to hatch. I appreciate it."
"Wait… you could hear everything that was going on outside your egg?" Koops asked.
"Yeah, of course I could. Yoshis start out as eggs then survive in them until they're strong enough to break out. We may not look like we're getting any smarter inside that thing, but trust me, we learn our ABCs just as easily as you do."
Koops had no idea what to say. He was just taken aback in surprise. He looked the hid up and down. "Your… green."
"Yeah," the kid said as if he were dumb, "You, said your shell was green so… Look, you were a real bro when we first met, I just decided that your cool and I'd take after you. So, I chose green."
"You can choose?" Koops asked.
"Yeah, pretty much," the kid shrugged, "We can be any color we want until we hatch. Then we're stuck with it. That's why a lot of us take out time. We may already be strong enough to break out but… listen, you can't rush this stuff, you know? It's a very personal life decision. I wanted to take my time. Probably could have broken out weeks ago. I just wasn't ready. But then you went on about the stuff you wouldn't let me do because I was an egg. And trying to talk to you? Man, that sucked. Then you went on about colors. I new I had to choose right quick then and there and get out of that thing. Afterall, it sounded like you could use some help with getting these Crystal Star things."
"You know about them?" Koops asked.
"Yeah, heard a good deal of you guys whispering about it while I was in the egg. I knew I couldn't let this adventure go to waist. Besides, I've bee hearing all day about these pit fights. Now I'm hyped to get in one."
"Well… I don't know," Koops scratched his head, "You just hatched and… what's you name anyway?"
The Yoshi looked at him with a dumbstruck gaze. "Bro… you just said I JUST hatched. You think I'm gonna hold onto any one name when I called all manner of things? Import? Egg? Egg-weggie, belch! Little guy? Do you guys have any creativity?"
Koops chuckled nervously, "Sorry… we just… didn't know if you had a name. I mean… You were an egg."
Yoshi kid rolled his eyes. "Yeah whatever, homie. So, you got any ringers right now? Make it good, homie, I won't want anything that has anything to do with the word 'egg', got it? I've had enough of that word to last a lifetime."
Koops hummed and scratched his chin. "What about… GJ?"
The kid hummed and looked up at the ceiling. "GJ, huh?"
"Yeah, it's short of Gonzales jr. I thought since Mario is called Gonzales and you just hatched in the Glitz Pit… why not?"
The Yoshi kid nodded and made an approving frown. "Yeah, I like it. GJ. Okay, homie, the names GJ then."
"Okay," Koops smiled, happy he approved of the name. It was actually kinda catchy. "Its nice to meet you, GJ. I'm Koops."
"Yeah, I gathered that much," the newly named GJ said, shaking his hand. "Wait till the others see this, they're gonna flip."
Right on cue, Goombella and Mario limped through the door. Goombella collapsed on her face and took loud deep breaths. Mario limped over to the bed and collapsed.
"You guys are back…! Where's Miss Flurrie?" Koops asked.
"The medics are looking at her. We got roughed up, bad," Goombella explained, "Koops, it was awful! We didn't stand a chance!"
"Huh?!" Koops recoiled, "You mean… we lost?"
Goombella flipped over and Koops helped her up and to the couch then began to bandage her wounds. "I looked them up. Their called Iron Clefts. There's two of them! they are slow, but once they get moving they pack a punch! Don't even get me started on trying to hit 'em! The book doesn't have a number for their defense. It says they're impervious!"
Koops gulped, "You mean… we can't beat them?"
"There has to be a way," GJ said jumping down form the couch and approaching Koops and Goombella, "They're the lowest group in the major league, right?"
Mario sat up and Goombella leaned over so she could see the little Yoshi. "Huh? Who's this?" She looked around. "Where little eggy-weggie?"
Koops cleared his throat as he opened another bandage or Goombella's foot. "Goombella, this is GJ. GJ this is Goombella. And that's Mario."
"Yo!" GJ waved, "So, your Gonzales?" GJ walked over in front of him. "Check me out, Homie, I hatched safe and sound because of you! Thanks, man." Mario smiled and gave him a fist bump.
"Wait… you mean you were the cute little eggy-weggie?" Goombella squeaked when Koops tightened a bandage too tightly. He gave her an apologetic look. "That's wild."
"Yeah, but who cares? You guys wanna be champs? Get those Crystal Stars, right?"
"How much did you tell him?" Goombella asked privately as Koops was finishing one last bandage.
"I didn't. He heard everything."
"Yeah, I heard all about it when I was in there. I'm caught up to speed. So, here's what I got on the table. I've been around. It may not look it when I just hatched but I'm know how to pummel some baddies. You guys helped me so… how 'bout I help you?"
"You'd do that?" Goombella asked, finally getting on her feet, "Thanks Koops… But you just hatched!"
"Look, it's not like you got much of a choice…You and Gonzales are pretty banged up and Miss Babysitter feels like she went ten rounds. Me and my homie here are the only two in fighting shape. So…"
Mario tensed after moving something that hurt. But he thought about it. "Hmm."
"Look, you can log the fight in and try again right? Maybe it'll take tomorrow but I'm ready to party, yo!"
"Mario, I don't know, the rules say the fight leader has to be there too. And what if we get another bogus condition like today? You might be in fighting shape tomorrow but Me and Flurry got really banged up… even though we weren't supposed to fight back. We had to take those hits, remember?" Mario rubbed the back of his neck in shame. "That's not how I meant it. you did everything you could! It's not your fault Flurrie's hurt. She'll be back up in no time, she said so herself. But… Koops and a freshly hatched Yoshi?"
"Ey I'm basically fifteen years old! Just because I hatched late doesn't mean I'm a couple minutes old!"
"Okay, but still… it's risky. You may have to fight, and you may get worse off… and without Flurrie and me to tag you out if you get too worn down…"
Koops looked at Mario and Goombella's concerned look. He balled his hands into fists then gathered the courage to speak. "Then Mario tags out immediately."
"What?" Goombella and Mario both looked at him as if he were a complete stranger.
"Mario can't fight in this condition, and neither can you, Goombella. Once Mario starts the match he retreats to the back while GJ starts the fight then he'll tag me in and me and…" Koops swallowed but tried to look as brave as he could "Me and GJ will win."
"Koops that's risky," Goombella argued, "Are you sure you want to do that? Nothing we did worked. And, no offence, but he's… really tiny."
"Hey, I may be small, but I can take a hit! Look, I will chew them up and spit them out. Watch me! They won't know what hit 'em."
"I can take the hits, Goombella. Unlike everyone else in the team, I have a shell… it'll protect me from substance up to as strong as steel! We can do this."
Mario thought about it for a good long while. The tension was killing everyone. Then… he nodded.
"Yes! WHOO! Man, I'm pumped for tomorrow!" GJ celebrated and punched Koops's shoulder.
Koops gave him a smile then took a shaky deep breath. He wasn't sure if this was a good idea anymore. But he had to do it… for the team.
In the morning, Koops and GJ were warming themselves up and stretching out. GJ was pumped, but Koops was nervous. He tried not to think about it. Before every fight, koops would take his mind off things by putting on a song and choreograph a dance to it on the fly. It was something else to think about.
Mario was getting the match set up. He had recovered from most of his injuries, but Goombella still needed a day off and Flurrie hadn't returned yet. The team's guess was she had to go to the hospital. GJ was doing some pushups when Goombella limped over to him. "Hey, GJ. Mario got the match set up. This time, instead of us staying back, he wants Mario to hold off. This works out perfectly. Remember, it's gonna be just you and Koops, so you may not have anyone to tag you out. Mario will tag Koops straight in but there's no guarantee that you and Koops are gonna come out in good shape."
GJ rolled his eyes and made mouth-shut motion. "Relax, G-bell. Me and homie got this. Gonzales will tag him in, we'll pummel those cleft into dust, then be back in time for brunch. It'll be cool."
Goombella sighed. "Okay… just… be careful… And take care of Koops."
"Yeah, sure," GJ continued doing pushups, continuing from his fiftieth.
Goombella made her way to Koops who finishing his last song. He was already sweating and panting by the time she got there. He spun on his head for a few seconds then recovered. He wiped the sweat from his head and exhaled.
"You okay, Koops?" She asked.
"Ah! Uh, Goombella. Just… warming up," He explained, turning beet-red.
She giggled, "It looked awesome, dude. Did you choreograph that yourself?"
Koops shrugged, "Kinda. I just meshed some dances I saw other groups do and filled in the blanks. Nothing too special."
Goombella smiled again then sat next to him. "Mario got the match set. The major leagues are battling it out now. You're the last fight… Mario says if you get too pum… too tired…" Goombella paused hopping that her choice of words didn't discourage him. "Then tag him back in."
"No… Me and GJ got this. It should have been me up there, not you. I'd have been less worse off."
"This?" Goombella sputtered, "This is just a scratch. When I was doing goomnastics, I got far worse than this one time. Trust me." Koops and Goombella shared a laugh. "Promise you'll be okay?"
"Gee, you make it sound like this is my last fight," Koops groaned. He bumped into her like she usually did. "We still have the whole major league to go. So, you and Flurry better recover."
"We'll be back on our feet before you know it." Goombella thought about her words then shrugged, "Eh, I will anyway. I don't know what Flurrie's standing on."
They shared a laugh again. Mario turned the corner where they were hidden in the maze of lockers then sat next to them with a smile.
"Well, Mario, it looks like we're all set," Goombella smiled, "Final wills are signed, loved ones messaged, and Koops proposed to Koopi Koo."
"Wh-WHAT!? N-no I didn't!" Koops stood up quickly and shook his hands.
Mario and Goombella laughed. Mario stood up and held out his hand to Koops. Koops clasped it with a strong grip and Mario gave him a nod. Koops didn't know how he did it. but every time Mario gave a smile, a look, or a frown it would affect the very person he was giving it to. And it was all Koops needed to get fired up.
"Remember, tag me in immediately Mario. Don't worry about me. We'll win this match, Super Mario style."
"Oh yeah," Mario said sharing a quick secret handshake session.
"Better shower up, don't wanna meet the fans all sweaty like that."
"Ey, you guys know where to get some decent grub?" Asked GJ, "I'm starvin' right now."
"I'll get you a snack. See you soon, Mario, Koops," Goombella left the two boys and helped GJ.
The next few hours, GJ and Koops were waiting on the couch. The security guard opened the door and looked for them. "Hey, team Gonzales. Fight time, bubs."
"About time, let's do this!" GJ banged his fists together and Koops took a deep breath.
"Good luck guys. Come back in one piece!" Goombella said from the couch. The remnants of the team waved at her or nodded then they were gone. Goombella huffed and waited a few second, thinking on what to do by herself. She thought about watching the fight, but she couldn't take the thought of watching Koops and their new cute partner getting a beating like she and Flurrie did. But she couldn't take not knowing either. "Aw screw it." Goombella raced out of the locker room and into the Glitz Pit. She was going to be there for her team, even if she didn't want to.
"And in this corner. That merciless executioner… the Greeeeeaaaaat Gonzaleeeees!"
Mario and his two fully fit partners entered the room. Koops tried to play the crowed a little, Mario hyped them up and GJ met them with his own charm. The new appearance made the crowed go wild.
"Oh, would you lookie there! Looks like Gonzales brought a new fire! Don't know abou you folks, but this just got me on the edge of my seat!" Grubba announced. He came over and pat Mario in the sorest part of his back. "That's what I'm talking about, Gonzales, make new friends and freshen up the act. I love it!"
"And in this corner, representing the mighty gate guards of the Major League. Blocking our heroes' entrance to greatness. The Irooooon Harrierrrrrsss!"
The iron clefts marched up making the ground shake a bit as they entered. Koops's eyes shot open, and he made a loud and audible gulp. Mario looked over at him and pat his back then gave him an encouraging nod.
"Hey, Gonzales! Who's your new puny friend? A stray you picked up from the hotdog stand?" Jeered the first.
"Yeah, and you koopa pal looks like he soild his undies! You shoulda just stuck with the fat chick and the girly girl!"
"I HEARD THAT YOU, BIG DUMB METAL HEADS!" Goombella shouted from the front row seats.
"Hey! You wanna make fun of my friends, you jerks!? Come on! I got an arm for each a' you!" GJ shouted as he started to charge.
Koops stopped him and pulled him back, "Not yet, GJ!"
"Settle down folks, this fight is just about started. Fighters, to your places!" The fighters took the places at the four sides of the fight ring.
GJ stretched his neck and nodded at Mario. "Remember, Gonzales, gotta make it quick, yo."
"I'll be right here, Mario, tag me fast!" Koops called.
"Come on, guys, you got this, come on," Goombella said to herself.
Flurrie thanked to nurse as she received her tea in her room. She was nearly recovered now, but the doctor wanted her to stay just a bit longer to make sure. She had the TV channel turned to the Glitz Pit fights. She saw Mario still in the ring despite his banged-up appearance. "Alright, Mario, dear, you got this." She squinted at the little Yoshi on his team. "Why what an adorable little friend he's picked up there… who is that?"
Koopley was watching TV and switching through channels. Koopie Koo came in through the front door and took a deep breath.
"Oh Koops…"
"Koopie Koo, is that you?" Koopley asked in his jolly tone.
"Yes, Mr. Koopley. I'm making dinner again. Do you want shroom steak?"
"Well, I suppose I can't say no to that!" Koopley smiled. He switched the channel to the pit tights. "Now this is more like it." Koopley reclined and set up his legs. He smiled at the TV then squinted at the left side of the frame. He leaned in and told himself it couldn't be what he thought it was. But it looked so much like… "Koops?" There was no doubt about it as soon as the Camera angle zoomed in on the Koopa waiting anxiously for the match to begin and the announcer was talking about Koops and even where he was from. It confirmed it all. "Whoo whee! Would you look at that!"
"What is it Mr. Koopley?" Koopie Koo asked.
"Koopie Koo! It's Koops! He's on TV! He's fighting in the Glit Pit!" Koopley shouted as he jumped up and down and pointed at the TV.
The sound of pots and pans dropping came from the kitchen and Koopie Koo raced over to the living room. She saw her beloved boyfriend looked around the ring and then at the camera as if he knew she was watching.
"Koops!"
Grubba finished his speech and Mario and his team leaned in ready for battle. "But without further ado. Let get ready to BAAAATTTLLLLLLLLLE!" The bell rang and immediately both the clefts charged at them. Mario sprinted with all his endurance to the middle-left half of the ring where Koops was eagerly waiting. But suddenly one of the clefts rammed straight into him. GJ jumped right over the other one and saw Mario take the hit.
"NO!" Goombella screamed and the crowed all tensed as they saw mario take the hit. He was down on the ground and wasn't moving.
Flurrie gasped having seen the full scene. A nurse, who meant to inform Flurrie she was released, has seen the scene as well and plaed both hands in front of her mouth. "Was that even legal?"
"I'm afraid so…" Flurrie said solemnly… perhaps they really weren't going to win this match.
Kooply and Koopie Koo gasped as they saw the hit. Koopie Koo already began tearing up. "Oh no… Mario…"
"Come on, Mario, your tougher than that! You took down a dragon, these clefts should be nothing to you!" Kooply shouted banging on the TV.
"Gonzales!" GJ shouted then growled at the clefts. "Come on! I'll take you both on!" He started helplessly punching at the second cleft who stood there and did nothing for a while.
"What's that? Is that the wind? I can't tell… 'Cause I can't feel a thing! Come on, bro, let's pulverize this shrimp!"
GJ jumped back and started skillfully dodging the clefts left and right. The crowed cheered for him, many of them hoping he would somehow make a comeback. The camera panned off of Mario who was still laying on the floor.
Koops kneeled down and reached out. "Come on, Mario, your almost there! Get up! Please! Get up! GJ can't do this alone! You just have to! Please!"
Mario was still frozen on the ground. Goombella was crying on the sidelines and begging him to move. "Come on, Mario. Come on. You've done harder things than this. This can't be it! Come on!"
Koops reached out, but to no avail. He took a deep breath. "Don't let Peach down… she's waiting for you!"
Suddenly Mario inhaled and coughed then looked Koops's way. Koops felt a surge of adrenaline rush through him. He didn't even care if he was about to face the guillotine that was the Iron Harriers. He was ready to fight now more than ever. "Come on! You got this!"
Flurrie screamed as the camera panned back to Mario and the announcer was surprised. "I can't believe it folks! Gonzales is crawling to the edge!"
"Your right, Chat T. if Gonzales can get a little closer he can tag out and his partner can take over. This match just might be far from over!"
"Come on, Mario, come on!" Flurrie cheered. "A few more nurses had joined her in her room. A few patients walking around the ward also stopped by to watch.
"Come on, Mario! Come on!" Koopie Koo cheered.
"Thatta boy, Mario! Koops is ready for you! Make us proud, son!"
Koopie Koo wiped her tears so she could see better and prayed silently to herself. "Please let them win. Even if Mario and Koops aren't enough, send them a miracle."
Mario was almost there. And the clefts were too busy to notice. GJ had long noticed Mario was crawling back. He just had to keep up this pace then he'd get help soon and get a chance to strike! Then they'd have a fighting chance. Come on, Gonzales everyone said you were the greatest, now prove it!
Mario was nearly there, just little more than an arm's reach away. But the time was falling shorter when once of the clefts spotted Mario moving. "Hey! He's not down yet!"
His brother looked over and clenched his teeth. "No you don't, Gonzales!" He rushed forward as fast as he could, but he was too heavy.
Mario was now in arms reach and swung his right hand forward. He felt it tap Koops's hand and Koops grasped him, pulled him out, and hurdled over the ring. "I'm in!"
"YES! YES! GO KOOPS GO!" Goombella cried sweet tears of joy.
"YEAH!" The entire hospital room light up in excitement from nurses to patients.
"You did it! Mario! It's up to you know Koops!" Flurrie cried, cleaning her eyes, a weight rising off her chest.
"YES! HE DID IT! HE DID IT!" Koopie Koo screamed, "GET 'EM, BABE!"
Kooply raised his arms and clapped. "THAT'S MY BOY!"
Koops rushed forward and brought up a shell shield. He blocked the attack and managed to stay grounded then strained to fight back. "Why don't you pick on a real whip, pal?"
"That's kinda what I was thinkin'," retorted the iron cleft.
They unclashed and Koops began diverting his attacks. He hand no better options now. All he had to do was hope him and GJ would figure something out. The fighting started to get more exciting for the audience. Koops managed to get an opening and he shell shot as fast as he could to the other side of the ring then deflected back into GJ's cleft, doing absolutely nothing to him then hitting the other with the same hopeless result. He recovered and saw his cleft charging him.
"Here I come, wimpy!"
"Whoa!" Koops recharged his shell shield, but the short notice made it weak, and it shattered on impact. He flew back and the cleft was coming in for another charge. He balled up in hopes his shell would protect him.
GJ saw the cleft charging Koops and panicked. "Koops!" On instinct he stuck out his tongue and managed to catch the cleft then surprisingly pulled the him into his mouth. He keeled back but balanced then stood there in shock. The entire audience went silent. Koops turned over and dropped his jaw. Goombella was just as aghast as the audience. Mario was be treated by the medics, but he stopped them and stood up to get a closer look and confirm what he had just witnessed. Even the second cleft froze in horror.
GJ began wrenching then spat out the first cleft right into the second. The quiet of the Glitz pit was filled with a howl of pain from the first. "YYYYYEEEOOOOWWWWWW!" Suddenly the crowd cheered even louder. No one could believe their eyes with what they had just witnessed the baby Yoshi do.
"Did you just see that?! That little guy swallowed that cleft whole and spat him out!"
"Oh, my goodness!" Flurrie gasped
"That's amazing!" A nurse exclaimed, "A Yoshi his age should be able to do that! He ust be a late hatcher!"
"A late hatcher?" Flurrie echoed.
The nurse nodded as the others were cheering. "Yes. Yoshi begin developing in their eggs differently than other creatures. Once they are fully developed hatching is merely a choice to them. late hatchers tend to have developed adult skills fairly quicker than hatchers who come out of their egg closer to development. Though it is medically advised they do hatch sooner, some advantages can be had from a Yoshi who decides to hatch late."
Flurrie remembered the egg they saved form the hotdog stand. "But of course…"
"Whoa, that little guy is full of surprises!" Koopley exclaimed.
Koopie Koo watched the TV intently, not even bothering with the popcorn Koopley had made hastily. "I can't believe he managed to do that! Maybe Koops and Mario do have a chance!"
Koops shuffled back beside GJ to regroup with him. "What was that?"
"I don't know," GJ replied, "But it nocked those guys down a peg." He cracked his knuckles, "And now I know we can win this thing."
"If you can do that again, we might just win this fight!"
"Argh, what happened bro? You rammed me straight in the…" He grunted as he tried to shake off the pain form his rear end. "That really hurt!"
"Oh, no, bro… did they figure us out?"
"Homie, keep them busy, I'm gonna chew these suckers and spit 'em out!" GJ said darkly.
"Right!" Koops charged them with another shell shot, getting the crowd excited for their newfound hope. Koops distracted them long enough for GJ to get another gulp in. Then another and another until the clefts started wearing down. They were more out of breath than Koops and GJ were, who were sweating up a lake. Grubba was eating up the tension like candy. This was everything he wanted from them. But with the repetitive strategy, they were becoming predictable.
"Just one more and we'll win this," Koops huffed, "or… I hope. I can't keep this up… I'm outta shape."
"I know what you mean, they taste awful!" GJ said scraping the taste off his tongue. "Let's finish this!"
Koops again went to distract them but this time they held their ground. And when GJ's tongue went to grab one of them they moved just fast enough to dodge him. GJ's tongue latched onto the ring, and he ended up dragging himself across it. Koops got deflected to the opposite side. He saw GJ drag across the ring and get tangled into the rope. GJ shook his head and noticed his tongue was stuck and twisted into the rope. Koops managed to quickly shoot himself across then drift in front of him to summon a shield. "Are you okay?"
"My pongue! Ipth spuck!" GJ shouted alarmedly.
Koops held his shield firm as he saw the clefts ready to charge. "Untangle it fast I don't think they'll wait long!"
GJ got to work immediately and went over and under the ropes as fast as he could. Koops watched as the cleft scratched the ring like a bull. "GJ?" They started to charge and scream at him. "GJ!?"
"Almoptht!" GJ shouted back.
Koops braced for impact as both Cleft charged him… then he felt it, full force and was forced back, his shield breaking yet again. He flew over the ropes and into the projectile field meant to stop projectiles from hitting any audience members, but the force was so strong that he ended up breaking through it and few to the wall with impression making impact. Then he dropped to the ground.
"KOOPS!" Goombella limped as fast as she could over to him. Mario, shot up from the medic's stand to run over to him.
The Hospital was once again silent as Koops flew off out of the ring and through the barrier. They were already expecting him.
Flurrie gasped and was once again in tears, just was she was with Mario. "Oh no… Koops, no!"
Koopie Koo screamed a shrill scream as she saw Koops hit that wall. He dropped down and didn't move. Koopley was shocked. As Koopie Koo began to sob, he hugged her for comfort. She didn't even care how he still smelled of Hooktail's gut. She just needed to hug someone and comfort her for what she just saw. "Koops… no! NO!"
"It's alright, I'm sure he's fine," Koopley comforted, "It's alright…"
Koops laid there… still as the dead. GJ froze as he saw Koops lay there. He shook with rage then finished his tongue. The impact the clefts made with the sturdy shield dazed them a little that they left just enough time for GJ to recover.
"Hey, losers!" The clefts looked at him as he was swinging his tongue. He retracted it and stretched his jaw. "Have a nice flight!" He caught one of them and spat with all his might making both of them fly all the way to the other side of the ring and land. This time… they didn't get up.
The first one raised his head just enough to speak. "Aw… bro… I think we just got beat by a shrimp…"
"We're gonna have to go back to the minor league," The second groaned, "Aren't we?"
"That's match, the winner is! The Greeeeaaaat Gonzaleeees!" the crowed cheered but Mario and Goombella were still trying to help Koops. GJ raced off the ring and towards his team.
"Homie! Come on, Homie get up! Get up, bro! Don't do this to me, man!" GJ chocked up and the crowed was suddenly silent. They watched solemnly as the team was morning their injured teammate. Grubba rubbed his head with a handkerchief. This wasn't going to be good for business. He imagined all the paperwork and the laws he'd have to answer to for making the fights this dangerous.
"Koops please… get up," Goombella begged. "Come on, you took on a dragon! Two clefts are nothing to you!"
Mario lifted Koops onto his back and sat him up. The medics were already there trying to determine if he was alive. With a touch of the nitril gloved hand, Koops suddenly coughed and tried to breath.
"What is everyone crying for?" Koops asked as he tried sitting up.
"Whew, man," A medic sighed in relief, "I almost thought you were dead. I wasn't getting a pulse for a second there."
"Will he be okay?" Goombella asked.
The medics checked him, and he started to move more. There was a gasp of hope all through the audience. From the hospital to Petalburg and beyond. "I think so… he's just a little winded."
"I told you my shell would hold," Koops groaned with a smiled.
Goombella giggled and GJ and Mario laughed. They helped him up and Koops raised a triumphant hand to prove he was okay. The crowd cheered and Grubba canceled his call to his lawyer. He let out a sigh of relief and congratulated the team.
"We-hell, team Gonzales! You gave us a scare there! But that's not even the beginning of the good news! Not only did you win the match against all odds, but you are now in the major leagues! Let's here it for… the Greeeaaatt! GONZALEEEEES!" The crowd cheered and Team Gonzales raised their hands or jumped triumphantly.
"Yes! We made it! Yes!" Flurrie hopped out of her bed and began to dance. The nurses were extremely happy for her.
The one that meant to inform her she was free to go, raised the paperwork for her to see. "Madam Flurrie? Your free to go. Just sign these relies papers and… if you don't mind. Signing this too… its for my kid back at home. I was a big fan of yours during your acting career. And my daughter absolutely loves you in the Glitz Pit. She hoped to be just like you."
"Oh, it's no bother," Flurrie smiled bashfully as she signed both. Then a whole line started with more requests. Flurrie looked back at the TV. "But… I'm not the one she should be looking to. There are far better heroes to model oneself after than an old, retired actress such as myself."
The nurse smiled brightly and bowed her head. "You are as modest as you are wonderful." Flurrie giggled in response. But she had no other reply. The nurse left and Flurrie was left to sign autographs and casts.
"They did it! They did it! My boy is a star fighter!" Koopley cheered, "YAHOO!"
Koopie Koo jumped up and down and cried tears of joy. "YES! YES! Koops is okay! he's okay!" She sat down at last and continued to cry at how relived she was. She watche the TV as it panned again on Koops who was still tensing in pain but smiling nonetheless from all the attention. "My hero."
With the celebration dying down, Mario helped Koops out of the room and the gang all left. They had won thanks to GJ, and they planned full well to thank him with everything he deserved. And what better way than a hotdog and a free drink from the Watering Hole?
I actually made myself tear up a little there. I hope you guys enjoyed this as much as I did... oh and make requests. It gets my creative juices going.