breath20k

I bet you this next chapter will be even more amazing!

LiamTheYoshi

You can say that again.

mariobroultimate

Me neither. I would never trust a mafia no matter what the circumstances are.

Nataly Guardado

I think one example is Romeo and Juliet. But it's just a guess.

...

Chapter 22: Of Glitz and Glory

It's now 7:20 PM. The sun had already set a half-hour ago and the blimp neared its destination: Glitzville. It was an oriental-type city sitting atop a floating island 20,000 feet above just north of Rogueport. The city was all lit up given it was night outside.

"Attention, passengers," the captain said over the intercom. "We are now arriving at Glitzville Station. Please keep your seatbelts fastened until the blimp is secure on the mooring masts. Thank you for flying with us, and enjoy the biggest main event in the world!"

It didn't take that long for the blimp to dock with the mooring masts. Mario and friends unfastened their seatbelts and made their way to the platform that would lower them out of the gondola.

Mario and Luigi's jaws dropped upon seeing Glitzville before their eyes. There were two rows of shops and restaurants on the left and right side and a giant stadium just ahead. The stadium resembled a closed-dome baseball stadium.

"Jeezums... Look at this place..." Luigi murmured.

After the platform touched down, the group set foot in the city and decided to explore it for a while.

"This is like a mix between Chinatown and the outside of Minute Maid Park!" Mario said, referring to the home of the Houston Astros.

"What's Minute Maid Park?" Goombella asked.

"It's one of the coolest baseball stadiums in me and Luigi's other world," Mario replied. "But I know we have to duke whoever challenges us rather than hit home runs."

"Where to first?"

Mario looked to his right and saw a sign that said "Fresh Gelato Shop".

"Oh yes! My favorite ice cream!" Mario exclaimed. He immediately ran ahead with Luigi and Goombella following at a moderate pace.

...

"Tonight's main event will rule, I tell you!" a Ruff said to a Lakitu inside the gelato shop. "I'm betting on Rawk Hawk, no matter who's fighting him!"

"Me too, man. He's the best of-"

Suddenly, Mario busted into the gelato shop, interrupting the Lakitu.

"Whoa, dude! Slow it down!" the Lakitu told Mario.

But Mario didn't pay attention as he scanned all the different flavors. "One large cup of Gianduia, please!" he requested with enthusiasm. "Make sure it's filled to the brim!"

"Hehehe. Coming right up," the vendor chuckled. He scooped a heaping load of the Gianduia-flavored gelato into a large cup and handed it to Mario.

"Excuse me. I'd like a medium cup of pistachio, please," Luigi said, having arrived at the gelato shop.

"Make mine a coconut, please," Goombella added in, referring to the Noce Di Cocco flavor.

After the vendor served Luigi and Goombella's gelato, he said, "That'll be 13 Coins, please."

Because Mario was already devouring his gelato, Luigi decided to pay for it all himself.

"Bro, calm down," Luigi said. "I know you love gelato, but you can't barge in like that."

"I'm sorry. I couldn't help it," Mario apologized.

Luigi and Goombella took their time eating their gelato while Mario finished his within seconds.

"All right-y. Let's-a g-" Luigi started to say, but Mario tried to hurry to the counter for a second helping. Luigi grabbed Mario's overall straps and dragged him out of the gelato shop. "Mario, one serving is enough. Please."

Mario took a few deep breaths as he was exhausted from being overexcited. He then swapped Goombella with Flurrie, who became awed at the sight of Glitzville.

"My, my, my! Glitzville! I've heard that the Glitz Pit is just full of brawny brawls!" Flurrie exclaimed. "I must admit, the prospect of some hurly-burly gets me a touch piqued!"

"I know, right?" Luigi agreed.

"Now, guys, let's find that Crystal Star, hmm?"

"Sure," Mario replied. He led Luigi and Flurrie through the Glitz Pit's front entrance, which was a foyer with two red doors in front; faint cheering could be heard through the doors. There was also a computerized display showing what battles were taking place.

There weren't any lines of people standing inside except for a Ruff photographer and a couple of Toads mingling to the right of the front doors. In addition, there were two red staircases leading to the second floor. Mario and friends decided to go through the front doors first.

...

"Ladies and gentlemen!" the announcer declared over the cheering audience. "Welcome to the biggest main event in the history of mankind!"

The actual fighting arena resembled an indoor Coliseum with brown bricks all over. There were twelve rows of seats in the stands; nearly 9,000 people stood on their feet, eager for the night's fights to begin.

In the center of the arena was a brown-tiled boxing ring with reddish-orange ropes as the boundaries. Three beams of spotlights shined on the empty ring, and a video board attached to the spotlight beams showed all the action going on.

Mario, Luigi, and Flurrie entered the arena where a bunch of Lakitus, Toads, and Ruffs sat at their front row seats.

"Holy shit..." Mario said with awe. "This... I..."

"What a positively glorious venue! Oh, mercy, Mario and Luigi!" Flurrie exclaimed. "Look in front!"

"Here we go, bro," Luigi beamed.

"Put your hands together for the Feral Nuclear Reactor...the one...the only...RAAAAWK HAAAAWK!" the announcer shouted as an anthropomorphic yellow hawk stepped into the ring. Rawk Hawk had a long yellow mohawk and white sideburns, sported a gray headband with a yellow Coin in front, and wore a yellow-orange shirt, orange pants, and yellow boots.

"That's right! Unh! I think it's about time for you to FEEL THE RAAAAAWK!" Rawk Hawk shouted, prompting the crowd to cheer louder. Luigi and Flurrie also applauded, but Mario only stood in astonishment.

"Opposing Rawk Hawk is a Koopatrol having redeemed himself from the evil King Bowser's tyranny..." the audience started booing over the announcer. "...the Razor Blade Brigadier...KOOOOPINATORRRR!"

A Dark Koopatrol strolled into the ring; he had a scared look on his face.

"Three minutes to claim the treasured Champ Belt, two opponents facing each other, one winner standing in the end...GO!"

A bell rang from the spotlights, signaling the start of the battle. A countdown timer on the videoboard activated right as the bell rang.

Almost immediately, Rawk Hawk charged forward, leaped up with his fists behind his head, and double-punched the Koopinator to the ground.

A referee rushed onto the ring, pounding the floor three times to end the match. As the bell rang again, he held Rawk Hawk's right arm up with victory shouting, "Winner!"

Seconds later, a blue Spike wearing a black and green suit and a black hat with a white brim stepped onto the ring with a microphone.

"Hooooo-WEEEEEEE! Champ! That was a grade-A whuppin'! Yer thoughts on the match!" the Spike announced.

"You call that a match? Ain't there a fighter out there who can challenge me? No! No one can! Hear me? Ain't a fighter out there that can even make me sweat!" Rawk Hawk boasted while the injured Koopinator was escorted out of the arena. "They're all a bunch of little crybabies, running around in stinky diapers! You got a bone to pick?! Come fight me! Bring it! I'll take on anyone! You weaklings might as well stick to playing corny basketball, okay? 'Cause I'll hurt you. YEAH! NUMBER ONE, BABY! RAWK HAWK IS THE CHAMP!"

As the audience gave Rawk Hawk a standing ovation, Mario became confused. "What? I thought I was number-one."

"Me too," Luigi told Mario. "I guess not this time."

Just then, Rawk Hawk held up a blackish-gray belt with an orange Crystal Star on the front. Mario and friends gasped upon seeing the Crystal Star.

"Is that a Crystal Star?" Luigi asked. "How did Rawk Hawk take it for himself?"

"I don't know, Luigi," Flurrie replied. "But such a tawdry place to find it... Why would it be here, of all places?"

Luigi let out a sigh and shrugged. He walked out of the arena with Flurrie and Mario following behind.

"It may look tempting to steal the Crystal Star from Rawk Hawk, but if we do... Well... I don't want to know what'll happen," Mario said.

"Me neither, Mario. I too don't fancy the idea of stealing that fellow's belt and running away scot-free," Flurrie agreed.

"How about we battle our way to the top?" Luigi suggested. "I want to know what it'd be like to become a Glitz Pit champion."

"Hmm. Not a bad idea," Mario responded. "But I have a feeling it won't be easy."

"Good point," Flurrie said. "But Mario, you and Luigi are ten times the men of anyone here! You'll make it to the top in no time!"

"God, I hope so."

"Okay. Our next step is to become official fighters, I imagine," Flurrie stated. "Let's find whoever is in charge, this minute!"

Flurrie went ahead and beckoned the Mario Bros to follow her. Mario chose to stay behind Luigi and Flurrie. They made their way to a door to the left of the west staircase where a security guard stood.

"How can I help you?" the guard asked.

"We would like to become fighters, please," Luigi requested. "I really want that belt for me and my brother."

"Hmmm. Well, if you're serious, you'd better go meet with Mr. Grubba, the promoter. Mr. Grubba's office is just down the hallway. You can't miss it. Head on through."

The guard opened the door, allowing the Mario Bros and Flurrie inside. The hallway had a couple of office doors on the left side and a corridor between supposedly leading to the arena. Each door was guarded by a security guard. The hallway hung right with three more office doors on the left.

The middle door had a sign above it reading, "Richard Grubba". Mario asked the security guard for permission to enter; the guard stood aside to let the group into the office.

Grubba's office had two red couches with a central coffee table in front and a bookshelf on the right. Grubba was seated at his desk on the left.

"Wha- Who are you, sons?" Grubba asked. "And who let you in?!"

"Your security-"

"This is my office!" Grubba interrupted Mario. "An' you? You and yer friends are three rude dudes, comin' in without knockin'!"

"We didn't need to knock, Mr. Grubba," Luigi said. "The guard simply said to come in."

"Whatever," Grubba said with sarcasm. "So, what exactly are you in here for?"

"To become fighters and rule over Rawk Hawk," Mario replied.

"Hoo-WEE! That do change a thing or two, sons! I always got time for a couple up-an'-comers!" Grubba exclaimed. "Yep, this place is packed to the gills with young fighters, all primed and a-rarin' to go! I gotta say, sons, yer a bit skinny fer my tastes, but I'm willin' to give you a shot. Now, play me straight, sons: you wanna live the glamorous life of champs, don'tcha?"

"For a while, yes," Mario replied.

"All right! All right, sons! I hear where yer comin' from, loud an' clear!"

Grubba approached the Mario Bros and Flurrie.

"When I was just a poor pup, I didn't give a crap for fancy, big-city ways. But I jumped into the world of martial arts and fought my way to fame and riches! An' know what I realized? Bein' rich an' famous is goddamn dynamite!" Grubba explained. "Now, I can't mix it up in the ring no more, but I earned enough to set me for life."

"Hmm... Sounds interesting," Luigi remarked.

"Yep, that's the key, sons! Dream big, and you'll get big, that's the winner's way! And when you make it big, you'll look back at all those small-dreamers and laugh! You readin' me here?"

"Yeah," Mario replied.

"That's the spirit, chiefs! Here, let's have us a little walk 'n' talk. C'mon, now!"

Grubba walked the group out of his office back into the hallway. They went straight and Grubba stopped them at the third door, which was locked.

After unlocking the door, Grubba took Mario, Luigi, and Flurrie into a vast bedroom with one bed on the left side and a bathroom on the right side. A small yellow computer was stationed to the right of the bedroom door.

"Now how you like this, pards? Just feast yer eyes, go on!" Grubba insisted.

"Nice layout," Mario said while looking at his surroundings.

"This...is the champion's room. Isn't it a sight? Deee-luxe! You become champs, sons, and you get the key to this room! That ain't all, of course! That's on top of the big money and screamin' fans! Yeah, no doubt about it, sons! Apply yourself an' a life of wealth an' comfort awaits!"

Again, Grubba took the group out of the champion's room and walked with them to the right. They entered the first door on the left into a giant locker room with various high-ranking fighters roaming about. There wasn't much to see yet since everyone stopped at the doorway. However, there was a small pink computer on the left of the door.

"Now, uh, here we have the major league locker room. A lotta contenders here! Whatcha think, sons? Huh?" Grubba asked.

"Looks cool," Luigi answered.

"Not exactly glamorous, but it's clean and comfortable. Totally sanitary, too. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I care about my fighters, dammit!"

Then, Grubba led the group back into his office and stood behind his desk again.

"Now... I'm sure you know this already, sons, but there ain't but one world champion. Clawin' your way to the top an' takin' the belt to become champ ain't an easy thing... Not to mention there might be two..." Grubba said.

"I already knew that," Mario pointed out.

"But that's the point, sons! Wouldn't be worth it if there were no challenge! I can see you got the fire for it too, pards! You got the eyes of the tiger, there! Yer gonna be champs, I can just feelit! I ain't never been so sure about some tough fighters!"

Grubba proceeded to take out a contract written on a long piece of white paper. He placed a red pen next to it.

"Now... You gotta sign this contract and you'll be good to go. Just sign your names when you've finished reading it, okay?" Grubba said.

"Okey-dokey," Mario answered. He and Luigi took their time to read the contract intently and signed their names on the bottom.

"Awesome sauce!" Grubba exclaimed. "Best thing you ever done, sons! Now, yer Mario and Luigi, no?"

"That's us," Luigi answered.

"Ain't a couple bad handles... Still, I gotta say, pards, they lack a little punch as true fighters' names, get me?"

"Why, Mr. Grubba?" Mario said. "We're the Super Mario Bros, so that should be enough."

But Grubba didn't answer and tried to come up with the best fighter names for Mario and Luigi. Eventually, he came up with an idea.

"Bam! Hoooooo-WEEEEEEEEEE! I got it! From now on, you're gonna be..."

"The what?" Mario asked.

"The Great González and the Incredible Ibáñez!" Grubba shouted.

"¿Repitelo? (Say that again?)" Luigi asked in Spanish. Mario, Grubba, and Flurrie became perplexed at his Spanish fluency.

"Excuse me?" Grubba questioned.

"Oh." Luigi blushed a bit. "Those are Spanish names, and it just so happens I can speak that language."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. I took two semesters of Spanish in college. Mario, however, only took one short high school class."

"I see. Anyway, those good names come 'round once a lifetime, right?"

"Um... Yeah. We're good with them," Mario hesitated. "So, who's who?"

"Mario, you're the Great González..." Grubba answered. "...and Luigi, you're the Incredible Ibáñez!"

"Gracias, Sr. Grubba, (Thank you, Mr. Grubba.)" Luigi thanked Mr. Grubba. "Ser llamado increíble es mejor que ser llamado don nadie como yo era entonces. (Being called incredible is better than being called a nobody like I was way back then.)"

"What?"

"It means, 'I love being called incredible'," Luigi stated.

"Excellent! Soon, everyone will bow before the Great González and the Incredible Ibáñez! Make me proud, sons!" Grubba said.

"So, what's next?" Mario asked.

"Well, now that we got the business side outta the way..." Grubba reached for his walkie-talkie. "Jolene? Could you come in a minute, darlin'?"

"On my way," Jolene's voice answered.

A minute later, a female Toad with long yellow hair walked into the office.

"Yes, sir? You wished to see me?"

"Sure did, hon. Jolene, this is the Great González and the Incredible Ibáñez, our newest risin' stars. Be a peach and take them on down to the minor league locker room, okay?"

"Right away, sir," Jolene answered before turning to Mario and Luigi.

While Jolene and Grubba talked with each other, Mario sent Flurrie into his Partner Collection Band.

"Mr. González and Mr. Ibáñez? If you would be so kind, please follow me."

"Okey-dokey." "Sí, (Yes.)" Mario and Luigi answered, respectively. Jolene led them out of Grubba's office and to the left.

"As you know, you are contracted fighters now, so you must abide by some rules. First and foremost, what Mr. Grubba says goes. Period," Jolene explained. "You must do what he says. Also, as per your contract, you cannot quit until Mr. Grubba releases you. There are many other small guidelines that I will explain as they become relevant."

Eventually, everyone stopped at the third door on the right. Jolene opened it, revealing a dilapidated locker room with only a couple of fighters roaming around. There was also a blue computer on the left of the door. Mario and Luigi became disgusted at the layout.

"At least it doesn't smell horrible," Mario said.

"This is our locker room?" Luigi asked.

"Yes, it is," Jolene answered. "You're starting in the minor league, of course, as you've just now started your career. If you don't like this dingy room, I suggest you work your way up through the ranks."

"Obviously," Mario agreed.

"When you're ready to fight, you just log on to this computer terminal." Jolene pointed to the computer. "Mr. Grubba will then decide who you'll match up against. You will have no say in this."

"Okay."

"I wish you two the best of luck," Jolene said before exiting the locker room.