The winds were brisk, and the leaves were orange. Katrina was going into the locker room with a duffel bag over her shoulder. It was a big day for her; today was her big title fight against King Hippo. If she won, she would become the Minor Circuit champion. She pulled on her boots and went out to get her gloves from Pierce.

"So," said Pierce, fitting Chaton Cheri into her gloves, "title bout, eh?"

"Yeah," said Chaton Cheri, bouncing on her toes a bit.

Pierce fixed her gloves on. "Good luck, kiddo."


"In this corner, we have the menacing, overpowering island monarch, King Hippo! And in this corner, she's tiny and mighty, she's Daddy's Little Powerhouse, Chaton Cheri! Fight!"

Chaton Cheri hopped around, but stopped when she found that King Hippo didn't ever move from one spot. She threw a few punches, but King Hippo easily blocked them all. Eventually, King Hippo opened her maw and raised an arm to hit back. Luckily for Chaton Cheri, watching her father for years has its benefits, and she remembered that was the best opportunity to hit her.

King Hippo wasn't completely dumb, however, and she threw back with her Hippo Squeeze. Chaton Cheri stumbled back and took a moment to catch her breath. She shook her head and came back with a flurry of jabs as King Hippo laughed.

In the audience, Joe anxiously wrung his hands. Chaton Cheri had already lost to King Hippo twice before. If she lost again, her win-loss rating would be completely balanced. Even though she never expressed it, he still thought she would feel like a failure if she went down the same losing streak as him.


After a quick break in between rounds, Chaton Cheri and King Hippo were back at it. Chaton Cheri quickly hopped around until King Hippo got frustrated and yelled, giving her the opportunity to throw in at least seven gut-punches.

"Hey, did you notice we both wear pink gloves?" Chaton Cheri asked. King Hippo looked at both of their gloves, and marvelled at them. While she was distracted, Chaton Cheri went in for more blows.

And then she did it. She threw a jab that finally knocked King Hippo over. The crowd went wild cheering for their new champion. Chaton Cheri shrieked with joy when she realised what she had just done.


As she was coming out of the locker room, Joe and Von Kaiser rushed Katrina and lifted her up on their shoulders. They were immensely proud of her.

"Alright, down on the ground," said Pierce, gesturing for the two to put her down so she could receive her belt. It was a bit of a hard fit because she was so small, but he eventually got it on her.

Joe and Von Kaiser fussed over their little winner. King Hippo, who was taking her loss surprisingly well, picked her up and squeezed her. "Viens, Katie," said Joe, urging her to follow him, "on va cuire le spaghetti avec les petits pains d'ail pour le diner; ton préféré." (Come on, Katie, we'll make spaghetti with garlic buns for dinner; your favourite.)


About a week later, Pierce approached Katrina with the proposition to be moved up to the Major Circuit. "It's easier to have five in each than six in one and four in the other."

Katrina thought for a moment, and nodded. "Yeah. That sounds good."

Pierce nodded, and turned. "Lulu; you're getting your belt back!"

King Hippo came over, and once Pierce finished his circuit paperwork, she had the belt back over her shoulder. Pierce then brought Katrina over to the rest of the Major Circuit boxers. "Alright, fellas, you've got a fifth now."

Bear Hugger and Great Tiger were welcoming, with encouraging words and pats on the head. Don didn't pay too much attention to her; he was on the phone. Piston Hondo only gave her a doubtful look, with an eyebrow cocked, before returning to looking off, with an aloof look on his face.

Katrina pouted. She bet that she could totally beat him in a fight and be Major Circuit champion if she tried hard enough. She even beat Aran Ryan; Piston Hondo's probably never done that. Yeah, I can totally beat you, she thought, you watch me!