Chapter 14: Welcome to Glitzville!

Double D! You're late!" Nazz scolded as he arrived.

He was breathless from the run. "My… apologies…"

"…meh, I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have said that. Anyway, the thing's going to launch soon."

"Where's everyone else?"

"Already on board."

"Uh-oh!" Double D exclaimed and they ran until a fish-looking creature stopped them.

"Tickets, please!"

Double D and Nazz didn't have time. They threw the tickets and ran for the blimp. They ran through the door and saw the rest of the gang sitting on the benches.

"Wow! Jeez, you almost missed the flight!" Goombella commented.

"My apologies." Double D responded, grabbing a seat.

"Attention passengers. This is your pilot speaking. The blimp will now depart for the accent to Glitzville. Please wear all your seatbelts at all times. That is all."

The blimp shook, and the sound of engines blared. It had released ballast, and it released itself from the ground.

"Attention passengers. We are now docking at Glitzville square. Please report to the elevator room."

The passengers all crowed into a small room like sardines.

All sorts of conversations started.

"Get off my foot!"

"Rolf apologizes."

"Dude, that place is so shiny."

"Is this a bad time to say I'm afraid of heights?"

"The light décor is quite fastening, but a bit clichéd."

"Do any of you know where the bathroom is?"

"I must insist that you REMOVE YOUR HAND FROM MY HAT!"

"Let's-a-go already!"

"Um… oh, we're moving."

The elevator room was lowering itself from the rest of the blimp by a wire. It lowered into the light-filled city until it landed right in the landing pad.

The elevator doors opened, and the passengers walked out.

"Wow, this place is really like an amusement park!" Jimmy said in awe as he looked around.

"Let's see." Koops looked at a brochure. "There's the Juice Bar, the Shop, a telephone booth, and most importantly, the Glitz pit!"

"So, where do we begin looking for the crystal star?" Goombella asked.

"Let's-a-try there." Mario pointed to another building, under a very large cloth.

"That's not on the brochure." Koops looked at the building, then at the brochure again.

"Maybe it's a new attraction?" Flurrie asked.

"Just what this place needs." Nazz said sarcastically.

The crowds of people were overwhelming. Everything from Toads, mice, bomb-ombs to koopas walked down the walkways.

"Looks like that attraction under wraps is already popular." Nazz said, pointing up ahead. They traveled over to the place and observed the vast crowds surrounding the place.

"HEY FOLKS!" A voice suddenly shouted from inside the cloaked structure, making the ones from the cul-de-sac freeze.

"Can it be?" Double D asked aloud.

"INDEED IT IS SO FOLKS! FINALLY, AFTER GENEROUS LOAN FROM THE GLITZ PIT MANAGER, I HAVE CONSTRUCTED…" The voice stopped and the cover was lifted off by a crane revealing the store underneath it.

All of the cul-de-sacers gasped at the name.

"EDDY'S SOUVENIR STAND!"

The crowds roared in excitement and formed a line at the counter. The heroes joined the line in the back and waited for the line to reach their point.

"Hey, and what can I get for…" The cashier dropped everything when he saw Double D's face.

"Eddy?" Double D asked.

"…I'm closing the stand down for ten minutes!" Eddy placed a sign that said just that.

The heroes followed Eddy to the entrance to the stand.

"Double D!" Eddy shouted happily once they were alone but also took note that Rolf, Nazz and Jimmy stood nearby. "Where's the rest?"

"I don't know. I'm trying to find them all, and thank goodness I found you!"

"Man, this is so awesome. Finally, what happened to you guys!"

"Okay Eddy, spill it." Nazz cut in. "How did you get a stall opened in a floating amusement park?"

"Okay, ladies and germs, it's like this: I found myself here somehow after the shipwreck thing. I don't really know how I got in an flying city after a shipwreck, but just bare with me. So, I tried to find you guys for hours, and eventually I figured, why not get you guys to come to me? So I decide a way to get you guys to find me and get a scam going."

"You mean you plan on conning this place out of its money? I thought the sailing 'scam' was enough to teach you different." Double D looked angry.

"Well, that's what I wanted to do at first. I took my idea to start making money to the Glitz pit, because that's the star attraction at this place. I had to wait for hours for security to make an appointment with the manager, but I spoke to him. He's called Mr. Grubba. Now, this guy was a lizard-looking thing, not to mention FAT but he's cool because we struck a deal. He said that if I sold their souvenir merchandise to make them look good for the pigeons-, err- public, I would get a deed to start Eddy's souvenir stand! I could make a living and have my name in lights among the Glitzville's attractions! I figured if anyone I knew saw the name, that they could come here and find me!"

"Compared to us, you had a blast!" Nazz said dryly.

"Now I'm gonna be rich!" Eddy said.

"…well, now he have a story to tell you." Double D sighed and gestured to their other new friends. "First, I want to introduce you to my new friends."

"I'm-a-Mario!"

"The name's Goombella, man!"

"Hey. I'm Koops."

"You can called me Flurrie!"

"I'm Eddy!" Eddy said to them. "So?" he turned to Double D. "Making friends with the locals? Smart move, kid! That we the best move I made ever! That Grubba guy's my hero."

"Eddy, the reason we're up here is to find something called a Crystal Star."

"What's that?"

"Eddy, do we have a story for you." Double D sighed.

"Whoa." Eddy said when Double D finished explaining. "That's what you've been up to?"

"I assure you, it's all true."

"No, I believe you. I've seen strange looking things since I've got here. Well, I don't know where the star is."

"That's okay. So, can you help us?"

"Sure." Eddy nodded with a smile.

"Then, can you come with us in search?" Jimmy asked.

"Can't."

"But Eddy-"

"Sock-head, Igotta stay! I've signed a contract."

"That's fine with us. He'd probably just annoy us if he joined us anyway." Jimmy said dryly.

"Jimmy!" Double D shouted.

"Sorry." Jimmy said but didn't sound apologetic.

"Besides, I can help. You can take anything from here for free granted you don't tell that Grubba guy. Oh, and I can also fill you in on stuff about this place. I just have to stay here and work." Eddy said.

"Okay. You're probably safest if you stay here anyway." Double D said, knowing searching for the star would likely be dangerous.

"I'll be seeing ya!" Eddy waved them goodbye.

They waved back and he walked back to the counter to open the stand again.

"This building here is the Glitz pit." Jimmy observed, pointing out the largest building ahead. "Let's check this out."

They walked to the doors of the building, which opened automatically. Inside was the lobby. Rock music played in the background from the intercom, and people walked down the halls, some the paparazzi, some fans, some fighters.

"Nice lobby!" Goombella said loudly.

The lobby itself was tow stories tall, with stairs leading to the balcony floor. News crews filled in front of some large doors. What got their attention was a large projection of a computer screen. They walked over to the screen.

"Oh, this must be the fighting schedule." Nazz said. "It says currently there's a match going on between the first and second topmost ranked fighters here. Rawk Hawk and the Koopinator."

"Sounds cool. I say we take a break and watch the fight." Goombella suggested.

"Yeah." Koops agreed.

"I guess so." Double D also agreed.

They walked through two large doors and saw the huge fighting arena. Seats surrounded the fighting rink like a wrestling arena. Lights shone over the fighting arena as well, and a monitor behind them gave them a closer up shot of the current fight. Fans screamed and cheered in their seats. They decided to grab some seats and watch.

The fight, however, didn't go much longer. One of the fighters, a huge bird-looking one with enormous muscles landed right on top of the other fighter, a Koopa in a suit of Armor. It was over. The crowd gave loud cheers and boos.

"So!" The prompter shouted as he walked over to the very proud bird-looking fighter. "Another victory belongs to Rawk Hawk! How's it feel!"

"It's awesome!" Rawk said as he spoke into the microphone. "There's not a fighter alive that can take me down!"

"Awesome!" The prompter said. "Hey, champion! How's about you show this here crowd your belt!"

"Yeah!" Rawk held up a large belt, one that looked like a wrestling belt.

"Holy crap!" Goombella shouted when she saw it. "Check out the belt!"

They both looked and saw the belt. Imbedded in it was a star shaped gem.

"The Crystal Star! It's on the Champion's belt!" Double D shouted, looking strangely at it.

"Ha! Thanks and good day, folks!" Rawk said, walking away from the MIC and through a set of doors.

"Okay… what do we do now?" Nazz asked as they walked back into the lobby.

"Let's examine the choices at hand." Double D answer. "The star belongs to the champion, and we obviously can't steal it."

"Hm…" Koops thought aloud.

"Guys, it looks like Mario's got something to say." Jimmy said.

"Yes?" Flurrie looked to Mario.

"I think I-a found a way." Mario said.

"Great!" Rolf said. "What plan have you concocted?"

"Well…" Mario started but stopped.

"Yeah?" Double D asked.

"The way I-a-see it, the only right way we have is to become fighters here." Mario finally answered.

"Whoa!" Jimmy exclaimed.

"It's the champion's belt. All we have to do is to-a-fight our way up."

"Oh nana." Rolf was surprised.

"Come on, it's probably the safest-a fights we've had so far." Mario said.

"Fine, we're in." Double D sighed, even though he detested violence.

"Okay, let's get signed up into this thing."

"This is going to be so cool!" Goombella said with a smile.

"Hey, security guy!" Goombella said to a security officer blocking the door. "Care to let us in here?"

"Sorry. This place is only for fighters and the staff." The strong security guard said.

He was in a black uniform with a tie to match his blue skin. He also wore sunglasses.

"That's why we have to get back there." Nazz said. "We are going to sign up as fighters of the glitz pit!"

"Oh, cool!" the guard said. "If you will follow this hallway, you will find Grubba's office. He runs the show here. It's the second red colored door you'll find in here."

"Thank you, sir." Double D said politely.

The guard allowed them through the doors. This hallway was a lot less crowded. There were many doors, and each one was clock off by a security guard. They kept walking until they reached the red door described by the guard.

"Sir!" Double D said as the security guard looked down at him. "We are looking to sign up."

"Ah yes. Grubba is right in here." The guard opened the door and allowed the group in.

"Oh!" Grubba shouted when he saw the group enter. "Who the heck are you people?"

"Mario, Goombella, Koops, Flurrie, Edward, Nazz, Rolf, and Jimmy." Double D said, pointing to each of them as he talked about them.

"And you've come into my office: why?"

"Because we wish become fighters in the Glitz pit!" Double D stated.

"Woo hoo! Nellie, that's great!" Grubba got out of his seat. Eddy was right, he did look like a lizard looking creature. "So, I see y'all there are ambitious about this. Why do you want to become fighters?"

"To be champions!" Rolf stated proudly.

"Ah! You remind me of myself when I was a kid. I wanted to be a fighter too. I never became champ, mind you, but I did become a fighter. I was world known fighter. But I retired and now look, I'm the prompter! Come on, I'll give ya a tour!"

"This is the champs room!" Grubba said as he opened the door. As he did, he saw Rawk who was combing his hair.

"HEY, 'YA MIND!" Rawk screeched and threw a shoe that slammed the door shut.

"Moooving right along…" Grubba walked over to the next room with the group.

"This is the major league locker room. It's where all of the fighters between the rankings of 1 and 10 stay."

"So, y'all get it?" Grubba asked when they all returned to his office.

"Yeah." Jimmy answered.

"Hold up a minute there, partner." Grubba said. "An eight-member team is too cheap out there on the field. Sorry, but a team can only be 5 total."

"Okay, then let's split up into an even set of groups." Double D suggested.

Double D and Mario walked to two different sides of the room. Nazz, Jimmy and Rolf followed Double D while Flurrie, Goombella, and Koops followed Mario.

"Wait, Jimmy. You want to compete?" Nazz asked.

"Yeah! I'll give 'em heck out there."

"Ah, so now that y'all are in your groups, you have to choose your team leader." Grubba continued his explanation.

"Double D." Jimmy said without hesitation.

"Who's that?" Grubba asked.

"Sorry. To you, it's Edward." Jimmy said back.

"Wait, Jimmy. Why me?" Double D asked.

"You are smart. We'll need a smart leader in the fight." Nazz said to which the others agreed.

"For our team, we've decided on Mario." Koops said.

"Mario, Edward. Stand up here." Grubba asked.

Mario and Double D walked forth.

"No, you're names are cool, but in the rink, I say we give you two nicknames for your 'fighter's handle.' Mario, I think maybe… I got it! The Great Gonzales!"

"Gonzales?" Mario asked.

"Yes, it will do!" Grubba decided. "Now as for you…" He thought hard. "Oh! I know about you, Edward! You can be the Extraordinary Eduardo!"

"…Okay." Double D said simply.

It wasn't the worst nick-name he had been given.

"So, then. Teams Gonzales and Eduardo. Please sign your names on this contract and we'll be official!"

One by one, they signed all their names on the contract.

"Yes! Good to see some new faces!" Grubba said, shaking their hands. "I'll just add you to the list." Grubba went to his computer and typed in the team names into the list of fighters.

"Now, sorry to say, but you two team as of now will be in the bottom ranks of all the fighters."

"Hm… so we'll have to work our way up the ranks to become champion." Double D stated.

"Indeed. Now, here's how the whole fighting system works. First off, it's sport. Not bloody, gory, killing each other thing. Should any of these events occur, the fight will end, the hurt team will automatically win, and the foul team will lose a rank. If it's real bad, then the team that caused the incident would be expelled from the ranks. Eh, but actually, y'all probably done listening to me. The manager will fill ya in. Miss Jolene?"

"Yes? You called me in, sir?" A toad woman walked in.

She was dressed in a red suit and had red high heels with glasses. The sports on her toad head where white with a pink background and had yellow hair that was visible going in front of her face. She seemed like a businesswoman in every way.

"These are the two newest teams in the fights. Take them to the minor league locker room and prep them for their first fight.

"Yes sir." she said. "Now if you will just follow me?"

They walked out of the office and followed Jolene through the hallway. As they walked, Jolene began to explain.

"Okay, there's couple of things I want to say so you understand. First of all, what Mr. Grubba says goes. That's that." She signaled one of the guards and issued him to step out of the way.

The obedient guard obeyed, and they walked into another room. Unlike the rest of the good-looking, attractive Glitz pit, this room looked like a mess. There were dirt marks on the floor, and the room smelt a bit. The lockers were dented, including one that was nearly broken in two, with two visible footprints imbedded in them.

"Messy, messy, messy…" Double D said under his breath.

Jolene heard it. "Yes, yes. I know it's not the most attractive room in the Glitz pit. But that's all the more motivation to try and rank up higher."

"I'll say." Nazz commented.

"Well, now that's that, I should tell you how to set up a battle. Here's how the whole thing works. First off, your rankings. Sorry, Team Gonzales, but because Team Eduardo was technically signed in first, their ranking is one better than yours. That is, Eduardo and his team are at rank 20, and team Gonzales is at team 21. Which team would like to fight first?"

"We will go for it." Double D volunteered.

"Very well. Please pay attention to this monitor." Jolene walked over to a TV screen in the wall by the door. "There's a button here, and when you press it, you will automatically call Grubba for the fight."

"You mean this one?" Double D asked.

He pressed a button and the monitor gave them a view of Grubba. "Ah, I see Jolene is already got you started? Boy howdy! Right then, I'll just reserve this match. Aha, you first match shall be against the 19th top ranked tag team… the Goomba bros. Okay, now, in this fight, I want you to appeal to the crowd. You know, give them waves, gestures, show them cameras your good sides, if ya catch my drift? Okay, good. I'll meet ya'll in the arena!"

The monitor turned off.

"Now, you just wait for security to come to escort you to the arena. Got everything?" Jolene asked.

"I suppose so." Double D said.

"Well, I will just go grab a seat. Good luck." she straightened her glasses and walked away.

A few seconds later, a guard showed up. "Match time, come on, bub."

He led Team Eduardo out of the room.

"Com' on, Mario. Let's grab a seat!" Goombella said.

"Oh everyone, cool it!" Eddy shouted at the people in his line. "QUIET DOWN! The next match is about to begin."

He pointed at the television in his stall. The people in line stopped clamoring and watched along with Eddy at his stall.

"Gee, don't they ever stop talking?" Eddy said, taking a sip of soda.

"Hello, and welcome y-all!" Grubba shouted on the rink. "So, you nervous about this next fight with the new team?" Grubba asked the Goomba bros.

"Nervous of some newbies? Ya right, bring it on!" One of the Goombas taunted.

"Oh boy, enthusiasm! Let's see how this goes! Oh! Here's one of the newest teams now, team Eduardo!"

In entered Double D, Nazz, Rolf and Jimmy, all waving at the exited audience.

Eddy spat out all the soda he was drinking and started coughing. "CRAP!"

"This is Team Eduardo. It's lead by the Extraordinary Eduardo here!" Double D waved his hands.

"And his team is Nazz, Rolf, and Jimmy!"

"You got a bone to pick?" The Goombas asked.

"Now, a few things before the match-" Grubba started, but was pushed out of the way by the Goombas.

"HERE, HAVE A BONE!" It jumped on Double D hitting him to the floor.

"Hey, cheaters, you can't do that!" Jimmy shouted.

"Aw, the baby's crying?" One of the Goombas said rudely.

Jimmy's hands became fists and he growled.

"Jimmy, go!" Double D pointed at the Goombas.

Jimmy nodded and ran with Double D. They both took out the rod/staff and charged at them head on. They gave two strikes to two Goombas and they fell down. The other three grunted.

"Rolf!" Double D called.

Rolf nodded and ran at another one at full speed. He jumped into the air and landed on the Goomba and whacked it with his bag at the same time. It fell instantly. One of the two remaining Goombas ran to Double D in an attempt to hit him again, but Double D dodged and struck it with his rod.

It was down, but not out. It got up and this time went to strike Nazz, but she ignored it, and ran ahead to the other Goomba. She gave it a good solid punch and it slammed on the other side of the rink. She knew she had to appeal to the audience, though she also planned to please them in a cool move.

From the spot she was in, she did back flips and kicked the remaining Goomba.

As she got up, she looked to the audience. "Who's awesome?"

The crowd gave a loud cheer. The team all waved back.

"Nice!" Grubba said as he walked to them. "Your first battle is already a victory! What do you have to say on behalf of your team?" He held a microphone to Double D.

"Compared to other fights prior to us joining, I must say that was easy!" Double D said confidently.

The battle didn't last more than a minute at the most.

"WHOA!" Grubba shouted over-enthusiastically. "There you have it, ladies and germs! Let's hear it for team Eduardo!"

The crowd gave a very loud cheer, and Double D felt so confident that they would get the star in no time.