Goombella had found Mario, who was just sitting outside. She sat down next to him.
Goombella asked after a minute, "You okay? Stupid question I know but..."
Mario admitted, "Not really. I keep hearing his voice. I know he's gone and we are safe. But I can't help wondering if I'm even worthy of being Luigi's brother."
Goombella started to say, "Why wouldn't you be...?"
Mario pointed out, "Cause if wasn't for Violet, Luigi would probably be protecting the rear by staying in the Mushroom Kingdom."
Goombella frowned, "Wouldn't that mean you trust him?"
Mario replied, "Or I didn't."
There was an uneasy silence between them after that. Goombella decided to change the subject.
She reassured, "Well, look at it this way then. At least you are all okay now."
To that, Mario just nodded.
He commented, "Thanks..."
Goombella smiled a bit, "You're welcome."
All of the sudden, Mr. Grubba's voice got their attention.
Mr. Grubba announced, "We got ourselves the winners! The Shell Raiser and the Green Thunder take it!"
Koops shouted, "That was awesome!"
Luigi replied, "You did great work!"
Koops responded, "So did you!"
Luigi blushed modestly, "Thanks!"
...
After the fight, Jolene gave Mario the money of four coins. Their ranking was now up to 18th place. As soon as she came, she left just as fast.
King K came over to them, "Hey, way to hand out a beatdown out there. You two beat me up, straight up."
Koops stated, "We did our best. That's all we did."
King K replied, "Yeah, noticed. Could swing the other way next time, though, you know what I'm sayin'?"
Luigi blinked in confusion, "I think we do."
To that, Mario chuckled as he went to schedule another fight.
"Welcome to the automated match-reservation system. What is your command?"
Mario had selected 'Reserve a Match'. Mr. Grubba had appeared on the screen.
He told them, "Well, boy howdy, Comet! Fixin' for a fight, huh?"
Mario confirmed, "Yes we are."
Mr. Grubba checked, "Alright then. Lemme just see here... Yer next opponent will be... Ranked 17 in the Glitz Pit... The Pokey Triplets! Now, listen: in this battle, no one switches around. That means that once you pick who you want, that's it. Gotta go with who brung you! A fight to the end, side by side! Now that's drama! Now get in there an' stand by yer pard!"
Mario confirmed, "Got it. For this one, I'll go next with Windy Madame to the next match."
Flurrie came around and got to Mario's side.
Mr. Grubba typed that in, "Got it son! Good luck!"
With that, he turned off the screen.
Luigi turned to his brother, "Good luck, Malleo."
Mario replied, "Thanks Weegie."
That's when security came in, taking Mario and Flurrie to their fight.
...
Mr. Grubba announced, "For our next battle, we got the Merciless Executioners, the Red Comet and Windy Madame! And.. the Spiked Terror Triplets! Yep, a fight to the finish with The Pokey Triplets!"
Flurrie commented, "We aren't losing to you!"
Mario activated his Firebrand, "Especially to a bunch of Pokeys!"
One of the Pokeys said, "Go ahead... Touch us... It won't hurt... too much..."
Mr. Grubba commented, "Let's get yerselves ready to battle!"
The gong went off as the fight begun. Mario used fireballs, throwing at the Pokeys. Flurrie used her wind powers to help. The two combined their attacks, making a fire and wind tornado. It didn't take long for the two of them to take down the Pokeys.
Mr. Grubba stated, "We got ourselves the winners! The Red Comet and the Windy Madame!"
Flurrie commented, "That was a great match, Mario!"
Mario stated, "You did great, Flurrie!"
...
After the fight, Jolene gave Mario money. She had given him four coins and their ranking went up to 17. She then left again.
"Hey, what's crackin', C-man?" That was King K. He added, "You two just finish beatin' down some poor fools or what? You lookin' good man. The old King K wouldn't mind a little bit of your luck. Yeah, that'd be nice."
"Get in there, you!" That's when Jolene came in with Bandy Andy. She hissed, "How many times do I have to tell you: that room is absolutely off-limits. If you want to remain on fight roster, you must follow the rules! And don't think I haven't noticed you following me. Stop that too. It's creepy. If you don't obey the rules, we'll ban you from the Glitz Pit. Understand?"
That's when she left the room again. King K went over to Bandy Andy.
He asked, "Again, dude? Man, you just a magnet for trouble!"
Bandy Andy chuckled, "Sorry, King K. Didn't mean to bring Queen Nag in here."
King K told him, "Aw, don't sweat it, B-money. Jolene can take that 'tude and shove it up her nose. Why you always chasin' that girl, anyway, man? You got a little thing for her?"
Bandy Andy blushed, "Shut up, K. ...now. If you folks will pardon me, I must be off."
With that, Bandy Andy left out of the door.
Mario wondered out aloud, "I wonder what was that about..."
The team all shrugged, not sure either. Mario went over to the screen.
"Welcome to the automated match-reservation system. What is your command?"
Mario had selected 'Reserve a Match'. Mr. Grubba had appeared on the screen.
He told them, "Well, boy howdy, Comet! Fixin' for a fight, huh?"
Mario confirmed, "Yes we are."
Mr. Grubba checked, "Alright then. Lemme just see here... Yer next opponent will be.. Ranked 16 in the Glitz Pit... The Dead Bones! Now listen: in this battle, I want you to let yer enemy damage you three times, okay? It's just so dang borin' when a match is too one-sided, you hear what I'm sayin' to you? Now get in there and kick some behind!"
Mario confirmed, "Yes sir! This time around, it will be Green Thunder and me, Red Comet!"
Mr. Grubba nodded as he made a note. That's when the screen when black. Violet gave Luigi a quick good luck kiss.
Luigi teased, "I better go to fight more often."
To that, Violet laughed. She then turned to Mario.
She asked, "Keep him safe?"
Mario answered, "You know that you can always count on me."
Luigi gave Mario a giant hug, whispering something in his ear in Italian. Mario just sniffled, touched. That's when security came in and took them to the match.
...
Wishmaker1028: Thought this would be a better stopping point. So, please read and review! And always think outside of the box!