The group had found someone guarding a nearby door. Flurrie had cleared her throat.

The guard (Logan) asked, "What is it?"

Flurrie answered, "We would like to become fighters please."

Logan stated, "What's that? You all want to become fighters?"

Violet confirmed, "Yes we do."

Logan replied, "...hmm... Well, if you're serious, you'd better go with Mr. Grubba, the promoter."

Koops asked, "Great! Where's his office?"

Logan answered, "Mr. Grubba's office is right down the hallway. You can't miss it."

Luigi replied, "Thank you sir."

Logan nodded, "No problem. Head on in folks."

Logan took a few steps to the side as the group went down the hallway.

Goombella commented, "This sure is a long hallway."

Mario stated, "We will find it, don't worry."

To that, Goombella only nodded. It didn't take them long to find another door being guarded.

The other guard (Barry) asked, "What do you want? You want to be fighters?" To that, everyone agreed in unison. Barry added, "Oh, alright, go on in. Mr. Grubba's just inside."

With that, he took a few steps to the side as they group went inside the office. As soon as they did, they saw the other man from the earlier match.

He perked up, "Who in tarnation are you? And who let you in?! This is Grubba's office!"

Flurrie answered, "Well, Mr. Grubba sir. We are here to become fighters. I'm Madame Flurrie."

Grubba stated, "Well yer some rude people, ain't ya? Comin' in without knockin'!"

Violet replied, "Sir, my name is Violet. We are sorry that we did come in unannounced. We just want to become fighters is all."

Grubba rolled his eyes, "So I hear, girlie. I always got time for up-an'-comers."

Koops replied, "That's good to hear. I'm Koops.

Grubba added, "Now, this place is packed to the gills with young fighters all primed and a-rarin' to go!"

Goombella cheered, "That's great! I'm Goombella!"

Luigi stammered, "O - oh lucky us... I - I am Luigi."

Grubba eyed Luigi in that moment, "I gotta say, son, yer a bit skinny fer my tastes, but I'm willin' to give you a shot."

Mario felt defensive, "Hey, don't you talk about my brother like that! My name is Mario and I'm willing to hurt anyone who gives him a hard time."

Luigi smiled at his brother, appreciative of that.

Grubba chuckled, "Protective, ain't ya? Very well though. Now, since you seem to be the leader here, son. Tell me: you wanna live the glamorous life of a champ, dont'cha?"

Mario confirmed, "You're right."

Grubba laughed, "I like your spirit, kid. Alright, your team and you can enter." He walked around the table and over to the nearby cabinets. He added, "When I was just a poor pup, I didn't give a Pokey's patoot for fancy, big-city ways. But I jumped into the world of martial arts and fought my way to fame and riches! An' you know what I realized? Bein' rich and famous is diggety-dang dyanmite! Now, I can't mix it up in the ring no more, but I earned enough to set me for life." He turned to Mario in that moment, "Ya hear me, son? Dreams really do come true, even if they aren't yours, exactly."

Mario started to say, "I don't understand..."

Grubba chuckled, "Well, the key is son, dream big and you get big. That's the winner's way."

Goombella said, "There is a bit of truth to that."

Grubba replied, "Sure is girly. And when you make it big, you'll look at all those small dreamers and laugh! You reading me?"

Luigi stammered, "U - uh yes sir?"

Grubba responded, "That's the spirit! Here, let's have us a little talk an' walk. C'mon then."

That's when the group followed Mr. Grubba. They went down the hallway and into other room.

Koops asked, "Where are we?"

Grubba answered, "This is the champion's room. Isn't it a sight?"

Flurrie stated, "It's...something."

Grubba turned to them, "You become champ, 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."

Violet whispered, "Please don't have them screaming too loudly..."

Grubba commented, not hearing Violet, "No doubt about it! Apply yourselves an' a life of wealth an' comfort awaits!"

...

They had gone to the locker room after that.

Grubba explained, "Now, uh, here we have the major-league locker room! A lotta contenders here! Whatcha think? Huh? Not exactly glamorous, but it's clean and comfortable. Totally sanitary, too. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I care about my fighters, darn it!"

...

The group had gone back to Mr. Grubba's office.

Grubba commented, "Now... I'm sure you know this already 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."

Flurrie confirmed, "Yes we know that."

Grubba nodded, "Good cause that's the point of it. Wouldn't be worth it if there was no challenge!"

Violet replied, "Mhm you are correct."

Grubba stated, "I can see you got the fire for it too, pard! You got the eye of the tiger."

Koops said, "I guess we do?"

Grubba responded, "Yer team is gonna be the champ! I can just feel it! I ain't never been so sure about fighters like you all before!"

Luigi stammered, "U - uh thanks?"

Grubba perked up, "Oh hey, one other thing... You gotta sign a itty-bitty contract to be a fight."

Goombella asked, "A contract?"

Grubba confirmed, "Yes, girlie. Just take a second or two of yer time. Just jot your names here, okay?"

Mario nodded, "Very well, we'll sign them."

Grubba looked over the paperwork and was pleased. He assigned each of them wrestling names, though the group argued with him that using their own names was fine. Grubba had came up with a name for everyone. Flurrie was the Windy Madame, Violet was the Icy Punch, Goombella was the Pink Destruction, Koops was the Shell Raiser, Luigi was the Green Thunder, and Mario was the Red Comet. Mario couldn't help but wonder if in some other world that he would be the son of Bowser, torn away from his brother while they were just babies. Mario eyed Luigi, seeing that he was holding Violet's hand. Mario smiled at them. He knew that would never happen...right?

...

Wishmaker1028: If anyone sees my reference to the Red Comet story, you are amazing! Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!

Quick side note as well: Happy birthday to our daughter, Anna Prime, who will be four years old on March 10th. She's grown so fast. She's attending preschool, having fun with her best friend and her friends, and she'll be attending pre-k next school semester. Wow, time really does fly. Happy birthday sweetie! You are making mommy very proud!