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Commencement

Location: Glitz Pit, the Arena

…

Cheering echoes throughout the place, as Prince Mush takes the microphone from Rawk Hawk and raises his right hand. "Greetings, and welcome to our Nimbusland-Glitzville tournament! If Lakitu weather prediction services are correct, we should have two days of full-on brawls. This isn't a Smash Tournament, but you won't have to worry about your favorite fighter getting blasted into oblivion. So give it up for Jolene, who will explain tournament rules to you all."

More cheering ensues with occasional 'We love you, Jolene' heard here and there. "Thank you, Mush. Again welcome to everyone. Before stating the rules, here are our prizes for our potential top placers…" Three female Beanish ring girls walk into the ring, each with something in their arms covered by a cloth cover.

"Starting with third place, virtually indestructible and a favorite among females, this item can increase your attack by a lot and cause serious damage. Don't forget to equip it in the next tournaments, though! Tempered in the depths of the Moleville Coal Mines and enough iron to be dangerous… the Frying Pan!"

The crowd responds with a hushed murmur accompanied by light clapping as one attendant uncovers her prize.

"For second place… Okay, this one is a bit strange for a prize, but I hear this book has many secrets, waiting to get discovered by whoever reads it. And even if you're a meathead that's not interested in becoming a bookworm, this historic gem can fetch a fortune. Either way, this prize is quite the bargain. The Ancient Doogan Book!"

This time, a loud 'Ooh' and curious whispering ensues as the second attendant uncovers her prize, a leather-bound book with a paw print on the front cover.

"And now, first place… a weapon made for the elites. Even if you're strong, this can only add to the weight of your punch. One swing and you're history! The greatest standard of Hammers, the one and only… Ultra Hammer!" This time, Rawk Hawk takes the prize from the last Beanish woman and lifts the hammer up in its full splendor, the lights reflecting off of it.

Louder clapping echoes, as Jolene continues her tirade. "And like our normal commissioned fights in the Pit, for every match won, there's a 10-coin bonus, with the loser getting 3 coins, so you'll at least get enough for your passage back home."

As the crowd dies down, Jolene continues with her speech. "I hope seeing these prizes will pump you all up, contestants. So, let's hear what to do to make you successful in nabbing one of these prizes:

"In this first phase, we have eight one-v-one 5-minute battles, where you will have to win by being awarded the most points by our judge panel. You can also win automatically by knocking your opponent out or if your opponent steps outside the arena during the fight. But, any accidental fatality will cause you to forfeit, so be careful. Whatever strategy you use, be cautious and use it to your advantage.

"There will be a three-minute wait between fights, so if you are not on this ring when summoned, you will also automatically forfeit the match. Lastly, no weapons are allowed on this round, only fists and abilities. Only items that have been approved by our judges are allowed. Once this first phase ends, rest well, 'cause tomorrow, we begin early and with different rules, so enjoy the fun today."

The crowd erupts again in cheering, but Prince Mush raises his hand, abruptly quieting the crowd. He takes the microphone from Jolene, who in turn, gets off the stage with the Beanish ring girls.

"Thanks, Jolene. Now the moment you've all been waiting for has arrived!" yells Prince Mush, the mike with his right hand. "All of the matches are decided randomly, with half of the participants chosen randomly to take the ring, and they will pick out a random fighter from this box here. In essence, they choose their opponent. For our opening act, our very own, Rawk Hawk, will be battling against an unfortunate soul."

Two hefty, blue-skinned security guards walk into the ring with a medium box with a small hole on top. Rawk Hawk jams his burly arm into the box and violently takes out a white, billiard-like ball with a bright red "5". Mush takes a peek, and raises his left hand.

"We got a winner! Sit tight on your seats because this match will ROCK, YOUR, WORLD!"

The crowd responds with unconstrained excitement, as Rawk Hawk crosses his arms, approving Mush's choice of words and the crowd's bellowing. Prince Mush continues announcing in traditional boxing style.

"Summoned to this ring, a brawn that rivals most fighters, and a terror to those who dare cross his path! One of the strongest among his siblings and a menace on the ring! Get ready for this Royal rumble! ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOY KOOOOOOOOOOOPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

A loud cheers ensues as Geno and Bago the paragoomba are shocked to hear his name. Morton Jr. cowers a bit as he sees his brothers walk by, who hadn't noticed him yet, along with his brother Larry and the Phanto-masked Don Albino. Geno pulls Bago aside, just as Jolene approaches Don Albino stating that only one may accompany Roy to his corner, causing Larry to throw a small fit before disappearing into the crowd.

"Yo, dollface, you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Maybe, Bago. I can't believe the Koopalings are here. After the breakout, I'm sure they're after Johnny. Honestly, it makes me uneasy seeing some of them here."

"What's the plan, chief?"

"We lie as low as possible. Morty will probably not have that option since he's participating, so stay with him at all times. We gotta protect Johnny, so stay away from us until we go to the inn, and even then, do not enter the inn at the same time as we do. Once we all regroup inside the inn, we make a plan. I'll go and rally the message to everyone."

"Roger!"

Bago returns to Morton's side as Geno makes his way to the cheap seats. Roy runs up to the ring, grabs onto the second rope and flips into the ring, landing spectacularly and placing his knee on the mat while flexing his muscular biceps. The crowd eats it all up as their roar explodes throughout the entire arena. The pink-headed Koopaling roars back approvingly as he flexes his pectorals; he then looks back at Rawk Hawk with the corner of his eye, much to the avian fighter's chagrin. Both fighters stare each other down as Prince Mush leaves the ring. The bell is struck, beginning the round.

"Look at who's my first victim!" begins the wrestling bird, "You punk-weasel ain't got nothing on my muscles and hugeness!"

"Check yourself, drumstick," berates Roy, "before it gets rough and ya get hurt!"

Rawk Hawk chuckles. "Not too shabby for a threat, eh? But fists talk and words don't count for squat, babe! You might as well give up now!"

"Enough talk, buzzard! Looks like you need more barbecue on them wings!" The Koopaling raises his hands, ready to box. "Com' on!"

A soon as he swings, Rawk Hawk backs up a few feet and just as quickly lands a side kick on Roy's thighs, knocking the brute onto his back, and riling up the crowd. As soon as Hawk tries to land another side kick, Roy quickly brushes it aside and slaps his opponent's chest, pushing him back far enough to roll himself back on his feet.

Roy then lunges at Rawk Hawk and punches him several times in the gut and slams him into the corner. Hark slowly turns as he growls softly, and dashes at the Koopaling, grabbing onto Roy's shoulders, who also responds by doing the same to his opponent. Hawk then releases Roy's shoulders and slams his arms into Roy's arms, stunning them temporarily, and proceeds to punch Roy's abdomen, then his face, and finally, flips in the air and lands two hits on Roy, almost knocking him off the ring.

As Roy regains his footing, Rawk Hawk crosses his arms as he gloats. "Not bat at all, Birdo! You got some good moves. But check this out!"

Before he does anything, Roy reaches him, and elbows his lower beak and flips him onto the ring. Roy punches him in the gut again, but Hawk does another Double Flip that pushes Roy back. He points to the air, back flips into a nearby wall and dives into Roy's belly, the ensuing smack reverberating in the arena, and riling the crowd further. Both regain their footing; Roy beckons Hawk, who replies with a well placed side kick on Roy's lateral muscles, almost pushing him off the ring again.

Hawk then jumps and pounds the ring, causing the stage rafters to descend. He then jumps and shakes them, raining a barrage of stage equipment onto Roy, but failed to notice Roy had used a Hammer Bro. suit while he prepared his rafter assault, and the Koopaling had retreated in his now smooth, bright pink shell. Roy pops out and throws a few hammers at Hawk. None of the judges stop the fight, knowing the hammers were due to the nature of his item.

After a few hammers land, Hawk lets go of the rafters, and is struck by Roy's shell toss when he lands on the ring. As Hawk is clearing out of his dizziness, Roy tries to throw more hammers, but debris from the rafters lands on his head, losing his item and causing him to step back a few steps in his confusion. Hawk regains his senses and sees Roy close enough to the edge. He sneers as he back flips into the wall again and dives once more into the Koopaling, spinning to give his final assault more momentum.

However, Roy sees Hawk in time and leans backwards, as he hugs him and suplexes him onto the ring, while yelling a loud "Boo ya!" Rawk Hawk bounces off of the ring and lands on top of a few of the richer spectators. The bell rings, ending the match, much to the approval of the spectators. Prince Mush hops into the ring with a microphone.

"I can't believe it! After a good, arduous battle, we finally have our victor! Give it up for…" He raises Roy's right arm. "ROOOOOY KOOOOPAAAAA!"

The crowd cheers ecstatically, as Roy lifts his other arm and roars back to the crowd. The sports med team arrives to Rawk Hawk and places him onto the one of the stretchers. Although he accepts his defeat, he's not happy about it, crossing his arms as he glares at the Koopaling. As he gets taken to the infirmary, Prince Mush motions the crowd to quiet down while a Glitz pit guard steps into the ring with a box.

"Before we let him go to the locker room, as the winner, Roy will now choose our two next contestants. Same rules, match starts when the bell rings."

The crowd silently waits as Roy digs into the box for a white ball. And finally, he lifts up his arm for all to see…

"We have our next contestant, and it is contestant… ZEROOOO! That means we call Morton Jr. up to this ring!"

Roy grins. "Well, I'll be a son-uva Goomba! If it ain't fartso the loud mouth!" He hands the white ball to the guard and goes to pick a second one.

It takes a few seconds but it finally registers in Morton's mind that he's next, as he then incredulously points at himself. Bago just looks up at him with his mouth agape.

Prince Mush continues as Roy takes another ball out. "And here is his opponent! It is number…!"

…

-o-

Now that our first match is over with, we continue with Morton. And, oh boy! What will become of the upcoming match? Who will he fight? Stay tuned. (PS: Geno knows that the Master attacked Star Road, in case you forgot. Check Ch. 20.)