You know something? Today is an imaginative sort of day. Can you feel it in the air? This is the kind of day where anything is possible, if you set your mind to it, and I know that you can. All it takes is a little imagination, and a lot of heart. Two things that I am confident that you possess in abundance.
Now, what I want you to try and picture in that delightful head of yours is that perfect day. You know the kind I'm talking about, don't you? Here, let me help:
Look up into the air, and think how beautiful of a day it is. All overhead, as far as the eye can see, is a sky of a perfect shade of robin's egg blue. Only a few clouds are in the sky, but hey. You can't have a perfect day without a few displays of those puffy-like clouds high overhead, allowing you to lay back in the soft grass and gaze into the sky, trying to decipher the shapes that the all important imagination can detect. Oh, do you see that one? It looks like a swan! And that cloud over there? An adorable kitty! Oh and that one to the far right, just over the hill. That one looks like the chiseled features of one "Hot Stuff" Mark Ward! (I told you that you had to have a good imagination for this!) Clouds can look like absolutely anything that you want them to look like. All you have to do is lay back, relax, and take in the infinite number of possibilities.
The weather is perfect. It is neither too warm, nor too cold. There is no chill in the air, despite the fact that it is the end of January and we are still in the clutches of Jack frost and his chilly embrace. No sirree! The slight breeze that wafts over the sky has just enough of a push behind it to escort our friendly clouds way up yonder to travel across the horizon, so that they can be enjoyed too, by those that live beyond where the eye can see. And while the weather itself is perfect, the breeze gives one the delightful tickle of the senses that makes you believe that you could be no more comfortable.
Now if you just lower your head and look down, you'll see that we're in the middle of an open field where the grass is this lovely shade of bright green. The aforementioned breeze rustles the blades of grass, taking them into its sweet caress and blowing a delightful scent for any to enjoy. A scent that has the sweetness of a morning after rain, though there isn't a drop of moisture to be seen.
Oh, but that's not all! You see, if you look up from the field, you'll notice that we are in a field surrounded by trees. Tall trees everywhere in a quaint little woodland area. The leaves are in full bloom, as are the blossoms on the branches and the lush bushes at the bases of those thick trunks. Flowers decorate the hedges in a colorful array of nature's palate, in reds, whites, yellows and bright lilac. These lovely bits of nature's bounty only adds to the delights of the nose if you breathe in deeply. A hummingbird, with it's wings beating so rapidly you can barely detect the movement, nuzzles it's sharp tipped beak into one of the blossoms, drinking deeply of the nectar's bounty.
Oh! Did you see the butterfly? That colorful little fella just fluttered between the trees and moved on further into the woods. I think we should follow him, don't you?
If you notice, there is a little path that moves through the woods, right where the butterfly itself entered. It sort of makes one believe that it was using the path on its own, but that would be just silly. Butterflies don't use paths. ...
Do they?
It doesn't matter. What does matter is that you see the little path, just wide enough for one, weaving through the trees, around the bushes, and heading off into the woods. And that you hear two footsteps stepping down against the soft, dirt path with a barely audible crunch.
"Are you sure that we're invited?"
Oh yeah, and that you are able to hear this little private conversation between besties.
Through the trees emerges the young man we all know and love, one half of the brand new NWA World Tag Team Champions, Despayre. But it's because of that win that we are here today, and on this day, he is to be known by his given name, Joshua. Joshua pauses on the small path and looks around at his surroundings. Even with his mental 'deficiencies', he can appreciate the subtle beauty that surrounds him on all sides and it gives him a peaceful sense of being. He is dressed in a powder blue "Beware the Stare" tshirt, matching shorts and comfortable shoes. In one hand he is of course giving his bestie a hand, carrying Angel the teddy bear close against his side in a warm snuggle. In his other hand, he is carrying a picnic basket.
He looks back down at Angel and says, "I mean, we didn't exactly get an invitation."
"When you're a teddy bear, the invitation is a mere formality."
"Oh." Joshua nods and then starts forward again. He asks, "And that goes for your guests, too?"
"Well, most of the time we don't invite guests. It's a private thing, you know."
Joshua stops and looks down at Angel with a worried expression. He says, "Well then I really shouldn't be here!"
"Oh don't be silly! I wrote ahead first."
"And they said it was alright?" He asks.
Of course!"
He nods, exhaling a light sigh of silent relief and starts forward again. As he does so, he starts to hear the faint sounds of a light melody playing from within the woods, and the singing to go along with it. He can not help but smile as he nudges a bush open and is gifted with the delights ahead.
It's a large clearing right in the center of the woods, where the dirt ground is virtually unseen and covered in that sweet, green grass. Flowers bloom everywhere and butterflies flitter around bush and tree as small, plush paws playfully make a grab for them. A game between friends, if you will.
A maypole stands at the very center of the grove, stretching high into the branches of the trees. Little teddy bears of all shapes and sizes dance around it, weaving in and around one another as the long, colorful ribbons in their paws wrap around the pole from top, down to the bottom, in an intricate pattern.
Another ring of teddy bears are joined by the paw, dancing and skipping about in a wide circle as they cheer and giggle. Joshua looks around and also sees some teddy bears chasing others, squealing in giddiness as they play games of 'tag' and 'hide and go seek'.
Still more are busy, hustling about and each laying out small, checkered blankets on the grass and opening up their own picnic baskets to set out the yummy bounties within.
Joshua leans down and whispers into Angel's ear.
"I didn't bring a mask."
"A mask?"
"Yeah. You know. The song says any non-teddy bears have to wear a mask."
"Oh pth. That doesn't go for you."
"How come?"
"Because you're Joshua, and ... you're with me. Now c'mon."
"Well, okay. If you're sure. Hey, what if Gabriel or Synn wanted to come?"
"Then they'd have to wear the masks."
"Hm. How about Melody?"
"She, we'd hafta discuss."
"Gotcha!"
Joshua stands upright and slowly moves past the hedge that he had been sheltered behind. No sooner does he step into the clearing when cries of delightful surprise arise from the little party goers.
"Joshua!"
A virtual stampede of tiny feet scurry across the grassy hill and Joshua finds himself surrounded by throngs of teddy bears, each jumping up and down in their high level excitement.
"You made it!"
"Angel told us that you were coming!"
"Just imagine! An NWA Champion right here at our picnic!"
"Hooray!"
Joshua looks around at all the teddy bears at his feet with eyes wide in cheery wonder. There were just so many -- and each one was ecstatic at seeing him -- him! He glances down at Angel who looks back up at him and the teddy bear companion winks.
"Told you! You can put me down now."
Joshua hefts the picnic basket under his arm and sets Angel down as carefully as he can. Best friends do that, you know. Angel is then surrounded by his own and they start to chatter rapidly in a speedy exchange of gossip. Joshua holds the basket's handles in both hands, bashful at being the 'new guy' and the only human in this very special of occasions. Two teddy bears, one a tanned brown and the other a white, creamy color, take Angel's paws and begin to escort him when Despayre cries out.
"Angel! Where are you going?"
The three teddy bears give pause and Angel turns around.
"We're going to go play! Now c'mon!"
One of Joshua's hands slips from the grip on the picnic basket's handle and Joshua is surprised to find that immediately, it is taken in the paw of another teddy bear, a chocolate brown one. With all of the little bears around him, laughing and chattering away, Joshua allows himself to be lead along after his best plush pal.
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At the edge of the grove, at the very border of the trees, a choir of roughly fifteen teddy bears are standing in rows of six in the back, five in the center, and four in front. Each wearing a choir robe, they have no need of any song sheet as this little tune is known by teddy bears the world over...
Every teddy bear, that's been good
Is sure of a treat today
There's lots of wonderful things to eat
And wonderful games to play
Beneath the trees, where nobody sees
They'll hide and seek as long as they please
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic
Joshua is kneeling on his and Angel's blanket, watching with a sparkle in his eyes and a smile on his face while the teddy bears sing. Joshua's head bobs left and right to the music the little plush bears make with their chorus of voices. A song he knows all too well, as not only is it Angel's favorite, but it is, after all, the teddy bear anthem.
You didn't know that? Well then you obviously haven't been paying very close attention to Joshua's promos over the past few years! Shame, shame!
The song comes to it's grand finale and everybody cheers, but nobody any louder than Joshua himself. He gives the bears a standing ovation of 'one' as he claps and cheers, then sticks his pinkies between his lips and lets loose with a shrill whistle of appreciation. The teddy bears each bow in turn, including Angel himself. Oh, you didn't know Angel can sing? You know, I have to wonder just how much you've been paying attention. Angel can do anything he sets his mind to!
"Boy you were great!" Joshua coos with a smile as he is rejoined by his little buddy, the other teddy bears each gathering by the dozens at their own chosen spots for the picnic.
Angel plops down, his little nose sniffing toward the picnic basket. Singing can really rev up a teddy bear's appetite, you know.
Angel says, "You're only saying that because it's true."
Joshua shakes his head emphatically and says, "No, I'm serious! You were easily the best out of all of them. I mean, wow. All the other stuff you can do, and now singing on top of all that! Hey! Maybe Synn can get you a recording contract!"
"Not interested."
Joshua frowns, "No? Why for?"
"Because I have too many other responsibilities. And someone has to keep an eye on you around here."
"Boy!" Joshua leans back on his elbow and lifts the edge of the picnic basket's lid so he can have a little look inside. "You are so starting to sound like Theresa!"
'Speaking of Theresa, what sort of goodies did that babe pack for our lunch?"
"Babe?" He blinks, lowering the lid and peering over it at his hungry little bear. "Boy, now you're starting to sound like Rage."
"Now, there's no need for insults."
"Ha! You're funny!" Joshua falls down to his back, his slim body shaking with subdued laughter. It takes him a moment to calm himself when he pushes himself back up. He draws his legs up against him and flips the basket's lid open and gazes inside.
"Holy pastrami Bear-Man!" Joshua cries out. "It's the mother load! She packed tons!"
"Enough to share? It's always nice to share everyone's food around."
"Well," Joshua starts to say as he turns his head to take in the sheer number of teddy bears that had gathered today for their annual picnic. If he didn't know any better, he'd think that every bear in the free world was present today. But of course, that was impossible.
It is impossible, right?
"There's only one way to find out!" Joshua says and he begins to reach down into the basket, clear up to and past his elbows, and he starts pulling food out...
Soon there is a virtual mountain of tasty treats laid out on the picnic blanket ... and beyond, because when Theresa packs a lunch, she tends to go overboard! A platter of peanut butter and jelly sammiches. ... Bunches of corn on the cob smothered in salty butter. ... Hamburgers and hotdogs. ... Another platter of pulled pork BBQ sammiches. ... BBW wings. ... A bucket of fried chicken. ... A big bag of cheddar and sour cream potato chips. ... a large bowl of Theresa's homemade deviled eggs (oh boy!). ... Rise Krispie Treats. ... Three apple pies. ... Okay suffice to say, she packed a LOT of food!
Joshua peaks over the mountain top of the mass of food and whistles. He says, "Boy! You have to hand it to her! She really knows how to maximize the most space out of such a tiny basket!"
The basket being not even a fraction of the size of the food strewn about.
"So we have plenty to share?"
"Oh I think we have more than enough." Joshua says as he covertly slides a big Tupperware bowl behind him.
"Hey, what's that?"
"Oh, nothing really that would interest you." Joshua says, hoping Angel would buy it. It's actually a huge serving of BBQ baked beans, and he wanted to keep it as far away from Angel and the other teddy bears as was humanly possible. Teddy bears had a ravenous craving for good baked beans, almost as much as they adored purple Skittles. But they also had a rather noticeable (and embarrassing) trouble digesting said beans. A little friend that eats beans and stays up all night while you sleep ... yeah. It's not so great of a combination.
"Hey! Beans!"
Joshua spins around and sees a little girl teddy bear holding the bowl's lid open and inhaling the BBQ bean scent with a dreamy look in her eyes. The ground starts to rumble as every bear there, Angel included, makes a mad dash towards that powder blue bowl.
Joshua sighs defeated.
*****
Soon enough, every teddy bear sighs contently, on his or her back with their fuzzy tummies swollen in soft content at such a hearty treat. Little traces of the BBQ sauce lines their mouths and soft hums of "Mmm!" cross the air while Despayre looks around at them while he finishes off a PB&J sammich.
"You're going to need all week to work off that belly, Angel." Joshua criticizes as he peers at him through a squinted eye.
"Nonsense! We'll work it off now with a nice game!"
"A game?" Joshua smiles, sitting up straight. "Are we going to play 'Hide and Seek'?"
"Something like that. Since we have a guest this time, we're going to combine our traditional 'Hide and Seek' with a little training regime."
"Training regime?" Joshua draws his knees up and rests his chin atop them while he wraps his arms around his bended legs. "What did you have in mind?"
Angel sits up. "Well, every teddy bear here has a sacred duty to protect a child."
Joshua looks around, taking in every teddy bear present, boys and girls all, and each staring at him in reverence. He says, "They're all guardians too?"
"Uh huh. So you don't mind helping us, do you?"
Joshua shrugs and answers sheepishly, "No, I guess not."
All of the bears hop up and down, cheering. This brings a smile to Joshua's face. He asks, "What do I have to do?"
Angel pats him on the arm. "Not a thing. Just let us protect you from the monster until we can dispose of it."
"Huh?" The smile on Joshua's face immediately vanishes. "M-monster? What monster?"
The ground suddenly shakes with a tremendous rattle of force. Joshua swallows hard and looks down, noticing that the teddy bears are now all armed with swords and shields, facing out towards the woods. The ground shakes several more times, and the hard crash of trees being knocked down as something huge -- very huge -- stomps it's way toward them. The trees part and Joshua bends his neck back at an arc and looks up higher and higher -- then frowns.
"Rage!?" He says. "How come you're the monster they have to defend me against!?"
"How the Hell should I know!?" the Leviathan-sized Rage shouts down at them. "It's your dream!"
"Charge!" The teddy bear army shouts as one and they charge the Great Beast...
*****
Despayre jolts awake in his bed, his body half covered in the comfortable blankets adorned with the likenesses of various Looney Tunes characters. His hair is a mess and his eyes squint around at the familiar sight of his bedroom.
"Aw fish sticks! Just when it was getting good!"
"Well I have to admit that I thought I would have a devil of a time convincing Joshua to agree to be a part of this special event, and yet I was pleasantly surprised to find he did not put up as much of a fuss as I thought that he might."
"Oh please don't misunderstand me. At first he was quite reluctant. Most people that know him, know he has but one desire in the ranks of professional wrestling, and that is to be the tag team partner of Gabriel. And no other. Yet after he awoke from his nap that spoke of a dream that left a smile on his face, I took him out to dinner. I sat him down and explained just how special of an event this would be, and while it was taking place, he would still be able to team with Gabriel. As the brand new NWA World Tag Team Champions, they will have to make monthly mandatory defenses throughout the territories of the National Wrestling Alliance. This seemed to satiate him, and I told him all about the two legends this event was meant to honor; George Hackenschmidt and the great Mildred Burke."
"I'm afraid that I lost him somewhere in there, but he finally relented and although he was still hesitant, he agreed to be a part of the tournament. Then as his partner was announced to be Karina Koji, a bit of the tension I saw in him eased. Aside from his mother and grandmother, the women who have struck a cord with him are few and far between, for obvious reasons. I dare say miss Melody Grace is perhaps his best female friend. But now we move into professional territory, and I see something of a kindred spirit in Karina Koji that could make for a very cohesive pairing."
"That is what the combination of Jessie Salco and Derek Thorne will have a disadvantage against. After all, what do either of them have even remotely in common that would give them any kind of edge? Derek has a win or two under his belt, but at least Miss Salco has held championship gold here in Sin City Wrestling. Other than that, nothing."
"Joshua was adamant that he did not want to fight a 'girl', and I assured him that such things were not allowed in not only mixed tag team matches, but in the SCW itself. All I had to do was use the actions of Tom Dudely as an example."
"So while Karina has to handle Miss Salco in what I am certain will be an outstanding contest between two of the Bombshell's best, Mister Thorne will rue the moment he gets tagged into this match and faces a boy and his teddy bear."
