Prague, 2006

It is the calm before the storm and she can almost get drunk of the anticipation. in a couple hours she is going to be in the thick of it, part of a crew putting together a score with just the right amount of chance that everything will go wrong, Her cohurts say it is foolproof but they are foolish men and Karina does not want foolish anyways. She wants adventure and danger. She wants the world outside her head to be as crazy as the world inside, even if only for a few moments.

The tea house is an odd fit for the night ahead, but Bodie loves tea. She has arrived far to early, because fuck time. She doesn't mind, because the stillness allows her to focus on her upcomming adventure. She sits at a tall wood table in the corner, all around her artist and acceltics sip expertly crafted tea. The whole scene is so delicate that Karina feels almost like the bull in the china shop. That is until she walks up to her table.

She is old but in all the ways that are splendid. She has long silver hair pulled back and a rugged face that shows she has been through some things. Her pants are elegant and simple. Her top is a startling contrast, a combination of bright jewel tones, torn up and refashioned in a punk style not far off from what Karina has on. Her eyes are clear, they see everything and they are looking right at Karina. For a brief moment, she forgets the score and her plans. Everything is quiet and all there is, is her.

Old woman: Do you mind if we share a cup of tea.

Karina should mind. She doesn't like strangers. She reads people too well and every new person in her life brings all sorts of baggage and extra emotions. Human interaction is messy and she tries to limit the real connections she makes. Also old people tend to creep her out because what if they just die right there while you are talking with them.

Karina: Da, sure.

She had no idea why she was doing this but the woman sat down with surprising grace. It than occurs to Karina that this woman moves like a fighter. Despite her age, this woman moves like someone who could jump up and kick you in the face before you knew what was happening. This would be a thought that would unsettle some but Karina found it oddly comforting.

Karina: Umm...so I am Karina.

Old Woman: My friends call me Jaa.

Karina: I don't what to call you...we just met.

The woman, Jaa, chuckles as if she is sharing a joke with a lover. Then she waves a waitress down and orders two cups of gunpowder green tea. The waitress quickly warms to Jaa despite the place being full of needy customers. She heads off to get the tea right away and Jaa turns her attention back on Karina.

Jaa: They say to really know another person you must have three cups of tea. The first one is as strangers, the next one is as friends and by the final cup you are family.

Karina: That seems a reckless way to make family...

Jaa: Perhaps....but a lot can happen over three cups of tea.

As the tea  was being brought to the table this whole situation seemed quite surreal. Despite this woman obviously being from Japan she spoke to Karina as if she was a grandmother or aunt. Yet Karina was sure she had never met he before. Who just goes up to  a stanger and start talking about tea and philosophy? Karina knew crazy people did such things, but Karina knew crazy and this woman was not so. A profound feeling of dejuvu settled in and made Karina feel light headed, she fumbled with her words.

Karina: I don't really, you know have the time to have three cups with you...so I guess we will stay strangers...

Jaa: Time is a relatively flexible thing....or as an old friend would say "fuck time."

Old women should not say fuck that was a universal rule....and the more Jaa spoke the more surreal things felt. Like she had been here before, even though she had only rolled into Prague a week ago. She had no idea what to say to that so she just drank her tea slowly. It was strong for green tea, but the stoutness helped ground her. They drank tea in silence and than Jaa got up, bowing slightly to Karina before walking off.

Three cups of tea. I didn’t know what she was talking about then, I was just some punk kid who knew little about the world. I didn’t even remember that day with her while we were dating. It wasn’t until she was gone that it all came back to me. My first cup of tea with the love of my life and I didn’t even know it. Her last cup of tea with me and I didn’t even thank her.

I know now that this whole thing is going backwards. Her first cup of tea with me has already happened for her but is in my future. Something about who I am in the future  was enough for her to fall in love with me at first sight, or so she says. I think about the person I am now and I figure I have a long way to go. I keep making sure not to walk into any place that has tea, I am not the hero she thinks I am. I am not ready for that fateful cup.

The second cup of tea was the best tea I have ever had on one of the worse days in my life and that is saying a lot. That was the day it all ended. Three years after we escaped the present to really journey space and time. Three years before I got my head together enough to come back to my own timeline. It was the madness, time of my life but for everyone but her it was the blink of the eye. Everything is so damn complicated and its about to get so much worse. I have seen the future, I have been there. I know what is coming next.

In the slums of Abidjan there is a hidden place, beyond a break in one of the high concrete walls. It's a place untouched by the cramped in tin shacks and tarp tents, a place where there is a little less trash. It is hard to notice but locals know it well. It's where the travelers gather....

No campers or vardos because no roads are big enough in the slums. Hardly any Romani either, too far from home. But it's traveler camp all the same. Fuma nomads mix with gutter punks, drug runners share quarters with Egpytian dancers. Soccer hooligans, revolutionaries and fools all gather around the fire. After five days here this has already become Karina's camp. Most of the Horde is stateside, and her brothers are in Europe but Karina makes family quick.

She currently sits by the fire were a hooka is being shared between a woman in the criss cross tribal wear of the Fuma and a burned out German poet named Fitz. Karina is maybe the only person in the gathering on a phone, but she is finishing up an important phone call.

Karina: Yeah, I know what I am saying but I need family with me. I know most won’t come but some will. I need all the help I can get.

Karina closes the phone up and puts it away. Fitz tries to pass the hooka but Karina declines, instead she stares forward. She is restless as she sits by the fire.

Karina: This Sunday I go back in the ring after loosing my chance at the Roulette title. Now I want to take a moment to let that sink in. I lost the chance at the title I helped make famous and on top of that I was eliminated by one of those little mean girls. I know I should sit here and talk about how angry I am….I should tell you the revenge I have in store for those bitches...but honestly none of that matters.

She stands up looking at the fire, her right arm starts to twitch and her eyes go wide looking into the flames. It is as if she is seeing more than just flames, both arms starting to shake as she does so. She takes a deep breath and her arms calm down.

Karina: I will destroy each and every little girl in that Mean gang, not because they deserve it, but because they are part of a terrible future that I must stop….something is coming and I am the only person that can stop it. The Mean Girls are petty, and foolish, but they play their part. I have to save the future and that includes them. See if each and every one of the Mean Girls has their mind, spirit and body broken….well than they won’t be around to play their part. I must save them from themselves….but of course I will have a little fun doing it.

The Romani mad woman now smiles and starts to pace as she speaks. Those that are gathered around the fire watch her as she keeps talking.

Karina: But hey, Ragdoll you are not even a part of this. How great is that? You know sometimes you get to go into the ring and just have yourself a match. No war games, no great rivalry. Lets just have ourselves a match, you and me. I know your a damn good fighter so lets show all those little girls, what women can do in that six sided ring.

Karina smiles and nods. She grabs her tea and sits back down at the fire as the scene fades out.  

 Wolf Bite! Kittie is locked in the Wolf Bite!!

It is Bangkok, August 2012 and Karina is moments away from winning the Roulette title. The crowd is having a mixed reaction. Kittie is a talented fighter, the first Roulette title champion and is well liked by many. Karina is still fairly new in the wrestling world.  But in the packed crowd two people are very excited, Karina Koji and Dee Jaa, dressed in as cognito as possible with t-shirt, jeans and big sunglasses. Once the bell rings both of them stand up whooping and hollering. In the ring Karina holds the belt close to her.

Once the crowd dies down a little bit Karina and Dee get up and start to push through as the rest of the locals get ready for the next match. The voices of Scott Oliver and Matthew Kennedy doing an interview can be heard as the two make it to the stairs. They start talking quietly as the head out of the arena.

Karina: Thank you for that.

Dee: I thought maybe you needed a boost.

Karina: But I have never get to change the past. I can't changed the times I fucked up my momentum and I can't forget What if that is my peak.

Dee: It isn't...the future is always in flux but all the paths I have seen. You are amazing and you are a champion. That is true across all reality.

Karina stops and smiles softly at Dee. She takes her hand, a surprise to Dee for Karina rarely makes human contact that does not involve fighting. She lets go of it after only a moment aware of the surprise intimacy and the people that are still around them.

Karina: You say such nice things. I don't know how to deal with it.

Dee: Well soon enough I will be your girlfriend and than you will have an idea what to do....but for now don't you have a promo to cut.

Karina stares at Dee for a long moment surprised and happy all at once. She shakes herself out of it and nods. They push through the crowd heading for a maintance shed just outside the arena, golden light is already starting to build as they reach for the door. They open the door to golden light, and whirling noises. The two step in and the light glows brighter. Soon golden light is all that can be seen.

Wehn the golden light starts to fade Bangkok is gone and replaced with a lush primevil jungle. Karina and Dee Jaa stumble on still dressed in their tourist garb. Karina looks confused whereas Dee Jaa looks more concerned.

Karina: This is not California...

Dee: Oh yes it is. I got the space part right just not the time. I am always forgetting something.

Karina: It is kind of hard doing this without people around.

Suddenly a loud roar can be heard in the distance and the sounds of crashing far off in the jungle. Dee jumps a little and looks at Karina.

Dee: I think you will have to make do....and make is quick. I need to get us to less dangerous times soon.

Karina nods looking behind her before looking out at the ferns and rocks as if they were an audience.

Karina: Ummm...so this is when I would ask people if they were entertained..but obviously the jungle can't talk back. The jungle does not know who I am or Amy Marshall....they can't not know how boring she is...so ummm lets see.

She paces a bit in the dense foilage of the ancient jungle obviously flustered. Her right hand starts to shake as she tries to rework the words before she finds her voice again.

Karina: Fuck it...I don't need a crowd or a performance. It is a forgone conclusion that Amy Marshal is entertaining nobody. Everyone, even these ferns, know she is a whiny brat. The point is can she beat me in the ring. That is what I want to talk about right now before some forgotten monster eats me up.

Amy, you might think you deserve more glory. You might think it matters that you once held the roulette title. It doesn't. It was a different title when you found victory in that ring. It was not the same division that Kittie and I did battle in. You are not the same caliber fighter. Sure you are great at sneak attacks and being on winning teams without doing a whole lot. Heck your great at fighting Mercedes Vargas but that is like is like a child saying she is good at fighting other children. But I am no child, I am a real fighter.

Another roar is heard from the jungle. This time even closer and Dee starts looking all around for escape routes. Karina doesn't notice she is getting into it now.

Karina: You hear that! You hear the jungle, it knows when it is hosting a warrior just like that crowd at Blaze will know it too. They will all rise to their feet, they will scream my name and they will know what little chance you will have. You call me a drunk and you call me a joke, but you know better...really Amy you know you can't win. Not with the crowd behind me...not with Roulette rules.

You watched me pin Vixen despite your tricks. You met me in the ring at Blast to Past and couldn't get the job done. You might talk the trash and tell people how confident you are, but deep down your scared. You won't have enough tricks to keep you safe from me. You are going to have to fight me and I am going to hurt you. Pain is my buisness Amy and I am going to show you that buisness is picking up.

Dee grabs Karina who is all sorts of hyped up at this point and drags her away as a loud crashing can be heard getting closer and closer.  

 (OOC: I meant to make this look pretty but family emergency has made that pretty hard. But here it is.)

The scene opens in a den of sorts, luxurious and exotic. For those that know travelers one word quickly comes to mind, vardo. The walls and ceilings are covered in scarves, fabric and other materials all in dark jewel tones, grays and black. The cabinets are all dark wood and in the background a lush bed can be seen, filled with golden cushions. Candles are lit on the tables even though sunlight slips out from the small windows and strange, cheap artifacts from around the world can be seen in every nook and cranny.

In the middle of the room that might look familiar to fans of a certain Horde that likes to party, is a circle of people seated in wooden chairs passing around a bottle of rum. The bottle of Kraken reaches Karina Koji, the new leader of the Party Horde, that is dressed in a flowy purple dress. The Romanian fighter takes a long sip of the bottle before she speaks.

Karina: Da, it is now time to call the first gathering of this new clan. I know it is small, not much of a start but in years time when we gather around a group of hundreds we will smile at our humble beginnings, ya? So lets pass the bottle around and say our piece.

Karina hands the bottle to the rather large woman sitting next to her. She is built like a giant, a giant from some mythical north land with pale skin and red hair. However, she is dressed like a professor, with comfortable studious clothes and a pair of horn rimmed glasses on her face. She takes the bottle, inspects it and has a much smaller sip. Her name is Gloria but lately she has been going by Glory.

Glory: Oh well thank you dear. Most of you here know me, my name is Gloria or Glory depending. I met Karina in Romania recently, I was doing some fieldwork on the Romani culture. I had met one of her brothers and had started to become fascinated with the modern fight cultures...and well long story short I am now studying Karina.

Karina: And she is the nicest giant I have ever messed and a damn good fighter if you can get her drink.

Glory: Which is why I don’t drink….

Glory hands the bottle to a man that looks painfully ordinary in this group. He is dressed like a vast majority of Americans, t-shirt with jeans and a baseball cap. The man looks fairly confused and doesn’t know which unusual lady to look at. He holds the bottle and focuses on Karina.

Guy: Why am I here?

Karina: That is a fairly heavy question for so early in the evening. Lets get some drinks in us first.

Guy: No...I mean why am I here with you all. I just got hired to be a driver...I have no idea what you guys are talking about. This is not some cult is it?

Karina laughs looking at the man with a look that is intense for the smile she has on her face. She throws up her hands.

Karina: Don’t be silly. I hate cults, I have been in far too many. But give yourself credit...you are more than just a driver. You are THE driver for the Party Horde bus. We are starting a movement….and you..YOU..what is your name?

Guy: My name..uh is Ben.

Karina: Right well you, Ben, are the driver for that movement. It is a very important job. Very important!

Ben looks even more uneasy now and even more confused. He looks at the bottle unsure if he should drink it and instead hands it to the woman next to him dressed in contrasting Ganguro street fashion. She looks like something out of Tokyo in the nineties except for her hat and gloves that are clearly Victorian. To sum it up, the girl looks odd and out of place with her delicate features and messy brown hair. The girl takes the bottle and takes a huge drink that is surprising for someone so small. She wipes her mouth with a smile. This strange creature is named Dea Jaa.

Dea: Thanks for the booze. I am happy to be here, this is a historic moment whether you believe it or not. I should know, I am from the future. They talk about the first gathering in the future, of course many of the details have been exaggerated. I am disappointed, I was told there would be random goat roaming the vardo.

She happily hands off the booze to the final man in the circle, a large Samoan looking about as confused as Ben the driver. Those Party Horde historians might remember him as the burger flipping cook for Aleksei back when he had his adventures. The Samoan takes a drink like a man who needs one. His name is Pete for those that remember.

Pete: Yo..I thought Aleksei would be here, I mean not that I mind the job. I dug feeding the horde the last time but...man don’t take this the wrong way but aren’t you kind of crazy?

Karina: oh yes very much so, but it is the good kind of crazy now. It is a productive kind of crazy, does that make sense.

Pete: Hell no, none of this makes sense. But very little made sense when your brother ran things either. As long as you need people to feed, I am your man.

Karina: Oh yes...we will have people to feed. This whole thing is going to get very huge. The last Horde is going to seem small compared to what is coming next. Dea has seen in the future and I know it in my bones. We are going to sweep across the country like a strange wind picking up all the lovely freaks and oddities as we go. Then we will go to Africa and do the exact same thing. It will build..and build until the chaos is so grand, even I will not know what to do with it. So drink up because today we ride to California and this whole crazy journey can start with victory, and a big crazy party!

Everyone seems pleased with this except for Ben who still seems confused. There is an awkward silence before people realize the meeting seems to be over. Pete and Glory get up to get to know eachother and Ben, still looking a little lost, heads to the front to get the camper going. Dea gets up and moves gracefully over to Karina.

Dea: Not bad.

Karina: You think? It feels kind of silly to speak about grand things when passing a bottle around with six people, two of whom don’t understand. I keep thinking I am crazy to try to make this happen.

Dea: You’re not crazy in that way. You are crazy in all the ways that are lovely and fun. Don’t worry about the Party Horde, it will take off. I have seen it. Just do what you do best, fight in that ring and win.

Karina nods staring ahead of her, thinking hard. She takes a sip of booze as the camper starts off. Time goes on in the camper but Karina hardly moves as people move around her watching television, chatting and resting. The blazing sun of midday fades to something softer as evening soon approaches. Karina suddenly stands up.

Karina: STOP THE CAMPER...I NEED TO CUT PROMO!

Ben, the driver looks over his shoulder and then looks out in front of him.

Ben: Where? Like at that truck stop.

Karina: Yes, perfect.

Karina grabs her patchwork hoodie made from all her favorite hoodies and mimicking the style of her brothers long jacket. She strides out of the camper just as Ben pulls it to a stop outside a large highway truck stop. It is late afternoon and there is a steady crowd of travelers filling up, getting snacks. No one is prepared for what happens next. Karina strides into the middle of the truck stop before she starts talking.

Karina: Does anyone here want to be entertained!!! Is anyone tired of the boring drag of the road? Tired of the boring direction there life has taken? Is anyone in here looking for a party!!

At first everyone looks either startled or confused, but a group of young things in the back raise their hands as does the stocky clerk behind the counter.
Karina: My name is Karina Koji and I stand at the dawn of a movement. A horde is brewing just outside these doors. A party horde that is going to sweep through California like a tornado. You can’t track a tornado...no NO! And you can’t track us. We will ride the winds of chaos all the way to Long Beach. Some will get passed over and some will be changed forever. I know you can feel it!

She runs over to the counter looking at the guy who raised his hand. His name tag says Brett and Karina looks him over. The young man looks excited and scared all at once.

Karina: Brett can feel it! Ben knows he stands right on the edge of history and this guy..this guy wants to dive right in. Because the Horde...the Horde is building and we are looking for a fight. You know we are, Brett and who are we looking to fight?

Brett: My manager…? I mean he is a big dickwad.

Karina thinks about it a moment and grabs some nearby jerky while she thinks. She takes a big bite and then shakes her head.

Karina: No Brett! But good try. The Horde is not big enough to take on every jerk in the world. We must have focus and at this moment our focus is a match. A fight inside a six sided ring with the grand prize of Blast from the Past hanging in the balance. It all starts this Sunday. One match will lead to another will lead to another and we will get stronger. It will build and build! Until me and Jordan Williams stand as victors and all of you...all of you! Even you, with the weird hair can be part of this.

There is an awkward pause before Brett cheers out of nowhere causing Karina to giggle. Karina rushes down an aisle to a tall woman in a hard rock t-shirt is looking through cheap sunglasses hoping to complete the look. Karina puts her arm around her.

Karina: It all starts with Amy Marshall. Do you know who Amy Marshall is?

The woman shakes her head and Karia throws her arms up backing her way back to the center of the store as she rants.

Karina: OF COURSE YOU DON’T! Why would you? Why does she even matter? She is a nothing...a nobody. She was once a nobody known for getting naked, down and dirty on camera. Then she was a nobody who tried to be fighter in the ring. She was always a nobody, never very good at any of it...and don’t get me wrong. I don’t mind that she was a porn star...hell who doesn’t like porn.

An elderly lady pipes up that she doesn’t like porn and Karina rolls her eyes.

Karina: Okay...okay. Some people don’t like porn but that is hardly the point is it?! The point is that I have a lot less issues with a lady being a half ass porn girl than I do with someone being a half assed fighter. Stepping in the six sided ring should be about honor and skill. Amy has neither. This is a girl that couldn’t even beat Mercedes Vargas to hold on to the top prize in SCW. This is a girl that can’t even look cool with a mohawk! Who doesn’t look good with a mohawk!

Karina looks at the elderly lady, thinks about it a moment and then nods. She then hops onto the counter taking another bite out of her jerky. By this point the rest of the Party Horde has come in and seem pretty into it, except Ben who is trying to blend into the wall.

Karina: Now Amy is going to come out there and talk a lot of smack about me. But really, what can she say that is of any value. She will say that she can beat me! She will talk about my past as if that is a map to her future. She might even claim that I am crazy...guess WHAT...I am CRAZY and it is because of my lovely madness that she can’t hope to prepare for this fight. She doesn’t know who she is getting in the ring with.

You see...I use to just be a crazy person who loved to cause pain and knew a thousand different ways to break a person down. I use to be a lone wolf who would stalk my prey and destroy them..but now I have the HORDE. I have not lost any of my skills but I have gained a whole lot of motivation. I am getting in the ring not just for myself, but for everyone in the HORDE...everyone in this store. The bigger the horde gets the stronger I will get. This is not the past….right now, this Sunday I am a new fighter. I fight for the people and you better believe I am going to give this little girl everything I have got.

She hops off the counter now walking over the group of young adults who first raised their hands to join the movement. They are grinning still not sure what is happening but liking it.

Karina: Now you might tell me to beware of this tournament...maybe it doesn’t matter that I can outclass Amy. Maybe it doesn’t matter that I have the horde behind me and that I am a better fighter than she is...because I can tag in my partner and watch him lose it all. You might remind me of last year when that was the very thing that happened to me….but you would then forget that my partner is Jordan WIlliams. This is not some weak man I have to carry though this battle. This is the man who was part of the winning team. This is a man as skilled a fighter as I am, and I don’t say that about most of the men in Sin City. So...gather close Horde, let me tell you how this is going to go down.

The young fans gather close, as does Brett and those from the camper. Even the elderly lady moves in to hear what Karina has to say.

Karina: Amy is going to get in the ring with me filled with confidence. And soon enough she will learn just what kind of mess she has gotten into. She will feel pain in all new places. She will look out in the audience and see that the Horde is behind me. She will panic and she will run to her “partner.” So I will let her and I will tag in Jordan. This….is where things will get ugly, because Jordan Willams is going beat down this so called Goldenboy. Jordan is one of kind. The kind of brutality that looks so good you almost want to consider it art. So we will sit back and watch him go to work. Maybe he destroys Gene right away maybe not. Maybe golden boy runs to his corner and tags in his lady….

Watch for it...look at her eyes when this happens. Look at the desperation as she gets back into the ring with me. She can’t run away, her ego is too strong for that but she will want to. She won’t want to face me again. Every time she gets tagged in and survives, a little more of Amy will be broken. She will keep coming, and I will keep hurting her. I will put on a good show. You will all be entertained...and then I will lock in the Wolf Bite….it will all be over. Amy will fade away. Her greatest moment will be as a footnote in our history. She will have the honor of being the first fighter I defeat as the leader of the Horde.

But either way, no matter how it goes. We will win. Good and chaotic will win over the boring. Then Jordan and I can move on to more worthy opponents. Now...who is coming with me!

Karina strides through the crowd and makes her way out of the store. Brett and a couple of the younger folks follow her out. The rest of the Horde goes after with Ben trailing behind. Karina turns back.

Karina: Brett can you drive?

Brett: Oh...yeah..yeah sure I can drive real good.

Karina: Good your the new driver. Ben make friends with the old lady and dickwad manager

She prances forward into the camper while the Horde follows after. Soon they are all in the camper and are heading off to California. Victory and destiny awaits.  

 Fade to black and white. “The Duke” Ata Tupoi is walking down a busy street in a small American town. It is spring by the look of the budding leaves but it is still cool. Duke walks forward in the fading light of day ignoring the people around him.

Duke: Just got done watching your little promo, Rex. You are one delusional little punk man. If I gave a crap, it would be almost sad watching you try to act like your big time. For weeks I have beaten you down, without much effort, yet you act like you’re some modern day titan. You think you played me? You think you tricked me by letting your lame ass get beat down by me?

Duke stops walking and stares at the camera with his predatory smile.

Duke: You know on some level we are not that different. We both are young fighters known for our power and skill. We both know what it is like to join up with federations that don’t last long. We know what its like to have to wait while lesser men keep getting the spotlight. You know that is kind of what started this whole little war for me. I was talking to an insider...you know some guy in a suit that knows nothing of what a real fight is but thinks he is better than us...and this suit compared me to you.

The big man shakes his head with a sneer and keeps on walking. His tone getting louder, his eyes narrowing as he moves forward.

Duke: Now he didn’t compare us because of our careers. He said we were of similar talent, we were part of a rising class of new fighters. I tell you what, that little bitch is lucky we live in a civilized world because when he said that I wanted to crush his skull. First he dares to put me in the same class with anyone, but more importantly he included a no talent, boring ass hat like you in this class.

Let me be clear Rex. We have had some similar struggles but that is where the similarities end. You are just another pathetic American kid, a pro-wrestler who is happy to be grinded by this industry, looking for any small recognition and turning it into some great thing. You talk about your one month reign as if its history in the making. You talk about the SCW like it is your family, forgetting how short a time you have been here. Forgetting that you don’t even rank in the top ten on your own federation.

Duke stops at an intersection and turns right. The commercial area filled with diners, and tourist stops shifts to a more worn down area with local bars and night clubs. Duke stops outside one of the bars.

Duke: I am not a wrestler Rex. I am a warrior, and not just any damn warrior. I have noble blood in my veins. You act like a dinosaur to try to stand out, but I have the name Duke because its my damn title. I am from a long line of warrior kings. There is no class that I am apart of. I am the damn future of this business. Your history is to be forgotten Roulette Champion, but man I am going to run this alliance.
I grew up in a land filled with history. I grew up in a place where survival meant being strong and resourceful. You grew up in this town. This dirty, forgettable American city that should of died when the gold went away. Just like you...you are going to fade away once the gold goes away. I don’t even care about the belt...I already have a championship. Hell in a few months I will be a triple champion. I may not even keep the damn thing, the important thing is to take it away from you.

Duke looks at the door to bar and motions inwards.

Duke: I found some local losers just like you. I mean they don’t roar like a damn child but they went to school with you. They are washed up just like this town, they are looking for cash. So I am going to help them out. I am going to pay them each three hundred dollars to fight me and I am going to  break them slow. Now I know you’re not here to watch....hell if I grew up here I would run away as well...but don’t worry man. I will take a whole lot of pictures of the damage.

Ata Tupoi opens the door, the sounds of bar noise coming through.

Duke: Rest up Rex. Spend some quality time with that Belt of yours because I am going to take it from you. I am going to take everything from you, and nobody will think we are in the same class ever again...hell man nobody is going to talk about you much after this Sunday. Enjoy your last few days of relevance Rex...we are going to have some fun.

Duke heads inside and lets the door close behind him as it fades out.  

 
Karina Koji sits alone in a locker room. The room has the general chaotic vibe of a locker room after a major event. Half of the lockers are still open and a general level of trash has been left about, but Karina does not notice any of it. She sits with an ice pack on her head, her eyes focused on a spot on the worn carpet. She hardly moves but breathes at a heavy, quick pace while she continues to stare.
Then suddenly she rises to her feet screaming in a primal way. She kicks at the nearby lockers, and slams doors as she moves with no indication she knows where she is going. She throws herself against one wall of lockers. She continues to scream and starts to hit herself almost as often as the walls. One hand starts to bleed, and then as quickly as it started she gets quiet again. She stares out in a way that is less blank then before and more predatory. With a low growl she rushes out of the room just as security had come to see what the screaming was about.
Karina shoves past them and starts running down the halls. She makes no noise and takes a low stance as if she is about to pounce on someone. People that end up in her path either get knocked down or dive out of the way. She reaches the doors to leave the area and crashes through them. She takes only a moment to pause and sniff at the night air before taking off west of the arena leaving behind her bike and the Party Horde camper.

She runs for hours, very rarely taking a break. On occasion she pauses to look around at what surrounds her but for the most part she just keeps running. In the early morning hours before the sun rises she finds an alley way to sleep in, slumped against a dirty wall. Only after a few hours she starts running again. Her final destination is a shanty town on the outskirts of Bogota. She comes to rest, breathing heavy over the body of a sleeping hobo who has a blanket of plastic sheeting.

It takes the hobo a few minutes to realize that a figure is standing over him. He startles at first  trying to push himself away in case the figure means him harm. He then looks at Karina unsure of who she is until he looks further.

“Karina...?”

She nods and the men stands up. He is unsure how to greet her or how to feel about her presence. It seems as if he is seeing a long lost daughter or someone he cares about, but also someone who should not be there.

“I thought you were dead” the man says and looks over his shoulder in a shifty way.

“In a way I did die I guess, but not all the way. I only remember your name and that you lived in Botoga. And...I remember you were kind in a dark place.” she says sounding unsure of herself. Both her arms shake a little as she talks.
The man smiles warmly. “That place....the dark place. It messes with your head. Makes it hard to remember. I only remember a little bit more of it. Mostly I remember the end.”

Karina nods and almost motions to touch the man. “Where was it? What did they do to us?”

The man rubs his eyes and scratches at his head. He has a distant look in his eye. “No...I don’t know. It was Brazil, mostly underground. They did different things....but they had to shut it down. They were sending us back....but you attacked the Doctor. That was the last I saw of you.”

As he talks the words take their effect on Karina. The causes her to flinch as she gets bright glimpses of memory. She remembers rain and old buildings. People being shoved into vans and I man dressed far to nice. A man that she felt so much rage for that it was hard to think about. The hobo, a man named Pablo, stops talking.

Karina looks at him in desperation and with anger “thats it...that is all you know. Eight months of my life and all we know is we were underground...in Brazil. Who was the doctor? Tell me everything.” She shoves the man hard, he tumbles in the dirt and rises quick enough to suggest he was use to getting knocked down. Karina charges at him again and he quickly deflects her attack. He takes a stance that shows he is ready to attack.

“He was just the Doctor...and I don’t know more. I have spent all this time trying to forget..and j...just to stay calm. I cared about you inside but I can’t go back! Leave it in the dark, please.” he says his eyes going wild with fright. He body seems to be conflicted between fight and flight. Karina recognizes his body language and puts her arms down.

“Are you hungry?” she says her eyes looking down at the dirt, unaware of how abrupt a change in conversation this might seem. The man slowly relaxes his stance and smiles.

“Sure, lets eat. We can catch up.” Pablo knows better than to try to shake her hand but they walk together up a small hill heading towards a food truck.

When we catch up with Karina again she is at the parking lot of the airport meeting up with her brother and the Young Lions. His brother looks her over, with concern. It is obvious she has not slept much or changed her clothes since her attack the night before. Dried blood is on one hand and by now most folks had heard about her outburst. Even with all this concern Aleksei knew better than to ask how she was doing.

“Your lucky you caught up with us. I have flight to catch and the boys were going to take the camper to Peru.” he said trying not to focus on his concern. “We have you bike.”

Karina nods dismissively. “Did they book me in a match?”

“Da, you are in tag team match against Necra and Cortez.” he said  

“That is bullshit. I don’t want to have another tag team match. I want a match with Necra on her own..or either of her sister bitches!” she says glaring at her brother. Aleksei chuckles.

“Ok, I can work on that for now you have this match.”
Karina sighs, “Who is my partner?”
Aleksei takes a deep breath. “Salco”

Karina laughs and throws up her arms. “You know, brother when I use to watch wrestling with you I always thought it was silly how quickly a bad guy became a good guy or enemies became friends. But now we are working with Mark Ward who use to be a big jerk face.”

Aleksei chuckles “He still is.”

“Ah yes but we are part of his team. We fight for him, and now I tag team with girl that had my title for a while. A girl I have fought before but now we are team mates.”

Aleksei nods. “It is a screwy world. Speaking of I have to go check in on wrestling promotion I am part owner of. Now tell me that is not crazy. Listen don’t worry about the match, just train hard like you always do. Salco is good fighter, you will be fine.”

Karina waves him away dismisivly and starts to walk towards her bike.
“And Karina, please take care of yourself ok. I don’t want to come back in a week and discover your lost again.”

Karina looks over he shoulder and smiles. “Don’t worry, I can’t get lost. I have Loki.”

Aleksei does not look convinced but he has places to go so he turns to leave. Karina gets her motorcycle down from where it rest in the camper and checks her bags. She does not plan to stay with the camper long.
********************************************************************
Days later Karina is in the highlands of Peru. She stands just slightly away from her bike. She looks considerably more rested than the last time we saw her, she looks almost happy.

“When you stand out here looking out at these mountains you realize how big the world is.  You realize how petty most of the problems people have are. That is good for me to remember with the war that is brewing. It is good for me to remember that most of the people that try to do me harm, they don’t really matter.”

“Every week us fighters, we try to make big deal out of our silly lives. Every one of us is the best in the world, or is fighting epic fight between good and evil. Even I spend lots of time talking of being a hero. It is funny when I am out here all that seems so small but when I am in the ring those things are all that matters. I wonder sometimes what it is like for other fighters.”

Karina shrugs and looks over to her right. She shares a private joke with the woman who only she can see. The love of her life.

“Loki, thinks for most it is much more like a game. People like Amanda who like to talk a whole lot of smack outside the ring. She is the type that got into this business for attention. She wants us all to look at her hoping that being pretty and edgy will be enough. I mean she certainly does not have any substance beyond that. What can you remember about Amanda? What makes her special? She likes to be tickled? Please...it seems to me that somebody needs to grow up.”

I think that is why she joins Team Erik. She felt all sad and cranky that nobody thought she was top girl anymore. She knows we have all but forgotten the time she was champion. She knows that nobody cares about her tag team efforts, so she gets involved with a man who promises the world. How is that working out for you? Oh right, it is not going so well.”

Karina takes a long sip of water befores she continues.
“Now it is true that Amanda has beaten me in the ring. I hate to admit that but it is true. Perhaps that means she can do it again, but I think not. What most people have not realized about me yet is that I am constantly evolving. I am a different fighter than I was when we last met. I am better now. I fight for purpose and I fight with clear mind. I know how to beat you Cortez and I will make sure to share that information with my partner for next week. As badly as she wants to destroy you, I won’t have to do much to get rid of you but tag in Salco. Now Necra....thats a different story.”

Necra what happened last week has made things more personal. You have gone from delusional and confusing to annoying and now just looking at you sets me off. You must be confused. You think ganging up on me is same as real fight. Necra you have not seen me in a real fight. When we get to meet in there, you won't have your sisters. You won't have your illusions of godly powers. You will just have the reality of the pain I can cause you. Blinding pain that will make you regret ever going against me."

 Karina Koji sits at a corner table in a classy cafe on the Vegas strip. She wears a simple black dress and an amethyst necklace. She nurses a cherry coke as she sits with the person who is interviewing her. His name is Grant and he sticks out in a place like this. He wears jeans and a t-shirt with a green jungle frog on it. As he watches Karina he has star’s in his eyes.

Karina: So you want to start interview?

Grant: Yeah yeah...sorry. I still can’t believe I am here.

Karina: I am just a person. I mean to believe you we are on same spectrum or something.

Grant: Right...so ok. When did you know you were different?

Karina looks at him and smiles.

Karina: I knew early. I was young when I figured out I saw things other people did not. My mother she worries that I am crazy. My grandma says I am touched....you know like magic.

Karina chuckles and takes a sip of her soda.

Karina: They did not have Autism in Romania so you were just crazy or touched.

Grant: How did you deal with that?

Karina: I learned to play at normal girl. I pretend to be good girl for my mother until I can’t pretend. I get good at pretending.

Grant nods and chuckles a little bit as well.

Grant: Yeah a lot of us learn how to do that. So why did you take up fighting?

Karina: Well because I am good at it. I am youngest of seven and I have six brothers. They are good at causing trouble and that trouble would find me. So it is good I learn to fight.

Grant: Yeah but its not just fighting. You...kind of use the way your brain works right? Like the way you know all those submission holds.

Karina nods and looks to be working out the words.

Karina: Da I guess so. I see things and they stick in my brain. I did the wrestling thing as a joke. I was pretending, just pretending for a while but it took.

Grant: Are you still pretending?
Karina pauses again, the words struggling to come out. She takes another sip of her soda and then the food comes. Karina has a very elegant looking salad and Grant gets a plate of masked potatoes with white gravy and chicken. Karina finds her words.

Karina: No I am not pretending. This is all me now, not much else to it.

Grant: So on my blog last week I said you were a hero for kids on the spectrum.

Karina: I am no hero...but maybe someday. To be hero I win a belt the way I am now. Clear head and clear heart. Then you call me hero and maybe I nod.

Karina smiles and takes a big bite of her salad. She looks to her left as she eats her food and smiles very big. She makes a face to someone only she can see and continues her meal.  We fade out slowly.

***********************************************************************************

When we return we are back in Karina’s gym. She is dressed to train. Behind her her wall of screens. All of them show match clips of Daniel and Tiami Tyler.

Karina: I will keep this short because I must train. From what I can tell both Dainel and Tiami understand how little words will matter in a fight like this. I think we have not heard from the Tylers because they know what they are up against. That is fine. I don’t need to hear their words. I go to ring the same no matter what words I hear from them. I will win this match at Blaze of Glory, for myself but most of all Despayre. We should be at the finals but that is okay...we will get this win.

Karina smiles her strange small smile.

Karina: But I will spare a few words for the rest of the ladies at the SCW. I know many of you have met me in the ring. Some have met me in past lives and some have met me this time around. I make promise to all of you. None of you have seen what I can do. Before all I had was rage and chaos in my heart. But now is a different story. So when the Glory is done and we turn our eyes to South America I promise you this, you will finally see the real Karina Koji. And it will be worth watching.

She turns her back to the camera to train as the camera fades out.

 “We won”

“You did.”

“We won and we are still in it. We might win this thing.”

“You might. I know I am rooting for you.”

“There is something else”

“Yeah”

“Don’t want to say it.”

“Than don’t”

“I am having fun.”

*********************************************

Karina walks along crates of supplies as the crew starts packing up after last weeks Climax. She mumbles to herself and has a smile on her face that does not seem close to fading. She still wears the dress pants that went with her tux but has on a dark purple hoody. A SCW staff member chases after her not sure if he should interrupt even if she is alone.

Staff member: Ms Koji...Ms Koji...I was just asked to let you know of your match next week. I guess your phone is not working.

Karina stops where she is walking and leaps down right in front of the man.

Karina: Da, I broke it.

Staff member: Right, well you and your team...they are going to be facing Roxi and Gabriel.

Karina: But that is Despaye’s partner.

Staff member: Yes ma’am.

Karina: Don’t call me that.

Karina stares out beyond the staff member and stops talking. Her eyes that had flashed with anger suddenly grew wide with fright. Without notice Karina turns and starts running. The camera’s struggle to keep up with her as she pushes past people and runs for the door. She crashes through the door into the night air. She runs blindly down the street, almost getting struck by several cars as the camera loses track with her. The last we see of her she is running down an alley.

****************************************************
“ I saw her behind that scrawny little messenger of the bad news. She did not have her wings out but it was her. It was the fire and chaos, just standing there and mocking me. YOU said if I tried to build anchors she would not get to me but I knew it was too good to be true. All of this was too good to be true. Now I have six days before all is over.”

“You don’t know that to be true. Just because you saw her doesn’t mean she is going to get you. Maybe your fear made her appear or maybe she is just trying to mess with you. But I know you can choose to stay grounded. You don’t have to let the fire consume you, it has been months now...”

“That does not matter. Once when I was a girl I lasted seven months before she came for me, but she came for me. I was good daughter then next day I set trailer on fire. Then I run. My mother and I are never the same after that and now I will lose you.”

“Baby, you don’t even know how the match will end. Maybe you will win it and move on to the finals.”

“No chance in hell. Despayre will not fight Gabriel. I will be lucky if he shows up at all. My team will be broken. I will be fighting on my own and those odds too much for me. I will not win. She will come for me and burn away all I love.”

“I promise you. She can not burn me away. Just like she is a part of you. I am a party of you baby and I am not going anywhere. You just keep doing the good work. Make connections with the fans, take care of yourself and keep talking with me. I know in the past she has been too strong for you but now you have me. Together we will kick that bitches ass if she shows her flaming head.”

“We will see.”

************************************************************************

Days later we find Karina has stopped running. She has gotten back home and cleaned herself up. She is across the street from her warehouse home at the convenience store that carries all the junk food she loves to eat. She is looking at a display of disposable phones. She grabs one and waits in line making sure not to touch anyone. She then holds up the phone to the teen clerk who looks so bored he might go brain dead at any moment.

Karina: Is this price right?
Clerk: ummm yeah

Karina: This work like real phone.

The clerk looks at her like she is stupid and responds very slowly for her benifit.

Clerk: Yes...like a real phone.

Karina: Why you talk like that...wait I don’t care. So you are telling me if I break this phone it only cost me this much to get a new one.

Clerk: Yeah I guess so.

Karina nods. She turns quickly and grabs four more phones. The grabs a king sized snickers bar. She tosses it all on the counter as the clerk watches her with the same confused expression.

Karina: It is a king sized candy bar kind of day. You put all that in big bag, hand it back but don’t touch me.

Clerk: Whatever.

Karina takes her bag and makes her way through the store back out onto the street. It is early evening and the city is alive with humanity. Humanity that Karina works hard to avoid as she walks to the side of the building and opens up one of the phones. She paces for a while mumbling to herself before she makes the call.

Karina: Yes....is Despayre there. Da this is Karina.....no he won’t come to phone....shit. How about Angel? No...fine. Umm can I leave message. Da....okay you tell him that I don’t know if he shows up on Sunday but that I am still his partner. And that I think we can win it...and that I can win it for both of us...but also tell him I understand. I know things are all messed up. And...yes just one more thing...tell him that they sell really cheap phones that you can break.

Karina hangs up staring at the phone for a moment. She mumbles something in Romanian and throws the phone out into the street. She curses in Romanian and kicks a nearby trash can. She starts to breath heavy, her hands shaking until she reaches out for an invisible something. She grasp at it and her body calms. She takes a deep breath and heads for home.

**********************************************************************

Karina stands in the center of her training mat. Behind her the walls of monitors show many of Roxi’s matches playing on repeat. Karina stares right at the camera.

Karina: This is my promo. I will keep it simple and to point. I don’t know yet what will happen this Sunday. I work hard to know all the ways a match could go but this time I don’t even know how it will start. Maybe my partner will show up. Maybe he won’t. Maybe he will fight against a man that is his brother and maybe he won’t. Gabriel has made it clear he will try to win this match no matter what, but I don’t know what Despayre will do.

Either way I have no hard feelings for him. He is only and best partner I have ever had. Another fighter can’t demand someone to battle his brother. I can’t make him do this thing and either way Despayre and Angel have my respect. I will still be in their corner no matter what they do.

Chaos dances at the edge of this thing and that leaves me with one choice. Roxi, it will have to come down to you and me. The boys will be no use. Even if they both choose to fight they will not fight with all their heart so that is what we will have to do.”

Karina looks back at the monitors and then looks at her feet for a moment before speaking. She does not look up when she begins again.

Karina: This is the thing. I watch your tapes Roxi and must admit I like your style. You are submission fan, like me. You fight for yourself with a fire that burns from your soul. You are not a stupid girl like many bombshells and I think you will be a big star in the near future. I think you and I can put on a great match...

But the fact is that it is more than a match for me. Like you I am trained in the different ways to hurt people. I know how to make pain a weapon and just like you I can back up those weapons with hard fist and brutal kicks. I am a deadly beutiful creature when I enter the ring on any day....but this Sunday. This Sunday because of forces beyond your control and beyond your understanding you have got me cornered. I will strike without mercy.”

She looks at the camera now. Her face shows little emotion. She appears to be a blank slate aside from the eyes that burn with focus.

Karina: I do not know much about comic books. My brother read them when he is kid but the one thing I do remember is that every hero had a weakness. You are no different Roxi. You have weaknesses. You have joints I will bend backwards. You have pressure points that I will tear into. You have flesh and bone that I can bruise and break. More importantly you have a pain threshold and I will push you to it. This match will start and end with us. Once we get tagged in you won’t see a friendly corner. I will keep you on my side and break you quickly. Then when it is over I will offer my hand and help you up. But make no mistake I am going to win this match, not just for you but for my partner. That is all.

 The scene fades with in with Trevor Irons standing in the living room of his new Vegas home that he is sharing with Max Burke. It is a modest little house in the old part of the city.  He has various items laid out on the ground,: leather jacket, a shirt with blood on it, big Elvis like vegas glasses and a parrot in a cage. Trevor stands over these items wearing jeans and an a-shirt. Max sits nearby eyeing his partner not quite sure if he is thinking soundly.

Trevor: Alright...so first man I have this leather jacket that is obviously from some biker gang. I kind of remember playing pool and winning this from some guy who was not too happy about it....

Max: Yeah and that would explain why you had blood on your shirt.

Trevor nods thoughtfully. He picks up the glasses looking them over.

Trevor: Right..yeah..see that makes sense...and at the end of that promo I cut there was an Elvis impersonator. Right? and he had these glasses...and we all know that I do a mean Elvis impersonator.

Max: That is debatable...

Trevor looks at his partner with a scowl and then grins a little bit. He throws the glasses at Max.

Trevor: Don’t hate man....you know its true. Don’t hate on Elvis just because Canada is more known for Celine Dion....you could work on a kick ass Celine impersonation.

Max: I am not hating on Elivs....but on your lame impersonation but lets move on. What about the parrot?

The parrot bobs his head from two and fro. He then squaks shrilly causing both men to wince.

Trevor: Right! So I have been thinking about that. It seems the parrot can only say a few phrases and most of them are pretty vulgar. So I figure this parrot belongs to some mean crass like gamblin lady. One of those old ladies that work the slots and he escaped...and someone became my friend.

Max: Ok first...I don’t think that is very likely. Also that bird hates you. Every time you come nearby it tells you to screw off.

Trevor: Well there is that.

Trevor flops down on the couch. He ends up near the parrot cage. The bird looks at him.

Parot: Bugger off you ninny! Die in a fire!!

Trevor shakes his head and inches away from the bird. He runs his fingers through his hair

Trevor: But the one thing I don’t know is....well man I just don’t know if I did it with Amanda.

Max: She sure seems you did, and she bosses you around like you did.

Trevor: Right but you know I am not a stranger to drinking. This is not even the first time I blacked out. I have never had sex and not remembered a single thing...

Max: What does it matter man?

Trevor stands up and starts pacing making sure to avoid the bird as he walks

Trevor: because like you said that chick bosses me around like I owe her but if all that happened between us was a pool hall brawl and a angry parrot, well shit man. I can cut her loose.

Max: Yeah but you still have a match.

Trevor: Yeah but its not true tag team. I don’t need to be friends with her. Hell Thacher hates Misty and they advanced to the next round. All I have to do it bring the hurt to Despayre when its our turn to lock up. And hope that Amanda can handle Karina again.

Max: But can you beat Despayre....

Trevor: Yeah man of course I can. Listen Despayre is a beast in the ring, and there can be no doubt about that brother. But its like I say, a fight is a fight is a fight. And Despayre is not going to be bringing all he has. I mean we are a team right and its hard for me to fight without you in the ring, but its different with Despayre...he needs Gabriel...and he won’t have them. That levels the playing field.

Max: That is true man. Lets hope the same is true for Gabriel huh?

Trevor: You’re damn right. If there is any doubt that we are the hardest working team in wrestling..you or I are going to be at the Blast from The Past thingy and a tag team title match. Things are looking up for us man.

Max: Oh yeah, I have a good feeling. Now can we please get rid of that damn bird.

Parrot: Bugger off you ninny! Shit for brains! Die in a fire!!

Trevor nods and laughs.

Fade Out

 Crap. I meant to post this as Trevor....well drat.  

 The crater party. On the surface it is just another Party Horde. Hundreds of people gathered around Aleksei’s large purple and black tour bus. The music is blaring just like always. Tons of people are dancing like crazy. A massive bon fire rises in the center of crater. But look closer and you will see that something is different. Mixed in with wrestling fans and other American party kids is a large population of Romani. The amount of campers old and new are staggering and even though it is a party, the air seems more electric. It is clear that entertainment is not the only reason these people have gathered.

But for the moment inside Koji’s van spirits are very high. A group has gathered around a large flat screen television and most are laughing. Aleksei is in the center of the couch laughing just as much as the rest of them. Jamie and Gianni are there as well. On the TV you can hear Goth’s most recent promo. Aleksei paues the show.

Aleksei: Wait....I forget. Do we drink when he makes sense or when he doesn’t make sense?

Jamie: Man I don’t know dude but I am getting pretty toasted.

Gianni: Yeah bro, Goth is hella weird. But I am digging this new TV.

Aleksei: Thank you. I won it in poker game, I am on epic winning streak. Just hope it keeps going. Oh wait he is talking about babies again...we should drink.

Everyone holds up a shot glass and drinks. They all cheer and go back to watching.

Aleksei: What is with this focus on babies? Does he not know we are going to have a fight among men. I don’t get it. Oh wait he is talking about sign language again for no reason..DRINK!

The crowd cheers and then there is a pounding on the door. Aleksei keeps the promo going and gets the door. Jamie gets up to go with him, grabbing a beer along the way. When they open the door a frightening fellow stands before them. He is not a big man but appears to be build to battle. A scar runs along his face and scar tissue from burning cover his right arm. He wears track pants, and a black a-shirt. He also wears a couple gold chains and wears a sinister grin that shows up several silver teeth. Jamie just looks at him with a wide mouth. He looks at Aleksei and does his best stage whisper.

Jamie: I hope this gun is not one of Mark’s goons because he freaks me out.

Aleksei laughs and shakes his head.

Aleksei: Nah, this is my brother Emil.

Emil simply nods and mumbles something in Romanian. Then pushes past the men grabbing a free bottle of rum. The man walks as if at any moment he might strike.

Jamie: That is the guy who is training you?

Aleksei: Da. He owes me favor so he came in for a week. I explained to him about the sport of pro wrestling. He was amused that someone is paying a Koji to fight.

Gianni walks over to them looking at Emil try to hit on the pretty girls speaking mostly Romani and mostly scarring them.

Gianni: Yeah okay bro but how is he your trainer if he doesn’t know about wrestling.

Alkesei: yeah but he knows everything about fighting. He headbutted himself out of the womb.

Gianni and Jamie looks at each a little unsure but both look at Emil who is currently sniffing at a girl half his age. They laugh and go back to the party.

*****************************************************
About half a mile from the party things get even stranger.  Near a couple piles of rocks and boulders is a site quite strange. At night it is just a pile of rocks but during the day it becomes a training facility. Every day Aleksei is out there with his older brother doing whatever crazy thing he can come up with. Emil does not only watch and scream but also lurks around corners ready to strike at Aleksei. It is not an advisable training routine for anyone yet it seems to work well for the Romani.

For days this ritual went unnoticed by the rest of the people crashed out in the crater but now it is days from the big event and word has spread. Today Aleksei is climbing up the rocks then being told to jump down. Then screamed at to do it again. Depending on where he lands Emil is there trying to hit him. Aleksei feels his body being pushed in ways he didn’t think was possible. It is not until Emil screams at him in Romani to take a break and hydrate that he notices Spike and Jamie watching him from a nearby rise. Aleksei tries to laugh but is too worn out so instead he walks over to the water. Spike and Jamie join him.

Spike: I had to see it with my own eyes. When Jamie told me you were training, I didn’t believe him.

Aleksei: It is not as much training as my brother is trying to kill me slowly.

Jamie: Why the hell are you doing this?

Aleksei shrugs, takes a drink and then dumps the rest of the water bottle over his head.

Aleksei: I am going to war. Back home I know how to go to war but often times if involves setting a camper on fire. This is the best I can come up with. We work the rocks until Emil gets bored. Then we spar and I just hope to survive.

Spike: This match means a lot to you.

Aleksei: It is everything to me. Listen I know I have been what they call the fuck up....in the past. I know that I didn’t show up to things or I didn’t take it very seriously. I can’t promise that I am going to be any better after this match...but this Sunday I swear to you on the blood of my family that you will have the best of me.

Jamie: Yeah man, thats great and all but don’t kill yourself over it. Its just a match man.

Spike: No its not. Aleksei has it right, it does matter.

Jamie: Yeah well let me buy you a gym membership or something, that guy is crazy.

Aleksei: Gyms are no good. All I would do is look at the pretty ladies. Listen I am going to go back to it...but Saturday night..you should be here. If you can.

Aleksei nods to both men, then punches Jamie in the arm grinning like a mad man before heading back to the boulders. Emil does not appear to be around anymore until Aleksei gets close and then the man leaps up from behind a boulder to tackle him. Jamie looks at Spike.

Jamie: Don’t get me wrong. You still suck as a brother, but at least you’re not that guy.

Spike: Yeah but maybe it will be enough.

The two Stagg brothers walk off as Aleksei continues to train as the desert sun continues to rise.

************************************************************************
It is Saturday night and the crowd has swelled to the largest Party Horde of all time. There are so many people that small camps have stareted outside the crater. Surrounding Aleksei’s bus is an inner circle of campers. Outside those campers the party still rages but inside the circle things are serious. Romani from across America and Canada have gathered to show support. The Koji clan has called in many favors to gain blessing from many Romani of status and some of Aleksei SCW family has been allowed to be there as well. Inside his tour bus Aleksei is alone.

Aleksei will never look well groomed but he has definitely cleaned himself up. He wears his famous coat and his charming smile. There is no rum in his hand. He looks directly at the camera.

Aleksei: I want to take a moment to address every man that I do battle with. I will keep this brief my friends because the time for words is almost done.

Goth, while I struggle to understand what you say most of the time but I understand that you have something to prove. When I came to SCW you were a man with history in this sport who was struggling to get noticed. Nothing has changed. You were added to this match as an afterthought but our business is personal ya? One last time lets see who is the better man.

Tom Dudley you are a warrior but also a sad little man. You have joined up with Mark’s goon squad to move up in life and I get that. Little men trying to be big will do stupid things. Like attack a man when he is wounded when you don’t know what that man can do, but this Sunday you will find out.

Now onto Jordan Williams, I hate that you are in this match. I watched your career when I was  trying to break into this sport. I liked your style and was excited to be working in the same federation as you. But you have changed into this blunt weapon for a power hungry jerk. I look at how your team looks at you. You’re a glorified lackey. It makes me sick friend. I hope we can fight another day when your have better friends.

And finally Nick Jones.....how does it feel to not be the biggest douche in the SCW anymore. I think maybe you joined up with Mark so that people might hate you a little less. I don’t know...but I have never liked you. Something about your face makes me want to hit you, but I have never gotten the chance. I am glad we have this opportunity for me to hurt you.

And that is it...oh but wait. There is one other guy. The douche canoe himself. Mr. Mark Ward. I don’t have much to say you because you are sitting this one out. I do want you know that we have unfinished business.

Aleksei then stands up and heads for the door. When he opens up the door people are ready for him. A massive man with a beard walks up to Aleksei first and gives him a hug. As he walks down the line more people come up to him. Some hug him, others shake his hand and a few of the women kiss his cheek. Many members of NXT are there, and even Karina is there though she does not touch her brother. As he gets closer to the fire a chant starts up among the old Romani. LUPTA LUPTA LUPATA It soon gets picked up by the others in the group. By the time Aleksei reaches the fire the chant has reached out past the inner circle and into the rest of the part.LUPTA LUPTA LUPTA Aleksei stands there with arms raised. He calls up Spike and Casey to join him. The chant gets louder. LUPTA LUPTA LUPTA LUPTA LUPTA
All Aleksei can do is smile and ready himself.