Eddie wasn’t sure how he got here. A mixed tag champion with a cousin he didn’t get along too well with. A pinfall victory over World Champion Finn Whelan. Something nobody had done in over a year. Now back to another match with Justin Smith with a chance to once again become the male Roulette Champion.
He understood it though. Why he didn’t get a chance at Finns World Championship. That honor had already been given to Miles Kasey. Maybe Eddie would have been a shoe-in to face the winner of that match, but there was one problem.
By that time he planned to be Roulette Champion again. Which with Victoria having Luna to deal with likely meant they were going to be dealing with The Conspiracy for a while. It would likely even come to something involving the Mixed Tag Titles.
That was fine with Eddie. Finn Whelan could wait. Raven and the crew he ran with were becoming the bigger problem. Raven, Carter. J2H. They needed to be stopped. It was time for Eddie to step up and take his stand, and shut Alexander Raven and his snide remarks about Eddie on X up.
Of course, he did have Justin Smith to deal with, but he’d been there and back again with Justin. At this point it really was almost inevitable that he would beat Justin Smith.
__________
The scene opens on Eddie, with the mixed tag title draped over one shoulder, he looks at it and shakes head, smiling and shrugging.
“You really never know where this business will take you.” he said, “Now I’m in a tag team with my cousin, and one half of the mixed tag champions. Not what I would have expected but I’m just going to have to make the most of it. When life gives you lemons right?”
He shrugs again.
“It won’t be so bad. I can keep an eye on Victoria.” he said. “Maybe tone her down some. Or maybe she’ll just continue to be the braggart she is. Either way, I’m here do do my part in keeping the mixed tag titles with The Lyons Den. All while joining my cousin as a double champion when I get in the ring with Raven and take back MY Roulette championship.”
He starts to speak a little more seriously.
“So Justin Smith, let’s do this again.” he continued, “I’ll try to make it quick this time, because if there is one thing I agree with Victoria on it’s that we need to represent for our school. We are just as good as both Wolfslair and Jet City. Having us as the dual roulette and mixed tag champions will prove that The Lyons Den has some of the most premier talent in this industry. Do you really think you can stop me Justin? You seem to always think so, but you never do. Nothing will change this time either. It’s always the same dance with you. The only difference, is I guess I’m doing it as Batman this time”
He smirks and laughs lightly.
“Halloween and all.” he said, “Your mixed tag champs will be going as Batman and Harley Quinn. Suicide Squad Harley. She wanted me to be Joker, but I convinced her to settle on Batman instead. Batman and Harley Quinn, TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS OF THE WOOORLLLDD”
He laughs again, amused with himself.
“But truthfully Justin, I hate sounding cocky but I just don’t think you have it in you.” Eddie continued, “I am a different level of talent that you will never be ready for. No matter how many delusions you tell yourself. I am always going to be a better man than you, and that’s just the way it is.”
He pauses for a moment.
”You need to wake up Justin.” said Eddie, “Because nobody takes you seriously around here. You say the same thing week after week and never deliver. Meanwhile I’m feeling like I’m on a bit of an upswing. I’m getting my own groove back and feeling more confident than ever after pinning Finns shoulders to the mat. Do you really think I’m concerned, or even worried about you? I’m looking ahead to Alexander Raven, because I know without a shadow of a doubt that I will be the one to face Raven for the Roulette Championship. You will go on to lose again to whomever draws your name next and help pad their stats. It’s just the truth. You know it. I know it. Alexander Raven knows it. Even Victoria knows it. The rise of The Lyons Den is imminent, and SCW is about to become our jungle and I promise to be the light that shines among it’s darkness.”
He grins at the camera, and it slowly fades out.
__________
“I look stupid.” said Eddie looking at himself in the mirror of the costume shop, “Am I really going to wrestle in this?”
“I think it’s cute.” said Sabrina.
Eddie shook his head, as he stood in full Batman attire. Somehow Victoria had talked him into it because she wanted to be Harley Quinn and Joker. Something about it being helpful to improving their teamwork. Batman ended up being the compromise. Besides, as a result that gave Sabrina the inspiration to be Catwoman, and Eddie sure wasn’t upset about that.
“I can’t believe Victoria convinced me to do this.” he said.
“It’ll be fine.” she said, “And it’s not the worst thing she’s requested. At least this is an easy way to placate her.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” said Eddie.
“You should do one of your promos in the costume.” Sabrina giggled.
“....No.” Eddie said bluntly.
“Oh c’mon.” Sabrina said, “You said yourself you need to open up more to the SCW crowd, try and find something more within yourself. I know the real you. Maybe it’s time to show them the dork I know. You’re always so serious when the cameras on.”
“Well, the mat is sacred and I only want to respect that.” Eddie explained
“But you can still have fun.” Sabrina said with that smile that always turned Eddies knees to putty.
“Everyone will just laugh at me.” said Eddie, “I just pinned the world champion. I can’t be joking around right now.”
“Why not?” said Sabrina, “Show them you’re more than just the guy who fights with honor. Show them you can kick ass, and still be able to let yourself have fun. Remember on the cruise when you did the king of the world thing?”
“You saw that?” Eddie said.
“Well, you weren’t the first…or the last to do that on that same cruise.” she said. “When I was working, I saw people doing that at least once an hour. Point is, you’re a dork and you know it. You try to hide it, but it peeks through now and then. You want Eddie Lyons to evolve? You need to add a new element to his character, and show them the dork I know.”
“Victoria may not like it.” he said
“And since when do you care what she likes Eddie Lyons?” said Sabrina, “Trust me,if you start letting your inner dork show more. It will only help you.”
“I dunno…” said Eddie
“I’m not saying go be some total joke who doesn’t take anything seriously.” said Sabrina, “But show them the fun side of you. Because in my opinion, it’s your best side.”
“...Fine.” he said, “If it’ll make you happy. I’ll do a promo and address Justin Smith as…Batman.”
Sabrina smiled and kissed Eddie on the cheek, he sighed and started back at his reflection again. Was he really going to do this? Anything to make his lady happy he supposed.
_________
The cameras open with an image of The Bat-Signal which fades into Eddie Lyons dressed as Batman stands in front of an obviously green screened backdrop of Gotham City, he begins speaking in his best Batman voice, which sounds more like a gravelly Eddie.
“Justin Smith.” He began, “You think you’re a tough guy? You think you can push my friend Eddie Lyons around? Well you can’t, and now you get to deal with me. You think you know pain, you know suffering but you’re going to learn quickly what it takes to rise above the darkness when you get into that ring with the Dark Knight himself.”
He stares into the camera from behind his mask, it’s a serious look but there’s still an air of comedy about.
“I’ve taken down worse than you Justin.” Eddie continued, “Joker, Riddler, Freeze, Solomon Grundy, all tougher than you Smith. I am the night Justin, and you are in for the fight of your life. Justice is coming for you Justin Smith, and so is the beating of your life."
Eddie whips the cape around to add some flair
“See, people like Eddie and myself” he continued, “We fight for honor and justice. We fight for people who can’t fight for themselves. The ones who count on us to be their heroes. Gotham is watching Justin, watching your demise. Everyone will bear witness to your demise. Because when you step into that ring, you’ll realize one thing….
He whips the cape again, adding more flair.
“I’m Batman.” he says.
Suddenly, he's attention is drawn off camera, as he notices someone approaching, he breaks character for a moment trying to wave then away but it’s too late and Victoria in Suicide Squad Harley Quinn attire, waltzes into Eddie’s promo
“Ya hear that Justin’?” she says, “My Batsy is going to teach you a lesson puddin’. You think you stand a chance you little freak? You’re only lying to yourself.”
“Victoria..I was doing a thing…” said Eddie as himself.
“What?” she said, still as Harley, “Did you think you’d be takin’ on this big ol' meanie on your own? We’re a team now, and Harley’s got your back. That big lug ain’t got a chance with me by your side.”
“You can’t just interrupt my promos for my solo stuff.” Eddie said, “We do the team stuff when we’re booked as a team.”
“Seems my Batsy is a little confused.” he said, “He’s talkin’ nonsense, but it doesn’t matter. When you face The Dark Knight, you lose. It really is that simple.”
Eddie sighs, deciding to just go with it. Victoria clearly wasn’t leaving, and she wasn’t about to stop.
“It's time for me……and Harley...” he said with some reluctance, “To show you what true justice feels like.”
“Because when you mess with one us us, you mess with both of us.” said Victoria with her best Harley Quinn smile.
Eddie shook his head behind her, then looked into the camera with Victoria as the scene closed.