SCW Boards
Roleplay Boards => Archived Roleplays => Supercard Archives => Topic started by: Christian Underwood on October 26, 2014, 10:26:58 PM
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First RP Period Deadline:
United States: 11:59pm EST Saturday 11/01/2014
England: 03:59am Sunday 11/02/2014
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We are now in the second RP period.
Second RP Period Deadline:
United States: 11:59pm EST Friday 11/07/2014
England: 03:59am Saturday 11/08/2014
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DESPY DOES NEW YORK!
"Well, this coming weekend will certainly be a time when I hope the gentlemen that compromise the tandem of R.O.A.R. look back and realize, and hopefully understand, the position that they have placed themselves in."
"This Sunday in West Point, New York, a small piece of history will be made when the Bosom Buddies set foot inside of the ring to put the SCW Tag Team Championship on the line against 'Dark Tiger' Sebastian Hardin and 'Big Tiger' Jeremiah Hardin. Not because new champions will be crowned, mind you. Not because Jeremiah and Sebastian will do the task that no other two men has yet been able to do. History will not be made with titles changing hands, at least these, the Tag Team titles. No, no. History will be made because of a simple first."
"You see, I can not remember when the last time was that the same championship encounter was featured in back-to-back Supercards here in Sin City Wrestling. Yet here we are again, just as before when Despayre and Big B successfully retained their titles against R.O.A.R. back at Violent Conduct II at the Desert Sun Stadium. It was a tough defense, I will grant you that. One that even I must admit nearly saw a changing of the proverbial guard. Key word being 'nearly'. It's been quite awhile since the champions had been pushed to such depths in order to again walk away with what is theirs, but I do credit the Hardins for being able to do just that. It was what some have called one of the finest tag team championship matches here in SCW in a long time, and it is why we are here again, with the Bosom Buddies staring across the ring at the same two men who once before tried to strip them of their cherished prizes. That is why the challenge was laid out. It is why it was accepted, and now? It is why the higher authorities in Sin City Wrestling have sanctioned a rematch between the two teams."
"Granted, such rematches are not unheard of, but what we are used to is for the rematch to take place from Supercard to Climax Control, or vice-versa. Not from Supercard to Supercard. In doing so this one time, it just goes to tell everyone out there that what they witnessed the first time around was a true match classic, what tag team competition could be like, and should be like."
"In fact, Sebastian and Jeremiah did the champions a favor. You gentlemen pushed Despayre and Big B to the brink of potential defeat before they were able to fight back and eventually retain as they should have. You had the size advantage over even Big B himself, something that young man is most definitely not accustomed to. You had just about everything going for you except for on small thing, and perhaps the most important thing; the experience. Despayre has spent the past few years competing against men that dwarfed him in size and strength, and yet somehow, in some way, he comes back from whatever you do to try to beat his shoulders down to the mat and he perseveres until he walks away the victor. You two tested him to limits he perhaps had not yet known he could be pushed, and that will only serve to benefit him, as well as his partner."
"They know now what you two are capable of, and what you can accomplish against them. More importantly, they also know what they must be able to do in order to counter your family unit, and once again walk away as the champions. I hope then that you understand that all of this, all of what will occur when the Bosom Buddies retain at High Stakes IV, will be of your own doing. You made the challenge gentlemen, and had the level of respect between the teams not been existent, it would not have been accepted. Yet it has been. The match has been signed. You two will try again to do what will not be done, and once that bell rings, that same respect? I'm sorry to say it will have to be set aside for the duration of what is to come. The Bosom Buddies will retain, and your defeat will be of your own doing."
"Start spreadin' the news, I'm leavin' today
I want to be a part of it
New York, New York
These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it
New York, New York"
<img align=left src= "http://travelblog.viator.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Viator_NYC_Empire-State-Bldg-photo_1158298-raw-540x303.jpg"> Over the years, New York City has been referred to by a number of nicknames, both official as well as unofficial. 'The Big Apple' is perhaps the most widely known and used, but there is also 'the City So Nice They Named It Twice', in reference to Times Square - 'the Center of the Universe' and perhaps most controversially, 'the Modern Gomorrah' popularized by Reverend Thomas De Witt Talmage. If the last is accurate, then it would be no small wonder why we find ourselves here with this particular group, now is it?
No, actually we're not beginning this little quip of a tale featuring one-half of the reigning Tag Team Champions where one might expect. Actually, if you thought the United States Military Academy of West Point would be the logical locale for the next wacky adventure starring Despayre and his ever-present gaggle of buddies and pals, then you haven't been paying very close attention to the, as 'Sxxxy' Shane Boswell has affectionately coined him -- 'the little nutter'. It's more to the point if you expected the unexpected from Despayre, THEN you've been paying attention!
And if you have, well then good for you!
Actually, the famed 'City That Never Sleeps' isn't such a far fetched idea for where we will soon find the heroes of this particular endeavor. It is, after all, a mere short distance of less than fifty-seven miles by the Palisades Interstate. So devoting a little extra travel time between destinations and one can be from one to the other in practically no time at all.
"And who exactly are you trying to convince?" Gabriel said as he exited the front door to the Hilton Garden Inn on this, an early November morning, along side the remaining members of the Seven Deadly Sins, including having his wife, Odette Stevens, on his arm. There was that familiar smirk on the 'Sin of Greed's face as he followed Synn, who was busying himself trying to reign in Despayre, out to the front of the luxury hotel. It was playfully clear who his words were being directed toward, his eyes never straying from Synn's back.
"Joshua!" Synn called as he quickly used his height and arm length to his advantage, grasping his son by the crook of the arm and pulled him back before he could get too far ahead and possibly lose himself in the crowds that were always to be this near the heart of Times Square.
"Aww!" Despayre moaned in mock dismay. "I just wanted to see the horsies!"
"Horsies!?" Despayre's partner-in-crime, Melody Grace, perked up with wide eyes as she hurried up from where she had been standing near Odette to stand beside the object of her fan girl attentions. "Where do you see horsies?" She asked.
Despayre answered by pointing into the crowded street, and indeed there was a horse drawn carriage making its way down 42nd Street and towards Times Square itself. One might see such a thing rarely in many other places in the United States, even Las Vegas where the Sins called home, but here in New York City? It is a fairly common occurrence, and to those that call this famed city home, not at all out of the ordinary.
"Wow." Melody cooed softly as her warm eyes followed the carriage until it seemingly vanished into the throngs of vehicles clogging the streets in all directions. Even 'the City of Sin' would be hard pressed to best New York City in regards to traffic.
"I know!" Despayre nodded. "If Angel hadn't pointed them out to me just now, I never would have noticed them myself!"
Melody turned to look at the teddy bear being carried snugly against Despayre's chest in a baby carrier, the very same one Rage had purchased well over a year ago for a climatic visit to Sea World. The Sin of Wrath had openly refused to set foot out of the hotel unless Despayre had promised to carry Angel the entire way. And seeing as how the teddy bear didn't voice any objections, there was little reason why Despayre should.
"I understand the excitement, Joshua." Synn warned him as best he was able in a reprimanding tone. "But this is not Las Vegas where you're used to. This is the first time you've visited New York City so I'd rather you stay close and not wander off."
"Nicely done, Pops." Gabriel mused as he and the rest of the group gathered near while Despayre and Melody stood near the curb of the insanely busy street to watch and wait wit anticipation for another horse carriage to pass by. "Now how's about you fill us in on why we're here in New York City less than forty-eight hours away from our boy there putting his gold on the line?"
"Gabriel, you make it sound as if we're clear across the country." Synn answered as he turned to address the other young man in his charge that he saw as something of a pseudo-son, placing his trust in his son not to wander off once his back was turned, and in Melody Grace not to let it happen. "We are not even two hours driving distance between here and West Point. An hour and a half, tops."
"The way Gabriel drives," Shane quipped. "An hour at the most."
"Anyway..." Synn continued. "My point is that its within easy traveling distance. I could have simply booked our entire weekend here rather than at West Point and would have preferred doing so, really. I could find nothing rated above three stars there. But, being a big weekend, Christian and Mark preferred everyone be in West Point for the majority of the weekend for the usual Supercard extracurricular activities."
Gabriel made a disgusted noise, shaking his head in the negative. There had been a time when Gabriel had not minded the usual Meet and Greet events with the people that compromised the fandom of Sin City Wrestling. He had actually enjoyed them, for the most part, but times have changed and that was certainly no longer the case.
Gabriel asked, "So why am I here? I'm not even booked for the damn show."
"You could have been." Synn pointed out. "But you turned down the match I wanted to negotiate for you. And besides, you're here because you're still employed by the SCW so they want you to be around for the usual festivities, just like everyone else that is under contract."
Odette looked at her disgruntled husband and gave him a playful nudge before she said, "Oh come on." Her voice was like honey in her Australian accent. "I can think of one thing that will make this weekend worth all the hassle."
"Oh yeah?" Gabriel spoke up, clearly not agreeing with her outlook. "And what's that?"
Odette just smiled. "The chance to see Despy set loose in New York City?"
Gabriel looks at his wife in her lovely eyes, and then leans over at the waist to look past Synn and to where Despayre stood alongside Melody Grace, watching a mime across the busy city street with a wariness that befitted his innocent nature. The corner of his mouth turned upward in an amused smirk and he stood upright to nod at Odette. "I see what you mean." Indeed, Gabriel was second only to Synn when it came to being close to Despayre, and as such, he knew better than anyone, save for Synn, just what his 'little brother' was capable of in a given surrounding. And when that surrounding just happened to be perhaps the most famous city in the world...?
"You two are doing wonders for my confidence as a parent." Synn huffed before adding, "Oh and it might interest you all to know that this little side trip was my own idea. Not thanks to Joshua's subtle prodding." Gabriel made a mocking face of subdued shock just as Despayre came bounding back to join the others.
"So!" Despayre bounced on the balls of his feet, unable to completely contain his growing excitement. "What shall we do first to celebrate our stay in the Big Orange?"
"Big Apple." Rage corrected.
"Huh?" Despayre turned to Rage, eyes wide and unblinking.
"It's called the Big Apple, Desp." Rage stated. "Not the Big Orange."
"But I don't like apples." Despayre frowned. Come to think of it I'm not too fond of oranges either." He shook his head and Rage turned to Kitty who stuck to his side if for no other reason than to annoy him by not giving him his desired space. Rage asked her, "Do you want to take this one?" He looked up and motioned towards the others. "Anybody?"
Nobody made a sound, save for that typical subdued cough to shield a note of laughter. Rage shook his head, not surprised that the others were taking some delight in Despayre's antics and the affect they seemed to have on the Sin of Wrath, but it was Synn who came to the rescue.
"There's plenty to do to take up the day, Joshua." He stated, laying a hand on his son's shoulder and giving it a bit of a squeeze. "But let's try to simply get in what we can and enjoy it as we have to be back on the road first thing in the morning."
"We're only here for the day?" Despayre blinked, looking back and forth between Synn and Gabriel. "How's come?"
"Because we have to be back in West Point by tomorrow afternoon." Synn answered. "And you have to be preparing for your match."
"Awww!" Despayre fidgeted, clearly displeased with this little trip being cut so short. He scuffed his shoes on the pavement and shoved his balled fists into the pockets of his hoodie. "Fishsticks!"
"Well Joshua," Synn started to speak. "Try to remember that the match was in fact, you're ding. You took on the responsibility to accept R.O.A.R.'s challenge."
"Oh sure!" Despayre bemoaned. "Everything sounds worse when you remember the facts!"
Synn, ignoring this little statement as best he could, the others not quite so successful, continued, "But now you have to actually make certain that you and Big B are ready, because you can safely assume that Sebastian and Jeremiah are doing the same."
"But we are ready!" Despayre pointed out. "Bernie and I've been training hard all week!"
"Angel running you ragged?" Fantasia purred, curling up closer to Shane. Despayre answered simply by nodding and she shook her head with a smile. "Poor Despy!"
"Yeah! Poor me!" Despayre looked down at the teddy bear secured against his chest. "You should be ashamed of yourself, running me an' Bernie ragged!"
"You'll thank him when you retain your titles, I'm sure." Synn said, playing along. "Now, what's first on our agenda?"
"Is THAT the Hershey's store I see!?" Despayre called aloud, his eyes and mouth wide open as they stared down the street in Times Square to spot the famed Hershey's store.
"Well, that answers that question." Odette chuckled as the group made for the store that was devoted solely to Hershey's candy and all merchandise affiliated along with it.
Rage followed along with the group, unwilling or no, mumbling, "This isn't going to end well."
"Oh what are you babbling about now, Peanut Head?" Shane said as he looked ahead, watching as Synn continued to have to reel his boy in to keep him from simply taking off in a full sprint towards their destination. "What harm could come from going there of all places?"
"You're right!" Rage frowned. "What harm could possibly come from Desp there getting a sugar high?"
"That's the spirit!" Shane clapped him on the back. "Who needs Broadway when ya got that?"
What indeed?
No real trouble, mind you, so long as all things are taken with a small degree of decorum. of course, this is about Despayre, and that word probably isn't well used in his vocabulary -- nor the men and women surrounding him who tend to indulge the young man on his many whims and fanciful mood swings.
Despayre came bounding out of the Hershey store, arms laden with bulging bags of candy goodness, but just enough space left for his hands to have hold of the Jumbo King-Sized Hershey bar that seemed almost as big as his own upper body. All of his attention was now on that colossal treat and the attempt too peel off the foil wrapper so he could start in on it immediately.
Synn watched with a wary eye as Melody helped Despayre with his task, and he rewarded his buddy by breaking off a chunk of chocolate and passing it to her to indulge in. Synn turned to Gabriel and Odette and shook his head, saying, "I can't help but thank you two for buying him that. The boy will be bouncing off of Broadway before the night is through!"
"Us?" Gabriel's eyebrows rose almost to his low hanging hairline.
Odette said, "We didn't buy him that!"
Synn turned to Shane and Fantasia, both who held their hands up to proclaim innocence. Synn frowned and said, "Then who...?" He turned and found Rage scratching the back of his head, trying to look everywhere except at the man in front of him, staring him down.
Rage finally tucked his hands into his jean pockets and frowned, "What!? You didn't see those damn puppy eyes he gave me!"
"I want to wake up, in a city that never sleeps
And find I'm king of the hill
Top of the heap
These little town blues, are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it
In old New York
If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you, New York..New York"
"I have to give credit where credit is due. When Sebastian Hardin first arrived on the door step of SCW, I looked at the man in amazement, and please, no jokes. I looked at him because the man was simply a giant that I knew might soon need to be contended with. And, as it turns out, I was right."
"At over seven feet, you stand as perhaps the tallest Superstar in Sin City Wrestling, Sebastian, and I have to admit that you exceeded all expectations. Initially, I looked at you and thought to myself that all we had here with you was simply another giant, a man cut from the same cloth as someone like the Big Show. All size with very little actual in-ring skill, but I am humbled to admit that you indeed did prove me wrong. Granted, you indeed do know how to use your size to its maximum potential against smaller opponents, which in this case would happen to be everybody you oppose. Yet you also have a slimmer weight of less than three hundred pounds which also works to your advantage. Most men your height would tip the scales at four hundred pounds or more. Rage himself, a man you're quite familiar with, weighs roughly the same as you, and he's a good six inches shorter than you. That mans something;"
"You're not weighed down with bulky muscle or unwarranted fat. Your slimmer form compliments your height and gives you an edge most 'giants' in this sport don't employ. I have to admit that when you met Gabriel and Rage in tag team competition, you surprised the hell out of me when you did what no other man had done before you, and that was perform a delayed vertical suplex on Rage, the monster within the Sins. I can't imagine Rage enjoyed it, judging by the expression on his face, he wasn't expecting it any more than any of the rest of us, but it's not that action want to discuss, but what happened towards the end. No, this concerns more so what happened only recently after you issued your challenge to the Tag Team Champions, a challenge that was accepted."
"I don't want you thinking Despayre had anything to do with that little 'altercation' that took place between Chris Shipman and yourself, because he knew nothing of Shipman even being present in the audience. Actually, none of the Sins did, although Gabriel did have a little bit of a reckoning on the topic at hand. Despayre accepted your challenge in good conscience, because that is just the sort of person he is. He has a fire within him that defies explanation, as it burns as fiercely as his innocence shines softly. He has fun when inside of the ring, despite what might happen to him. His and Big B's acceptance of your rematch was made with a clean conscience. They had nothing to do with your having to face Gabriel and Rage the following week, and even less with Shipman's interesting debut appearance."
"But -- he will have everything to do with what happens once that opening bell sounds and you and your partner find yourselves the recipients of what you asked for, and will soon come to regret. You see, despite that overwhelming size advantage you hold over Despayre, and to some degree, Big B himself, you still have to contend with a more experienced grappler who is capable of more than what the imagination can contemplate. You again find yourself up against a young man of which size disadvantages mean absolutely nothing. You are to him, what Goliath was to David. A mere obstacle, waiting to be removed. You two already faced one another at the Halloween show, and so many thought that alone in the ring, Despayre would fall to the giant simply because he was outsized by such a massive margin. Those are the very same people who paid no attention to my by's history, and the fact he has knocked down every so-called 'giant' that has stood before him, expecting an easy mark. You didn't make that mistake though, did you? You paid attention. You knew that size was not a factor where Despayre was concerned. For that, I have to commend you for being respectful enough, and smart enough, to know when size, in fact, does not matter."
"Yes, Sebastian. You are highly respected, but the Tag Team titles belong to the Bosom Buddies, and that is where I intend for them to stay."
"New York...New York
I want to wake up, in a city that never sleeps
And find I'm A number one, top of the list
King of the hill, A number one...."
The morning disappeared, and the afternoon started to wear on. A visit down a busy boulevard so Synn could show the group the 19th century row houses on the Greenpoint Historic District where he called home at an earlier point in his life, before he had met any of them.
The weather was chillier at this time of year in New York City, and the group of Sins had not been expecting temperatures to be as they are. Having lived in Las Vegas for as long as they have, the brisk winds of New York was not the most comfortable, but the sun was shining down on them from above, breaking through the clouds that softly glided across the skies from high above. Rain had been predicted, and a gentle sprinkle of showers did indeed cascade from the heavens above, but in no way did it deter Synn from allowing his team to fully enjoy themselves, nor he from enjoying the sight of his son taking advantage of what the city had to offer him.
They stood in the famed Central park, one of the most popular stops in NYC for tourist or local alike. Artists and photographers would come here from clear across the nation, nay, world, to bask in the inspiration that surrounded them and to capture that perfect photograph, or to create the perfect painting.
While Fantasia used the chill as another excuse to huddle against Shane's rock hard body for warmth (not that she needed any excuse to do so), the pair cuddled on one of the park benches, fully enjoying themselves. Rage and Kittie busied themselves with perhaps the ONE thing Rage would openly enjoy in such a place, one of those famous New York hot dog vendors that seemed to just be there at any time of the year. They were just that damn good! Gabriel and Odette took advantage of the same hot dog vendors that were present to walk away with a treat, Odette with a bit more than her share as she was now eating for two.
"I hear this park is beautiful at night." Odette said as she and her husband approached where Synn and Shipman stood, watching as Melody and Despayre (and Angel, remember the bear!) were busying themselves playing the squirrels that darted about. Odette continued, "I'm surprised you didn't want to bring us then."
"Place might look nice at night," Shipman noted. "But it's also dangerous."
Odette took a bite, and looked silently to Synn who nodded.
Synn said, "It's true. Central Park has a bit of a reputation, at least in seedier parts. I would like sometime to bring everybody through here sometime at night. Perhaps once the snow has started falling, but this time?" He shook his head. "I just didn't want to risk anything. Especially on Joshua's first visit here."
Gabriel and Odette nodded, clearly understanding, and they looked up as a breathless Despayre, his cheeks chilled pink by the cool breeze that blew across the Park, ran up to them, his eyes glued on the hot dogs the two ere holding.
"Where did you get?" He asked, eyes wide and his mouth practically watering.
"Back there Desp." Gabriel smiled, jetting a thumb back over his shoulder in direction of the vendor where Rage and Kittie were now leaving from. "You want one?"
Despayre nodded eagerly with a smile, and Melody jumped up and down, waving her hand and calling aloud, "Oh! Me too! Me too!"
"You got it." Gabriel turned to go get them their desired hot dogs but stopped short with something he saw coming from the distance along the park's cobbled paths. "Oh Despy? You and Mel might want to wait a bit before I get those for you."
"Why for?" Despayre hopped over to where his bestest buddy in the whole wide world was standing (I mean aside from Angel) and the little guy gasped in gleeful astonishment. "Look!" he started jumping up and down, pointing at the team of white horses trotting their way, pulling a carriage without passengers behind them. "Look! Look! Look!"
Synn sighed, knowing the inevitable, as he stepped up and signaled for the driver of the carriage to stop, noting that a second carriage was approaching behind also, making the rounds of the famed Central Park to pick up the passengers who wished a ride to cherish and remember. This second driver, Gabriel signaled for a stop.
As the two carriages slowed to a halt before the gathered group of Sins, Synn looked at Despayre and winked, "If you'd rather not have a ride... But whatever else he was to say in teasing jest was silenced as Despayre practically jumped into the carriage, followed closely by Melody. Synn climbed up in the first to join them, and asked, "So what shall we do to close this day before we go for dinner?"
Kittie piped up from the second carriage, "Maybe we can visit that building where the big gorilla was?"
"I thought Rage was staying at the same hotel as us?" Despayre wondered aloud to Melody who shrugged, her bottom lip jetted out.
"Hey!" Rage bellowed from the carriage behind them as the trip around Central Park set to begin.
____________________
"I believe in this instance, I have saved the best for last. For as big and formidable as 'Dark Tiger' Sebastian Hardin may be, I think in this instance, the real threat may be his tag team partner, 'Big Tiger' Jeremiah Hardin. Now I have to admit I have yet to come to an understanding as to why Sebastian isn't the one with the 'Big Tiger' moniker, given his superior stature, but I suppose the distinction isn't for me to judge."
"No, I think my case towards Jeremiah is more to the fact that in his time in Sin City Wrestling, Jeremiah has seen much more success in the ring in the singles competition, before he ever even formed R.O.A.R. with his distinguished relation. Although the SCW Heavyweight title eluded him, Jeremiah did celebrate quite the commendable reign as the Roulette Champion of the men's division, and that is saying more than enough about both his talent as a competitor, as well as his ability to adapt to whatever is thrown his way."
"Jeremiah, you defeated none other than Max Burke, one of the finest talents this sport has seen in years to claim that bit of gold, and held it only until you ran across Brother Grimm. You defended that title against a slew of competitors in a variety of matches to test the limits of your abilities and endurance, and damn did you do so with fervor and determination! That in itself is the very reason why I am paying such close attention to you during this title match, and why I am instructing both Despayre and Big B to be especially careful of you. With all due respect to Sebastian, the fact you showed true ingenuity in the roulette division shows that you just might be able to show the same when facing Despayre, a young grappler whom I take great pride in stating is capable of absolutely anything an everything inside of the six-sided ring. Aerial? He can do it. Technical? I never would have let him inside of the ring if he weren't able. And, should the need arise, that young man will throw the rule book out the window and fight more fiercely than the most rabid of animals if he finds himself under threat. Anyone who has watched him over the years knows this all too well, so try not to hold it against him. I'm certain that Sebastian didn't after Despayre took that bite out of his thigh."
"The fun of this is, is what I feel the right to tell anyone who decided they want what Despayre has. You can study him day and night and even beyond, but the end result is never what you expect. You can't expect anything from Despayre who is capable of anything! You, above all other opponents, might be able to adapt to that -- might! But in the end, it will still do you little good."
"West Point is the destination. Tag Team glory is the end goal. You tried once at the expense of the Bosom Buddies, and it didn't go as planned. You then asked for this rematch to again, prove your chances true to be at the top of the mountain, but fate will be no more kind this weekend at High Stakes IV than it was at Violent Conduct II."
____________________
The giant ape was perched atop the peak of the one hundred plus story Empire State Building, roaring it's bellowing challenge towards the little toy planes that buzzed around the skyline, firing off the pea shooters on the front of their hoods towards the monster that swatted their way, yet missed.
And small wonder why! Those very 'planes' were being flown by the most couRageous of pilots, none other than the famed Teddy Bear Airforce brigade, tasked with the battle against the random beasty that might perform the rare act of escaping the shadows past the defenders and into the outside world!
Such was the first case in almost a hundred years, and here in the city of New York of all places! Really! Who saw that coming?
"Help! Help!" Despayre cried out, being carried in the giant hand of the massive gray backed gorilla! The beast ignored his cries for help and held his golden tag title belt in his other hand, the one he was using to swipe at the plane but miss each time! The monster seemed determined to keep HIS championship belt as far away from him while it did battle with the heroic teddy bears that fought for his freedom!
The big ape (ha ha Rage!) set Despayre down on the ledge and stood at it's tallest, roaring its challenge as the sky was dotted with the toy planed, manned -- er, beared, by the teddy bears and led by Despayre's own Angel (of course!)! The beasty waved its long arms about it the air, as the planed descended toward him, and as it passed by, missing again, Angel stuck a pea shooter to his mouth and ...
"PFF!"
Right in the ol' bean!
The monster lost its balance with the perfect strike against it, and roared in dismay as it topped backwards from the towering height of 1,250 feet, dropping the gold belt and right into Despayre's arms...
"Despy?"
Gabriel's voice broke Despayre from his daydream atop the Empire State Building where the Sins and other New York tourists gazed at the breath taking view of the night time skyline of NYC. Despayre blinked away from his fanciful thoughts and turned to Gabriel who smiled, knowing his little brother well enough to know his mind had to have wandered off again, and probably to the point of the movie of that giant ape that was one of Despayre's very favorites.
"Hm?" Despayre wondered.
""C'mon and grab Angel." Gabriel said. "We're heading for dinner."
"Okay!"
"These little town blues, are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it
In old New York
If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you, New York..New York New York!!! "
Despayre leaned over to Melody and whispered, "It wouldn't be so embarrassing if he could carry a tune."
Melody stared at the teddy bear in the center of a bunch of admiring Japanese tourists and simply nodded.
-
Check it... So, it's October 30th... The night before Halloween.. It's the night that most folks call Devil's Night, and all of us are enjoying the day down here in New Orleans. What are we doing here, when we're supposed to be on our way to West Point? Hell, because my baby said that we needed to be.
See, what had happened was... She was going through her stuff, trying to decide on what to take with us when we go to the Pay Per View, and she stumbled on this book of her Grandmothers. This thing as like... old... very very old... covered in dust and cob webs... It was packed in this old suitcase of hers, and she kind of shut down when she started going through it. The next thing I know, she says, 'Babe... We gotta go to New Orleans...' and she starts changing the stuff she's started packing. When I asked her why, she said, 'There's something I have to do... I didn't find that book by accident... The spirits of my family are calling me... I found a spell that can help you during your match too... help you tap into the animal spirit that's deep inside of you.' So, here we are... Uncle Seb and Aunt Lady along with Gothika and Raynin... All of us just jumped on a plane, and we came down to New Orleans.
The flight was interesting though. The six of us had taken up all of First Class on this plane, so we were playing musical chairs all night, driving the Flight Attendants crazy. It was fun though, making this one girl look from left to right, frowning in confusion as she would turn around, and we'd switch seats quickly, then call her to get something, and the others would switch seats behind her, then call again, and she'd turn around and frown again.
At one point, I was sitting beside Uncle Seb, who's playing a game on his iPad, and we talked for a bit.
Jeremiah: Wow... I can't believe I'm headed back to the Big Easy once again. It's been so long since I've been here... I think the last time I was here before I was in the SCW, it was with... wait... what was her name... Oh yeah... Rose Bonaparte... My friend from training class.. MAN... she was HOT... I do mean SMOKIN' Hot... Face like what!!!... 10! Body like BAM! Ka-Pa-yow!!! 11!!
Uncle Seb shakes his head and puts his finger to his lips.
Dark Tiger: SHHH!! Jeremiah... You better be careful about what you say... You're not here for Rose.
I chuckled and shook my head.
Jeremiah: Oh Unc... Don't you worry. I know what I'm here for. Besides... I've already got all of the Creole loveliness I need right here with me. Rose may have been hot and a dime... But Diamond... She's priceless... I know how lucky I am having snagged her.
I sit back in the seat and Diamond peeks over the back of the chair and winks at me.
Diamond: And don't you ever forget it big boy.
She winks at me and turns back around and continues talking with Darknyss, as Uncle Seb punches me in my shoulder.
Dark Tiger: See... I warned you. We've gotten with a couple of Angels, and they've got ears that can hear damn near anything.
I chuckled again and nodded slowly.
Jeremiah: I know Uncle Seb. I know. But I want to talk to you about something. This thing that we're headed to do... It's got me a little worried. I mean, the sweat lodge as one thing... But this... This is something totally different. I'm letting her do this... ritual thing on me.... And you are too... Aren't you in the least bit freaked out?
Uncle Seb puts his iPad on his knees and takes a deep breath before he turns to look at me.
Dark Tiger: Am I freaked out? Hell, I'm always freaked out by the things that Diamond can do. She's an amazing woman and the things she can do... In the ring, out of the ring, in the realm of magic, in the realm of wrestling.... Hell, even the things she does as a manager... She's got amazing skills. But I trust her. Do you?
The flight was interesting though. The six of us had taken up all of First Class on this plane, so we were playing musical chairs all night, driving the Flight Attendants crazy. It was fun though, making this one girl look from left to right, frowning in confusion as she would turn around, and we'd switch seats quickly, then call her to get something, and the others would switch seats behind her, then call again, and she'd turn around and frown again.
At one point, I was sitting beside Uncle Seb, who's playing a game on his iPad, and we talked for a bit.
Jeremiah: Wow... I can't believe I'm headed back to the Big Easy once again. It's been so long since I've been here... I think the last time I was here before I was in the SCW, it was with... wait... what was her name... Oh yeah... Rose Bonaparte... My friend from training class.. MAN... she was HOT... I do mean SMOKIN' Hot... Face like what!!!... 10! Body like BAM! Ka-Pa-yow!!! 11!!
Uncle Seb shakes his head and puts his finger to his lips.
Dark Tiger: SHHH!! Jeremiah... You better be careful about what you say... You're not here for Rose.
I chuckled and shook my head.
Jeremiah: Oh Unc... Don't you worry. I know what I'm here for. Besides... I've already got all of the Creole loveliness I need right here with me. Rose may have been hot and a dime... But Diamond... She's priceless... I know how lucky I am having snagged her.
I sit back in the seat and Diamond peeks over the back of the chair and winks at me.
Diamond: And don't you ever forget it big boy.
She winks at me and turns back around and continues talking with Darknyss, as Uncle Seb punches me in my shoulder.
Dark Tiger: See... I warned you. We've gotten with a couple of Angels, and they've got ears that can hear damn near anything.
I chuckled again and nodded slowly.
Jeremiah: I know Uncle Seb. I know. But I want to talk to you about something. This thing that we're headed to do... It's got me a little worried. I mean, the sweat lodge as one thing... But this... This is something totally different. I'm letting her do this... ritual thing on me.... And you are too... Aren't you in the least bit freaked out?
Uncle Seb puts his iPad on his knees and takes a deep breath before he turns to look at me.
Dark Tiger: Am I freaked out? Hell, I'm always freaked out by the things that Diamond can do. She's an amazing woman and the things she can do... In the ring, out of the ring, in the realm of magic, in the realm of wrestling.... Hell, even the things she does as a manager... She's got amazing skills. But I trust her. Do you?
I shrug and nod, exhaling slowly.
Jeremiah: Yeah, I guess you're right.
Uncle Seb takes a sip of his tea , blowing on it to cool it a bit before he drinks.
Dark Tiger: I know I'm right. But if you're still worried about what we're about to do, just think of it as something like the sweat lodge. The sweat lodge was epic, but Diamond is going to be taking it to the next level. Think back on that time... when you found out what your spirit animal was... You remember what that was like.
I take a sip of my sprite and nod.
Jeremiah: Hell yeah, I remember... That was somethin' else!! It was crazy, but so amazing!
Uncle Seb chuckles at my enthusiasm and grins.
Dark Tiger: Yeah, well think of it as Diamond bringing that spirit animal out, or building your soul around that spirit animal. What she wants to do is make you more than what you were before... the same thing as we do when we train our bodies... she wants to do it with your spirit.
I nod and sit back, sipping my soda as I try to take it all in. I rub my chin as I think, then I down the rest of my drink and exhale slowly.
Jeremiah: Yeah, now that you put it that way Uncle Seb, it actually makes a lot more sense to me now. You’re right... with my trust in Diamond, I shouldn’t worry about what might happen. She wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. She loves me just as much as I love her, and she wants us to succeed. She wants R.O.A.R. to be as successful as we want to be. And she wants us to be Tag Team Champions.
My uncle nods and pats my shoulder again.
Dark Tiger: That she does Jay. That she does. And according to Diamond, this is the perfect time for us to be doing this. It’s Halloween, but what she will do here will be no Trick... And it will afford us one hell of a treat. She’s going to make us stronger... and we will get those Tag Team titles for sure this time.
Jeremiah: I know Unc. I have seen the voodoo that she do so well. I also know that we won’t slip up on this opportunity to win the gold this time. We almost had them when we had our last shot. I mean, we were so close, I could taste them!! And we’ve worked so hard to be back at this point once more... There’s no way I’m going to let this opportunity slip through my fingers, like I did with the World Title.
My uncle shakes his head.
Dark Tiger: Hey now... Don't start thinking like that. What’s happened in the past is the past Jeremiah. We have to keep our eyes on the future and on our prize. We showed the Bosom Buddies who we were the first time we faced one another and we're going to show them once more at High Stakes IV. We are going to come at them with all that we have and then some. We're join to reach down into the stores of determination and perseverance that we keep locked inside of us, an we are going to take them this time!! And we are join to walk out of the Pay Per View as the Sin City Wrestling's Tag Tam Champions!!
He holds out his fist, and I give him some dap.
Jeremiah: Hell to the Mother Fuckin' yeah! You got that right Unc!! We will be the new Tag Team Champions!!
Uncle Seb threw his head back and laughed like a madman. It was so funny to see that I couldn’t help but start to laugh too.
Dark Tiger: That’s it!! That’s the spirit that she’s gonna tweak just a little bit more! You know, just when the critics think they’ve got us pegged as losing, we will do what we have to do to come out of that Pay Per View as winners!! I’m no stranger to holding Tag Team Gold as you know… I’m in the Alliance Wrestling Order’s Hall of Fame for the Longest Reigning Tag Team Champions with my best friend and old partner, Giant Tiger, as well as most number of Tag Team Title Reigns… It proved that even though they knocked us off of the top of the mountain, we were so hungry for the championships, that we kept on scrappin’ till we made it back to the top! It didn’t matter who it was… Hell, we even took out your Aunt Lady and one of her friends a couple of times for those titles. Ha ha ha! Aahh, memories…
Aunt Lady peeked around the side of her seat and stuck out her tongue at Uncle Seb and winked at him.
Darknyss: Yeah, you did… When it came to those titles, you and GT were like a couple of wild animals… which is the kind of mind frame that you and Jeremiah have to start to get here in the SCW. You have to build the kind of bond as a tag team that makes you ferocious and fearless… Hell, you gotta be like my girls are for the Bombshell Tag Team Titles.
I nodded and brought my fist into the palm of my hand so hard it sounded like a bullet coming out of a gun. The flight attendant turned around and jumped with a little squeak of fear at the sound, then put her hand to her heart and almost swooned which made everyone of us chuckle a bit. I could feel my chuckle turning into a low growl of intensity before I started to speak.
Jeremiah: Yeah Auntie… I know you’re right!! Just like I know that those titles will be coming home with us… Just like I know that if the other Sins know what’s good for them, they’ll keep their noses out of our match and their asses in their locker rooms where they belong. We will no let anyone else ruin this moment for us!! I mean, I respect the current champs… no doubt… But they have got to realize that for us.. There is NO WAY we’re settling for second fiddle here in the SCW’s Tag Team Division any longer!!
My Uncle can’t help but get excited as my enthusiasm spreads to him like a contagion.
Dark Tiger: THERE we go!! THERE’S that determination I have been looking to see out of you Jeremiah!! There’s that spark that I have known you have had in you all along!! There’s no denying that you want it bad anymore… I’ve taught you well my young Padawan.
My love’s head pop up over the pack of the seat and she laughed.
Diamond: Oh… My… GOD DT!! Oh no you didn’t!! Did you really just go all Star Wars Geek on us all?
Uncle Seb winked at her and grinned, then spoke in a truly epic Yoda voice.
Dark Tiger: Strong in you, The Force is… But… know everything, you do not. Much more to learn, you have.
Just then, the flight attendant stops next to Uncle Seb with he drink cart again, and he holds up his cup, but when he speaks, he keeps the Yoda voice.
Dark Tiger: Oh, I would love another cup of tea if you don’t mind.
Everyone laughed again, and my love stuck her tongue out at Uncle Seb before she turned and sat back down. I sighed heavily for a bit before I spoke again.
Jeremiah: You know Uncle Seb… I know Bosom Budies are a Hall of Fame Caliber Tag Team without a doubt… In fact, I know that Despayre is already in the Hall of Fame with Gabriel for the Tag Team Division, but I KNOW that they can be stopped… just like I know that we will stop at nothing to stop them dead in their tracks! There’s nothing… NOTHING we wouldn’t do for the fans, and R.O.A.R. is determined to ride to the promised land!! With God as my witness… we will stop at nothing to become the Tag Team Champions!!!
Gothika leans over from the other side of the aisle and grins.
Gothika: Well put Scarlet O’Hare… Now you just gotta put your money where your mouth is at the Pay Per View and do just that.
Jeremiah: Oh we will my friend… we will…
And with that, we were winging our way onwards to New Orleans…..
We arrive in New Orleans a few hours later and disembark. Uncle Seb takes a deep breath and sighs in happiness.
Dark Tiger: Aahh... Good old Nw Orleans. I remember helping out here after Katrina hit. Always good to see it bustling once more after that bad situation.
I hefted my carry on over my shoulder and grabbed my loves from her hand and kissed her before I grinned.
Jeremiah: Uncle Seb, that was almost a decade ago. They’ve been doing a lot of rebuilding since then.
Uncle Seb just chuckled and nodded.
Dark Tiger: I know it was almost a decade ago Jeremiah. You just never forget about some things. Lady was there with me while we handed out blankets and flashlights and cases of water. It was... it was horrible. But to see how the people here persevered and fought on... it just made me want to be like them.
I shake my head and hold out my arms as I spin around in a circle.
Jeremiah: But Unc… We ARE like them! We fight hard, we love hard, we don’t let anybody or anything try and push us away from what we claim as ours!! We are fighters!! We’ve both stood against people who were like natural disasters before… We just didn’t have to fight a hurricane. And I helped too… I donated my time to the Red Cross and lots of money over the years. I just was too young to help with Katrina back then. I was still in like high school.
Uncle Seb nods slowly and rubs his chin as he looks at me with a grin.
Dark Tiger: Yeah, I do have to keep reminding myself that you’re the youngest out of us all. But you’ve turned into a really good man. I’m proud of you, Jay.
Hearing my Uncle say such words about me makes me blush and I feel like a little kid again.
Jeremiah: Yeah, you helped me to become the man I am though Unc. I have always looked up to you. You taught me how to help people, and be kind and courteous and all of that good stuff. I mean, I think I turned out to be one hell of a gentlemen. And while I didn’t get to help out with Katrina, I did help out in Japan when that really bad tsunami hit them.
Uncle Seb’s eyebrows hit the roof in surprise.
Dark Tiger: You were there too? We were all there helping out… We went just outside of Shibuya District… The whole family went… Latrice and Doug took the kids.
Jeremiah: Oh, well, that’s why I didn’t see you Unc. The company I was with at he time held some benefits there to help raise money and awareness of what was going on. We were in Tokyo.
We keep chatting as we follow my love to the car rental areas and we grab a couple of Hummers. One is black and one is white, and we pile all of our gear into the back of it, an we head off to the hotel. As I’m riding beside my love who is driving, I reach over and I pick up her free hand and I kiss the back of it gently.
Jeremiah: So baby, now that we’re here, what do we do?
Diamond chuckles and smirks.
Diamond: Well, since we’re a day early, we do what everyone does when they come down to New Orleans… We go party for the night, and tomorrow, we go trick or treating earlier in the day, and at 10 PM tomorrow night, we head out to the cemetery where most of my ancestors are laid to rest. We had them buried in some pretty well made crypts, so they survived the flooding. Their remains may be a little soggy, but at least I know they’re still inside. Besides… with the kinds of wards that I placed around my family, nothing save the hand of God himself could break them. A little water wouldn’t have any affect on them.
As we’re driving through the streets, Uncle Seb calls and asks that we go down a certain set of streets to see a part of town. As we’re going through the streets, we see a humongous plantation house that had managed to survive what happened, and had been rebuilt. It’s the kind of house that would put any mansion in Beverly Hills to shame. I’ve got my phone on the Bluetooth so his voice comes through the speakers of the car loud and clear.
Dark Tiger: Hey Jay… This is the old place right here. This is the one that I put the money into after Katrina hit. I think it turned out alright, don’t you?
I whistle loudly and we all pull up to the curb to park and admire the place. Uncle Seb and Aunt Lady come over to the car and I roll down the window.
Jeremiah: Wow… Uncle Seb… I didn’t know it had came out so well!! This is the place that you let Rose have, right?
He nods slowly and sighs heavily.
Dark Tiger: Yeah, she does. Rose came here from Paris, France and she told me about all of the crap and what not that had happened to her. So I let her live there and Yves and Carmella are still there as well. It wasn’t like I was using it anymore… I’d only been using it as a vacation home, and having it go to someone that could use it…. Well, it was better than just having it go to waste.
Jeremiah: We should stop by and say hi to everyone before we leave.
Uncle Seb shrugs and shakes his head.
Dark Tiger: If Rose is home. You know how her schedule can be. I’ll call her later this evening and see what she says.
Aunt Lady puts her arm around Uncle Seb’s waist and lays her head on her shoulder, looking at the house with a curious look on her face. It was one of… almost remembrance.
Darknyss: I remember the days spent in this house… When I would come and visit you… the nights on the veranda… the smell of the night blooming jasmine in the air… the way you would look in the moonlight as we would…
Uncle Seb stops her with a kiss, and she giggles like a schoolgirl and I roll my eyes.
Jeremiah: Oh… Oh wow… Please… get a room!!
Aunt Lady chuckles and blushes.
Darknyss: We already have one. Now.. let’s get going, so we can put those rooms to good use…
We all pile back into the Hummers, and take off towards the hotel…
------
Alright it is two in the afternoon the day after the ritual and my Emme and I are laying down. The ritual must have taken a lot out of both of us, mostly her though because she was doing the ritual, but it took a lot out of me.
Anyway, I get up and then kiss my Emme and we get out of bed. I get up with more vigor than I had. I'm still in good shape physically, but somehow, mentally and spiritually, I feel more alive, more ready to tear some heads off....well not literally but you catch what I'm throwing at ya.
Diamond: how do you feel Mon amour? You look ready to take down the reign of the Bosom Buddies. You got to be feeling confident.
I take a deep breath and beat my chest.
Jeremiah: Hell yeah baby. I dare any of the other Sins to interfere. They will have my foot so far up their asses, they will be crapping Christmas colors. Our time on the tag team thrones will come after High Stakes, and there will be no one to stop us.
Diamond smiles and comes to me and wrap her arms around me.
Diamond: I can't wait.
Jeremiah: I feel more like uncle Seb when he let's out his other side when something happened to do so. Despayre and Big B had better be ready because those tag titles are coming to us.
Its like I said before. I am ready to hold more gold here, and this time we will be ready for them. We will not be denied in this company and every one in this company will really recognize that we are no longer playing around.
There will be nothing and no one that will stop us from taking those titles. Its like the great Theodore Roosevelt once said. I speak softly but carry a big stick. He apparently never met a man who have been to war like me. I am a man who is outspoken, and I will carry more than a big stick, I will bring my combat boots, these two fists and Uncle Seb will be my partner when we go to battle for those tag titles.
Diamond: Baby, I love this side of you. I have been waiting for so long to see this side of you. I can't wait to see what you do to them inside that ring.
Jeremiah: Stakes are high my love, and I truly know what that is like. Stakes were high when I fought in Afghanistan and Iraq, and I was ready for it as I am ready now.
Diamond smiles and rubs my chest.
Diamond: cmon tiger, let's get a shower in.
We head in the shower.
----------
Uncle Seb and Aunt Lady are in their room after the ritual, also two in the afternoon and they are having lunch in their room and Aunt Lady smiles.
Darknyss: How do you feel after the ritual baby.
Dark Tiger: Like the beast I have been kept bottled inside me wants to come back out. He wants to beat people up bad.
A growl comes out of his mouth.
Dark Tiger: As much as we respect Despayre and Big B, they will be in for a world of hurt. I am ready to taste gold once again. Its like you said, I held the aWo tag titles with Doug for the longest title reign, so the Bosom Buddies are not dealing with no flash in the pan tag specialists.
Darknyss: Damn right.
Dark Tiger: the taste of gold will taste so sweet. We have been given a second chance at gold, and there will be no one to stop us from taking the titles. There will be no one stopping us from doing so.
Not Rage, not Gabriel, especially not that piece of garbage Shipman.
Uncle Seb holds his neck and growls a bit. Aunt Lady rubs his neck.
Dark Tiger: Jeremiah and I will send the rest of the Sins a message that they will never forget the name of ROAR. They will recognize that we will not be stopped.
I realize that Despayre had nothing to do with Shipman attacking me, but the fact remains, I am still feeling the effects of it a smidge, and I need someone to take I out on.
Darknyss: I know baby.
Dark Tiger: I'm in the mood for a walk. Let's take a walk my lotus blossom.
They take a walk
-------------
We make our way to the airport after visiting Rose Bonaparte and we are in our rental Hummers and then we arrive at the airport minutes later.
A cameraman comes to us and is wanting a few words from us. Boy do we have a few words for the tag champs
Diamond: hey guys. What's up. It seems to me that the fine West Point fans are not waiting to pack up the arena with their butts in those seats. That's awesome. All the more to see a knocks down drag out fight for those tag titles these two want. These two long to hold. Tell them my love.
Jeremiah: Despayre, Big B, I want you two to listen up and listen good. Second chances I am a firm believer in. I respect the hell out of you two. You say I have had a better record in singles action. That is true, but there is no greater satisfaction to me than to team with a man who knows what tag team wrestling.is all about. To team with a man who knows what it takes to make history.
Despayre, you might have gotten one on my unc, and I applaud you for it. However, you are looking at a more ready tag team who is sick and tired of playing games. I am sick and tired of joking around.
Big B, I don't have much to say about you anymore. What you got to say Unc.
Dark Tiger: Boys, the time for games is over. We want those tag titles. That taste of gold will be sweet once again, and we will stop at nothing to get them.
Despayre, congratulations. You beat me, and that is saying a whole lot. That fighting spirit you have I admire as you remind me of me when I was your age with that same fighting spirit. Now I know that you didn't have anything to do with Shipman attacking me. I will get to Shipman in a minute.
Big B, I want you to realize something. You are a Sin by association. You are a hell of a tag team champion and so is Despayre. That will come crashing down and we will be ready to claim our spot at the top.
To the other Sins, especially you Shipman. I would highly suggest you keep your bean biscuit asses in your locker room if you know what's good for you because if any of you want to interfere and ruin our shot, well trust me when I say that will be the biggest mistake of your entire career, and ultimately your entire lives. We will not be stopped. We will not be denied and at High Stakes IV, Bosom Buddies, you will never forget the name of ROAR.
Jeremiah: We are truly in Beast Mode.
(They enter the airport as the scene ends)
-
The scene opens up inside of Michie Stadium in West Point, New York. The stadium has clearly already been setup for SCW's upcoming supercard, High Stakes IV, with the entrance way in place and the seats all setup in the ringside area but, just like the stadium seats, all completely empty. The only exception to this rule being that the SCW ring is already setup as well, and standing in the center of it are the familiar faces of two SCW superstars: the front-man and manager of the Seven Deadly Sins, Synn, along with one of the men he manages, one half of SCW's Tag Team Champion Bosom Buddies, Big B. With just days to go for another big title defense for B and his partner Despayre, Synn is clearly doing some final preparations to get him ready for his upcoming match. It appears that the two men have finished the in-ring portion of their training session, as Synn tosses a towel Big B's way as B grabs a water bottle from ringside and guzzles it down. As an exhausted-looking Big B recomposes himself, Synn continues on by giving B some advice.
Synn: So I think it's safe to say that you're physically ready for Sunday's match, but you know there's a lot more to this than just strength.
Big B stops and seems to think things over before responding.
Big B: You mean speed?
Synn simply rolls his eyes and shakes his head as he continues on.
Synn: I'm saying more than just physical. You're physically prepared, but you need to be mentally prepared. Now more than ever before.
Big B: Yeah, I'm mentally prepared! But wait... why more?
Synn: For plenty of reasons. For starters, this is a team you have faced before, and not all that long ago. First and foremost you need to make sure you are not taking these guys lightly.
Big B: No way, ROAR isn't light at all. Those guys are even bigger than me!
Synn: What I mean is... forget it. All I'm saying is do not underestimate them. Just because you and Despayre beat them last time does NOT mean you are certain to win Sunday's match against these two.
Big B: Of course not, it's a seperate match.
Synn let's out a sigh, as he clearly still isn't entirely used to the simplistic nature of Big B's thought process. However, understanding what he's dealing with he opts to simply move along.
Synn: Right and keep in mind that they won't be making the same mistakes they made last time around. I promise you they have learned plenty from their last encounter with the Bosom Buddies and sometimes, being the losing team can actually be more informative than being the winning team when it's time for a rematch. They have far more mistakes to learn from than they do, but that doesn't mean you don't have plenty to learn from that past match too, and you can't forget that.
Big B: Ok, I'll remember that there's stuff I can learn. Got it!
Synn: Yes, but you actually need to do the learning as well.
Big B: Oh... right.
Synn: The truth is you had a bit of a strange competitive advantage going on for quite some time. There's a lot of people in this company who did not respect you as an in-ring performer, they continued to see you as nothing more than the big cousin of Nick Jones, even when you started your own wrestling career. For a long time, that was a huge benefit to you. A lot of your opponents underestimated you B, but you need to realize that those days are officially done. Even when you and Despayre starting teaming up, people treated you more like a comedy act than a real team. Even when you first won the titles, not everyone was quite convinced. These days, that has changed and people have learned better. Just think about this... how many matches have you and Despayre lost as a team?
Big B stops and scratches his chin as he peers aimlessly up into the sky.
Big B: Um...
Big B then eventually looks back down at Synn, with a confused expression on his face.
Big B: Zero?
Synn: Exactly. You two are undefeated and have been reigning tag team champions for over 5 months now. There's not a competitor in this company who will step into the ring with you and make the mistake of being unprepared or overconfident. Not anymore.
Big B: Oh, ok. And um... were a lot of our past opponents under...pre...fident?
Synn: Underprepared and overconfidnet? I can promise you that a number of them were. I've seen every match you two have had, and there's more than one instance where teams failed to bring their A-game against you two, but those days are done.
Big B: A game of what?
Synn: No no... not a game... your "A-Game". You know, as in like getting a grade of an "A".
Big B simply looks at Synn and shrugs, clearly having no idea what he is talking about, which actually brings a slight smirk from Synn before he continues on.
Synn: The point being is that, from now on, teams will be at their very best when they step into the ring with you guys. Keep in mind that teams much more tape on you after all of this time.
Big B immediately starts looking all over his body, causing Synn to stop what he was saying as he just looks at Big B with confusion. B continues to search all over himself before finally speaking as he continues his search.
Big B: Where did they put it? Is the tape on my back?
Big B then tries to look at his own back, ultimately causing to start spinning around in circles again and again as he desperately looks for tape on himself. Synn watches with an eyebrow raised for a few moments before, as B turns back into Synn's direction he puts his hand up towards Big B.
Synn: STOP!
Big B comes to an immediately halt and simply looks to Synn intently.
Synn: VIDEO tape.
Big B looks confused for a moment, then starts to think it over for a few moments until his expressoin suddenly changes.
Big B: Oooooooh... I get it now!
Synn: Right. So with much more VIDEO tape of you to watch, they'll have learned more about your tendencies, habits, weakness, and the list goes on. So now, more than ever, you can't get away with relying on the same tactics match after match. If you just keep stepping into the ring and doing the same things over and over again, it will catch up with you.
Big B: So I've got to do different stuff?
Synn: Exactly. You need to keep these guys on their toes. Throw things at them that they'll never see coming.
Big B: But if I throw stuff at them, won't I get disqualified?
Synn: Yeah, sure... good point. But perhaps you can do things in the ring that they wouldn't expect you to do.
Big B: Oh ok, good idea!
Synn: Glad to hear you agree, and as long as you're mentally prepared for that, I certainly think you have the ability to do those sort of things. To be perfectly honest, I was rather surprised by how well you did in our training session today. It seems like you've really picked up a whole lot of things lately.
Big B: Yeah, and I've learned stuff too!
Synn rolls his eyes as he responds.
Synn: I noticed. It seems like you're moving along now quicker than ever. I've got to ask, what's changed? Do you have your own new training regimen in place or something?
Big B: Well... sort of. It's not really mine though.
Synn: What's that supposed to mean?
Big B: It's just that I've had help with my training lately.
Synn: No kidding, who?
Big B: My cuz... Nick!
Synn, clearly quite convinced that Big B is messing with him, cannot help but let out a little bit of a laugh. He then looks to Big B, who is staring at Synn with a completely serious look on his face, causing Synn to immediately stop and look at Big B with more of an expression of surprise than amusement.
Synn: Wait. You're serious?
Big B: Yeah. Nick's been teaching me all sorts of stuff.
Synn: Wow. I never would have guessed that. Well I guess if you're learning something that's good, but just do me a favor and... be careful.
Big B: I'm always careful when in the ring. Don't want to get hurt!
Synn: I mean be careful around your cousin.
Big B: Huh? Why?
Synn: Just... trust me. Listen, I've got to run but finish up with your cool-down exercises and we'll all catch up Sunday for our pre-match planning, alright?
Big B: Sounds good, thanks!
Big B and Synn exchange a quick handshake as Synn then climbs out through the ropes to exit the ring to the floor. Synn then heads up the aisle and to the back while Big B watches him. As Synn gets out of sight, Big B tosses his towel and water bottle off to the side and goes to finish things up, when his attention is suddenly grabbed the sound of some slow, but rather loud and deliberate, clapping. Big B spins around until he suddenly notices, sitting in the otherwise empty crowd, the very familiar face of his friend, and personal bodyguard to his cousin Nick, Tony Capicelli. Tony is looking at B with a clear smirk on his face and seems to be quite obviously be mocking in his slow clapping as he his hands raised up above his head while sitting down. Tony eventually stops clapping and stands from the seat, heading towards the crowd barrier as he begins to speak.
Tony: Dat was some real great friggin' training you's had dere kid
Big B: Oh, hey Tony. Thanks! I didn't even see you there.
Tony: I's was bein' sarcastic ya big doof.
Big B: Sar-what-now?
Tony: Fugget it, a'ight? Alls I'm sayin' is I was sititn' here for dat whole friggin' t'ing, and it was kind of a joke. Dat was some weak ass training you's got goin' dere. I mean, what's wit' all da friggin' chit chat?
Big B: Synn was just giving me advice. But there was all sorts of real physical training before that you know.
Tony: Yeah, I's know... I saw dat too. And it ain't no "real" training neither, you's guys hardly even fought or nuttin'.
Big B: Well, I didn't want to get hurt.
Tony shakes his head in disgust as he hops over the crowd barrier and then slides into the ring. Looking Big B dead in the eyes as he continues on.
Tony: And dats exactly why dat lil' crap you did was trainin' like a little puss, capiche?
Big B: Nuh uh! Besides, look at how good I've been doing in the ring. I mean, I'm one of the tag team champions and everything!
Tony: Yeah, maybe so... but dats only 'cause dat lil pal of yours be carrying you's all da time.
Big B: That's not true. I think you've got it backwards actually, I'm the one who keeps carrying Despy!
Tony: You's gots da be friggin' kiddin' me wit' dat, right?
Big B: No, I'm serious! I carry Despy every match!
Tony: Since friggin' when?
Big B: Ever since we started teaming together.
Tony: If dat were true den how da frig do you explain all dose wins he's got before you's two ever teamed together, huh?
Big B: That's because Despy's really, really, REALLY good.
Tony: If he's so friggin' good den why's you sayin' you carry his ass?
Big B: Because it's true!
Tony looks at Big B as he is completely nuts, but Big then continues on.
Big B: Yeah, you need to pay more attention, because I carry him on my shoulders down to the ring every time!
Tony: Oofah! You's a real piece of work, B, I'lls give ya dat.
Big B: Um... thanks?
Tony: Yeah, whateva. Listen, all I'ms sayin' is you's betta be careful. You's keep dis act up and sooner or later it's gonna catch up witchu. You know what I'm sayin'?
Big B: Not really.
Tony: Ah, forget it. You's a lost cause. Just try not to get ya ass kicked out dere too friggin' bad on Sunday, a'ight?
Big B: Sure. I always hate it when I get kicked in the butt anyway!
Tony just chuckle and rolls his eyes before heading out of the ring. Big B doesn't seem to get what is so funny, but then shrugs his shoulders and goes back to his cool-down routine. Big B continues on as Tony leaves while the scene slowly fades to black.
-
Dark Tiger's side
(The scene is LaGuardia Airport in New York City and the six of us come off the plane from coming from an eventful few days in the Big Easy. Jeremiah and I feel like new men after the ritual that Diamond had done on us. We feel like the tigers inside us wanting to come out, wanting to be let loose on the rest of the tag team division and the tag champs themselves at High Stakes IV.
We know we want to give the soldiers at West Point a good fight with the champs and they will get one. The tigers inside us want to rip them a new asshole and we want to have a taste of gold in SCW and we know we got to go thru the tag champs to do it.
We get a ride in two separate limos, one for the Fallen and one for us.)
Jeremiah: Baby, that was a good ritual. I am so ready for the tag champs it aint even funny. What happened at Violent Conduct II was just the tip of the iceberg. We might have lost there, but the tag champs got put on notice on just who the hell we are, and I hope they are ready for us this time, because we got a different game plan.
Diamond: I know that’s right. I could definitely feel a different side of you baby when we were in the shower the other day, that’s for sure.
(Jeremiah covers her mouth and he looks at me and I just sit there and chuckle.)
Dark Tiger: You didn’t have to cover her mouth Jeremiah. Lady and I could definitely hear it from next door though. Didn’t know you were……
(Jeremiah covers my mouth.)
Jeremiah: That’s for me to know and…..
(I take Jeremiah’s hand and uncover my mouth.)
Dark Tiger: I was only kidding Jeremiah. Calm down. I know she was just getting you ready for the tag matc in her own way.
(I winked at Morganna and she just giggles and nods. Jeremiah sits back down and shakes his head and chuckles himself.)
Diamond: So what do you want to do here in New York guys.
Jeremiah: Remember when I said I wanted to take you to see a Broadway show? That’s what I want us to do. I have been to see a couple of these and I am keeping a promise that you held me on when we were in san Francisco.
Diamond: I am surprised that you remembered that mon amour. That sounds like a good idea to me. What about you Sebastian? What are you going to do?
Dark Tiger: I want to spend some time with my lotus blossom while we are here. Maybe take her to Central Park to walk around there. Maybe take her to Times Square. I know she loves to do some shopping there and all that good stuff.
Jeremiah: You want to also spend some romantic time with her too don’t you?
(Morganna playfully punches Jeremiah in the arm and Jeremiah holds his arm and I chuckle and shake my head.)
Dark Tiger: Jeremiah is right.
(Jeremiah sticks out his tongue at his woman and she shakes her head and we arrive at the hotel.
----------
(The scene is New York City. Dark Tiger and Darknyss are in Central Park and they are walking hand In hand and They are taking in the sights. Jeremiah and Diamond are off somewhere else, and so they have alone time in Central Park.)
Darknyss: So how do you really feel after the trip to New Orleans. I can tell you got that vigor from a few years ago back. Its what it feels like to me my love.
Dark Tiger: Absolutely my love. Diamond did a great job with the ritual. Its like I said, the Beats that has been inside me that I have let out before wants to come out and play, and play it shall when we face Bosom Buddies. When it comes down to it, what we had at Violent Conduct II was a hell of a match against the champs and the champs came out on top. We had made some mistakes, and it cost us dearly.
Darknyss: Yes it did, but you will not make the same mistakes again twice.
Dark Tiger: No we will not. There will be no stopping us this time. I want the Bosom Buddies to take in the fact that they were in a war with us. I want them to realize that they will not walk out of the match the same again.
(they stop at a fountain and Darknyss throws in a coin.)
Dark Tiger: Wishing for gold is not an option. I am sick and tired of wishing. Doing is what gets the job done. Despayre may have gotten me last week but I will not make the same mistake again. They might be undefeated, but as I have known in this business, undefeated streaks come to an end.
(Darknyss smiles and hugs on her fiance’s arm as they continue to walk down the sidewalk of the park)
Darknyss: I love Central Park, especially at night under the stars with my stud of a man. I love the leaves turning colors on a nice autumn day and the fact that the Bosom Buddies will in fact not forget the name of ROAR.
(Dark Tiger smiles and nods)
Dark Tiger: It is beautiful isn’t it. It is about as beautiful as my six foot lotus blossom. It is as beautiful as the smile on her face, the hair on her head and the muscles on her arms.
(Darknyss giggles and playfully punches him on the arm. He then picks her up and they head back to the hotel)
-----
(Here we are back at the hotel as it was getting dark and then I start looking at tapes of our match against the champs at Violent Conduct II and I look at where we went wrong in our match and I take mental notes knowing not to make the same mistakes again.
Lady comes in the hotel room with Chinese food and she knows how I love General Tso chicken and I smell the food, but I continue to watch the match continuing to make mental notes and to show Jeremiah what needs to be done.
She rubs my shoulders and I look at her and she knows that I am being prepared. She rubs my back and I smile and then I stop the video.)
Darknyss: I know how bad you want to hold tag god again. You want it so bad you can taste it like you are getting ready to devour this Chinese food. You want to have that glory that you had long ago in the aWo, and you want to bring it to SCW.
Dark Tiger: Yes I do my lotus blossom. I want to continue my Legacy of Darkness that I have had for so long in my career, I want it to continue here in SCW. I want Jeremiah to hold gold again as well. There is not a thing that can and will stop us from doing so. I do not want to make the same mistakes we made at Violent Conduct II.
Darknyss: I know my love.
(we feed each other like lovers do and she sits with her back against me and she kisses me. I smile as the only thing that can get me to stop what I am doing for a mere moment in time is a kiss from my sexy Amazonian lotus blossom whom I love so much.
As soon as we finish eating dinner she brings out some strawberries and whipped cream. I smile as I can take a break from getting prepared for some romance time. I then put some of the whipped cream on the strawberry and I put a little on Lady’s neck and I lick it off. She closes her eyes and smiles and I do the same thing to the other side of her neck and she just melts and then she eats the strawberry out of my fingers.
We then take the strawberries with us to the hot tub and then we change into bathing suits and then get in the hot tub and the camera fogs up, and the only thing that is heard is the sound of Lady giggling.)
-----------
(the next day after that, Diamond and Jeremiah meets with me as my Lady goes to meet with her girls as they go over battle plans they have against the Freakettes. We meet at the hotel restaurant for breakfast. We all get coffee and eggs and bacon and we take a seat.)
Diamond: So have you been studying videos Sebastian? Jeremiah and I have been looking over the match and we noticed some key mistakes in there.
Dark Tiger: Yes I have. If we want to be the tag champs then we got to think of a different battle plan from violent Conduct. There is no denying that we still have a tough battle on our hands, just like last time.
Jeremiah: That’s true, but We let the camps know just who the hell we were, and the same will be done here. I am not taking anything away from those two, especially Despayre. Its like Lady mentioned. Despayre is already in the Hall of Fame with Emo-Rat…I mean Gabriel.
Dark Tiger: Jeremiah, We know you don’t like Gabriel, but is Gabriel in this match?
Jeremiah: No he isn’t, and neither is Shipman.
(Jeremiah stops a minute.)
Jeremiah: Im sorry unc. I know that was a touchy subject.
Dark Tiger: Its alright. Frustrations are there, and I know how much you want to win more gold. Like we have said before, if the Sins know whats good for them, they will stay in the locker room where they belong, because we don’t mind kicking their teeth in.
(they continue to talk as the scene ends)