Outside Bogota, lies the Sumapaz Paramo a vast mountain forest protected by the government of Columbia. It is the current location of the one surviving camper of the Party Horde caravan. It has been a rough trip out of Venezuela, like one of those family road trips that went bad. Currently both Aleksei and Max were stewing in their corners of the tour bus. Trevor had gone for a walk trying to get his mind sorted.


When he had joined the SCW with Max things had seemed so simple. They had been a good team before and they would keep being a good team just on a bigger stage.  Teaming up with  Aleksei just made sense and damn if it hadn’t been fun. Trevor didn’t even mind all that much that they had lost their chance at the title. But it had mattered to Max and now they were caught up in this stupid turf war.


As Trevor walked back to the bus he saw that Karina was standing on top of the camper looking out to the forest mountains. Trevor looks at the camper filled with a cranky Romani and an even more cranky Northman. Hanging out with Karina seemed like a much better option. So Trevor climbed the latter.  


Trevor: What cha looking at?


Karina: The forest.


Karina does not move from looking out at the vast jungle but she does smile a little bit at her obvious answer to his stupid question. Trevor sits down.


Trevor: Ok well that is an obvious question huh? You were just looking out there with such focus it was almost makin my head ache.


Karina: Just trying to remember something.


Trevor: Oh right, the jungle thing. Is it true you were lost in there.


Karina nods never moving her eyes from the forest.


Karina: Da, I went to Brazil with a friend and lost track of time. Eight months later I woke up in on some road in the jungle later not remember a thing. I have no papers or ID. Just clothes, a hospital bracelet and a knife.


Trevor looks at her carefully and then shakes his head.


Trevor: Damn girl, that is some crazy stuff. What happened next?


Karina laughs slightly and turns to look at Trevor.


Karina: My brothers find out. Half of them buy tickets to Brazil and smuggle me out of country. You know they are all idiots but they are loyal idiots. They would do anything for me and I am pretty sure I would do the same.


Trevor: Well yeah, I mean that is family. Its blood and all that.


Karina: Its not just blood. That is not how Romani works. Hell even Anton is not blood family, he is just a stray we picked up and never got rid of. You and Max are part of that now too.


Trevor thinks a moment on that.


Trevor: Not so sure about that...


Karina: You know Aleksei would kill a man for you...


Trevor: Oh shoot, yeah I know that. Its just Max and all...


Karina sighs and rolls her eyes.


Karina: Oh da, you two are having lovers quarrel. That is all petty bullcrap anyways. I have seen you in the ring together. You are brothers, we are family.


Trevor: Damn I hope your right.


Karina: I am. I do not get wrong very often. So you guys hug or beat the crap out of each other until you make up. Either way this thing with Erik is going to get serious. You two need to be together on this.


Karina goes back to staring out at the jungle and Trevor looks at her. He wipes his brow and stands up.


Trevor: Yer like some secret yoda


Karina: What is yoda?


Trevor: Oh forget it. Thanks for the advice.


Karina: You going to hug him or punch him?


Trevor chuckles and heads for the latter.


Trevor: No I got a better idea....


Later that night we find Trevor and Max at San Sebastians Bar in downtown Bogota. Some local rock band is laying down some heavy music. Trevor is trying to hit on some local girls but lacking any grasp of the language he is just making dramatic hand motions. Max just grins as he watches his partner fail miserably. Trevor makes a motion that almost looks as if he grasping as some invisible set of boobs and the woman responds by throwing her drink in his face. Max laughs his ass nearly off his bar stool. Trevor turns to his partner with beer dripping off his face.


Trevor: Well shoot at least it was good beer.


Max nods and holds his glass up to his friend in a congratulatory gesture and motions for the bartender to get Trevor another drink.


Max: I have to admit I do love it when bad shit happens to you.


Trevor: Thanks man, I am just glad to see you smiling man.


Max: Yeah well thanks for getting me out of the camper brother. I know things have been tense.


Trevor: yeah kind of. This was suppose to be our victory tour, you remember?


Max nods taking a sip of his beer.


Max: Yeah that was when we were going to be champions. We were going to have belts on our waste and yes it was going to be a damn good time, but that didn’t happen.


Trevor can sense the mood shifting back to somber and Trevor is quick to respond. He sits on the bar stool and smacks the shoulder of his friend.


Trevor: You remember when we were just happy to be in the ring together.


Max: Yeah but...


Trevor: Nah man that’s not nothing. We got all involved in this thing with Blood Omen and now its all about the gold. Hell man we are going to have those belts some day. Heck we are going to have them, loose them and get them back again.


Max chuckles and nods.


Max: Yeah ok...I will give you that. But I am still not happy. I want to get our rematch not fight some guy in a dress.


Trevor: Hey don’t hate. Heck I thought a man in a dress.


Max: Yeah and you lost.


Trevor points his finger at Max with a mock scowl.


Trevor: Well yeah but that was Despayre man, this Hope guy is low on the totem pole. His act is all for show and I know we can beat him.


Max: And we know we can beat Casper, he might of cost us our rematch but not because of his skills. I mean we are the Young Lions a real tag team for gods sake!


Max slams his mug down obviously a little bit drunker than he thought and having trouble controlling the volume of his voice. Trevor doesn’t seem to mind. He just smiles  and eggs him on.


Trevor: Yeah man. Thats right. Preach it! We are going to win this damn match and we are going to keep winning until we are champs.


Max: Oh you know thats right. I am sorry Trev, about all this drama and crap. Listen I still think Aleksei is not getting us what we need and I don’t know if I want us caught up in this turf war nonsense. This is what I know...you and me are the best damn tag team in the SCW. It is going to take more than two jobbers pushed together against us.


Trevor: Yeah, see that is what I am talking about! Forget about the drama, forget about Team Eric or the other guys. Lets just kick ass and show this place a thing or too. And before that lets get drunk.


Max looks at his beer. Trevor makes a stray hand gesture to another pretty girl.


Max: Well I think we are already pretty drunk, but I am game. After tonight we get serious. I have been doing way too much talking and not enough training. Lets win ourselves a match.


The two men clank there mugs and get to drinking.

 The scene fades up on the interior of Aleksei Koji's tour bus. The lights are dim but it is obvious that the normal chaos of the Party Horde bus remains. The floor is littered with clothes and odd items like an inflatable sheep and a pinata in the shape of a woman's boobs. Sitting in the space are Trevor Irons and Max Burke, The Young Lions and between them is an ancient projector. Aleksei comes in and turns the projector on. It sputters to life with a little bit of smoke. An image of four men gets projected on the wall behind the Lions. The four men are the members of Blood Omen, Goth and Capsper Grey.

Aleksei: I wanted to meet with you two quick before things get crazy. We have a huge match coming up and so you better believe things are going to get crazy. Now I have heard some of the talk...you guys are the underdogs. Kain talks like he is the king of tag teams. Goth is going to act like he is the only man who can take it from him.

Trevor: Yeah well Kain couldn't beat me and this time around I am kick that boys ass.

Aleksei: Good...I want you to have that fire man. Good stuff. Listen I have been doing the thinking.

Max: That has me worried.

Aleksei: Ah yes you should be. Here is what I am thinking. These guys up on the wall they are not tag teams. So we don't call them that. Those two guys are not Blood Omen. They are Kain and Frost, two guys who hardly knew eachother when they lucked into their championship. And the other guys are even less of a team....so when we cut these promo's we don't talk about teams...we focus on the single fighters because heh...that is what they are.

Max: I like that.

Trevor: Your damn right.

Aleksei: This is our hit list boys. I hope your ready because I got another crowd ready. We are going to do another promo on The Strip and are target is Casper Grey.

Aleksei then claps and the lights turn on. He reaches for his jacket putting it on and then grabbing his black top hat with the purple accent. He smiles.

Trevor: Wait a moment. You have a clapper?

Aleksei: Of course...who doesn't. Get out there boys.

Aleksei kicks open the door and the bright lights of the Vegas Strip. A Party Horde chant can be heard as the Young Lions step out the chant changes to Young Lions. A huge group has gathered and many of the passerbys have started to stop and watch. The tour bus drives off and Aleksei is tossed a microphone.

Aleksei: Hello wrestling fans and wandering tourist of Las Vegas. I present to you the future Tag Team Champions of the SCW....THE YOUNG LIONS!!!

Trevor steps forward wearing one of the new Young Lions t-shirts.He takes the microphone and smiles to the huge crowd.

Trevor: How's everyone doing?

The crowd gives him a big cheer. Trevor gives them a big nod and charming smile.

Trevor: Now I know some of you are just passerbys. Folks that don't know much about wressling or the match we have coming up. Let me try to catch you up. We are going to have ourselves a tag team match.

Max: Thats right. For those of you that don't know a tag team match is when a team of two fighters try to work together. One man is in the ring but really the two guys are in there together. To be a true world class tag team you have to be partners. You have to work together as one and you better have a whole lot of trust.

Trevor: Now whats a litty funny about this match coming up is that we are really the only team that is showing up. Those other guys are good fighters, don't get me wrong but they are not a team. Not like us. I mean this guy over here is my brother. Even if he is nearly always a buzz kill and he can't hold his moonshine...I would go through hell with this guy.

Max: And I would do the same for this guy, even if he gets me into trouble more often than getting me out of it and he has terrible taste in music. Not to mention he tries to poison me with his home brew.

The fans laugh and Trevor playfully puts Max in a headlock. He then lets him go and returns his focus to the crowd.

Trevor: Now I want to talk about one of the guys getting in the ring with us. His name is Casper Grey...and man this guy is a real renaisance man. He is a crappy actor. He is a crappy director. And man...Max what does a producer do again?

Max: Um they produce things....

Trevor: Right well I am sure he is not very good at that either. Now when it comes to how he is in the ring...maybe that is the one thing he is decent at. I watched this guy in the ring and he shows a whole lot of promise.

Max: Yeah but there is one problem.

Trevor: Oh right...he is not having himself a singles match. He has to share the ring with five other men and one of those guys he is going to have to try to trust...and I mean....Goth is probaly the guy you want to trust the least.

Max: Yeah with that guys track record I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him.

Trevor: And I imagine you could throw him pretty far. Lets test that out in a few weeks.

Both men nod to eachother and the crowd plays along laughing a bit at their cheesy jokes. Both members of the Lions are getting pumped up now, moving more as they talk and the crowd can feel it. They are starting to cheer them on.

Trevor: Now Casper is going to get in a tight spot and have nowhere to turn except for a creepy backstabber. And that boy has so much ego that he might tell the world it doesn’t matter.

Max: But it does.

Trevor: He is going to tell you that he can beat us and Kain and Frost all on his own....

Max: But he can’t.

Trevor: At Blaze of Glory we are going to show the world what tag team wrestling is. Ever since Sinful Obsession lost I think people have forgotten but that is all going to change. There is a Tag Team Revolution coming and you better believe Max and I are going to be at the front of that movement.

Max: Right up front wearing shiny championship belts. No half assed teams are going to be able to stop it. We are going to show everyone what being a team means. No matter what gets thrown at us, we won’t stay down. No matter how hard they hit. No matter how many “teams” you put in the ring against us. The future belongs to the Lions. Now who wants some tickets to our show.

The crowd cheers and the Young Lions start to hand tickets out to the closest fans. A Young Lion cheer stars up again and gets louder. A few cars start to honk as they drive by and we see that Aleksei is in the crowd getting everyone excited.

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

Days later Trevor can still close his eyes and hear them cheer. He is working out at the Excell Defense Studios, a gym that he has recently joined. He is working over a speed bag. He loves the moments when he can just think of the fans but more and more it is anger not joy that drives him. He sometimes hears the fans but more often than not the voice he hears is Kains, or Despayre beating him in a dress.

This is not the ways things should have gone. They came into SCW like they were on fire. After only a few weeks they had gotten a title chance and even if they had lost, they were still in it. Then their rematch was ruined by interference and instead of rising back up with Max he got caught up with that Amanda woman. He felt like he was a joke to everyone and you better believe he was planning on changing that.

“Your hitting the bag too hard.” said a voice nearby. It belongs to a man who looks like he walked out of old time strong man poster. His head is shaved and he has an impressive mustache. He smiles at Trevor who takes a moment to realize he is talking to him.

“Shit man I thought that was the point.” Trevor spat out not intending it to come out as angry as it did. But the man took no offense but simply laughed.

“No, not at all. You are trying to find the right rhythm. If you find the right rhythm then the power will be there anyways.” says the man who looks to have muscles to spare.

Trevor tries to dial down the anger but still looks annoyed as he steps away from the bag. He wipes sweat from his brow. “What are you some kind of zen master?”

“Something like that, names SeanTroy but around here they just call me Buddha. Your Trevor Irons right? From the pro wrestling.”

Trevor smiles a little at being recognized. I mean who doesn’t like being recognized. “Yeah thats me man. Nice to meet you. You are wrestler.”

SeanTroy just smiles. “Something like that. Who are you hitting when you hit that bag because a man doesn’t hit like that unless he is thinking about something.”

Trevor looks a little confused and looks around to see if there are other people around. This whole conversation taking an otherwordly quality. He starts to deny it but thinks better of it. “Crap man, I think I am thinking of hitting a whole lot of people, but mostly I think Kain. That guy really gets to me. I mean I hate how much trash he talks and that he thinks he is better than me. Its that fricking condesending tone he takes that just makes me see red. I have this match coming up and I know it should be about the victory but really I am looking to put the hurt on Kain more than anything.”

Sean nods. “You can’t have both. Anger is no friend in the ring.”

Trevor chuckles “Do you keep talking like that when you’re drunk?

Now SeanTroy laughs. “I don’t drink so I guess so.”

Trevor nods and tosses his gloves aside. “Well why don’t you watch me get drunk because I know I should find you annoying, but man I dig your zen lingo. I am heading up north tomorrow maybe I can absorb some wisdom.”

SeanTroy nods and together they head out. Trevor’s new friend towering beside him.

Where will the Young Lions go next? Is Trevor turning Zen? Find out next time as the Young Lions prowl all to victory.  

 Its a quiet night at the bar, but then again it is late on a Sunday night. The only ones left at the bar are the lifers and the guys that are hoping enough booze will erase what they did over the weekend. It is a somber affair except for one man laughing. As we find the source of the laughter it's Trevor Irons. He is leaning against the bar with a red face. The big mug of egg nog threatens to topple over at any moment. His fellow Young Lion, Max is next to him. His partner does not look nearly as happy and is more focused on his beer.


Trevor Irons: You got beat by a candy cane... and an ugly sweater!!

Max: Laugh it up. Go ahead. Keep laughing... I'll stick that candy cane where the sun doesn't shine...

Trevor: Whoa there, sorry man... I know it sucks... just kind of funny is all... but hey man its going to be okay.


Max: Trev, we're getting our butts kicked every week. That's two in a row. What the heck man?

Trevor: Well that is true, and that does suck. But you got to figure those were some crazy matches. And hey now we got a straight up tag team match. and man I know we always have a chance at a straight up tag team...come on man, cheer up your ruining my buzz.

Trevor slides a rum and eggnog over to Max. Max stares at the glass and chuckles.

Max: Smartass.

Trevor takes another drink and nods. Then his eyes light up and he slams down his festive drink.

Trevor: I know what is going to help us! Its going to save us. We have to go home. I mean we have like a month until this match, so we go home and regroup.

Max: New Brunswick? Really?

Trevor: YES man...we need to go to Canada and get knocked around by your crazy family AND we have to go to Missouri.

Max: Are the stories true about your family? I'm not too sure if that's the best idea...

Trevor laughs again and puts his arm around his partner. He has a big smile on his face.

Trevor: Of course...I mean I have been trying to get you to visit my home forever. You always come up with shit excuses...like your sick or your visa does not extend to Missouri. By the way I looked that shit up and it is not true. Come on man think of how much fun this is going to be.


Max: Fun? We've got Kain and Frost in a couple of weeks. I think focus would be better. But whatever, let's do this.

Trevor: Yes! Thats what I am talking about.

Trevor finishes his eggnog and motions to the bartender that he wants to pay up. He is already on his phone calling home while pulling out a wad of cash to pay up. Max looks much less excited slowly finishing his drink and mentally preparing himself for what Trevor has in store.

Trevor: This is great...oh man your going to love it in the Ozarks boy....just remember not to say anything about my momma’s boozin and don’t say anything about my uncles foot. Oh and don’t be thinking of dating any of my sisters, they have enough kids all ready.

Max: Like that will be hard. I bet they are all ugly like you.

Trevor: Bet you ten dollars you will eat those words.

Max puts his head in his hands and Trevor starts to drag him out of his stool. He then stops mid stride.

Trevor: Oh man can we do the Indiana Jones travelin thing with the old maps and crap.

Max: What are you smoking?

Trevor just laughs and heads out the door.

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

We fade out to a road map of California done in the style of Indiana Jones movies. We see a old beat up pick up truck winding a path towards Las Vegas. We even get treated to the theme from Indiana Jones for a couple moments until there is radio static followed by some country music.

The truck is replaced by a plane out of Vegas flying to Kansas City.

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

Outside the Kansas City airport Max and Trevor are lugging duffle bags looking for their ride. A very old looking WW2 motorcycle with a rider car. Driving it is a large man with an epic grey beard. He pulls up next to the Young Lions, hopping the curb. Both men jump back as the giant of a man climbs out. His left foot is missing.

Uncle Grady: How you’r momma then?

Max just looks at him with a confused look. He looks at the man and tries not to look at the lack of foot.

Trevor: He is just asking how you are. Thats just my crazy ass uncle.

Max: Good sir. A bit tired, but good. I'm Max... Max Burke.

Uncle Grady: Well come on ya’all, get in. Course one of you gonna have to ride in the bitch seat.

Max: I'm the guest. I'm not sitting in the "bitch" seat. All yours Trev.

Trevor: Oh come on man... it's my homecoming.

MAX responds and punches Trevor in the arm.

Trevor: You are such an ass.

Both men get on the bike, Trevor looks at the small side car and curses under his breath. He tries to go in one leg at a time but can’t seem to squeeze in and nearly falls out. Max just laughs as Trevor sort of stands in the car, then wiggles down until he is mostly in.

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

We return to map to see a more detailed map of Missouri. The bike drives through all sorts of side roads on its way to Trevor’s home. At some points it does not even appear to be on any maps and the bike makes frequent stops at dive bars along the way. Then after a long wandering journey it arrives just outside Clinton.

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

At the airport both team mates appeared tired but otherwise in good shape. After the journey they had both men are dusty, muddy and worn out. The trip does not seem to have affected old Grady at all. He has a big smile on his face and is just as dirty as he was when they started. The bike rides down a gravel road past a gate that appears to be made of old car parts. In the yard is statue of a T-Rex made out of car parts as well and what appears to be an old tank. As they get closer to the large house a small gang of barefoot children run out of the house cheering. They tackle Trevor as he tries to get himself out of the side car.

Trevor: These are my hellion nephews and nieces....

On the front porch stands a tall man with overalls and a blow torch. Next to him is a stout woman with wild red hair and three other women who are much younger. One has a baby on the hip but all three appear to have gotten the good family genes. Trevor struggles to stand with all the kids latched on to him. Max hops off the bike, takes one looks at Trevor’s sister and pulls out some cash. Trevor takes it with a laugh...

Trevor: Yep, told ya. Thats my mom and pa. My dad is the one who makes the metal works. My mom mostly drinks and cooks but she is great at both.

Max: So... what's the deal? What are we doing first?

Trevor: Mostly some drinking, and lots of eating. Listen man I know you're all work and no play but we need a few days to just chill out... and around here you really have no choice.

***********************************************************************
Four days, five cases of beer, three pies and a whole lot of good country food later Max and Trevor are walking some far off trail on the edge of his property. Both men look a lot more relaxed and Max might even be smiling.

Max: Damn it, Trevor. Your family is awesome. This is exactly what we needed.

Trevor: See I told you. Now that we are recharged we can go up to Canada, take our licks and learn a thing or two.

Max: Yeah, we'll head out in the morning. Licks is an understatement by the way. Hope you're ready for MY family.

Trevor: Yep there is just one more thing I got to show you.

The two men reach a small cave cut into one of the large hills that the locals call knobs. The cave looks just big enough for a grown man to crawl though and that appears to be what Trevor intends to do.

Max: Really!? Come on man. No. Not doing it.

Trevor: Listen man, just trust me... and anyways I rode in that damn sidecar... this is the least you can do.

Max: You suck. Let's go.

The two men crawl into the cave. For ten minutes or so they are crawling in mostly darkness trying not to get to cold and wet. Then suddenly the small tunnel opens up to a large cave. The cave reaches up all the way to the top of the knob where daylight tries to reach the bottom of the cave that is littered with rocks. It is a stunning sight and Max is impressed.

Max: Okay. This is cool. Why are we here again?

Trevor: When I was about to go off to wrestling school this is where I came. I just sat here and thought about things. I guess it sort of inspired me.

Max: You're not going to give me a pep talk are you?

Trevor: Shit man I guess so. Listen man I know we are going to go hang out with your uncles. They are going kick our butts and we are going to talk all sorts of strategy. That is good stuff man because Kain and Frost are good fighters.

Max: Damn good.

Trevor: Right... and that is my point. I mean we are going to need to be fighting at our best but that is not enough. We also have to have crazy heart and iron will man and I wanted to take you here...just to make sure you have it in you man.

Max: You're questioning my heart man? Really Trev? We've just had some bad luck. You don't have to worry about my heart or will brother. I've got your back.

Trevor: Damn right brother... I mean I know we can do this. Kain and Frost are great fighers. Shit man I don’t know if I could beat Kain most nights, one on one. Frost is mad man up top just like me. But here is what I know... they are not a team yet. They are strong fighters, but we are a stronger team. They are not going up against just you or just me.. they are facing both of us.

Max: Exactly man. It's going to be a matter of taking our teamwork to the next level. We need to get to that point where we don't have to say a damn thing. We need to read each other's minds in there.

Trevor scrambles up a nearby rock and looks upwards.

Trevor: You hear that Frost! Kain!! You can’t beat us!

Suddenly there is the sound of several screeches as countless bats start flying out from their little sleepy places. Trevor curses as he hops off the rock and Max dives down. After a few moments the bats have all flown off and Trevor starts laughing.

Max: Man...I hate you Trevor.

Trevor: Yeah, yeah I know.

The camera fades to black as Trevor helps Max up off the ground.