[Mark Ward]

 Post all roleplays for this match here.

Limits: 1 RP per week, per character. 5,000 words maximum per week

Good luck!

[Roux]

 SCWrestling.net Exclusive
[Court]side: Live!
Post-Climax Control!


As the feed comes to life, the camera is focused on the doorway leading out from the locker room area to a parking area behind the arena. There are only a few cars left in the parking lot, with everyone having made their exit at the end of the show. Most everyone was gone, making it safe for anyone that wanted to sneak out, or so she thought. Courtney Pierce pushed the door open, and immediately regretted her decision. The rookie Bombshell had long changed out of her ring gear. The oversized white hoodie that hung almost all the way down to her knees had been meant to stop people from paying her any mind, but the backstage correspondent had been waiting on her since the start of the show.

When Court caught a glimpse of Ms. Rock Mountains before she even made her approach, her eyes rolled. Instead of becoming visibly angry though, she let out a light laugh. Court’s hoodie and yoga pants clash heavily with the interviewer once she enters the frame in the same blouse and skirt combo seen on the show. There also appears to be a fair amount of of smug satisfaction on her face.

Ms. Rocky Mountains: “Court, after we talked earlier I couldn’t get some of the things you said out of my head. I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions.”

The cameras were already rolling, so as polite as the request sounded, it was no such thing. Being caught blowing off a camera after waiting a few hours to quietly sneak out of a show was not going to look good. The only thing that Court could do was grin and bare it, and she knew it.

Court: “I got a plane to catch and a short attention span for women with more tits than brains. Just don’t waste my time and we’re good. Kay?”

It was not a polite tone, and the words were an obvious attempt to be hostile, but at least she was willing to cooperate. Ms. Rocky Mountains was not one to be thrown off by the same insults she heard on a weekly basis, and knew the best thing she could do for herself was press on through it. Insults were just a deflection.

Ms. Rocky Mountains: “When I asked you earlier if you thought you would get this far, you said that you planned on winning the whole thing. You just lost to Evie tonight. Do you still think you are going to be able to pull out the win in the finals?”

If it was forced, there was no sign of it on her face. Without missing a beat, or letting any awkward silence hang between the question and her response, Court bursts out into laughter. It seems genuine, and she even raises a hand up to her lips to cover it as to not seem rude. Court shakes her head, needing a moment to compose herself before the right words.

Court: “You’re kidding, right?”

Ms. Rocky Mountains pulls back a little, clearly off guard. The confidence in her eyes wavers slightly, but she attempts to push on. However, she does not get a single syllable out before Court cuts her off to keep the pressure on.

Court: “I mean when I called you stupid earlier, I was mostly just joking. If that was a legitimate question though, I guess the only actual joke is you.”

Ms. Rocky Mountains struggles to get the interview back on track, and has to take a deep breath and compose herself in order to do so. Court seems to be enjoying frustrating the woman, but allows her to try and right the ship.

Ms. Rocky Mountains: “I guess I’m not following. I just thought that after a loss li---”

Court picked her stop, and expertly cut her off before she could make any kind of point about the fact that she came up short in the ring.

Court: “After a match with the best Bombshell on the roster, you thought what? That I would want to just drop out of the finals? That I would be intimidated? That my confidence would be shaken? You thought that Evie Baang was going to get into my head by barely skating by in a match with me? Come on. You can do better.”

The interviewer had to pause again, and take another deep breath, but she was becoming annoyed and hiding it was getting difficult.

Ms. Rocky Mountains: “Evie did seem to have an answer for every bit of offense that you had in that match. She countered you off the start. You looked beaten in that cobra clutch. She even had your DDT scouted there at the end, which led to you taking you fi---”

Court waves her hand through the air in the limited space between herself and Ms. Rock Mountains, and brushes the rest of the sentence away before the interviewer can complete it.

Court: “I have been saying it all week: this was a learning experience. You can point out things she did in the match that were impressive, but it doesn’t mean shit. For every counter she had, I matched it. Every submission, I had it better. You see a cobra clutch. I see a jawbreaker and me taking out Evie and her partner with a crossbody. I see a rookie dropping both members of a finals team by herself. I see Evie having to struggle to come up with an answer for me.”

Ms. Rocky Mountains finally sees her opening to turn the interview back around, and maybe earn back some of the credibility that Court had damaged thus far.

Ms. Rocky Mountains: “She found that answer though, because she walked away with the win tonight.”

The interviewer looked proud of herself, but it did not get the reaction that she was expecting from the rookie Bombshell. Court smiled, and nodded her head slowly. She looked down and adjusted the strap of the gym bag hanging on her shoulder. When her eyes raised, the smile was still on her face.

Court: “Her answer for me was a rake to the eyes, and a distracting midget...”

The smile widens, and she shrugs her shoulders.

Court: “I already told you why that’s not gonna work. Fenris is going to punt that little bastard into the cheap seats and I’m not going to fall for the same tricks twice. If you think tonight was anything other than a success for me, then you need to watch everything back. ”

Court takes a step forward, and gets into the interviewer’s face before shoulder checking her on her way past. The cameraman is forced to follow her as she tries to walk out of the frame. She gets most of the way to her car before turning around to both the camera and the interviewer.

Court: “I’m not going to be dwelling on battles at Climax Control when I’m going to war at Into The Void. Just watch.”

She turns around, and the cameras fade out before she reaches the car.


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”Inception”
Friday
19 May 2018
Chicago, Illinois
[OFF-Camera]


Have you ever known that something was going to happen, known what you were supposed to say, known why, but still didn’t know if you could do it? That’s what my last week was like. From the moment that Holden Ryans came to my apartment and tried his best to convince me he was looking out for me, I had been dreading this day. In recent weeks, Kris had always showed himself on Friday. Mikah was supposed to be meeting me, but it had been him instead. Basically from the moment that I joined Blast From The Past. It was almost like being passed off. Like I was not important enough for the Bombshell Champion to take an interest in anymore. I was competing for a shot at her, and suddenly that made me not worth her time. If I was going to get through this, I would have to try and hold onto that feeling.

Court: “You’re not as good at sneaking up on people as you think you are...”

I dropped down and kicked out my left leg. He was expecting me to go right from our previous encounters, which made it so much easier than it should have been. He may be the SCW Heavyweight Champion, but I had already proved that I could match his speed. I spun around, but his legs were not planted on the mat for me to sweep them out from under them. Instead, he was already airborne.

Kris: “Too slow...”

He landed on the opposite side of my leg after it passed under him. I could not get back into position to stop him from raising his shoe up to my back and pushing me forward either. Instead of taking him down, I ended up flat on my stomach in the middle of the practice ring. It wasn’t exactly how I wanted to start the conversation, but it was helping to piss me off.

Court: “I’m getting tired of these little lessons, Kris.”

I had struck the perfect tone, but did not have time to be proud of it. I pushed myself up off of the mat and brushed the beads of sweat from my forehead. The look on the smug bastard’s face was enough to fuel me to push forward. I could care less about whatever Holden had planned for him, but wiping that smirk off of his face was going to be satisfying.

Kris: “Maybe you should get better at your job so you don’t need them.”

This was getting easier and easier by the moment. Kris had toyed with me all month, and had gotten used to how I would come back at him, but he did not know his father had dropped by to give me all of the ammunition that I needed. I did not hold back from starting to unload all of it.

Court: “What is it that I have to learn from you? How to lose all the time? How to stall in my career for three years before learning some life lesson from a new daddy?”

His head tilted slightly left like the words had literally been a slap in face. He was not ready for it, and it worked to clear the smirk off of his lips.

Kris: “Maybe something about not choking under pressure like you did at Climax Control.”

It was the exact way that his father said that he would go. At the first sign of trouble he would take the easiest shot as a distraction. I could have easily gotten off track by trying to counter him, but it was best to just ignore him. Holden’s advice had gotten me this far, so I pushed further.

Court: “Choking? Really? You were on a path to Calvin Harris before you got the shit kicked out of you and broke your arm. You have lost like thirty matches to Despy. Equinox kicked your ass a bunch, and before the Roulette Championship you couldn’t really defend a title dude. I have a trainer. I don’t need anything from you.”

This was where things got tricky. Holden had been pretty specific about having to bury it inside a flurry of words. There was plenty to get hung up on, but I had to draw him to it. Holden said to hammer him with things that he did not want to talk about, and then give him one bright light. One glimmer of hope to turn the argument back in his favor. According to his dad, Kris would take the bait every time. It was what I had to count on now.

Kris: “...and where is your trainer, huh? Isn’t she supposed to be here?”

I had to focus to keep the joy off of my face. I kept my expression blank in an attempt to keep him off balance, and offered only a shrug of my shoulders to demonstrate my indifference.

Court: “I guess not.”

Without even mentioning her name, I had made her the subject of the conversation. Step one was getting him to this point. Step two was getting him to say it first so that he would not think I was leading him to it.

Kris: “What? You and Mikah aren’t so close anymore? That doesn’t bode well for you.”

Step three was all about turning it back around. If he thought he was the one controlling the conversation, he was going to be surprised that I had an answer ready for him when we got there. The whole goal was to create panic, and I hit it perfectly.

Court: “Nah, she has some other toy to play with. The kind of toy that can help her get Christian to manipulate a match for her. A toy that can give her all the status of having her movie star around, without having to actually deal with him. A toy carrying a nice, shiny championship. You know the one?”

According to Holden, he was going to try and explain it away. It was my only chance to put him on defense instead of offense, and if I missed the window then the whole thing was ruined.

Kris: “Friends find ways to make themselves useful when they have the ability to do so.”

...and there it was. Every insecurity, every fear, every trauma that he had suffered was right there on the surface. All I needed to do was reach out and touch it gently, and it would send him tumbling over the edge. I didn’t exactly know what the endgame meant for Kris, or what I was setting into motion, but I knew what it meant for me, and that was enough.

Court: “Yeah, but what happens when you’re not? I mean look at me. She’s supposed to meet me here, but keeps sending you on her errands. You might be useful today, but that doesn’t guarantee tomorrow. You’re an idiot if you think otherwise.”

If he was really going to be able to brush it off, he would redirect towards me. If I pushed too far, he was going to walk away instead of losing the argument. I had to have the perfect touch in order to him to keep playing defense. I needed one more body blow.

Kris: “Some people are always find a way to make themselves useful.”

It was time to go nuclear.

Court: “Yeah, that’s why Jet City is still a thing, right? That’s why you walk around with a gnarly entourage, right? Parker? Coby? Your brother? Your wife? Kali? That’s why they are all with you, right? Because you’re just so damn useful that they can’t stand to be without you?”

I paused, just to see if he was going to be able to fight back, but saw him at a loss for words for the first time ever. I had followed his career, and had always seen him come back from any argument, but the fight was fading in his eyes. It almost made me want to stop, but all the insults at me, all the frustrations, and every doubt in my mind came flowing out in another wave of hostility aimed at him.

Court: “You do all of this fucking talking, but what are you really? An ex-junkie, high school dropout that everyone eventually gets tired of and writes off. Right now you are a shiny new status symbol for Mikah. She’ll join the rest of the crowd and bail on you though.”

I watched him absorb it, and then force it down before how much it bothered him showed on his face.

Kris: “Just like she did you, huh?”

I nodded, knowing that the war was already over, and that I needed to lose this final battle in order to get what I wanted.

Court: “Yeah, just like she did me. Just like you can go ahead and do now.”

I could not be the first to blink or to walk away. Luckily I did not have to wait longer than a few seconds. He tried to keep his eyes on me, but he was not going to be able to keep the emotion out of them if he did. He was forced to look away in order to chuckle convincingly. He took a step back, and shrugged his shoulders.

Kris: “I guess I should just leave you to your failure then, huh?”

I had already turned away from him when he looked back to me. I was on my way out of the ring and away from this conversation before I broke and ruined everything.

Court: “Do what’s best for you, Kris.”

I climbed out of the ring, knowing that a response was not going to be coming. Any moment he was going to look back at the door of the gym to find Holden waiting on him. That was the whole point of him randomly showing up these last few weeks. Showing up at a moment like this would have seemed obvious otherwise. Now it was just normal. As Kris left the ring, I told myself over and over again that it was for the best. Maybe it was. It was still going to be a few days before I could find out though.


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”The Greatest Run”
SCWrestling.net Exclusive


The scene comes to life with Court standing behind a podium. Her hair is held up by a black scrunchie, and she has thick-rimmed, oval-shaped glasses covering her eyes. She clears her throat, and looks down at the podium in front of her. The words that she reads are familiar, but not her own.

”Even the greatest runs can turn on you, and come to an end...”

She seems pleased with the phrase and reaches up to her glasses, pulling them down off of her face. Courtney raises the paper up to the camera and asks a question with a smirk.

”Does that ring a bell, Evie? Those are not my words. Those are your words. Your words about an undefeated streak that I was on. Your words about ending that streak at Climax Control. I can’t exactly stand here and say that you didn’t do that. I can’t even stand here and say that the limited words you did have for me don’t ring true.”

She tosses the paper off screen, and starts to run down the short list of Evie’s limited words to her ahead of Climax Control.

“Yes, it was your first singles match back. You were really only here for the tournament, so there hasn’t been any reason for you to step into the ring one-on-one. I mean unless you thought that you were going to win the whole thing, even back then. Oh wait, you didn’t. You saw your partner and realized that even if you made it this far, you were never going to win. You thought it would be a quick exit for your team. A singles match wasn’t ever supposed to be in the cards.”

Courtney does not linger on the point though, moving on through Evie’s words.

“Secondly, I agree that you were nervous. I could see it on your face. I could feel it every time I countered one of your attempts to put me down. I saw it in your eyes when you knew that the match was about to be mine. A confident person does not panic at the end of a match. A confident person has the match in hand as it marches towards a conclusion. That was not you on Climax Control, and it’s not going to change when Into The Void starts.”

She brushes that fact aside though to focus on what she clearly wanted to talk about the most. The smile the widened across her face gave that away in an instant.

“The third was that it looked like you needed to be carried by your partner. Again, those are your words, not mine. You said that I would accuse you of being the dead weight of your team. It shows that as well as I know you, you don’t know me at all. Last week I praised you as one of the best on this roster. Your record speaks to that. Your accomplishments back it up. I could never accuse you of being dead weight without people making me out to be a joke for it.”

She pauses, and then lets out a light chuckle. She wastes no time flipping the argument on itself.

“Then again, the harshest truths are the ones that we say about ourselves, right? I may not have ever wanted to point it out because of the respect that I have for you, but somewhere in that head of yours, that thought is kicking around. That doubt is in there. You tried to point out what you thought I would say, but all you did was reveal the doubts in the back of your head. Just like some kind of self-fulfilling prophecy though, you said the words, and they became true.”

She looks directly into the camera with a confident smile.

“You said you would need the midget to carry you, and you did. His distraction led to you winning. You couldn’t get it done by yourself. You needed no small amount of rule bending, leprechaun tomfoolery, and dumb luck to beat someone in their fourth match in this company. How do you expect to do once the midget is off the board, and I am have your tricks scouted?”

She shrugs her shoulders, not interested in spoon feeding anyone an obvious answer.

“I told you last week that you were a big fish trapped in a net. Hopefully you didn’t take your outing at Climax Control as escaping. My undefeated run never mattered. The only thing that does matter is the run that I am making in this tournament.”

Court lets her hair down and comes around the podium. She hops off the small stage as the camera retreats, but she continues to advance towards it. Eventually she is close enough to reach out and grab it. With the camera in the palm of her hand, the smile drops off of her face.

“Your run has been great Evie, but at Into The Void it turns on you….and after this match is over, your time here is at an end.”


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”Teamwork”
Friday
19 May 2018
Chicago, Illinois
[OFF-Camera]


I couldn’t wrap my head around leaving the gym after what I had said to Kris. It sucked, but apparently it was the only way that I was going to get him out of my hair and get my trainer back. I didn’t have the luxury of extra time to sit around and wait for that to happen though. I had to keep moving. I had to keep planning for Into The Void. With or without Mikah, I was going to be walking into the finals. I didn’t have a choice but to try and push through it, even if Mikah had written me off and I had just shattered the one person who had reached out to help in her absence. The only person that I could rely on was myself.

I was lost in those thoughts while working my offhand into new combinations with a heavy bag when a familiar voice pulled me out of it. I had the immediate hope that I had not been talking out loud, but quickly realized that it was not going to matter even if I was. I turned around to be confronted by a guy that I still wasn’t used to towering over me. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any idea what he said. I pointed up at him and shrugged my shoulders.

Court: “Yeah, I’m not sure what that was, but it sounds like some made up language those elf people talk to each other in at conventions, and they aren’t really my kind of crowd, you know?”

The language barrier went both ways, and Fenris did not follow me any better than I did him. Luckily for the both of us, hidden behind him was his brother and translator. Aron did not bother entering the practice ring. Instead he leaned on the bottom rope from the floor, and paraphrased to the best of his ability.

Aron: “He said you’re going to lose in the finals…”

I took a step away from Fenris, and was just glad that Aron didn’t immediately start translating what I said when the MMA athlete had entered the ring. I looked back and forth between the two of them in disbelief.

Court: “I didn’t think I’d make it all the way to the finals before you gave up on me. That’s fine though. If you don’t think we can do it, I will do it by myself.”

I turned away from him, and Aron was already translating all of my words into whatever marble-mouthed language the two of them spoke. Fenris reached out and put his hand on my arm to stop me from turning. The string of sounds that his mouth projected my direction probably made sense to him, but did little to help me understand, and I pulled myself away. Aron finally caught up to the party enough to translate before I could take offense.

Aron: “He said that’s the problem!”

I looked up confused, but now Fenris was explaining to his brother while I was forced to sit and hang in suspense. I could tell that Aron did his best to phrase Fenris’ words a little more pleasantly than they may have been worded otherwise.

Aron: “Devin and Evie might have their shortcomings...”

I had to take the look exchanged between the two to mean that Aron had skirted some kind of height based insult that Fenris wasn’t too happy about being rephrased.

Aron: “...but they are still working as a team. They have since the opening round of the tournament. They have been talking, planning, and training together from the start. You and Fenris are obviously the better competitors, but they are the better team. That’s why you’re going to lose. You need to be a real team in order to win a match like this.”

It was the last thing that I wanted to hear after the loss to Evie... after being ignored by Mikah…. after having to go as far as I did in the argument with Kris just a few hours ago…. after all of it. I didn’t need any more of the negativity.

Court: “You can bail if you want. I’ve had a really difficult day already, and I really don’t need this right now. If all you are here to do is shit on how we have been winning, and tell me some midget is going to beat you, then just leave. You wasted your time coming out here.”

Fenris shook his head as Aron rushed through translating my words to him. Without saying anything, he reached into the front pocket of his pants and pulled out a card. He flipped it around between his fingers before extending it out towards me. I looked down at it, seeing the unfamiliar name of a gym across the front of it. Aron’s voice got me to look back up.

Aron: “That’s why we’re here. He doesn’t want to lose this match. We think it’s time that you two started being a real team, and hoped you felt the same way.”

I looked back down at the card, and then across both of their faces.

Court: “I...”

I tried to find the words, but Fenris held up his hands innocently and backed up a little. He dropped to the mat and slid out of the ring as Aron explained.

Aron: “You don’t have to make a choice now. Think it over. That’s where we will be.”

As the two of them started to walk away I nodded towards Aron to let him know I would think about it. He started to walk away but stopped, and got my attention with the optimism in his voice.

Aron: “It would really be something for two rookies to win the whole thing though...”

He turned and joined his brother on their walk to the door. I looked down at the card in my hand, and realized that maybe a little distance from the champions, and working with a partner might be my best chance.

[Evie Baang]

 Team Speed Daters? – Vegas

It was late in Las Vegas, but that’s when the city truly comes to life. As the casinos were raking in millions of dollars every hour, people were blissfully unaware of how much they were losing in the quest hitting a jackpot. While people looked for cash and prizes to satisfy the need to feel important, others were on journeys to find love. That’s where you’ll find Sin City Wrestling’s odd couple Devin Shorty Tyler and Evie Fucking Baang. Shorty was dressed to the nines, wearing shiny black leather shoes, with a tailored suit that squeezed his tiny rig. His smile was plastered on his face from ear to ear as he looked around the room in front of him. Seeing the line up of females, ready and eager to meet him. Evie who was standing beside him, was dressed in black pin heels, that had red soles of course, while a dark green slim fitting off the shoulder dress clung to her body. Her long black hair was out, slightly curled as it swayed off her shoulders as she turned to look down at her little tag-team partner.

“I can’t believe, I agreed to this.”

The very thought of being here was repulsive, however Evie was team player and she knew there was things you just had to do to try and get your team to work when it came to winning the Blast from the Past. It was called bonding, last years she played ten pin bowling with Lord Raab, while this year she was looking into an open hall, seeing a bunch of faces staring back at her as she was about to embark on her first ever speed dating experience.

“Sugar Tits, you need to relax. It’s about time you had some fun in your life.”

Shorty was smiling, he knew she would hate this, but he was a man of the people at times. He knew this would be giving the fans what they wanted at home. Evie just rolled her deep green eyes at him before she looked over to see her name, on a nametag near the bar. She watched as people walked up ordered a drink, collected their name tags and moved off to find a free table.

“I’d rather drink gasoline and eat a lit match.”

It was a mumble but still Shorty could hear it, causing his smile to grow even larger. He didn’t have time to fight with her, nor did he want to he just wanted to try and lighten up her life a little. Reaching out, Shorty tapped the bottom of Evie’s back and with a playful wink he spoke up at her.

“That’s the spirit. Now enjoy the next two hours of your life and I’ll see you at the end, you can thank me later.”

Devin winked again before he ushered himself off towards the bar, to complete the routine of ordering a drink, collecting his name tag and rushing off in hopes to find “love” in such a ridiculous manner. A sigh just left the Aussie’s lips as she opened her black clutch, pulling her phone from her bag to see a message from her love on the screen. She had been honest with him, letting him know what she was doing, and the sound of his chuckle was still ringing in her mind. As she read his “good luck tonight, my love, don’t kill anyone.” message she couldn’t help but smirk before taking off to join the rest of the speed daters.

Evie collected her whiskey from the bar, before she pinned her name tag to the top of her dress, furious at the thought of the silver needle piercing the fabric. This was stupid, but when she looked up and across the room she saw the smile on Devin’s face and for some reason that made this all worthwhile. Who was she? And what had she become? Taking her seat at a free table, Evie didn’t even have enough time to get comfortable, before the chair across from hers at the round table was taken. The Aussie looked up to see the bright smile of an eager suiter sitting across from her and without even giving her a second to react, his southern accent entered her life.

“Hello, my name is Kevin, I’m twenty-seven… I work in retail and”

Evie’s harsh thick Australian accent spat out before poor Kevin could continue his quest for love.

“I’m not interested.”

She raised her right eyebrow at him, as she placed her clutch down on the table in front of her. Completely ignoring his existence, Kevin was speechless at first and after a few moments he had realised he had ben dismissed. He waited awkwardly for the sound of the buzz to alert him of a table change, while Evie just clicked her fingers to the staff motioning that her glass was empty and that simply wouldn’t do.

The buzzer sounded Kevin was gone and the next contender was lined up in front of Evie. Her right index finger didn’t stop from rubbing the rim of her glass as she watched this man spill out his feelings towards her for what felt like a life time. He was Greg from accounting, basic and generic as fuck but Evie gave him a little rope before she wheeled him back in. As he was in the middle of telling her about his first failed marriage, Evie who was bored by now decided to kick it up a notch.

“How do you feel about bringing food into the bedroom?”

Greg was a little taken back by the question, he took his time to respond. Trying to think of the perfect answer, as his hopes were high that he would be going home with the Aussie tonight.

“I mean I’m not against it?”

His grey toned eyes glared at her, looking so clear and hopeful that this was going to be a satisfying answer to her question.

“Wrong answer, that’s how you get fucking ants.”

Evie rolled her eyes, lifting her empty glass to the wait staff, who knew by now she was on a constant rotation of drinks. Greg was now just a mental blur to her, I mean physically he was sitting in front of her, but she had lost all interest in leading his little heart along. Her eyes lit up as her fresh drink was placed down on the table before her, just as the buzzer sounded and Greg got up and left. Without even a goodbye, Greg left Evie’s life as quickly as he entered it.

Arriving next was a man called Joey, who was dressed in double denim. He looked mean, like his face had been knocked into the ground a couple of times in his past. His pitch-black hair was a greasy mope looking mess that just sat on the crown of his head. Evie cringed as she listens to him speak, as her eyes were looking around the room in search of Shorty. She missed that little fucker and would do anything to be having a bitch session with him right now. Joey stopped talking about himself before he turned his attention to her, seeing that she was staring at her midget friend.

“I saw that you arrived with that freak, what’s the deal?”

Joey leant in across the table, that move alone bringing him into Evie’s imaginary bubble of space. The Aussie didn’t skip a beat as she turned her full attention to the mess of a man before her. Her eyes were cold and narrow as she looked him up and down is disgust.

“You know what’s funny, is that you arrived here with zero black eyes, but you’re about to fucking leave with two.”

Evie reached out and grabbed the tie that was swinging around his neck, before she tightens her grip. Pulling it down, she bounced Joey’s head off the table, knocking the greaser out cold. Pushing him to the side, Evie watches as he falls off his chair hitting the fall before she fakes shocked as everyone turns around to see what is going on. Quickly pointing to the man, as she shakes her empty glass in her hand as if to put the blame on the alcohol for Joey’s quick exit from the dating game. As security ushers over to clean up the mess, Evie takes her seat back and sinks into her chair, before looking down at her watch in search of freedom.

Shorty looks over at Evie shaking his head from side to side, his disappointment is meant with a shrug from Evie who was brought over a new glass of whiskey before the buzzer sounds and the next guy is presented. Evie was now sitting with Taylor, an arts major who had more guy-liner on around his eyes than the lead signed of Fall out boy. As soon as his cheeks hit his seat, the words he spoke were chilling and direct.

“How would you feel, if I choked you a little in my hotel room later?”

Evie had a tough time, keeping her whisky down as she looked him up and down. The boy had balls but, he wasn’t her cup of tea. However, the lost little soul in front of her, looked like the ultimate chew toy in this game.

“Relieved.”

Taylor’s eyes glistened as if he had just won the jackpot tonight, thinking that Evie was going to wind up leaving here with him tonight, letting him live out his wildest fantasies. She watched as Taylor moved forward in his seat, so he could whisper towards her.

“So, you’re into that sort of thing?”

He was looking around, checking to see if anyone could hear them. Acting like he was just about to give her the codes to start world war three, while Evie just playfully smiled. She loved the look in young boy’s eyes, while she played with their emotions before she cruelly stepped on them with zero regard. She watched Taylor get closer and closer to her leaning across the table, Evie couldn’t help herself she had to dangle the bait.

“Oh, I’m definitely into that sort of thing… however I was more thinking along the lines of that if you managed to trap me and dragged me back to your hotel room, that if you started choking me I’d would hopefully suffocate and wouldn’t have to put up with the sight of your face anymore.”

Just as their two faces were tethering on being just a few inches apart, Evie snapped her head back and laughed. Taylor didn’t see the funny side as he flared up, removing himself from the table before he headed to next poor girl who was waiting.

The next guy arrived at the table of Evie and he was a charmer, had those big blue eyes that made her think of her Mundo. She sighed all she wanted to do was be with him, but she was still here entertaining the freaks of Vegas. Evie attempted to listen to the guy waffle on in front of her, as she stole as glance at her watch his had two more minutes to win her over. Seeing an opening the man called Henry went for it.

“Let’s roleplay here for a minute. It’s my birthday, how am I coming home from a long gruelling day at work?”

Henry flashed her a big toothy grin, hoping to peak Evie’s interest with this little idea of playing house. Evie just pressed her elbows onto the round table and rested her chin in the palm of her hands as she seductively blinked at him luring him into false hope.

“To an empty house.”

She lifted her glass of to her blood red lips, taking a sip of her drink before she knocked the glass back down to the table. Henry didn’t seem to approve of her answer as he marched off in a huff, just as the buzzer blowed. Just as Evie watched Henry walk out of her life with such ease, her mind was put to rest as now sitting in front of her was her tag-team partner Devin. Evie had a smile plastered on her face, while Devin was almost mad at her.

“Thank fuck it’s you.”

Evie was finally able to look across the table and not be mad at the sight she was looking at. No, Shorty wasn’t her love interest, but he was familiar to her and she could finally talk to someone with intelligence tonight. As the Aussie smiled at her partner with a no regret, Shorty just sighed at her shaking his head. What was he going to do with her?

##

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach Iceland

Evie was standing with her back against the chest of her lover, they were both over looking the beautiful Black Sand Beach in Iceland from the top of a cliff. They were both rugged up, with big puffer jackets to protect themselves from the wind and rain but she could still feel his warmth purely just from his presence in her life. Mundo place his right hand on top of Evie’s shoulder giving it a gentle squeeze.

“Why are we here?”

She turned back to look at him, watching his eyes trace away from the beautiful beach below them, to the sight of his future wife before him. Evie could see his pupils dilate as they switched views between the beach and her, reminding her that regardless of where they were he still thought she was the most elegant sight to be seen.

“Because, ever since you told me you’re facing a man from Iceland… I couldn’t get this place out of my head? Plus, do I really need an excuse to spend two weeks with my future wife, in a beautiful country?”

His tongue rolled over his dry lips as he spoke, causing the butterflies in the pit of Evie’s stomach to flap their wings and start dancing. It was the trivial things that he did that drew her in, like a fish on a hook she was baited. Every move he made, she catalogued it as it ignited a new feeling inside her.

“You see beauty, I see garbage.”

She turned away from him as she spoke the word garbage, as she wasn’t speaking about him. Evie was talking about the horribly beautiful breathtaking view below them, that for some reason was eating her alive. She felt her man’s arms wrap around her waist pulling her into him, so they could be closer before his chin rested on her right shoulder. The sense of his body so close to hers, was enough to draw a smile to her stone like features.

“Then why are you smiling, my love?”

His accent drove her wild at times, but especially when he was playing with her emotions. He was provoking her in ways that she couldn’t explain. Rolling her eyes, she tried to hide her happiness, something that made him smirk. He enjoyed knowing that Evie was completely different around him, that’s what truly made their love special. There was no hiding from each other, they were who they wanted to be and didn’t have to put up any guards.

“I’m not.”

She was terrible at lying when it came to him, for so long she had a hidden life but since she had let him inside her world her walls were crashing down around them. Letting him into the real her, he loved it. He loved knowing that it was only him that could see this side of her, she was wild and dangerous, yet tame and fragile.

“You are.”

He said with a smile, she didn’t even have to turn back and look at him to know he was cheesing from ear to ear. It was all in his tone, soft, smooth and calming. He was reflecting the tranquillity of the beautiful place they were standing in.

“Okay, fine… but only because I’m with you in this hell hole.”

She rolled her eyes, before she tilted her head to the side to see him. Her eyes desperately in search of his. Her lips longing for his as she just wanted to stop talking for a second, so she could feel his skin on hers. However, she watched as his lips parted once more, while his eyes questioned her.

“What’s eating at you?”

He was being raw with her, wanting to know what was going on in that mind of hers. After all he had brought her to one of the most beautiful countries in the world and she didn’t seem to be enjoying herself. Evie just let out a sigh before she replied honestly.

“Just this whole place, this whole match… I’m basically facing myself next Sunday on both accounts.”

Never in a million years did he expect her to have doubts about her wrestling ability and even though she didn’t share them up front with him, with words he could see through the glimmer of pain in her eyes. Evie was a confident woman and to see her like this was heartbreaking.

“And this frightens you?”

He pressed on, wanting to know what was truly going on in that mind of hers, so he could fix it. However, he couldn’t fix something he didn’t understand. Evie knew he would try his hardest and for that she adored him. The look on her face said it all, she wasn’t going to answer that question with words as she just stared at him shocked, he would see that emotion radiating from her pupils.

“Then what is it, my love?”

Mundo knew what it was about, he wasn’t silly but, yet he gave his love the chance to open to him about what was paining her. He hated seeing her like this, but he held onto her tighter reminding her that he was there for her and that regardless of what she said next he would help her pick up the pieces.

“I just feel like, I’m about to be over shadowed by a male version of myself and there is nothing I can do to stop it.”

There she said it and Evie didn’t really feel any better for it. It sounded stupid being said out loud. I mean she didn’t even have to face Fenris in their match but the thought of him walking in, with that stupid grin on his face, waving the same banners she had be waving only to walk away with the Blast from the Past victory was haunting to her. The cause of her internal pain when it came to her wrestling career, all rested in the palms of some Icelandic guys hands.

“The wolf thing? I don’t get why, everyone wants to be a wolf? Why be a wolf, when you could be a lion?”

He was trying to understand where she was coming from because this idea she had trapped inside her mind sounded ridiculous to him. There was no way, she was going to break down and let some one ruin her career, surely not. There was no way she wasn’t going to stand up and fight for what she felt was hers? His blue eyes searched hers for answers, trying to make sense from what she had just offered up as an explanation. Evie knew he wouldn’t understand this on the same level, so she just decided to let the demons have their day with her thoughts.

“That is almost the most British thing I have ever heard from you.”

She was changing the subject, so she could remain face, he could tell that she was bottling up her thoughts again. He couldn’t help but pull her into him so her back was firmly against his chest as he rested the side of his face against hers.

“It’s the truth, they are far superior predators.”

He said with a slight chuckle, hoping that would break up the harshness of this situation. Evie just smiled, her white teeth on display he did have a point and she made sure to mental note that down for later. But as of right now she turned her face, so she could look at him, wanting to thank him for trying even though she was still as lost as when she arrived here.

“You don’t understand. Everything I have worked for and built myself up as is on the line next Sunday night. If I lose, I lose everything.”

Those words spilled from her lips without warning, taking them both off guard it was tense moment. And as if on cue, mother nature played into the suspense as a gust of wind rocked them both slightly. Evie stepped forward to catch herself, but Mundo was quick on the reflexes pulling her back into him keeping her safe and out of the dirt.

“Well, not everything.”

It was perfect timing as he planted his lips onto hers, not cautiously either. He needed to remind her that he wasn’t going anywhere regardless of any outcomes. Evie melted back into him, as she felt his right hand slide up her body, to rest at the bottom of her neck, guiding her into their kiss, as he ached for it to deepen. He might not have had the right words, but he was going to make up for the lack of his words with actions. Win or lose next Sunday, he couldn’t have her thinking that everything she had in her life would just disappear. He knew that sounded crazy, but she had been through a lot lately and he was going to continue his end of his promise and that was to keep her safe, free from doubt and ultimately making sure she knew she was loved. This was their life now, just two souls refusing to give up on one another regardless of their problems.

##

“Here we go again, part one of a two-part series leading up to Into the Void. It’s been a while and to be honest, I wasn’t sure where to start. I mean... when I was contacted about returning to Sin City Wrestling to join the Blast from the Past I didn’t think I would make it past the first round, let alone be staring down the firing line of the finals.”

The scene opens on Evie’s face, she is surrounded by the beautiful backdrop of Iceland. The golden circle to be exact. People are walking behind her exploring the awe-inspiring land. However, her focus is directly down the lens of the camera in front of her.

“I know right, who am I? Who is this lady standing before you all. Don’t think for one second that this light-hearted bombshell standing before you isn’t capable of doing everything that she used to. I’m still the same bitch, with zero regards for your politics or for your feelings.”

That trademark smirk was on her face, her white teeth on display between her blood red lips.

“So, here I am standing in a fucking weird yet somewhat beautiful Iceland, with one thing on my mind and that’s becoming the first ever two-time Sin City Wrestling Blast from the Past tournament winner. The first ever bombshell in history to stand up to the test of time twice, the first ever bombshell, to pull through the ranks with two partners no one had any faith in and yet... here I am. Here we are... standing at the crest of the hill, waiting to make the climb to the summit.”

She turned to look at mountains in the background before she shrugged, it was almost like product placement.

“You all doubted Lord Raab and myself last year, you all doubted us when we went toe to toe with Sammi and Ben, the favourites to take it all and yet... what did we do? What did I fucking do? I beat them. I took out the tournament. Do you honestly think that I don’t have what it takes to do it all again? You all laughed, laughed at the thought of me, your reigning defender of the throne when you saw my tag team partner at the start of this tournament yet who is laughing now?”

She smiled before she parted her lips to let out a slight chuckle before she continued.

“We are, your soon to be hailed two thousand and eighteen winners of the Blast from the Past... Devin ‘Shorty’ Tyler and Evie Fucking Baang.”

Her green eyes were focused on the camera, completely forgetting the public that surrounded her.

“No one gave us a chance and here we are at the final steps of glory and who do we have looking across at us Courtney Pierce and Fenris. The favourites, the self-proclaimed winners since round one. The two most over confident people the likes of Sin City Wrestling have ever seen. So, people of Sin City Wrestling, pick your poison. Team Fenris or Team Odd Couple or whatever the fuck you want to call us.”

She pushed a strand of her long black hair behind her ear, before she took a few steps up towards the camera. The focus now shifted to her appearance seeing that she is dressed in her wrestling gear, prime, ready to go.

“I find it funny that Fenris can feel the need to come at me on Twitter week in and week out with small little jabs, looking for attention. Craving it. Like it’s his hidden desire to be with me, to have my attention... yet his need to belittle me and taunt me runs at an all-time high. You can’t have it both ways Fenris so pick your lane and stay in it. Just know what you’re up for the fight of your life, you might think you have this in the bag because Shorty is a “little man” but trust me when I say this, Devin is more of a man than you’ll ever be. He doesn’t have to hide behind a fake persona or hide behind a facade... you act like you’re a fun-loving man who doesn’t have a care in the world when in reality, you haunted by your pass and you use that to lash out. When all eyes are on you, you act like a clown begging for all of those to love you but when the focus shifts, even for a millisecond you panic. You lash out and you become nothing more, than everyone else that you declare to detest. You’re not original, you’re a carbon copy of many that have come before you. You’re not a fresh face, you’re a repeat, you’re not the next big thing, you’re a light that’s about to flicker into darkness.”

As people walk past her, looking at her oddly as she has a wolf like hoodie sitting proudly on the top of her head. Evie continues her promotional careless of what’s going on around her.

“Enough about you, my focus in this match will be on Court. No doubt she will say her loss week was a play, because now she knows what I’m like inside the six-sided ring. She will say that she now has the knowledge to win the big one and walk away with the title of the Blast from the Past winner two thousand and eighteen. However, Courtney read my lips when I say this. Sure, we went toe to toe last week and yes, I did beat you and yes you did take me to my limit at times... but that doesn’t mean you know me. That doesn’t mean you know what I am capable of. You saw a glimpse of what I can do, not the full catalogue. You are fresh, you are still green and that will be your down fall. Trust me. I have everything to lose in this match and do you think I’m going to let you take everything away from me, laying down? I will fight, I will fight you harder than I have ever fought anyone before. This isn’t about my ego, this isn’t about me beating you, so I can brag. This is me, defending what is mine. I’m still the reigning and defending winner of the Blast from the Past, and I have the chance to become the FIRST EVER, two-time winner. This is my chance at the history books and there is no way in hell, I will let this slip through my fingers.”

Her focus was stone cold as she kept her eyes on the lens of the camera before she started to wrap this one up.

“Courtney, give me a run for my money because I can promise you I will show you a sprint. I will not back down, I will not quit until Shorty and myself are declared the winners. Sin City Wrestling, will one day be your playground, just unfortunately at Into the Void, it won’t.”

That evil smile was painted on her face as the Aussie finally looked around her, seeing that it was getting dark and it was time to end this.

“This is my tournament, you two are just playing in it. You’re the visitors, I’m the owner and I can promise you the deed is not for sale. Not now, not ever. I’ll defend this throne until I’m ready and willing to let it go. Shorty and I will see you next Sunday and believe me, this is a fight you won’t be ready for.”

Evie winked at the camera before the scene faded to black, leaving her first week promotional duties done and dusted. Leaving the Sin City’s wrestling audience with only one question, does Evie and Shorty have what it takes to go all out and win the 2018 edition of the prestigious Blast from the Past tournament or would they be left at the finish line red faced? Tune in next Sunday night to find out.  

[Fenris]

 
<img align=left src= "http://www.geocities.ws/scwmaterial/Pictures/fenrishair.jpg" height=502 width=466>"I wish you had never been born!"

"It's hard to imagine a supposed loved one saying those harsh words to you, especially when that supposed loved one is an older sibling. You know, the older brother or sister is supposed to automatically be thought of as the protector of the younger ones. One who would take them under their wing and show them care and love and protect them from threats such as bullies. Unfortunately, it is not always the case. Sometimes there is a growing jealousy and resentment when a younger sibling is born, a negative emotion that the older siblings does not necessarily outgrow."

"Hey. Aron here. Ordinarily you would be expecting my older brother Kristjan to be taking over at this point; cussing someone out and just raising hell in general. And he will soon I'm sure at some point, but there is something about him that you have to understand; he is an intensely private individual. He won't give up any part of himself, especially such a sensitive topic as this. So I am going behind his back a little bit to offer up a little explanation. A lot of our family and a few mutual friends think that this animosity between Kristjan and our older sister Viktoria has a great deal to do with his anger issues that have quickly become something of legend in MMA and now professional wrestling circles. And perhaps it does. I can't say for sure because he doesn't share everything, even with me. And I can honestly say that I'm closer to him than probably everyone."

"Well, maybe not everyone."

Las Vegas - McCarran International Airport

Tourists.. Business men and women. Young and old. People from all walks of life and nationalities. Families. They all moved through the airport that served as an international hub to and fro destinations from all around the world. Some stopped and took advantage of the slot machines that were a hallmark of the "City of Sin" Las Vegas. Others took the time to get something to eat between flights or took stock of the many signs and attractions that were spaced throughout. For many, the airport itself was a thrill all unto itself to experience. You would have to be there to understand.

Thousands of people came through this airport every day, however it was only three in particular that we would take note of this day. Gabriel Stevens had arranged a surprise this past Sunday for his charge, Kristjan Baltasarsson and his younger brother Aron by flying their lovely mother Eva in to Nevada for Mother's Day. Gabriel had met the woman only once previously during a visit to Iceland and knew firsthand just how much she doted on her boys, and they on her in return. And now, Kristjan had managed to secure two gate passes that would allow he and Aron to get past security and accompany their mom all the way to the boarding gates before they were forced to say their goodbyes -- for now.

The down side to this (for Kristjan, not Aron) was that the brothers had to go through the same security check that everyone else did, and it was Kristjan who got put through one of those (in)famous TSA pat downs. Credit where it's due, Kristjan kept his temper in check, for their mother's sake, but Aron got a sadistic amount of pleasure watching, although he suspected the older woman hand picked his brother simply because she found him "hawt."

"You don't have to go already, you know." Aron said to their mom in their native tongue, drawing a few interested looks from those nearby, at least until Kristjan's hot glare caused them to turn away. The three sat away from others as best they could, each with a cup of over priced airport coffee in hand. Aron went on, "You could stay a few more days. Maybe at least until the show?"

"He's not wrong." Fenris smiled with confidence, the same cocky smirk that apparently annoyed his 'classmate' Evie Baang to no end. "It would be the first time that you'd get to see me in the ring."

"I've seen every one of your matches so far." His mom stated matter-of-factly, taking a drink from her cup.

"I mean..." Fenris started to speak but Aron interrupted him quickly, "He means you've never gotten to see him wrestle a midget before."

Fenris's eyes flashed a touch of anger, but that was quickly extinguished by the laugh that escaped from Eva's lips. "Well I must admit that would sweeten the pot." She smiled, patting her oldest boy's hand. "But I really do need to get back. Viktoria was beside herself when she found out I was leaving Iceland for Mother's Day. If I stayed any longer..."

"Fuck her." Fenris blurted out with a hostile frown on his face, and Eva swiftly turned her head to face her son with brow arched and a reprimanding stare. Fenris cleared his throat and waved a hand about, reasoning, "It's not like anyone understood me."

But mom said nothing. She stared even harder at Fenris, if that were at all possible, and it was suddenly apparent where the man known as "the White Wolf" got much of his personality. Fenris smiled that smile of his and wrapped an arm around his mom's shoulder and gave it a loving squeeze.

"Sorry." He said simply. Surprised? You shouldn't be. Big and angry as Kristjan Baltasarsson could be, he was first and foremost a loving "momma's boy." Eva was perhaps the one and only person who could reign that temper of his in and do so without effort. Kristjan absolutely adored his mom, something Gabriel witnessed firsthand when he accompanied his new student to visit his family at the beginning of 2018 to deliver the news about his newly chosen career path.

It was also where he got to experience firsthand the animosity between Kristjan and his two older sisters.

Reykjavik, Iceland

"I don't get it. Why the hell do you want to meet my family?" Gabriel was asked, to which he answered simply, "I'm about to take your future wrestling career into my hands. Meeting the family helps me get to know a little more about who you are as a person."

"I resent that." Kristjan had joked, or was it a joke? He had fought against this, tooth and nail. He kept his private life just that and defended that decision with a fierceness that defied explanation. And ordinarily Gabriel would have respected that, but he had met with the families of others he and Odette had a hand in training; Devona, Beauty and the Beast. It was simply a matter of being cordial and letting the family know that their loved ones would be well looked after. In truth, Gabriel probably would have relented given how much Kristjan was arguing against this, but the additional discomfort of Aron added fuel to his curiosity and made him think there was a little more to this than just Kristjan's privacy.

Had he only known.

The family home was modest and comfortable, nothing like the mansion that Gabriel himself lived in with his own family, but he liked it. The furnishings and decor were not overdone, but had a touch of European taste. If the former World singles and tag champion had to pick a word to describe the Baltasarsson family home, it would be simply comfortable. Perhaps inviting? Well, he might have stated such were it not for the tension that he felt immediately arise between Kristjan and his older sisters; Viktoria and Elin, the moment he had walked through the front door. And now, Gabriel found himself at the family dinner table, sharing a home cooked meal courtesy of the mother Eva, cooked especially for Gabriel himself. He was surrounded by the Baltasarsson family; the three sisters of Kristjan and Aron; the aforementioned Viktoria and Elin, and the baby of the family, Freyja. And the parents, the father Benedikt and mother Eva, who Gabriel had taken an immediate liking to.

The featured dish was lamb, but the rest? Gabriel ate for politeness sake but wasn't certain he wanted to know exactly what he was eating, given the nature of Icelandic cuisine.

It would have been nice, except...

"You can't be serious." Kristjan's eldest sister Viktoria chided him across the table from where he sat between Gabriel and Aron. Luckily, Gabriel had invested in an electronic translator that allowed him to better understand what was being said around him, given Aron was the only one who could speak English in the family. Gabriel had the pocket device pinned to his short with an ear piece worn, which gave the youngest brother a break, but part of Gabriel wished he hadn't bothered given what he had walked into.

Viktoria continued her rant, "You're an idiot! It was bad enough you went into that barbaric MMA, fighting like a damn gladiator in front of all those idiots, but at least it paid well! Now you're going into wrestling!? And not one of those huge worldwide deals, but some pissant promotion that probably won't pay you shit!"

"Granted he won't make what he made in MMA, but he'll still get paid well." Gabriel spoke up, feeling the uncanny desire to defend his new student, but realized he had spoken in English, prompting Aron to translate for the benefit of the rest of the family. Viktoria all but ignored his words and returned to her verbal attack on her younger brother.

"It makes no sense!" She spat. "Just because you screwed up and lost your temper!"

"And his championship." The almost equally acidic sister Elin added for Viktoria's benefit, and Gabriel could damn near see the glee in the woman's eyes when that fact was mentioned.

"Oh yes!" She nodded. "You just couldn't help yourself, could you? Lost your temper -- again -- and lost your championship because of that! And hurt a man in the process!"

"And I'd do it again." Kristjan growled between clenched teeth. "He insulted our mom before the fight!"

This bit of news caught the family's attention, particularly that of Eva who brought her head up with slightly widened eyes, but chose to ignore it, and ignore the debate that was fast becoming a custom around the family dinner table. The only difference this time around was that they had a guest to bear witness. Even Viktoria was rendered without words, but only briefly when she took up the gauntlet again.

"Well... still..." She fought for words. "You could have controlled yourself. You made more money with that championship and now losing that and taking this new job isn't doing mom and dad any..."

"Oh get off your damn pedestal, would you?" Kristjan sneered. "This isn't about mom or dad, this is about you. Kristjan isn't making as much money to help out so now you may have to get off your lazy ass and help out once in awhile!" He then feigned surprise on his face. "Although why you would have to get a job now is beyond me! You're over thirty and haven't held one down yet!"

Viktoria flushed a deep scarlet and then fought back, "Well at least I have enough dignity to not ever taken my clothes off for money like you used to!"

Gabriel frowned, and turned to Kristjan whose turn it was now to sport a nasty glare on his face, showing an obvious struggle not to let loose on his sister in front of him. The dark red glow to his flesh was a testament to the inner struggle, but Viktoria gleefully took that as a sign to continue. She turned to Gabriel with a smirk and said, "He used to, you know. He danced at a bar as a stripper when he was just out of high school!"

Austur Nightclub

The horde of cheering female patrons, waving Icelandic króna of many denominations in hand, as they swarmed around the stage where a younger Kristjan Baltasarsson moved about the stage, showing surprising flexibility and dance skills. Clad in little more than a leopard print thong that could have been illegal for what it was or wasn't covering, Kristjan expertly teased and flirted with the women screaming, as they stuffed handfuls of their hard earned money into his thong as he drew them in for more...

"Wow..." Gabriel scratched behind his ear with a chuckle. Not at Kristjan's expense, mind you, but for the rather surprising revelation what the hardcore MMA fighter used to do to earn a dollar. But he again stepped up to Kristjan's side and pointed out, "It's not that big of a deal. It was a job. Ken Shamrock is a legend in the UFC and he did the exact same thing."

Kristjan jetted a finger toward his trainer and Viktoria scoffed, "So what? You'd never catch me doing that and do you know why?"

"Yeah." Kristjan jumped in. "Who the hell would pay to see that?"

Viktoria's mouth remained open to reply but no words came out. She reacted as if her brother had slapped her, but she quickly regained her composure. "Whatever!" She said. "In my mind, it's one step above being a damn whore! You know what that makes you, don't you?"

"Yeah." Kristjan nodded. "Unlike you, it made me employed!" Viktoria said nothing as Elin looked to her, so Kristjan took that opportunity to continue, "I was out of high school, and we needed the fucking money, Viktoria! I had the means to get it and hey!" He jokingly held out his arms and smirked. "When you look this good, why hide it?"

Even Kristjan's parents laughed at their son's brazen cockiness, but before Viktoria could interject herself, Kristjan cut her short and pointed at her, saying, "I was making more money in one night stripping than I could have one week asking some loser if they wanted French fries with their meal behind a counter wearing a god damn paper hat! So hell yes I kept doing it! And I didn't hear you flipping your shit over my taking my clothes off for money when it paid for some of those new clothes you got! Or that laptop you wanted to supposedly  **air quotes** go back to school!"

He leaned a forearm on the table, leaning his body against the side so he could look his sister directly in the eye and say, "So if you don't like what the hell I do for a living, get a job yourself or shut the fuck up!"

"Daddy!" Viktoria turned her head to the man seated at the head of the table. "Are you going to let him talk to me that way!?" And in doing this, Gabriel himself took an immediate disliking to Kristjan's sister. She apparently was great at dishing the venom out, but the moment her brother stood up for himself, and rightfully so, she went running to daddy to defend her. Typical daddy's little girl, apparently.

"Wow." Aron spoke up for the first time, shaking his head. "You started all of this but still haven't grown up enough to stop running to our father to clean up your messes!"

"Why don't you shut up?" Elin jumped in. "Nobody was talking to you!"

"Nobody was talking to you either but it doesn't stop you from butting in!" Aron pointed out. It amazed Gabriel that Eva or Benedikt had saw fit yet to intervene. They were either allowing the siblings to battle it out until they wore themselves to a frazzle, or they were simply allowing Gabriel himself to discover just what it was that he was getting into, getting involved with this family.

Kristjan then stepped back into the fray and said simply, "The simple fact is that I am doing this!" He stressed. "I am going to be a great wrestler and a champion. I will get a nice apartment for Aron and myself..."

"Oh so you're going to move away now too, huh?" Viktoria started after the baby brother but Kristjan quickly intervened, "This isn't about him! This is about me and what I am doing! I'd think you'd be happy Aron and I are going to be in America. You can just pretend you have no brothers, just like you always did!"

"Kristjan, that's not true..." Eva finally spoke up, trying to defuse an already volatile topic from their past.

"It is true, mother, and we all know it." Kristjan said to her in soft tones, then turned to his sister once again.
"You hatred me the moment I was born! You wish that you were an only child, even if it meant not having Elin around! That way you could have kept all of mom and dad's attention for yourself! Well great news!" He swept his arms out. "Aron and I will be gone! It'll be just you and Elin and little Freyja..."

"Great." The baby of the family muttered. "Leave me alone with Cruella and Maleficent..."

Kristjan snorted and said to his kid sister, "You can visit any time you want to get away. Aron will be there, and Kyssa..."

Viktoria angrily declared, "You are NOT taking Kyssa...!"

"Uh, I think I am." Kristjan nodded. "Just as soon as I get settled into a place of my own."

"No. You are NOT!" Viktoria fought. "You left her here in our home while you went traipsing all over the world, fighting! Who the hell do you think it was taking care of her!?"

"Well it sure as hell wasn't YOU!" Freyja pointed out. "Dad and I did most of that. You avoided her because every time you go near her, she growls and barks at you!"

Gabriel snorted back a laugh before he could stop himself, and cast a sidelong glance past the dining room where he was seated and into the front room. The gorgeous white Siberian husky was lounging on the family sofa like she reigned supreme, her pale blue eyes looking into the room and waiting. Kristjan looked toward her and winked, and the beloved dog took that as an open invitation. She jumped off of the sofa and trotted into the dining room, nudging herself between Kristjan and Gabriel where Kristjan took a piece of lamb and offered it to her as a treat. She wolfed it down (no pun intended) before retreating from the room, allowing the debate to continue.

"You don't even need a dog!" Kristjan stressed. "You already have Elin's nose buried up your..."

"Kristjan...!" Eva scolded her oldest boy, and much to Gabriel's surprise, Kristjan's mouth clamped shut for the moment.

Viktoria once again turned to her father and said, "Daddy, he can't..."

"He can if he wants to." Benedikt finally spoke up, shocking his daughter by NOT taking her side. "Kyssa is Kristjan's dog. He bought her. He pays for her food and care. If he wants to take her to America, then that's his decision and his alone."

Viktoria looked absolutely APALLED that her father did not side with her, and the shock was evident on her face. She slowly turned to face a beaming Kristjan, preparing herself for whatever Icelandic taunt he might fling in her direction, only instead he said one phrase in English he knew that would stump her...

"Suck it."

Las Vegas - McCarran International Airport

Kristjan and Aron both cuddled up to their mother's side as she sipped her coffee with contentment, waiting for her flight to be called...



Which would bring us to the here and now, and we find ourselves at the familiar sight of the training facility of Gabriel and Odette Stevens, where future wrestling stars were made. Have you paid close attention to the promo of one Courtney Pierce, tag team partner for Fenris in this year's Blast From the Past Memorial? Championship finalist and soon-to-be challenger to the World Bombshell title? No? Yes? Well hop to it then so the rest of this will make sense!

Courtney had finally yielded to the sense that Fenris had made, shockingly enough, and conceded in joining him at the very same facility that he himself had been trained at, the better to work on themselves as a cohesive unit if they wanted to win in Las Vegas and become the Blast From the Past VI Champions. Still, despite seeing the reasoning behind this, she found it hard to believe that she was here. She had gained her training from one of the best, so what more could she possibly learn...?

She stopped short, after having been buzzed into the building, and found herself walking down a small hallway until. she came upon a desk that was occupied. Despayre was seated behind the desk on an office chair, dressed in casual clothes with the exception of a comically large bow tie and those Mister Self-Help glasses that magnified his eyes to about five times their usual size. Hands clasped on the desk's table top, he simply stared straight ahead as if he couldn't see Courtney standing right in front of him.

And chances were that he couldn't.

"Ahem." Courtney tried to discreetly draw his attention toward her, but she got no response. She had places to be, far ore interesting things to do, but she also knew this one was precious to her trainer and so she knew better than to be outright rude. She instead clenched a fist to her mouth and more audibly cleared her throat, "A-HEM!"

"Do you need a Sucrets?" Despayre asked politely, catching Courtney unaware. She bit her bottom lip, and eyed him before she answered, "Uh, no?" With just a touch of `tude. Only Despayre took no offense and simply nodded and turned his head back and away from her.

Courtney looked around her, almost certain this was some form of prank or hidden camera trick. She then held her arms out and spoke up in an impatient tone, "Um, excuse me?"

"Yo!"

"Are you the receptionist?" She asked, clearly knowing who he was but playing along just for the sake of politeness.

"Oh no." Despayre shook his head in the negative. "I'm just filling in for him while he's on a coffee break."

Courtney just nodded and said, "I'm here to see Kristjan?"

"Who?"

"Fenris!"

"Ohhh! Well why didn't you say so?" Despayre then went to grab his/Angel's appointment log and promptly swatted a stack of papers to the floor. "Oh sorry, I didn't see you sitting there." He picked up the log book and held it at arm's length to examine it. "Who shall I say is here?"

"Courtney."

Despayre lowered the log book and declared hotly, "You can't be Courtney! We already have a Courtney! You'll have to pick another name."

"Another...?" Courtney frowned and her patience was wearing thin by this point. "Is she in there training?"

"No." He shook his head. "But I imagine she's reading this at this very moment."

"What the he...?" Courtney frowned, hands on her hips with her gym bag falling from her grip to the floor. "Look! Can I see Fenris or not!?"

"Well you don't need MY permission!" Despayre said. "Sheesh!" That being said, Courtney brushed past the desk at a brisk pace to escape this situation, and walked right into the gym. She quickly took in the impressive nature of everything around her, from the two wrestling rings to all of the state-of-the-art modern equipment. And there, standing by one of the rings in his wrestling attire, was her tag team partner.

He turned around as she approached with her arms held out in wonder, "What the hell was THAT!?"



"I've had a lot of people act surprised that Courtney and I made it as far as we did, and to a small degree, I can understand why..." Fenris said in Icelandic as the usual subtitles appeared at the bottom of the screen so that everyone could get to know and connect with the handsome Superstar. "On the other hand, it's really no more of a surprise than Evie Baang and Devin Tyler getting as far as they have."

Fenris stood side-by-side, along with Courtney in a fighting stance, showing her how best to prepare herself for throwing a professional strike. True, the young woman had some of the best training for inside of the wrestling ring, but if he could share some of his own knowledge in the realm of MMA, it might give her a proper advantage over her own opponent in this match, his classmate Evie.

"Everybody saw Evie and Devin and didn't think they'd make it out of the opening round, and why? Because they knew how pissy Evie is and how she's gotten along with midgets in the past. They thought it would be a natural catalyst for that team's elimination. They also thought that Devin himself would be a weak link between them, given his stature and the fact the majority of his opposition is at least two to three times his own size. I thought that myself -- at first, and am properly humbled to say that I couldn't have been more wrong."

Fenris stood on the opposite side of a punching dummy and held it firmly so that Courtney could throw her hardest shots at it, while she attempted to emulate the fighting stance that he had been trying to help her with.

"Just take a good, hard look at what Devin has accomplished so far in this tournament. He pinned Jon Dough, a former Roulette and Tag Team Champion! He pinned Wyatt Peterson, another former tag champion. Does that not speak enough about the man and what he's capable of, no matter what disadvantages he may be put through because of his stature? It's his HEART! THAT is what makes Devin Tyler a threat inside of the ring, and THAT is why I was hoping I would get the chance to meet him in the finals! And here we are!"

"What did you think was going to happen? Did you think I was hoping to face him because I might have an easier time against him? if that's the case, your ignorance will be my justification. If you haven't watched Devin, then you wouldn't know what the fuck he's capable of! Ask O'Malley, ask Jon Dough and Wyatt Peterson! You think a size disadvantage makes a man weaker? What it does, is make him stronger because he tries HARDER! You heard his surprise when I said I would fight him like I would any man if we met. You heard the shock, and that's just damn sad that he comes to expect or assume he'll be over looked or taken for granted. I imagine that's what everyone else assumed when they stepped into the ring with him but me? Not a chance!"

Courtney sat on a mat with her legs spread, with Fenris beside her in the same position but his split was more perfect and even. He then was shown standing up and helping her in the spot, pushing down on the back of her head and neck.

"I am doing everything that I can to help my partner be ready for Evie Baang, but I know I have to be ready for Devin. If anything, his smaller stature will be a strength because I know damn well half of my fucking arsenal won't be able to be used against the man! Physically impossible for me to lock most holds on him because of shorter arms or shorter legs. But strikes?"

Fenris smiled.

"That's a whole other story, and one I will be happy to tell once inside of that ring. Devin doesn't expect me to hold back, and I'd wager he doesn't want me to. Well bravo on him, I say, because I sure as shit have no intention of it. If anything, the only disadvantage Devin has is his partner herself, Evie. You see, ever since this started, Evie has done nothing but say how much she wants to successfully defend her Blast From the Past Championship and be the first-ever two-time champion."

He shook his head.

"And that is exactly the reason why I'll be fighting all the harder to keep it from happening, even if I have to kick Devin's head clean off of his shoulders to accomplish it. Even if I have to run Courtney into the mat to make damn sure that she's ready for anything Evie can throw her way! You think she put everything she had in her one on one with you, Evie? All that did was give her a taste, and now Courtney is ready for the main course. You and Devin don't have a monopoly on teamwork, you know. For two rookies to walk into this event and go straight to the finals? That has to be eating away at you, just like the thought of watching Courtney's and my arms being raised does after we put you and Devin out. I honestly am looking forward to you raising hell and bitching afterwards, because it'll be music to my ears. It'll mean that I won, and you lost and you will have to live with that cocky smile you hate so much and that I will become Gabriel and Odette's new golden child."



Fenris stood outside of the ring as Courtney herself took a brief break inside, both of their bodies glistening with perspiration. He passed a bottled water into her and she accepted it with gratitude, leaning back in the corner to sip, all the while Gabriel approached from behind. Gabriel slid up to Fenris's left and whispered in Icelandic...

"So let me get this straight. You brought your partner, Evie's opponent, into the very same gym where Evie herself trains?" Gabriel asked, raising an inquisitive brow. "You understand that'll probably drive her absolutely mad?"

Fenris just turned his head to Gabriel and -- smiled.

[Shorty]

 Las Vegas, Nevada is host to a taste for any flavor you can imagine.  You can throw your money away in so many interesting fashions.  Things that are not legal anywhere else in the country are here.  When Evie said that she was going to help Shorty get laid to calm him down, he was game.  He dressed to the nines for this occasion, a black suit and blue shirt, open half way down his chest, neatly shined shoes, and the Rolex on display.  His teeth are recently whitened for the occasion as he strolls inside of a sketchy looking club. Evie dressed in black heels with red soles, as  a dark green slim fitting off the shoulder dress hugged her legs and waist, and of course everywhere that it counts. Her hair is slightly curled as it bounces with each step she takes.  Shorty is smiling from ear to ear as he opens up the door for Evie.  She enters first with a nod of thanks.  He enters next as his eyes rest on the line in front of him.  There is a resounding giggle from the ladies in the line that slightly wipes the smile from his face momentarily.  He could feel all of the judgment from the women in front of him, but tonight was not the night.

“I can’t believe I even agreed to this.”

Evie is instantly regretting her decision to use this as a medium to help get her tag team partner to lighten up some.  Shorty shrugs his shoulders as he eyes up each lady, seeing the potential of the fixer uppers standing before him.  The blonde that would turn to a 9 with a new set of headlights and a paint job, or the Asian with the snaggletooth.  He nods his head as he walks up next to Evie.

“Sugar Tits, you need to relax. It’s about time you had some fun in your life.”

He smiles, trying to lighten the mood some as he follows her up toward the bar.  He sees people grabbing for their name tags, which he can’t see due to his stature.  He fumbles around for his tag, finding it after several attempts.  He peels it off and places it strategically on the breast of his jacket.  He hears Evie mumbling under her breath, as he taps her on the back.

“I’d rather drink gasoline and eat a lit match.”

Shorty chuckles at her commitment to being a downer as there is a twinkle in his bright blue eyes.

“That’s the spirit. Now enjoy the next two hours of your life and I’ll see you at the end.  You can thank me later.”

Shorty winks at Evie before he leaves her to enjoy herself, hoping that she just might actually let loose for once.  He walks off to the bar, thinking to himself that letting loose for her would be quite the impossible task, and she would be just fine to keep up with the bad attitude, because that keeps her on her toes.

Shorty walks up to the bar as he orders and receives his drink.  He takes it up in his hands as he drops a bill in the tip jar for the bartender who didn’t crack a joke or look at him funny for his size or the slightly higher pitch of his voice.  But, it also made him more attractive to potential mates, showing that he’s actually not that bad of a person.  He taps on the bar as he turns around to get in line with the rest of the men.  The one next to him looks down and cracks a smile at him as Shorty looks up at him with a grimace.

“What the fuck are you looking at pencil dick?”

“I was just thinking you looked like that “Shorty” Devin Tyler from Northern Lights Wrestling, eh.”

Shorty’s hostility eases up as he nods his head, licking at his bottom row of teeth as he tries to come to terms with not being the butt end of a joke in almost 10 minutes now.  He adjusts his posture, a swagger in his step as a smile creeps upon his face.

“That’s because I am “Shorty” Devin Tyler.”

“This isn’t the time, but could I get a picture after this little thing?  I’m a fan.  Me and my friends came from Winnipeg just to see you and Evie win this tournament or whatever.”

Devin’s smile grows widely as they are each ushered toward their tables, and their Bro Talk had been interrupted.  But the feeling boosted his confidence levels greatly.  He glances over to see Evie peeking down at her phone, and he just sighs, until her eyes glance up at him and she lightens up, even if just a little bit.

Devin then looks over to the lovely brunette sitting at the table in front of him.  He pulls out the chair and takes a seat, awkwardly sitting in it.  She pulls out her note card and instantly begins writing and not even acknowledging him.

“Hey there, sweet stuff.  I’m Devin Tyler, but you may know me from the local wrestling company, Sin City Wrestling, where I’m a performer.”

“Oh, honey… I have a very clear rule that I only date guys that are 5’11”... so sorry.”

Devin cracks a smile, waiting for laughter to ring from her soft, slightly raspy voice that just screams “Gold digger”.  However, that laugh never comes, and Devin is left to try to soften the mood with a joke.

“Like Meatloaf said, two out of three digits ain’t bad.”

“Hmmm… no…”

She takes a drink from her glass as she taps her neatly manicured nails against the table, doing everything she can to scope out the other suitors, all while avoiding looking at Shorty.  Shorty shrugs his shoulders and stares directly at her clearly fake breasts for the remainder of the three minute round.  Once the buzzer goes off, he steps out of his chair and walks over to another table.  The snaggletooth Asian chick looks at him and begins to giggle.  She points at him and instantly begins spouting off Mandarin.  He just keeps his hand on the chair.

“You small man!  So small!  So small!  Mother stop bugging me about grandbaby if I bring you home.  I’m Lin.”

Shorty looks up at her, and not even the perfectly petite shape of her body, and her soft, delicate features are enough to overcome the desperation that is spewing from her.  He rubs the back of his head nervously as he reaches into the coat of his pocket to get caught up with scratching out the first two.

“Yeah… So, I don’t think that’s going to work out.  Even I have standards, and those standards say that I don’t think this is going to be a match, because you’re…”

“Too beautiful?  I know.  I not want relationship. I want scare shit out of mother.  I still have sex with you.”

Lin nods her head as she looks down to Shorty.  Shorty grits his teeth, sucking in air as he slowly begins to shake his head.  He takes a sip from his drink before just downing the entire thing.  He holds his empty glass up in the air as he taps it with his free finger.

“I’m gonna need a refill.  As soon as possible, please…  And everyone looks at me like I’m the short end of the stick, but this is just too much.”

Before Shorty can continue on, the buzzer goes off and Shorty pushes the chair back in all of the way before practically running over to the next table.  He pulls the chair out and looks up at the lady sitting there.  She has a cat in her arms and Shorty looks as if he’s confused until her laughter breaks the silence.

“Hey there… Devin.  I’m Sarah, and this is Mr. Smooty, my service cat.  I have horrible anxiety, and Mr. Smooty helps me to control it when I’m out in public.”

Devin stares at the cat who looks as uninterested as every man who has just left Sarah’s table.  He shrugs his shoulders as he takes his seat and his new drink is placed in front of him.  He taps his fingers against the table, trying not to say what is on his mind.  Mr. Smooty meows and yawns.

“Well, it seems that you and me have something in common already.”

“Oh yeah?”

Sarah leans down with a healthy smile on her face, ready to hear what Shorty has to say.

“We both seem to have an affinity for pussy.  Difference is, yours don’t lick itself.  Am I right?”

Sarah looks confused by this.

“Mr. Smooty is a very clean little guy and… ohhhhh…. I get it.  You got jokes.  Mr. Smooty loves a guy with a good sense of humor.”

“That wasn’t a little too low brow for you?”

“I’m not dead.  Even if I am a thirty year old who lives with cats in an empty two bedroom apartment with minimal decoration and unpacked boxes from three years ago when I moved in.  I can appreciate toilet humor.”

“That’s… depressing.  Unfortunately, you’re the best date I’ve had tonight, so maybe if we’re lucky, we’ll match up, and I can prove that I’m not bluffing.  I’ll treat you like a sensual postage stamp.  I will lick it before I stick it.”

Sarah bites at her bottom lip as he hazel eyes dance over Shorty’s defined features.  She slowly covers up Mr. Smooty’s ears as she leans in for a closer, most intimate description of what might come.  Shorty hears a loud bang and he looks around to see a greasy haired man lying out on the ground, knocked out cold.  He is not surprised to see Evie feigning innocence, and he can’t help but smile because the man looks like a proper douchebag.  However, his attention soon goes back to the young cat lady as she speaks to him.

“Tell me more, Devin.  Would you be willing to wear a cat mask with the mouth open.  That would be so hot…”

“And… now you’ve killed it.  Potentially.  Okay, you’re still the frontrunner, but that bar is extremely low.”

“Who are you kidding?  I’ve been propositioned by a UPS truck driver and an out of state pizza delivery boy who both said they had a deliver to make to South Sarah Lane.  This is the most romance I’ve had all night.”

Devin laughs, but Sarah does not.  Her eyes scream “Help me!” even if Mr. Smooty is keeping her from showing it physically.  However, before Devin can reply, the buzzer goes off.  As Devin leaves the chair, Sarah grabs his hand with her free hand.

“I didn’t get a Brazilian three hours ago for nothing.  Don’t torture me, little man.”

Devin leans down and kisses her hand to let her know that, despite moving on, he would still bone her.  He slides her a piece of paper with his name and number on it, pre-written from a stack, as he moves along.  He places his drink on the next table and pulls the seat out.  As he looks across the table, his mouth just drops open.  The name on the tag is “Cheryl” but it is definitely not Cheryl.  Sitting in front of him, in a black vest over a white blouse and sunglasses over her eyes, her long lavender colored hair is tucked behind her ears as she sighs.

“Queen of Apathy?  I… I don’t even know your real name, unless…”

“Cheryl is not my real name.  It is a reference to the first of the Evil Dead movie series titled “Evil Dead”.  They required a name, so it seemed to be the only true option.”

“I guess the real question here is… Why are you here?”

Apathy shrugs her shoulders as she picks up her drink.  She reaches into her vest to pull out a silver flask.  She dumps a good chunk into her glass nonchalantly before tucking it back into her vest.

“And did you just spike your free whiskey with more whiskey?”

“Don’t judge me, Devin.  To answer your aforementioned question, I am here, not because I am seeking true love, but because I am trying to force myself to get out more and do things that make me uncomfortable.  Sadly, this wasn’t it.”

“Okay…”

Devin rubs the back of his head as he tries to figure it all out.  Apathy doesn’t offer any further answers as she sips at her drink.  Devin also takes a sip.

“So… are we doing this, or…?”

“If you mean engaging in meaningless conversation that is supposed to make me feel more comfortable in offering up my body to you for an equally meaningless night, or minute, of disappointing intercourse, then yes.  I am open to it, but only because I have a drinking problem and feel no shame or disappointment in myself.”

“Hey, I’m game.  Could you meet my friend Evie so she can help you adjust the war paint to look appealing.  And maybe we can work out a payment plan to get the headlights lifted, maybe bulked up a few sizes?”

Apathy removes her sunglasses, knowing that her cover has been blown.  She begins looking around nervously as she places a hand on Devin’s.

“You are terrible at this.  I don’t feel anything, ever, but even I know that I’m worth more than this.  If you had just stayed quiet, I might have been able to move past this.  But there is no moving past your misogyny.”

“God, I just want to bend you over that chair and go to town on you right now…”

And with that, Apathy does something she almost never does; she smiles.  Of course, it is an empty smile and her dark brown eyes show exactly that, but somewhere deep down, she took this as a strange compliment.  However, the buzzer goes off once more, and Devin has to move along.  The dark beauty sitting in front of him at the next table looks over at him as she talks into her cell phone.

“Nah, I can still talk.  Yeah, it’s some short stack white boy wit’ a fat ass and stubby legs.  Nah, bitch!  Not short like Quentin.  Short like Little People Big World short!”

“I’m right here, bitch!”

“Uh, excuse me short shit, but I am on the phone?  Damn, you rude...  Sorry KiKi, this one just called me a bitch when he small enough to be my bitch.  Nah, I ain’t gonna do this one.  It’s like he cut off at the knee, and I can’t do it.  Girl, you play too damn much!  I don’t care if he is the perfect height, I’m not…”

Shorty sighs as he downs his second drink, pulling the card out to scratch this one off too, tuning out her phone call.  He shakes his glass in the air, waiting for his other to be brought to him.  He places his card back into his jacket as his drink is brought to him right at the sound of the buzzer.

“Thank fuck!”

“Yeah, bye bye Wee Man.  Girl, you don’t even know!”

Shorty flips her off while scratching his nose.  However, he doesn’t waste much time on her as he walks over to the last table that Evie is sitting at.  He pulls the chair out and sighs as he slams his drink down on the table.  Evie cracks a smile as she watches Shorty almost writhe in the experience after practically forcing her to come here. Evie picks up a glass and lifts it to her crimson lips.  She takes a drink from her glass as she just smiles at him.  He shakes his head.

“Why didn’t you try to talk me out of this?”

“You really seemed to be getting on well with the snaggletoothed one.  Is she going to be your top pick for the night?  Isn’t that how this thing works?”

“Nah, I’m thinking about cat lady, to be honest.  She is a fucking freak, but at least she looks at me like an actual human being.”

Evie laughs for a moment, but her laughter only heightens when she realizes that he’s not joking.  Shorty can’t help but laugh a little as well.  He rubs at his chin as he realizes how badly this sounds.

“Damn it, that is pretty fucked up, isn’t it?  I can’t help it, Sugar Tits.  So what if she’s a freak?  I’m a freak, too.”

“Please don’t say that.  The last person I knocked out cold called you that, and I didn’t much appreciate it, my little chicken nugget.”

“Awww, are you going soft on me, S.T.?”

Shorty looks at her as she shrugs her shoulders, flashing him a bit of a smile that only confirms what her eyes are saying.  Devin shakes his head at her and points to her.

“Well don’t. I need you to keep being a hard ass for another couple of weeks.  We’ve got a tournament to finish up here, and our chances of winning are even better without Glow Stick and generic S&M Twitter lesbian.”

“Amanda Cortez wasn’t teamed with Equinox…”

“I was talking about Keira Fishhhh…”

Shorty catches on to what Evie did there, and he can appreciate it.  He picks up his glass and takes a drink.

“How about you?  Who is your top pick?  There was plenty of choices.”

Evie taps her chin curiously for a moment as she thinks it over.  She pulls her note card out and looks over it before sighing.

“The choices were plentiful, but if I had to choose, I would probably say the one that’s on the stretcher right now.  I just felt a connection.”

“What, between him and the table?”

Evie shrugs her shoulders as if to tell him that she doesn’t know what he’s talking about and he rolls his eyes with a soft chuckle.

“Not even a chuckle?  Damn, I thought it was funny.  But not as funny as our match coming up in eight days.  Sporty Spice and the Icelandic Maya Angelou quoting sonuvabitch.”

Before Shorty can get any further, the buzzer sounds one final time, much longer than before.  Evie and Shorty look around to see that this was the final round as the host steps to the middle of the room with a microphone in hand.  Their voice booms over the speakers.

“I want to thank you all for coming out tonight.  I hope that you’ve enjoyed yourselves.  If all goes well, each of you will be set up on a date with your partner of choosing, if you both match up.  Please submit your card to me with your top two choices, and lets get some chemistry going, shall we?”

There is a soft round of applause before everyone goes silent.  Evie takes all of two seconds to fill out her choices, while Shorty thinks about it for a second.  Like a gentleman, he collects Evie’s card and climbs down from the chair.  He walks it over to the host without even looking at it.  Something within him just doesn’t want to see what kind of taste his partner has.  He brings it over to the table where they, a woman with dark red hair and glasses sits next to a preppy millennial that is wearing way too much cologne, are collecting the cards.

Shorty meets up in the center with the men, or at least what remains of them.  They all seem rather confident in their choices as they stare down at Evie.  Shorty stares down at Sarah, the cat lady, as she forces Mr. Smooty to wave at him.  He winks at her and signals for him to call her.  She looks a little disappointed in this gesture as Shorty is handed his card.  He begins walking toward the snaggletooth, Lin.  She smiles and claps her hands as he slowly steps in that direction, before veering right past her, down the line, until he comes to Evie.  She gives him a sweet, almost devious smile as he pulls his chair back out.

“Now who is going soft, nugget?”

Shorty mocks her silently, pretending to nag as she reaches across the table and picks up his hand.  She looks directly into his eyes as she looks around to see the resentful glares from the other guys that wanted the opportunity to spend more time with Evie.  She returns her gaze to him.

“Listen to me.  I don’t want to date you. I don’t want to go to dinner with you.  I don’t want anything to do with your freakishly large penis, considering your stature.  This is the most touching I will ever do with you.  This is a result of being the most decent guy in this bar right now… next to Mr. Smooty.”

“What do you think this is?  It ain’t a marriage proposal, Sugar Tits.  I just answered honestly.  I had the best time tonight when I got to this table at the end.  Cat Lady is a definite thing over there, but I enjoyed this way more than her and her asshole service cat.”

“You know, this simply will not work.  Mr. Smooty is a sweetheart and he was my second choice, and… I have to admit, I hate his guts. I do.”

The two share a laugh as everyone else looks over at the “couple” with ire and aggravation, all while they are too engrossed in their own conversation to care, or even notice.  Shorty takes his hand back and picks up his drink and finishes it off.  However, instead of requesting another, he just lets it sit there.

“It’s okay.  I’ll give her something else to pet in public.”

“Your bald head doesn’t seem nearly as appealing, though.”

“Hey, I got a chrome dome, but that’s not my only head.”

“Sasquatch below the belt, I assume?  Women don’t like that as much as you guys wish they did, as it requires effort to keep trimmed.”

Despite his efforts to get Evie to cringe, she shrugs her shoulders at the suggestion.  Shorty licks at his bottom lip, trying to think of something smart assed to say in response, but the truth of the matter keeps him silent on the subject.  The conversation veers in so many different directions this evening from here on out.  There are laughs, there are angry moments.  There are ribs and jabs aplenty, but the two really seem to finally connect on a personal level, even as the free drinks from the sign up fee for the speed dating event end, they keep them coming.

Soon, they are urged out of the door for having had enough to drink and getting loud, disrupting the chill vibe of the bar.  Shorty looks over to Sarah, who found herself paired with Taylor, the eyeliner art major with an affinity for choking.  He sees her biting at her bottom lip as she talks with him quietly, covering Mr. Smooty’s ears again.  He demonstrates his choking abilities on the air, causing a trace of glistening sweat to trickle down her cleavage.  This elicits laughter between Evie and Shorty as they exit the bar into the lobby of the hotel.  They move their way through toward the doors as hotel security begins to follow behind them.

Once they are outside, they laugh at the simple fact that they actually got thrown out of the bar for having too good of a time.  Evie stumbles a bit, leaning on Shorty, who laughs in return.  He leans into her a bit to avoid the sidewalk that is threatening to come up and smack them both in the face.  Shorty looks up at Evie as he begins to speak.

“I… I can’t lie that it feels good to not be the biggest joke.”

“That title goes to Taylor, I think.  He actually thought I would go back to the hotel room with his sad cliche of a life.  His parents made too much money to pay him any attention.  He wanted for nothing, and so his life feels meaningless, and he has to express his Bourgie angst through painting and sculpting with pubic hair…”

Shorty nods his head as he listens, until his inebriated mind catches up.  Evie leans off of him and he leans back as he shakes his head.

“No, not tonight.  Tonight was a great reminder that I’m not the freak everyone paints me out to be.  But that’s not what I was talking about.  I meant in SCW.  I’m 3’11”.  I’m from another promotion that’s full of freaks.  Yet, here I am, in the finals of Blast From the Past.  People like to claim it’s because of you, but I did my part.  I’ve knocked people, and I’ve been on point.  I have exceeded expectations.”

“I can’t lie.  When I signed up for this tournament, I hoped to find myself in this spot.  Then, when I found out who my partner was, I was preparing myself to get knocked out in the first round.  I did not expect to get this far, but you’ve proven yourself to me, and to everyone.  They are taking you very seriously.”

“But the fact is that we are put up against a pair of jokes.  It makes this entire tournament mean nothing.  You and me, we fought Roxi Johnson, a legend in the  SCW Hall of Fame.  We fought Jon Dough, a multi time champion who is somehow the inside joke of SCW that nobody but me gets.  And don’t even get me started on Amy Marshall.  She is Jon Dough meets Roxi Johnson.  Somehow highly accomplished and a giant joke.  But, they are accomplished.  Each round has been a challenge to us, even if we kidded on camera about it being nothing.”

Evie’s eyes sparkle under the lights of the Las Vegas Strip as she listens to Shorty as if he were preaching gospel.  He pauses for a minute, feeling the breeze carrying the mist off of the large fountain as it blows across their faces, refreshing them in this moment of clarity.  Evie takes a seat on the edge of the fountain, nearly falling back into it.  She grabs onto Shorty’s hand as he helps to steady her.  She sighs as she responds to his comments finally.

“You can’t be serious.  Our matches to this point have been great, even if only because we were in them.  We have been the show stealers.”

“I’m going to not be an asshole for like five seconds with that damn camera in my face.  Jon, Roxi, and Amy were all worthy competitors.  Kira Phoenix showed promise.  Wyatt Peterson might be a big dumb shit, but he was competent in the ring.  O’Malley… okay, he was a waste.  But Fucking Fenris?  Courtney Pierce?  Who the fuck are we going up against here?  A spoiled bitch who got trained by another spoiled bitch?  A kid from the wrong side of the tracks of Iceland who doesn’t know how to stay in his own lane?  We went through hell to take out some of the best this company has to offer, and as laughable as that is, we did it.  This match is easy, and the only people who don’t realize that are the ones who are laid out before us, making people think that this victory was planned.  I don’t want people thinking that we won because we weren’t the best in the tournament.”

“People can’t seriously be that stupid.  They have to know that isn’t the case.”

“You of all people should know not to give people so much damn credit.  It goes to their heads and they wind up like the entitled Courtney Pierce.  Or they find themselves believing that they actually have accomplished something worthwhile like Fenris, who was handed a career in this sport.  I had to fight, scratch, claw, bite, and climb my way to some hodunk developmental territory in Canada just to get into this world.  I was handed nothing, and I still got taken as a joke because of my size.  The tournament up to this point has been a direct reflection of my entire career.  I came here to prove that I’m better than what they were asking me to do in Northern Lights Wrestling, and I’ve done that.  But the thing is that I’m better than Northern Lights Wrestling.  I’m Sin City Wrestling material.  I’m World Heavyweight Champion material.”

Evie nods her head as she listens carefully to what he’s saying.  She closes her eyes to soak it all in for a moment before opening her eyes again.

“I’ve already won this thing once, and I’ll do it again.  Two years in a row.  And we already saw how that turned out.  You are far more reliable than my last partner, so I know we’ve got this.  I can certainly see you taking on the World Heavyweight Championship.  You’ve got the drive.”

“I do!  Even if those two fucks have delusions of grandeur and think that they have a chance to take this.  This is lesson number one for these entitled pieces of shit.”

Shorty looks over to Evie, who may have enjoyed one or ten too many whiskey’s as she nods her head with her eyes closed.  Shorty is afraid that she might throw up, and as he goes to pull her hair back, she loses her balance.  She grabs onto him to steady herself, but the spinning going on in her head is too much, and the two teeter on the edge. Shorty tries to plant his feet on the ground more, but it is to no avail as the mist gathered on the ground makes it too slick, and Evie hugs onto him tightly as they fall into the fountain with a loud scream.  The scene slowly fades out on them.

[Shorty]

 The spot to be is Las Vegas on the weekend of May 25th-28th.  Memorial Day Weekend was a time for remembrance of the fallen who fought for freedom, and “Shorty” Devin Tyler was no exception to this.  However, he finds himself standing at odds with his tag team partner, who seems a million miles away.  After getting her to come clean on a few things, the last thing that Shorty wants to do right now is to go out onto the stage and entertain a bunch of fans when there are serious issues to address.

However, the voice of Justin Decent booms over the speakers as the fans at the expo gather around to cheer and jeer.  Of course, the outsider is opening the show with a five minute speech, and he hadn’t prepared a single word.

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages!  Please welcome to the stage, one of the participants in the Blast From the Past finals… Coming from Oakland, California, standing at 3 feet 11 inches and weighing in at 165lb, he is… “Shorty” Devin Tyyyyyyylerrrrrr!!!”

“Shorty Bounce” begins playing inside of the crowded hall as even the stars and bombshells participating in the event turn their attention over to the stage.  Shorty was used to entertaining the fans inside of a wrestling ring, but this was quite a different field for him.  He looks around, trying his best to hide how nervous he is.  Seeing Evie out of sorts has filled him with a bit of anger that he latches on to as he walks through the curtains, defying his own internal struggles as he steps out onto the stage.  The fans surprise him with a bit of a cheer.  He throws his arms up in the air to bring on the hatred as he shouts at them.

“I deserve more than that, you assholes!  Come on!  Give me more!”

He works the stage as he looks out amongst the stars and bombshells and fans, seeing the tables set up for autographs and photo ops, and he notices that more and more people are gathering in the crowd at the front of the stage.  After moving across the stage a few times, he is about to begin when he notices the podium, which is very much too tall for him.  With no consideration for his height disadvantage, Shorty is left with no choice but to act out.

After looking around, he walks over to Justin Decent, and almost as if it were planned, he rears his arm back for his signature Dick Punch.  Justin waves his hands at Shorty as he hands him his own microphone.  Shorty snatches it out of Justin’s hand and gives him a nod that tells him to get the fuck off of “his” stage, and Justin obliges.

“Shorty! Shorty! Shorty! Shorty! Shorty!”

Devin stops himself after taking a deep breath into the microphone.  He nods his head as he almost cracks a smile.  However, he refuses to let up as he waves them all off.

“Yeah, yeah, will you all shut the fuck up so that I can speak?  Damn, no respect…”

The crowd laughs at this, and Devin winks at them.  However, he has no intentions of letting them take over another second of his time with their chatter and their praise of him.

“You know, it’s funny that I’m out here getting all of these cheers, because six weeks ago, not a single one of you assholes knew who I was.  No one in the back knew me from Adam.  The fans laughed because we finally had a ‘midget’ on here that was being put into a serious match.  It had comedy gold written all over it… until it didn’t!”

The crowd cheers once more as Devin closes his eyes and uses his free hand to pinch his fingers together to tell them to be quiet.

“You see?  I still don’t have the respect that I deserve at this stage of the game.  I beat the new upstart who came out of the prestigious gym of Gabriel and Odette Stevens.  The man with all of the hopes and dreams of being on this stage right here, right now, talking about the time he bested a ‘midget’.  I ended that dream in a motherfucking quick!  He had, what?  One more match before calling it quits?  And that is just as insulting as the looks of pity that you all give me.”

The fans look shocked at this.  Shorty pays them no mind as he begins pacing the stage, looming over the microphone as he doesn’t even look at the fans.

“I ended a career, but not in the way that I wanted to.  I didn’t prove that I was the dominant superstar in that battle.  All I did was give him the stigma of getting beat by a little person.  He heard it from all of you assholes, week in, and week out.  He couldn’t handle it, and he buckled under the pressure.  He lost to Kristopher Ryans and he took off with his tail tucked between his legs.  Not only did he insult me by running away, but you all insulted me.  You’re insulting me right now by cheering for me just because I look like something off of a TLC television series, when really, you hate me.  You look at me like a sideshow attraction, but I’m so much more than that.  I am one half of the Blast From the Past winning team, and I am your future World Heavyweight Champion!”

There is a laughter that rolls over the entire crowd.  It grows in volume, which causes Shorty to get angry.  The production team leader gives Shorty the signal to wrap it up for having gone over his time.  He flips him off as he looks out into the crowd.

“So I really am a joke to you, huh?  Was I a joke when I took out Jon Dough, the man who is going to win the Roulette Championship back in just a few days?  Was I a joke when I took out the giant, Wyatt Peterson?  We’ll see what kind of a joke I am when I take on the title of the 2018 Blast From the Past winner, and Evie Baang and I have to make arrangements for custody of the trophy.”

One fan in the crowd stands out above them all as he shouts out and he raises his beer in the air.  He turns around slowly as he talks to the fans surrounding him.

“Now THIS is comedy gold, am I right?  Imagine him as the World Heavyweight Champion!”

The crowd joins him in cheering.  He relishes in his fifteen seconds of glory as the surrounding crowd pats him on the back and laughs with him.  Shorty narrows his eyes as he studies the man.  However, he doesn’t let it ruin his moment.

“Fenris and Pierce have no idea what is waiting for them in just a few short days at Into the Void, but the disrespect in here gives me the perfect opportunity to show them a little sneak peek of what happens when you sleep on me…”

Devin looks at the podium, and with one swift motion, he knocks it over onto the ground, causing it to bounce a couple times.  He drops the microphone to the ground and sends it to Justin Decent.  He hops off of the stage, relishing in it all.  The crowd cheers once more as Shorty makes his way through the crowd.  He comes up to the guy who interrupted him and gives him a high five.

“You got me, brother.  You really got me.”

The man laughs and shakes hands with Shorty.  He brings him in for a brotherly hug, but Shorty rams his fist right into the crotch of the man.  The crowd gasps, as if they didn’t expect him to do that.  Security comes in, ready to escort Shorty off of the premises.  However, the fan is almost overjoyed to get the Dick Punch, and shakes his head to let them know that it’s okay.  Shorty gives him a nudge with his foot as the crowd parts for Devin to make his way over toward his table.  There is a pause from the audience as they go silent, and Justin Decent, along with the stage manager, set up the podium once more, allowing Evie to have her moment.

“Introducing next, from Victor Harbour, South Australia, standing at 5 feet 8 inches and weighing in at 121 pounds, she is… Evie Baaaaaaaaaaaang!”

Shorty watches as Evie comes out on stage, as “Anthem of the Year 2000” by Silverchair plays over the speakers.  Evie doesn’t get into all of the theatrics as she steps onto the stage.  She leans over the microphone as she looks right over to Shorty.

“That is a tough act to follow.”

The crowd gives off a bit of a low chuckle, trying not to upset the firecracker of a little person any further.  He nods his head as Evie begins speaking.  However, Shorty cannot pay any attention to her as he gets tapped on the shoulder.  He turns around, ready to snap at someone, but he sees the General Manager of his home company, Thaddeus AKA Tad Ezra.  Shorty shakes his head as he sighs, his eyes returning to Evie.

“What do you want, Tad?”

Tad looks a bit shocked at his greeting, and he pulls an empty chair over to the table.  He adjusts his suit jacket and tie as he picks up one of the photos from the stack that Shorty has in front of him, studying it.

“You look so proud in this photograph.  Very regal.  I could see you standing in the center of the ring with Evie, hands raised up in the air.”

Shorty snorts as he shakes his head.

“Yeah, maybe because you’ve seen it three times already.  It isn’t very hard to imagine when it’s already happened.”

Tad listens to Shorty, nodding his head as he waits carefully so not to interrupt him.  Once Shorty finishes, Tad smiles.

“The difference would be that giant trophy sitting between you two.  If you play your cards right, then I might just become a traveling fortune teller.  I could give you the winning lottery numbers if you like…?”

Shorty snaps his head back to Tad, seeing the smile and detecting every last bit of sarcasm dripping from his tongue, and even inventing some that never was there.  Shorty shakes his head.

“And with every gain, there is a cost, oh wise-ass one.  So why don’t we just cut the bullshit and get to the point.  What is the cost of this victory?”

Tad gently fidgets with the Sharpie pen on the table as he tries to think of the best way to describe what is going through his mind right now.

“You have everything that it takes to be a top talent in Northern Lights Wrestling, or any company really.  You have charisma that is out of this world.  Your wrestling skills are amazing, and I’m only sorry that I didn’t see it sooner.  You have a uniqueness to you that is extremely marketable, and I’m lucky to oversee your talent.”

Shorty notices the nervousness coming off of Tad and he simply shakes his head at it.  He rubs at his temples, annoyed, as he is trying to focus on Evie to give her the attention that she deserves during her five minutes.

“Cut the shit, Tad.  I’m sure this isn’t some friendly visit just to wish me luck.  Are you concerned that my head isn’t in the game, because I assure you that it is.  Is this about trying to pump me up so that I give Northern Lights Wrestling more ratings?  Because I already know that I’m doing that.  Whatever it is, just come out and say it.  Don’t toy with me.”

Tad stops messing with the Sharpie.  The dim lighting over him hides the fact that he’s frustrated quite well.  The nervousness is his way of dealing with the frustration.  He pauses for a second, trying to think of the most delicate way to say what needs to be said.  However, bluntness is the best way for him to go ultimately.

“You are looked at within the company that you keep.  You have been making poor choices since day one.  You piggybacked onto Kader Hasheem, and the second he got called away from Northern Lights and up to Honor Wrestling, he forgot about you.  Now, you are a novelty to the Bad Boys.  Nothing more.  They are using you for a cheap pop, and once that pop fades, they are going to do to you what they do to everyone else, and they are going to abandon you.  The same goes for Evie, but there is nothing that you can…”

Shorty’s nostrils flare this time as he spins in his chair.  He looks over to Tad and his fists shake with anger.

“Wrong, wrong, and fucking wrong, Tad!  Who came to this very spot in the Gold Coast Casino five weeks ago when I debuted in this tournament.  It sure as fuck wasn’t you.  It was Kader Hasheem, who is responsible for helping to train me on how to evade strikes from bigger guys.  He did not ghost me, just because we don’t get on cameras nonstop.  The Bad Boys are not using me.  I’m using them, really.  And it already got me the golden briefcase.  I’m YOUR number one contender, thanks to the Bad Boys.  And Evie has been more of a friend to me than anyone ever has.  We started off rocky, with hopes of winning this tournament, but since then, we’ve gotten on the same page.  We’ve gone out together on the town.  We’ve bonded like friends, and for her, that says a shit ton..  So again, why don’t you cut the fucking bullshit and tell me what you came to tell me.”

Tad leans back in his chair, not responding well to Shorty’s hostility.  He shakes his head as Shorty belittles his opinion entirely.

“You need to leave the Bad Boys alone.  They are destructive.  They steamroll over anything and anyone, disregarding all that is precious.  You could be so much more than just a little person with a few solid victories.  You are above being handed victories and title contracts.  I just don’t think that you see it.  The Bad Boys will destroy you, and any hope for a career that you might have.  To be blunt with you, there is a distinct disadvantage, and as much as I as a millennial would love to sit here and say that everyone should be treated equally and fairly, that just isn’t the case.  You are strong, and we’ve seen it throughout this entire tournament.  You just need to learn to walk the path alone, build up your strength to a point that no one can deny that you are a force to be reckoned with.  Then, and only then, will you not be the butt end of every joke, like that asshole out in the crowd that you punched in the dick.”

Shorty is upset by the simple notion that Tad is trying to dictate who he associates with.  The nerve!  Shorty stands up from his chair, because he doesn’t want to hear this for another second, and as Tad speaks, he refuses to not say what needs to be said.  Devin is suddenly struck with something that Tad says, and he can’t help but lend his ears to Tad.  He patiently waits for Tad to finish speaking, and he looks down to the ground.

“You really think you know what it’s like in my shoes, don’t you?  You think it’s just as easy as believing in yourself and working hard to make it in this sport.  It’s not.  I’ve been through the wringer my entire career.  I’ve had to claw my way to the bottom of the barrel.  I’ve fought ten times as hard to be looked at as equals to men who are ten times less talented than me.  That right there is a sad fact.  But guess what?  I’ve made it.  I can make my own choices on who I hang out with, and what my shirt says.  I am a Bad Boy, loud and proud.  I’ve spent so much time with them, and I’ve heard many stories.  So if I can be honest now, nothing that you say means shit to me.  You only want me to stop hanging out with them, because of the history that you have with the Bad Boys, and more specifically, Dax.  Since you have to be professional now that you are his boss, you can’t stand that I have his attention, even if it’s not the way that you did.  So you can take that selfish motive, and you can roll it up in a nice little ball.  You can take that ball, and you can smooth it out.  Go ahead and put a little lubrication on it.  Give it a kiss for good luck, and shove it straight up that tight little ass of yours…”

Shorty speaks every last word of his in a callous manner.  He has stopped caring, and at the same time, he doesn’t even give Tad the satisfaction of laughing at him.  Stating it as fact is enough to upset Tad to the point of silence.  He nods his head and politely excuses himself from the table.  In true Bad Boys fashion, he gives Tad a tight slap on his backside as Tad walks away.  He takes a deep breath as the roar of the audience makes him look back at the stage.  Shorty takes his seat back as he picks up his pen to begin signing autographs.

Evie exits the stage as the crowd parts the way for her.  She looks them all up and down until her eyes come to rest on Devin.  Once she gets over to the table that has been set up for them, she takes a seat, smoothing out her dress.  Unexpectedly, she looks over to Devin and asks the question on her mind.

“What was with that guy?  The boss from your other company…”

Shorty shrugs his shoulders, and now that Tad is out of sight, he smiles deviously and chuckles aloud.

“He thought he was going to tell me what to do, and who I can associate with.  Unfortunately, when you try to talk down about my friends, you are going to wind up crying.”

Evie gives him a look that asks what he means by that.  Instead, he simply shrugs his shoulders.  The two had developed a way of communicating without words, and her next silent question asks if she was mentioned in this.  He again shrugs his shoulders and sighs as the fans begin coming up to the table in an orderly line.  They begin signing pictures and merchandise while reluctantly shaking hands and doing what they are being paid to do as the scene fades out.



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


With a big match coming up at Into the Void, training had been almost non-stop since the win over Wyatt Peterson and Amy Marshall. Shorty and Evie had been nearly inseparable. Between the non-stop training, the speed dating event, and the SCW Into the Void Fan Fest, it is a miracle that they had any time apart.

While this has caused them to bond further than even they had expected, they have spent a lot of time exhausting themselves. This was definitely not good for their chances of winning and a day of rest was just what the doctor had ordered. Luckily, Shorty’s new acquaintances lived together in Las Vegas, and their house was nothing short of fricken sweet. They were putting Shorty up over the last nearly two weeks.

The five star treatment was just what he needed. Shorty sits on a lounge chair in a red Speedo that shows off way more than anyone would ever want to see of him.  He is spread out under the sun as it beats upon his bronzed. There is a female in a white two piece bikini that is rubbing Shorty down with oil as he sighs in relief.

“I can only imagine how you got this gig, sweet stuff.”

The woman rolls her eyes as she flips her blonde hair over her shoulder to lean over Shorty to get his right shoulder while pressing herself onto his back.

“I thought your signature misogynistic name for women was Sugar Tits…”

Shorty looks over his shoulder and right into her big blue eyes. While she certainly qualifies for such a name, Shorty can't help but sigh and shake his head.

“Sorry to burst your bubble, but there is someone who has a special place in my heart, and she will forever be the only Sugar Tits for me.”

The girl seems very disinterested, but her job is to be Shorty’s entertainment during his stay in Las Vegas. She asks the very obvious question.

“So, you have a girl then? That's a shame. But we can still have a good time, right baby?”

Shorty chuckles.

“No, she's not my girl. No thanks. She is a friend, and it started out as a way of trying to get under her skin. We didn't have the best start, but we've gotten really close. It would never go there, so if you are worried about not getting to see a man that is 3 foot 11 that's still hung like a fucking horse, and exactly what he is capable of doing with what God blessed him with, then don't be. I'll still put it in you later…”

The girl sighs, but as her gold digging eyes wander over to his crotch, taking notice of what he's packing, her tune changes slightly. She begins rubbing on his chest and working her way down to his well defined abdomen, but she is distracted by a furry flash of brown and ink flying past her. She gasps and then goes to shield herself as the ever so familiar voice of Dax Beckett echoes over the entire pool area.

“CANNONBAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!”

*Splash!*

Surprisingly, Shorty doesn't mind the splash, but the abrupt shouting causes him to lower his sunglasses and he stares right at the pair of empty shorts floating at the top of the pool. He shakes his head as Dax’s head emerges from the water, and his hair clings to his face. He opens his mouth before sputtering water, gasping for air. Shorty winces and groans.

“Ahhh, man… do you even realize that your pale white hairy ass is blinding the neighbors, you jackass?!”

Dax reaches up and moves his hair out of his face as he blinks a few times, looking for Shorty. However, the next few blinks are for added insult.

“Bruh, where are you? I can't see you. Does somebody got a microscope?”

“Yeah, remember? Its next to your bed, so that you can see what you're doing when you touch yourself at night, shit head…”

Shorty leans back in his chair as he soaks up the sun. He lowers his shades once more as Dax paddles over to the edge of the pool, letting his shorts float freely in the water.

“You got jokes. Just like your place in the Blast From the Past tournament.”

Shorty practically snorts in response to Dax, which causes Dax to pay attention with a goofy smile on his face.

“Don't be salty because I made it further than you could ever dream of making it. Just because my partner is actually worth a damn, that doesn't give you the right to make fun, fucko.”

Dax takes it all in stride as he leans back. A censor bar covers his nethers as he does a back stroke across the pool. Shorty shakes his head and scoffs as Dax talks to him in a louder than normal voice.

“You got a mouth on you. That's why you blend in so well with us.”

“By the way, your ex pulled me to the side to tell me I should ditch you guys.”

“It would probably be a wise career move, but where is the fucking fun in that?”

Shorty goes to respond, but he knows Dax has a point. It was never about advancing his career. It was all about making a point and sticking it to “the man” who tried to keep him on the lower tier of the industry for so long. Instead, he is cut off by the sound of FaceTime going off on his phone. He picks it up to see it is Evie calling. He quickly answers.

“Yo, Sugar T. What's good?”

The sun makes it hard to completely see Evie, but he sees her just enough to catch the black slinky dress and the dark hair coming down over her shoulders.

“My little nugget, all things are good. I am just working on that video package you insisted I make.”

“It is only fair, Eve’s. Consider it a favor for me.”

Evie stares at the screen and sighs as if looking right into his eyes.

“I am, and that is the only reason I am doing this. I'm still surprised that you want me to do an apology video to Miss Minnie.”

Shorty grins as he lifts his sunglasses to look right at the screen. Evie looks away, annoyed by the notion.

“It'll be good for us. Help us to make you an ambassador for little people. After that stunt, I can't even look at another little person without getting a dirty look.”

“So, my speech goes something like this. *ahem* Miss Minnie. It is me, your old pal, Evie. I would like think that you have forgotten me, but when I punted you off of the stage, and I heard a few bones break, even over the roar of the crowd, I doubt you have. I'm sure it is the last thing that you remember of this sport. It must be a terrible thing to have to relive daily. The fall would have hurt anybody, especially someone who is small, even for a little person. I then went on to steal your tag team partner, and I felt no remorse. No remorse for harming you or costing you the only job you will ever get outside of a traveling sideshow…”

Evie stops talking as she looks back up to the screen. She watches Shorty look back at her as if asking her to continue. When she doesn't and he clears his throat, she speaks.

“Yes?”

“Was there… Anything else?”

Evie hums as she repeats a few words throughout the speech. She scans the speech and continues this until she reaches the end of it. She places her hand to her forehead and chuckles.

“I did forget something. Thank you, nugget. *ahem* and I still feel no remorse.”

“That is the shittiest apology speech I think I've ever heard. Why don't you put a little effort and heart into it?”

Shorty shakes his head as Evie scoffs.

“I am many things, but I am not a liar. I could also add that I didn't do it because she was a little person. I did it simply because she was there. It was not an act of hate against anyone.”

Evie feigns innocence as she stares back at Devin. Her eyes sparkle to sell the act, but Devin is not buying it. Even when Dax chimes in.

“That came straight from the heart, bruh.”

“And that is exactly why this is so terrible. I mean, that does more damage than good. At this rate, she might as well forget about the whole thing!”

Evie is quick to jump on this.

“Okay, scrapping it now. I will see you in Sunday. Enjoy your rub down by the platinum hand whore!”

Evie blows him a kiss. Just as he is about to respond, Evie ends the call and cuts Devin off. He sighs as the woman behind him begins reaching down toward his nethers once more. Shorty moves her hand back up to his chest. Dax climbs out of the pool as the censor bar gets marginally bigger. He then slides his shorts on to cause it to disappear entirely.

“You only got like 200 words left. You better at least mention your opponents, son…”

“Why? Courtney Pierce and Fenris don't seem too concerned about this match. I've trained my ass off for this match. I've already focused on them and gave them more attention than they deserve. They think that they have a chance at this match because suddenly they've gotten on the same page. Meanwhile, Evie and I have been on the same page since our first match together. We have been in sync throughout this entire tournament. Yet people still think that we aren't shit.”

“Welcome to our world, bruh.”

“Shut up, Dax. I'm on a roll! Now I lost track of where I was going…. Shit… Evie and I have shown that we can work together as a cohesive team practically since day one. So the rip off routine isn't fooling us. We are onto that game. We have their entire game plan mapped out. Courtney is going to claim that Evie’s win last week was a fucking fluke. She's going to blame it on someone else because she is being trained by the Queen of Scapegoating. And Fenris? We literally know his game plan because he was trained by the same people who trained Evie. We got this. The tournament is ours, without a single doubt.”

And with that, Devin realizes his time is about up. But not quite yet. He let's the gold digger stand up and he walks over to the pool. He helps her to step inside. He follows her in shortly after as the scene fades out on their forms disappearing into the water.

[Evie Baang]

 The thing about parties is, you either love them or hate them and right now Evie was staring at a room filled with people that she had honestly grown to tolerate and yet in this Luna shift the thought of watching them all burn toyed with her emotions. Glancing around the room, she watched as they laughed together, smiled together, shared stories together and yet Evie couldn’t hear their voices or their stories all she could hear what the blasted wall clock that sat proudly on the wall behind her. Ticking repeatedly, like a leaky tap. The more time seemed to run by, the more her patience for being in this surrounding was deteriorating.
 
It wasn’t long until the new comer of the group Dani had managed to drop a tumbler shattering it into a million shards of glass. Evie watched as the young soon to be Sin City Wrestling bombshell apologised frantically, while Os ran to her rescue with a dustpan and brush. The sound of the bristles swiping the tiled floor rang in the Aussie ears as the glass scraped against the ceramic flooring before it was swept into the plastic tray. It was the little things that Evie noticed, that seemed to bother no one else. Ripping her attention away from the chaos in the living room, Evie’s eyes darted across the room locking onto the deep brown eyes of Gabriel.
 
For most of the night, these two had separated themselves intentionally putting up walls that the other could see, while the rest of the “family” went on their merry way unaware of the irritation that was bubbling. Gabriel was at a loss of words when it came to Evie, the feeling of defeat crossed his mind, as he knew no matter what he would say or do, her combustible personally would tip his words of reason on their side, shaking them to their core rendering them pointless. Evie was a fighter after all. She was complex, dangerous, untameable and the more people implied that she had soften or changed because of her time with the “family” the more she wanted to pull away. Evie hadn’t changed, she was still the same ball of fire she had always been, it’s just that instead of burning others. The winds had turned, the flames had flickered and now she was only burning herself.
 
The clock was running in Evie’s mind once again, reminding her of a timer on a bomb about to erupt. It wasn’t until she could see Daniel who was standing behind Gabriel, motion her over that she felt the wick ignite. There was no way on God’s plentiful and wonderful green earth that Evie was going to do this here; she wasn’t going to make a scene. After all the “family” had its newest class clown for its entertainment. Her green eyes pierced towards Fenris as she watched him, play pretend with his broken English but she knew damn well he knew exactly what was being said and what was going on. Only a fool would think any different.
 
Evie turned her attention away from that little group before she managed to pull herself out of her seat. The weight of the world seemingly piggy backed her as she felt her chest tighten. It wasn’t that she didn’t like conflict, Evie loved it, she lived for it it’s just she had a decision to make and right now her mind was clearly made up. The fact that she couldn’t stand to be here, was evidence enough. Looking over she noticed that Odette was in the kitchen, helping Charlotte pour more snacks into some serving bowls to keep the guests happy. Odette had kept her distance from Evie all night, in fear of setting off a chain reaction.
 
The Aussie dropped her left hand to her side, her fingertips just gripping at her empty glass before she placed it down on the coffee table in front of her. It wasn’t too long before she was eating up the distance between herself and Daniel. His words from earlier still rang in her ears like an audio hangover from a big night out. Although interactions between Evie and London Underground were rare, in fact non-existent on television, she found comfort in the bunch as their mannerisms reminded her of the one person that could keep her calm and collected. What Evie would give to have him here with her, was almost irresponsible but she had followed the rules and left him at home.
 
Just as Evie was about to enter the group, she felt Gabriel’s hand on the middle of her back and with a swift sweeping motion her direction changed as she was ushered out to the balcony. They didn’t say a word at first as both their eyes over looked the streets of Vegas a city that was always hungry but never satisfied. Although as the Vegas lights shimmered in the reflection of their eyes, Evie and Gabriel both shared the same thought. Vegas was their playground, filled with pockets just eager to be picked. It wasn’t long until Gabriel caved to the silence that surrounded them.
 
“Has tonight, changed your mind?”
 
He sounded hopeful, hoping there was a chance that after all of this Evie would stick around. Gabriel wasn’t the type of person to chase anyone for anything unless you were his family and right now, his “oldest” to many was rebelling. Evie just turned to her side to look at him, her eyes locking with his.
 
“I had a family like this once. Vibrant, fun, happy go lucky and yet I can still count the knives they planted into my back the minute they wanted to climb the ranks.”
 
Evie was known for her cryptic ways, but Gabriel followed along with her story as he nodded hoping that she would continue.
 
“However, my mind is made up.”
 
Gabriel looked over his shoulder hiding his disappointment as he looked towards his wife, who was laughing and smiling in the kitchen. Doing her best to put this lingering issue into the back of her mind so she could celebrate everything her and her husband have accomplished. He knew this result was going to emotionally cripple her, as Evie and Odette had become thick as thieves over their time together. So much so that there was only a handful of people who knew who Mundo was and Gabriel and Odette were part of that selected few.
 
“So, you’re just going to spit the dummy and run?”
 
Gabriel turned back to look at Evie who had a smirk plastered on her face. Her attitude changed within a heartbeat.
 
“I don’t spit, I swallow and I’ve swallowed my pride for long enough. This isn’t about me, feeling neglected, this isn’t about the tides shifting and your attention moving forward to the others. It’s about growth. It’s about learning. It’s about knowing my worth and what exactly and I’m worth to you Gabriel?”
 
Evie watched, as Gabriel looked her dead in her eyes, she could see the fury starting to glow behind them. It had been a while since he was able to direct his anger towards anyone and right now Evie was testing that.
 
“Let me answer that for you, I’m worth nothing to you. You gave up on me, long before I ever imagined giving up on you. Now put your hands together and Viking clap to that.”
 
She watched as Gabriel searched for words. He was trying to keep things between them, choosing not to shout. As the party was still full swing inside the house, the family was unaware of what was brewing on the balcony.
 
“The results this Sunday night might already be written in the stars. I’m mean congratulations to Fenris and Courtney the little rookies that could. It’s all over the net, it’s all anyone can predict, it’s whom the people want… I just never expected you… you of all people to look at me and not for one second think that, I couldn’t stand a chance. This isn’t about the family, this isn’t about the people in that room, it isn’t about my “brothers and sisters”… this is about you and I. Call it daddy, daughter issues… call it whatever you want, the bottom line is… This is about you, giving up on me. So, what do I do? I protect you letting them all think that I’m spitting the dummy, that I’m being an egotistical emotional fool to save you and for what?”
 
She wasn’t really giving him a moment to answer as Evie just parted her blood red lips and continued.
 
“So, I can stand back and watch you cater to the flavour of the month? So I can stand back and let you openly encourage him to rain on everything I have ever done? My identity in this world, something you helped me create and yet I have to be okay with him, trying… to take this away from me? You know what? Fuck it. He can have it. He can have it all. This isn’t my way of crying for help, this isn’t my way for crying for your limited attention… this is my way to waking up and believe me my eyes are wide open.”
 
Evie didn’t give the man, her trainer, her “father” a chance to speak as she just spun on her heels leaving him to look out into the city of Vegas. What Gabriel would do next was anyone guess, but truth be told he wouldn’t chase her he didn’t need to chase her, if she wanted out of his life he wasn’t going to stop her. Evie knew this and it made leaving that much easier. As Gabriel was left to ponder on the balcony, Evie returned to the gathering inside for a quick round of small talk before she made her discreet exit.
 
##
 
The Gold Coast Casino was just days away from host Into the Void for Sin City Wrestling. The ring was set up, merchandise was being sold and fans from around the globe had started to descend on one for the staple arenas for Sin City Wrestling events. You could feel the electricity in the air; there was a buzz that only Las Vegas could deliver. Capturing everyone’s excitement. It was just a few days out and to build up the event the Sin City Wrestling bosses had ingeniously put together a fan fest, so the thousands of fans had the opportunity to meet and greet with their favourites. As a cue of fans gathered inside one of the many halls of the Gold Coast Casino, eager to be a part of the action the focus shifts to backstage.
 
“You okay?”
 
Devin was looking up at Evie who was standing beside him; she looked as if she was a million miles away as she held onto the velvet black curtain in her right hand. Looking out into the sea of fans that were awaiting their arrival.
 
“I’m fine.”
 
She turned back to him, flashing him a fake smile that even she wasn’t convinced with. It didn’t take long for Shorty’s voice to start ringing in her ears once more as he seconded guessed her.
 
“Is that an, I’m fine, I’m fine… or a women’s I’m fine, because you’ll aren’t that forthcoming with those words.”
 
He pulled the black curtain out of her hand, so he could capture her full attention. Evie spun on her heels so she could look down at her pint sized tag-team partner and she waved him off.
 
“It’s a simple, I’m fine.”
 
Devin couldn’t help but roll his eyes, he knew something was wrong he had known for weeks that’s he wasn’t feeling herself. It’s not like he wanted a view in on her personal life, they were a close team but he wasn’t an idiot he knew that Evie kept  her cards close to her chest refusing to let people see them. However, they were just days away from the finals of the Blast from the Past tournament, he didn’t need her or appreciate her breaking down at the last hurdle.
 
“I really need you to get your head in the game; you have a few more days Sugar hold it together.”
 
He was looking up at her worried about what he reaction would be, but she took him by surprised as she just smiled. Her green eyes locking with his as she crouched down to be at his level. She wasn’t doing this to disrespect him or his height it was just somethings needed to be said for his ears only.  
 
“My head is in the game Shorty, don’t you worry about that.”
 
She was trying to reassure him that she knew what she was doing, I mean this was her second chance at the Blast from the Past finals, Evie clearly knew she could win this but her attitude as of late wasn’t filling Shorty with much hope.
 
“See your words say one thing, but I can’t help but notice something is on your mind? So spill, we’ve got a couple of minutes before we have to entertain these fans.”
 
He was being real with her, he needed to know what was going on in that mind of hers. Hell maybe if he was able to get her to spill some of the burdens he could help release the pressure before she flipped her switch and snapped.
 
“Everything is fine, my little nugget. What’s done is done.”
 
She shifted from her position, standing back up before she looked down at her watch on her hand, they had five more minutes before their fan fest duties were set to kick in. Devin watched as Evie took a few steps away from him, but in true team like spirit, he wasn’t going to give up on his partner just yet.
 
“You know I’m not going to settle for that right?”
 
Devin was looking up at Evie looking for answers, expecting to get nothing but what happened next surprised him. All he heard was a sigh escape her blood red lips before she started to speak leaving him speechless at first.
 
“Fine. I’m at a crossroads with everything in my life right now. I’ve walked away from Gabriel and Odette, I have a man in my life that I love more than anything and I’m pretty sure I’m going to screw that all up because I can’t keep one simple promise and that’s to leave behind the life that I once lived. Oh, and I have thing nagging feeling that a certain white wolf is going to try and over shadow everything that you and I both say or do this week. Also the thought of letting sporty spice get one over me is ripping me apart from the inside out.”
 
Evie turned too looked back at Devin, a little shocked by her actions. It was unlike her to be opening up to someone new in her life, but here she was giving him the rundown of most of stuff that was floating around her mind. The beautiful thing is that she felt at ease around him. Evie was comfortable knowing that she could trust him.
 
“So, you’re saying that were going to be beaten this Sunday night?”
 
Devin decided there was a time and a place for the rest of Evie’s issues and right now, he was going to focus on the one that he could fix. His voice was deep and angry as he spoke to her, as if he was offended that Evie had given up on their dreams of winning this tournament.
 
“That’s not what I’m saying.”
 
The Aussie looked down to see Shorty glaring up at her, angry with her for giving up on them. That’s when she felt the pit of her stomach drop, normally disappointing people came easy but there was something about the way Devin was looking at her, that was enough to kick start her emotions.
 
“Sounds like it to me.”
 
He balled his fists up and slammed them down to his side; he couldn’t believe that his tag-team partner was going to give up at the last hump in the road.
 
“I know we can beat them, it’s just that it appears that no one else can see it.”
 
Evie was hoping this would settle him down, but Devin just looked her dead in the eyes and demanded her attention.
 
“So we’ll make them see it.”
 
Evie was down on his level now as she went to reply to him, but as she brought her face within his reach, Shorty clicked his fingers.
 
“I just need you to snap out of whatever this is and remember who the hell you are and what you’re capable of.”
 
His gaze on her intensified as now he saw what needed to be done and he was going to make sure he made her see sense of this situation. Devin didn’t hang around as he heard his name announced to enter the meet and greet hall for the fan fest and he quickly took his leave from the backstage area. Leaving Evie alone for a moment the gather her thoughts. Who was she? What had she become? Would she be able to overcome all of these thoughts before Sunday night when she had one job left to do, to defend the throne?
 
Evie watched as her tiny but mighty tag-team commanded the stage, lighting it up as he made his way towards the centre and as she watched him start to do what he did best a smirk slowly started to blossom over her stone like features. Her eyes narrowed as she beamed with the demeanour, which Sin City Wrestling had been missing. Who knew a wakeup call would come from the hands and mouth of Devin ‘Shorty’ Tyler but alas that’s what true teamwork was all about.
 
And unlike a certain other team Devin and Evie have been looking out for each other, since day one.  
?##

“Introducing next, from Victor Harbour, South Australia, standing at 5 feet 8 inches and weighing in at 121 pounds, she is… Evie Baaaaaaaaaaaaaang!”
 
Evie sighs from her position off stage before she reaches for the black curtain and with one swift movement she yanks them to the side before stepping out to greet the fans. Although some were cheering, while many them were booing her Evie couldn’t hear them all she could hear was the inhale and exhale of her breath. As she made her way to the podium Evie looks around into the crowd, while her theme music cuts from the PA system.
 
“That is a tough act to follow.”
 
Evie looks down at Devin who just nods towards her, before smiling. It was as if she was speaking to her without words as he winked letting her know that everything was going to be okay. Turning her attention back to the fans Evie couldn’t think of anything worse. She hated people and right now she was surrounded by them, it was god awful, but she took her time to collect her thoughts before she continued.
 
“Are you guys excited? I mean Into the Void is only days away.”
 
As the fans cheered with their excitement, the look on Evie face said it all, she was going to be sick seeing the fans react to her in such a positive manner. Evie let them have their moment before she decided to shut down.
 
“Shut the fuck up! It’s like you’re trained monkeys, begging for fucking bananas. If any of you had an original thought for once in your life, I would fucking fear the future. Like fucking puppets dangling from the strings, doing everything and anything the master commands.”
 
The crowd shifted to a boo, backing up Evie’s statement. The raven-haired bombshell just rolled her harsh green eyes before she continued.
 
“So, this is meant to be my time to tell you all why I’m going to become the first ever Bombshell, hell the first ever person in Sin City Wrestling history to become the first ever two-time Blast from the Past winner.”
 
The fans boo at the thought of the Australian having that prestigious title against her name, but Evie didn’t care as she just smiled down at them. She knew that they could leave at any time, but they chose to stay and listen to what she had to say.
 
“You hate it, you really fucking hate the thought of knowing that I could become everything you aren’t. You couldn’t even become wrestlers, yet you idolise us, you adore us, and you have the nerve to voice an opinion about what may or may not happen. I understand why you boo me, I really do… I mean being in the same room as a multiple champion, a previous Blast from the Past winner must eat you all alive knowing that you could never… and yet here I am just days away from potentially becoming the first ever two-time tournament winner. It must eat at you, knowing that I am everything you’re not. Yet here you are, booing me because you can’t handle the truth.”
 
The crowd let off another round of boos before Evie sucked it all up with a smirk.
 
“Like clockwork, you really are a bunch of sad pathetic people… you really should have been the stain on your father’s sheets.”
 
The fans boos intensify as Evie just smiles her white teeth glowing between her blood red lips.
 
“As I look around this room, I see life, life that should have dripped down their mother’s faces instead of penetrating the walls of the egg.”
 
The boos kick up a notch, some people even choosing to leave the room, but the loyal fans stayed to hear Evie Baang out.
 
“Into the Void is only days away and yet here I am, talking to a room full of people who couldn’t possibly understand what is at stake for me. I have the chance of a lifetime and yet, none of you seem to believe that I can do what needs to be done… because you’re so wrapped up in the fairy-tale that is Courtney and Fenris. The little rookie team that could. You adore them, because you can relate to them. Their the fresh faces of Sin City Wrestling, their the team you wish you could be like… because let’s face it you still want to become wrestlers and what a beautiful story they wrote for you. This rookie team that debuted in Sin City Wrestling in the Blast from the Past tournament are now staring down the finals. It’s the story you wish you could live and that’s why you flock to them, like flies to dog shit.”
 
The crowd let out another chorus of boos towards Evie, but the Australian bombshell just looks around the room unapologetic for her words.
 
“They had a golden opportunity, they really do, and you know what… I can respect that but what I don’t respect is having my name dragged through the mud. Courtney for such a small girl, you have such a big attitude and most weeks I would be applauding you… but not now, not this Sunday night. You’re in my way and trust me when I say this. I will and can put you down. Regardless of what you say about me, saying that you see me as a gigantic fish, one of the best bombshells this company has ever seen, you continue to disrespect me from your actions. You say one thing and yet you do the complete other. You already think you have this victory in the bag, you’re already eyeing off Mikah’s championship and you’ve been in the company for five hot minutes. Let me remind you Court, it’s easy to slip and fall in this business. It’s easy to crumble under the pressure and from where I’m standing, this Sunday is your make or break… It’s just unfortunate you’re going to shatter.”
 
That confident smile was back on Evie’s face as she took a moment to collect her self before continuing.
 
“And once you show a single crack, I will proceed to pick away at the pieces. Two weeks ago, at Climax Control, was just a play fight, a platform I could use to show the world that even fucking around that I could beat you, that I had your number. So, if people want to still ask me, do I have what it takes to beat you again, you can bet your bottom dollar that I do and there is nothing in this world that can stop me. Courtney you are standing in my way of history and yes that might seem a little funny as I’m doing the exact same thing to you, but let’s face it. I have been in this game a lot longer than you and when I set my sights on something, I grab it by both hands I make sure I leave with what I busted my arse off working for. I find it funny that you an Fenris are claiming to be the team to beat, and yet where was your team work? It’s only started to gel together now… towards the end of tournament and why? Because you two can smell victory.”
 
Evie stopped talking for a second and the fans, didn’t boo her as they knew what she was saying was the truth.
 
“You and Fenris, have just recently decided to work together because the finish line is in sight. Fuck that, that’s sloppy fucking team work. I know what it takes to win the Blast from the Past I accomplished it with Lord Raab last year and I’ll do the same this year with Shorty… because we put the fucking effort in since round one. We put the time aside to learn each other’s strengths and weakness and the fact that you two are coming across as the favourites, is repulsive. It’s insulting. You two have the constant struggle of who is the power in your little couple, because Courtney loves the fucking spotlight and Fenris refuses to be anything less than the centre of attention.”
 
That evil smirk was on Evie’s face as she said the name Fenris.
 
“Ah Fenris, the man that has basically leeched on to everything I have done in Sin City Wrestling. The white wolf. Do you have anything original to offer in your persona? Do you have anything new to give to Sin City Wrestling. You’re not a fucking wolf, you’re a glorified husky. A dog, chasing his fucking tail in hopes to become something. You will be put down this Sunday night by Devin and I will laugh, I will laugh in your fucking face because the “fearless” MMA fighter will be crippled by Shorty. That’s your greatest fear and even though you refuse to say it out loud, everyone can see it.”
 
Evie just looked around the room, seeing that people were nodding towards her.
 
“Since you have walked into Sin City Wrestling, you’ve been nothing but a smug arsehole with no real reasoning to back it up. Sure, you have progressed in the blast from the past finals but apart from that what have you done? Apart from ripping off people that have been here before you? What have you done apart from try and dick measure on twitter? You have tried and let me say that again… you have TRIED to overshadow me since week one and you know what Fenris, I live in the shadows the darkness is where I do my best thinking and you my “brother” have fucked up completely.”
 
Evie took her time soaking in the room before she continued.
 
“Claiming to be the white wolf, claiming to be a leader… you’re not a wolf, how could you be? You can’t lead or run with a pack, when you can barely handle running with the lambs.”
 
Those white teeth were on display as Evie licked her lips, feeling all sorts of alive.
 
“Courtney and Fenris, will feel the rays of the spotlight on Sunday night, it’s just such a shame that instead of basking in the light, they will burn. Both very driven people, it’s just too bad for them they can’t step back, each of them smothering the other in need for the spotlight, in need for all the glory. You’re not a team, you’re a fucking joke. All the last-minute cramming for Into the Void will be worthless, because you will be the ones coming up short.”
 
She looked out at Devin who flashed her a smug smile.

“Pun, no pun. It doesn’t fucking matter. Devin and I will show the world that we have what it takes to take down the self proclaimed winners of the Blast from the Past. There will be no Viking clap, there will be no spice girl reunion because the fact of the matter is... your champions wont be the ones you have chosen, they will be the ones that you that you slept on. Come Sunday night be prepared to leave Into the Void disappointed, Fenris, Courtney, the fans because Shorty and I are going to show the world that when you sleep on us, we will leave you living in a fucking nightmare.”

Her green eyes were glowing with hope, something that she was going to pray on going into the super card.

“This tournament is MY fucking throne and I will defend the reign at all costs, because that’s what Alphas do... we don’t lose sleep on the opinions of the weak. Now for all of those who doubted me and for all of those who stated that I had become less of a dominant force since returning, allow me to reintroduce myself...”

She had that typical smirk on her face as she wrapped this up.

“I’m Evie Fucking Baang”

With that said and done, we fade.  

[Roux]

 SCWrestling.net Exclusive
[Court]side: Live! [From The Couch]
22 May 2018


The camera is much more wobbly than it usually is when it starts recording. The female half of the rookie Blast From The Past Finals team is laying back on a couch in full view of the camera. There is a smile on her face, and she looks pleased with herself.

“Oh Devin...”

The camera wobbles again, and drops a few inches, clearly having trouble moving around in a more confined space. The tail end of the drone pushes something off of a shelf that crashing to the floor off camera. Court looks quickly in the direction of the noise, and then to the left of the screen. The sound of footsteps fill the room and is followed by the sound of two men arguing in a foreign language. The accusatory tone shifts in Court’s direction, and when it does, it is in English.

“An indoor drone? Whose bright idea was that?”

The voice is easily discernible as Aron, the brother of Court’s partner Fenris, and the only other English speaking person in their recent living arrangement. Court does not hesitate to point off to the other side of the screen, likely to where her partner sits controlling the camera. There is another short discussion between the two that most people would need subtitles to understand, and then the sounds of someone storming out of the room. It draws a giggle from Court, who goes back to laying back on the couch.

”See, all teams have their issues. Devin has the disadvantage of having only grown to the size of a toddler before he stopped, but that didn’t stop him from growing up to be really, really stupid too.”

She pauses for a second, none of it sounding quite right. She snaps her fingers as she figures out why.

”Oh, right. If you say the mean thing before the BUT you are supposed to say something nice afterwards. I totally fucked that up. Let me try it again. Roll it back.”

Court makes a rolling motion with her index finger like they were going to attempt a second take, but the video simply keeps on going. Luckily for the viewers at home, Fenris obviously starts to gain some measure of control over flying it around and the feed levels out.

”Devin’s fun-sized stature might make him the punchline of a lot of jokes, but at least he has all that dick-punching to make us take him seriously...”

She scrunches up her nose and shakes her head.

”Nope. That doesn’t work either. I’m trying to find some middle ground here Devin, but there just doesn’t seem to be any. I would ask your partner, but we’re going to get to her later. That’s another topic, for another day. Today I am talking to the dwarf.”

She nods in acceptance of whatever backlash she was already getting.

”...and yeah. If you’re sitting at home trying to figure out how many different words for ‘midget’ I’m going to use, you better not start a drinking game, because all you’re going to get for your effort is alcohol poisoning.”

She laughs, but does not hold back from diving in.

”Now my guess is that Pocket here has had a rough life so far. I mean try to put yourself in his very small shoes. People probably point at and pick on the guy every single day. Granted, feeding into munchkin stereotypes is not helping his case. If you want to be taken seriously as a competitor the way to go about it is not making yourself a distraction with your adorable short-legged run around the ring to distract the referee. It’s just going to leave you holding the short end of the stick, and no, that is not some reference to your penis. Mainly because I don’t want the mental image, but also because the third leg jokes are super lame and you’ve already hit that note a few times.”

She concedes a little with a shrug of her shoulders.

”You would think that you would try to make up for your literal shortcomings by being a little sharper than the average knife in the drawer. You would think that you would scout out your opponents, and maybe learn a little about them. Then, at least when you are on the other side of a camera, you can make a compelling argument while people forget you’re a lawn gnome.”

She sits up on the couch, and her voice becomes less playful.

”...but no! What does Evie’s itsy-bitsy-partner do? He goes and says something stupid about me being entitled. Me! I am nothing if not the single most humble, talented, and compelling individual on the roster, and all I think that I deserve is ever---”

She stops herself and scrunches up her nose. Her eyebrows come together and she raises her index finger up to her lips.

”You know maybe I do really feel that way. Maybe I do have an inflated opinion of myself. Maybe I do feel a little entitled. Someone that doesn’t feel entitled doesn’t sit down with people like Mark and Christian as an unproven rookie and say that they are ready for a contract. People that aren’t entitled don’t sign contracts without their trainers saying that they are ready. I did both of those things, so maybe you are right. Or maybe, considering I am about to walk into the finals of this tournament, I was just… right.”

She shrugs her shoulders.

”I knew I was ready. I knew I could get this far, so I came out every single week and I made it happen. It is really as simple as that. If you have a problem with someone having an entitled attitude, but then showing up in the ring to back-up everything that they have said then your problem isn’t just with me wee man… it’s with your partner too.”

She presses forward a little more, not wanting to get off track by switching the subject to Evie.

”..and maybe a little bit with yourself. I mean, after all, the only thing you ever talk about is the fact that people should take you seriously. They should treat you like any other regular wrestler. You feel entitled to be treated like someone that grew to a normal height, yet all you do is make a fool out of yourself. People treat you the way that they view you. It’s hard for anyone to view you as more than a knee-high comedy routine if that is the only bit that you are pushing.”

She shakes her head, not knowing how someone that has been dealing with the problem for his entire life could be so clueless as to how to go about it.

”You want me to take you seriously, start by taking yourself seriously… and not just while you’re standing in front of a camera talking about a match. I mean in the things you do in the ring, the things you say backstage, and everything you do to reinforce a joke you claim to hate. If you show up to Into The Void with that kind of attitude, it’s not going to take Fenris any time at all to pick you apart.”

Court did not have blind confidence in her partner, and doubled down on her claim immediately.

”You put so much weight in words and distractions. How is that going to work against someone that doesn’t speak the same language? How are the tricks going to hold up against someone that is not going to get bent out of shape by them? You could be the best little person wrestler in the world, but Fenris is a mixed martial arts machine hellbent on taking you apart.”

She shrugs again, and looks over to where Fenris sits off screen.

”What chance does a he have when the only thing at his disposal are jokes made at the expense of his own credibility?”

Court leans back against the couch, and starts to relax a little. Getting everything she had to say out in the open was like taking a weight off of her chest.

”You could prove me wrong, sure. You could show up with a new attitude, and a little more focus on the task at hand. You could try your best, instead of steering into the same tricks and gimmicks that every munchkin before you has tried to pull. Maybe at the end of the night, you will be able to feel good about yourself for the first time in your life...”

As she speaks, she throws her legs back up on the couch, and starts to play back again. Before she gives her opponent’s too much of a reassuring push, she backtracks it a little.

”I mean, I would still be willing to bet you’re going to lose and get embarrassed no matter what… but… you know… it’s the little things that count.”

With a laugh, she shakes her head, and the video cuts off.

===========================
===========================


”Friction”
Hyde Night Club
Chicago, Illinois
[OFF-Camera]


It was the best idea that I have had in a long time. We have all been doing so much training, strategizing, and basically spending all of our waking hours planning for what was going to happen on Sunday in the span of about twenty minutes.  Others who have been doing this longer than I have might disagree with me, but I figured that it was time to go out and do something fun. In fact, I thought we could make a day of it. What was one day in the grand scheme of things anyways?

Afterall, everything has been going exceptionally well for us. The sting of losing that match to Evie was mostly gone. The guilt about Kris had basically evaporated along with him. I had sent the guy a few messages wishing him well and apologizing for snapping at him like I did, but there was no response to any of them. The story was the same with Mikah. Whatever the two of them were going through though, I wanted to part of it. Getting along with new people was hard enough without having to deal with the added stress of the people trying to train me.

I think that was why I was so grateful for the opportunity that Fenris gave me. I mean, I was nervous when he showed up and asked me to come to his gym to train with him. It was not just that it was Gabriel and Odette’s gym, which was intimidating by itself. It was not that it was the gym that Evie trained at either, although it was the very definition of a fringe benefit. I knew that there would be backlash to stepping foot inside the place, but what had me nervous were the two men that I had gone to meet.

Other than a few complainers though, it went better than I could have hoped for. Not only did it lead to me working with both Aron and Fenris to come up with a plan for our team, but it led to me crashing on their couch all week. Fenris had made that announcement over Twitter, and I wasn’t going to argue with him and make it look like our team wasn’t on the same page. That was just asking to be yelled at. In the end I caved in, and stayed. Other that signing the contract with Sin City, or convincing Mikah to train me, it may have been the best professional decision that I ever made.

Fenris and I went from two people that rarely talked, to two people who were forced to learn to coexist with one another. We had to learn to occupy the same space without being in each other’s way. We had to learn the small quirks about each other that were important to get over before trying to compete in a match like this, especially as rookies. I don’t think that anyone paying us any attention could honestly say that it wasn’t working out better than to be expected.

That was the whole reason for this day after all. It was a way to blow off some steam so that when we went back to it tomorrow, we were able to do so with fresh eyes and a renewed spirit. I couldn’t keep track of all of the places that we had hit during the day, but at this point in the night we landed at Hyde’s Nightclub.

It was also where things started to spiral out of control.

Bar Patron: “Hey, a pretty girl like you looks like she could use a drink...”

That’s how so many horrible stories start though, right? I mean it can spiral so far out of control from this moment. I can think of literal dozens of ways that I could have responded, and in the moment, I knew that all of them were going to end badly in some way, shape, or form. Nobody handles rejection well, and there was no way that this was not going to be a pretty stiff rejection. Still, I tried to handle it as well as I could. However, when someone grinds up against you from behind, and yells something into your ear over the sound of the music, it is hard not to flip out….and it gets a whole lot more difficult when they look gross and are sweating all over you to do so. Instead of making a scene, I twisted so that he was no longer pressed against me and pointed back over my shoulder to where both Fenris and Aron were enjoying themselves on the dance floor. I shook my head, hoping that he was experienced enough in a club situation to read lips.

Court: “I’m good. Here with friends.”

It was the best that I could come up with to let the poor guy down easily. I am sure that there was someone in the club that was drunk enough, with low enough standards, to accept his roofie-laden beverage and end up naked and spread-eagle on the futon in his mom’s  basement. I wasn’t that person though. I tried to slip away closer to my partner and his brother, but a hand on my wrist stopped me from giving the creep the slip. He pulled me in closer than I would ever want to be to a stranger, and put his lips back to my ear.


Bar Patron: “Come on. They look like nerds. We can have fun….”


I could tell that this wasn’t his first time running this kind of game on someone. Persistence is a learned virtue. People do not get that way the first time that they are told no. Having the balls to reach out and grab the wrist of a stranger is the kind of thing forged by years of frustration. I wasn’t exactly going to stick around and find out how frustrated he was. Instead, I did the first thing that came to mind to free myself from the situation. He still had my wrist in his hand, but he had left me with the other arm free. It was the first mistake that he made, and he realized it when I turned and caught him in the ribs with my forearm to push him away from me. As the air came rushing out of his lungs, he let go of my hand and took a step back. I didn’t wait to see how he was going to react and turned away from him.


Bar Patron: “Now I already said those guys are nerds...”

He reached out for my wrist again, but as soon as I felt his fat fingers on my skin I wiggled free of them. Luckily both Aron and Fenris had seen what was transpiring and started to make their way back towards me. I did not turn to say anything else to the guy once I wiggled free, and thought that I had given him the slip until I felt my head snap backwards.


Bar Patron: “...and I didn’t say that you could leave!”

I started to fall backwards, but Aron reached out at just the right time and took my hand. People spread out from around us, and gave the two space. Fenris seemed reluctant to get involved, and part of me could not blame him for wanting to stay out of trouble ahead of the finals. Aron did not really have that problem though. His accent was noticeable, even with the music still playing.

Aron: “I think you should probably just leave the girl alone.”

I didn’t think it had any chance of working to get the guy to fuck off, but at least someone was willing to have my back. Maybe the last week of us all staying together was worth more than I thought that it was.


Bar Patron: “Maybe you should mind your own damn business and let her make her own decision.”

It was all just an act to try and get the two to walk away and let the situation diffuse. If it was really my choice, then we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. He would have walked away when I said no. However, since he was putting the blame on me, I was happy to make that decision in front of everyone that was watching.

Court: “Dude, I’m not interested in you, or in getting in a fight right now. How about you go about your miserable existence somewhere far the fuck away from me, and we can just pretend like this didn’t happen.”

From the way that he took a step towards me, I knew that any chance of that happening was long gone. Of all the ways that I had previously thought that this would end badly, almost all of them where we avoided jail time and had a good time after this were starting to be off the table. Yet, Fenris still stood at the edge of the crowd, just watching. I was not sure if it was because he was not exactly sure what was happening, but Aron was the one actually stepping up to the man. In fact, when he tried to take another step towards me, Aron stepped in front of me, directly into his path.

Aron: “You said it was the lady’s choice, and it sounds like she made one.”

Aron was way too naive if he thought that I had any choice in any of this. The guy put his hands up, and I knew what it was going to mean before any of it happened. He turned away, but only for a half a step. He wanted Aron to drop his guard, and it happened, because he started to turn towards me to reassure me. The guy was not done with our conversation though. He turned back to us, and shove Aron with all of his strength. Aron fell back into me. I fell back into Fenris. Fenris was the only one to stay on his feet, as Aron and I tumbled to the gross floor of the club.

Court: “What the fuck!?!”

Fenris was put just off balance enough by my running into him that he did not reach the guy until after security had swooped in. I was pretty sure that they were probably making their way over to us before any shove had even occured, but that was not the first thought on my mind in the moment. Aron did not bother getting up before finding me with his eyes, and looking me over.

Aron: “Are you okay?”

I shook my head, and struggled a little to keep it together, but i did. Aron extended his hand to help me backup to my feet, and when he did, Fenris was there. He was fuming that he was not able to get his hands on the guy, but his concern was not for me. His focus was on Aron, and the two were having a conversation that I couldn’t even understand. I lost it, and shoved Fenris as hard as I could, but it did little more than get his attention.

Court: “What the fuck is wrong with you!?”

This was what our night had boiled down to. A few drinks and half of a good time into our evening, and I was screaming, in public, at someone who didn’t understand a word of English. He even looked confused that I was mad at all.


Court: “You are supposed to be MY fucking partner. You are supposed to have MY back. I don’t know if maybe you just weren’t paying attention, or you weren’t grasping what was going on, but I could have used some of that anger and hostility when that douche was trying to force his way into my pants against my will.”

I could tell that I was talking to fast, and Aron was not even trying to translate. Fenris only seemed to grasp that I was angry, but I was hoping that he could figure out why on his own. I was not in any state of mind to stand here and be nice about it. Aron put his hand on my arm and tried to interrupt, but I pulled away, and held both of my hands up.


Court: “You know what? I don’t care. Do whatever you want to do.”

With that, I turned, and used my size to my advantage. I could easily slip through a crowd. Neither of them were going to have any luck try to do the same thing. I was fine with that too. I needed some time, and I had a few things to say.

===========================
===========================


SCWrestling.net Exclusive
[Court]side: SNS


The feed starts on the irritated face of rookie Courtney Pierce. She is pushing her way through a crowd of people, all moving the opposite direction that she is. There is some kind of disturbance behind her, and as she moves past people on the sidewalk, they start pulling out their phones to record the skirmish. None of it even seems to register for Court, whose eyes are on the small phone screen in her hand. It was a lot more low tech than the drone normally operating the camera, but she had something she needed to say in the moment.

”You know the thing about a mixed tag match, Evie? As much as we want to frame it to be a partner thing, there’s definitely a solo aspect to it. We can’t ignore it just because it sounds better to be working as a team. We can’t act like it’s not true because it would hurt feelings. The fact is, you don’t have to tag yourself into this match. Your partner isn’t really there to help you when shit hits the fan. If I tagged out of this match because you have some advantage, what is to stop you from tagging yourself back in immediately and preventing me the opportunity to recover?”

She finally makes her way to the edge of the crowd, and breaks into an open area of sidewalk. The further she gets from the conflict, the more the viewers can see behind her. The white and blue flashing lights of several police cars light up the entire area.

”In a regular tag match your partner can take the pressure off of you. They can carry the weight for you for a while if things aren’t going your way. I shouldn’t have to explain that do you Evie, you’ve been successful as a team. You’ve also been successful in this tournament, so I shouldn’t be having to explain all of this to you anyways.”

She rolls her eyes, visibly annoyed, and quickly brushes her hair away from her face.

”No matter how much you build up your vertically challenged partner, or smile politely at him when he talks about being taken seriously as a competitor, you know that you aren’t going to let him be the deciding factor in this match. You have way too high of an opinion of yourself to let that happen. Everything you do is selfishly motivated.”

She does not stop moving, but the viewers note the change in direction. Water from a fountain off screen shoots into the air to be seen behind Court, cameras flash from tourists watching the display like it is the most amazing thing that they have ever seen.

”You don’t want to win this tournament for you and Devin. You want to win this tournament so that you can be the only two-time winner. YOU want to defend YOUR crown. Does that sound like a team effort? Because to me it sounds like you are only here for yourself.”

She cuts herself off, and shakes her head. Her eyes roll again, and her frustration gets the better of her.

”...and then you have the audacity to try and paint yourselves as some weakling team that has slayed the best of the best in the tournament? Which is it Evie? Are you the defending champion, or are you the miracle team? You can’t have it both ways. You can’t be the odds-on favorite, and the underdog at the same time.”

She shrugs her shoulders lightly, working her way in a circle around the fountain.

”...but I know why you do it Evie. It is for the same reason that you spend all your time talking about what I am going to say about you, instead of talking about me. You did it on Climax Control, and were horrendously wrong, so I was surprised that you tried it again. The fact that you did showed me that you would rather talk about yourself than anything else. You honestly believe that you are the very best, and the reason that your team is going to win this tournament. It was true when you wanted a new partner, just like it’s true now.”

She flips the argument on itself without any hesitation.

”All the talk about a team, or weakness, or surprise that you have gotten this far… all of it is just your way of setting up the midget to get thrown under the bus in the event that you lose. YOU, are the defending tournament champion. HE, is the reason that you didn’t think you were going to make it this far. You have no faith in him, no matter what you try to tell him. Anyone that thinks otherwise is a fucking idiot.”

She stops, and looks away from the camera and up to the fountain for the first time. It gives her time to take a deep breath, something that she probably should have done before losing her cool at the nightclub. When she looks back to the camera, she shakes her head with a smile.

”Say what you will about the problems that Fenris and I have, but at least we are honest with one another. At least we have made a legitimate attempt to get onto the same page. I have been here training with a partner that doesn’t even speak the same language that I do. Devin wants to talk about a size disadvantage and how that makes your team beatable? How about now even being able to communicate on the fly with someone that is supposed to have your back? How about two rookies making it to the finals for a match with the defending champion that already has a win over someone on the team? Maybe some people see us as a joke of a team. It’s their right to be dumb if they want to. I think the joke is that two rookies were able to talk their way through a bunch of mainstays from this company. You can laugh at us for getting this far if you want, but everyone else that is doing so is doing it from home, on the couch, because they weren’t good enough to be where two rookies are: in the finals. You can join them on the couch after Into The Void if you want. After all, that’s all you’re here for, right Evie?”

She offers the camera a condescending tilt of her head and half-smile.

”My partner might occasionally be a dick, I might not be able to talk to him, but at least from day one we have been straight up with one another. We haven’t sugar-coated any hard truths that the other might not want to hear. We haven’t gone out of our way to hold back any misgivings about the team. We might not ever be the best of friends, but we are going to walk into the finals knowing exactly where the other stands, who they are, and what to expect from them. ”

The smile widens across her face.

”I took you to your limit in my first ever singles match. If you want to make this about just the two of us then it can be that way. If you want to put your crown up against a rookie because you don’t believe in your partner like you say you do, then all you have to do it keep tagging yourself in. I mean, until Fenris makes good on the promise to punt that little bastard into the crowd like a beach ball. Then you’re not going to really have a choice in the matter.”

She laughs lightly, but it does not let it derail her.

”You needed his distraction in order to barely squeak past me last time. That doesn’t speak well to your chances this time when there is no chance of history repeating itself. I guess that works on a few different levels...”

She lets the thought trail off for the viewers to put together for themselves. With a smile, she clicks the end button on her phone, killing the video feed.

[Fenris]

 <img align=left src= "http://www.geocities.ws/scwmaterial/Pictures/Fenris4.jpg">Been paying attention to the other promos being aired for Into the Void VII? If not, shame on you because otherwise these stories won't make fuck all sense.

The entire point of their evening out along the Vegas Strip, club hopping amongst the multitude of nightclubs hosted in within the many world famous hotels, was to allow themselves a night without anger or drama. An evening where they could simply drink and forget, and perhaps bond as tag team partners further. Drinking and dancing, and in some cases, attempted conversation -- which proved to be a challenge all unto itself. And for the most part, the three had been successful.

For the most part. Right up until a drunken cretin took an interest in Courtney Pierce and decided to insert himself into their plans whether they agreed or not.

The drunk was being forcibly removed from the Hyde nightclub, his reward for his actions not only being removed by security, but also he would be banned from Hyde for life. And the way he was struggling and shouting, chances were he'd be arrested once he got outside for physically laying hands on Aron. Yet the drunk was not the concern of the brothers Fenris and Aron. He was beneath them both and of little to no consequence. No, their eyes remained on the parted crowd, and towards the entrance where Courtney had just stormed off. A gross error in judgment and waiting too long, and it may have cost him his partner, and perhaps more than he was willing to admit just yet.

"I'll go after her." Aron said in Icelandic, but found a restraining hand on his shoulder. Aron looked up and saw a puzzling expression on Fenris's face. The "White Wolf" frowned as he shot his brother a look and shook his head slightly.

"No. I'll go." He said, and when it seemed Aron might object for the glaringly obvious reasons of further angering Courtney or his lack of the command of the English language, Fenris got that look that practically shouted he would brook no argument. "I'll. Go."

Fenris practically forced Aron down into the nearest seat to wait, and signaled a waiter to bring his brother another drink while he waited. Fenris then turned and headed out, weaving through the crowd and venturing out into the Las Vegas night...

And it didn't take long to find her. The Hyde Bellagio was located right behind the famed Bellagio Fountains, and as the sun had already set, the famed fountains and light show was already beginning. A crowd of hundreds had formed all around to watch and take pictures or record videos. It almost seemed like instinct that he would find her here, watching like all the others as she had admitted to the brothers that she had never seen them. It was a reason why they had chosen the Hyde as one of their last stops. He easily noticed her hair and outfit amongst the lackluster attire of the common tourists, and made his way to her, muscling in between the disgruntled and complaining men and women who took exception someone was cutting in. But Fenris didn't care, not until he was standing at the forefront, along the railing and to Courtney's direct left.

And don't think she didn't notice him being there. Her posture immediately stiffened the moment he stood at her side, her eyes never leaving the colorful lights showing through the towering sprays of water. She said nothing, however, and for the longest of time, neither did Fenris. They both kept their eyes straight ahead in a mutual and unspoken truce of silence, right up until the moment Fenris surprised her, and said something to her that he wouldn't admit to saying to anyone else.

"I'm sorry."

For a moment, Courtney wasn't certain that she heard what she believed. Her lovely brow creased in confusion, and she finally pried her eyes away from the Fountain and found them on the man who had remained at her side lo these past several weeks. "What did you say?"

His English wasn't perfect. It was broken and his accent punctuated the fact, but the point was that he was trying. For her. "Please..." He frowned in concentration, struggling to remember the right words. "... don't make me say again."

The fact that he had actually APOLOGIZED seemed a monumental thing, but she was not about to let him off the hook so easily. She turned back to the fountain and folded her arms around herself, the night air in the desert giving her a chill. The moment was not lost on the seemingly oblivious Fenris as he further surprised her by reaching around and draping an arm along her shoulders, offering a bit of body heat for her comfort. She would have been well within her rights to slap his arm away or shrug it off, but she did neither. It was not the act of a romantic, simply one of comfort.

"Why?" She finally asked. "Why didn't you step in first?" She looked up at him. "Why leave it to your brother?"

If he didn't understand everything she had just spoken, he understood enough. He understood 'why.' He had never felt in the habit of explaining himself, but this time he knew he had been in the wrong, and she deserved it. He finally said, "I don't know? My own fucking mistake. Thought you could handle it. Thought you want to." He then shrugged. "I was wrong."

She gently exhaled through her nose as she took that in. She had given off the air of independence from the moment that they had met to prepare for the tournament, so maybe the situation wasn't entirely his fault now that she thought about it.

Fenris continued to struggle speaking without Aron's assistance, "Then when he hit Aron... I see red. If I got to him before security..."

"You could have been arrested." Courtney finished his train of thought for him, beginning to see the difficult position the Icelandic star was under. "You could have been sent back to Iceland."

She found Fenris's eyes on her and the look in them told her that he had not entirely understood what she had just said. She reiterated, "Deported?"

That he understood and he shrugged and said, "If convicted, yes. Depends." He turned back to the Fountains and sighed, "Sometimes, I don't care."

"But...?" She prodded.

"But, I want to see this through." He shook his head. "But still should have put the fucker's head through the wall. Would have for my sisters."

And THAT particular reference caught her attention. Not because he brought up the topic of his family, but that he had just compared her to his own sisters. Despite herself, she found the thought brought a smile to her full lips, and she quipped, "Even the ones you said you don't get along with?"

He just tilted his head in a silent nod of confirmation. The moment was not lost between the two, and it would seem a broken bridge was on the verge of being mended. An impossible olive branch from this stubborn ass of a man had been offered, and she was about to suggest they return to the Hyde when Fenris beat her to it.

"Want to go back?" He offered with an impish smile. "Night is still young. Lots of places left to party."

And the fire within Courtney had cooled just enough for her to yield to his hard but boyish charm. The Bellagio Fountains all but forgotten behind them, she did not even mind that he kept his arm around her shoulders in a sign of comfort and protection where he had failed her previously as they went back in search of Aron and the evening beyond.

Drai's Beachclub & Nightclub

Drai's in Las Vegas provided the ultimate in guest experience, and was a fitting place for Fenris, Aron and Courtney to bring their evening to a much appreciated grand finale. Alongside over two thousand other guests who were out to celebrate the night away, the trio of SCW stars made the most of what time they had left before the final call just before the hour of four a.m. And what better way to do so than in Vegas's first and only rooftop pool party? And while the majority of guests were partying under the stars to DJ Esco's pulsating sound system, there were a number, our star trio included, who drank and danced alongside the pool, surrounded by palm trees, in their street clothes.

Yes, even Fenris was dancing!

And it was at the moment when the three stood around a small table with three shots before them. Hands clasped behind their backs so as not to 'cheat,' they bent down low and used nothing but their lips to latch onto the shot glasses and stood upright, tilting their heads back and tossed the contents! Taking the shot glasses in their fingertips, all three luxuriated in the warm sensations the alcohol gave them as it coursed slowly through their systems -- not their first of what had been many! Courtney giggled lightly, and even Fenris was a little unsteady on his feet for as much as the three had indulged.

"Okay everyone...!!" The DJ spoke up into the microphone, calling out as he lowered the volume of his state of the art system. "Hate to cut this party short but I was just told that it's last call!"

The crowd moaned and called aloud in vast disappointment, but the DJ held up his hands in mock surrender. "Don't kill the messenger players! Get those last drinks in ya and we can play again tomorrow night!"

The crowd started to part like the Red Sea, many taking their leave of Drai's to rest and recover, others to get in the very much desired last minute drinks. And as they did, Fenris's blue eyes found themselves focused on first the large pool, and then turned onto Courtney. There was something about that smile that was creeping its way onto his face that was slightly unsettling her.

"What?" She asked slowly, and it was as if he needed no other invitation as he swept her up into his arms and got a running start. "What... don't! Put me down you....!" But he paid her no mind and jumped -- clothes and all...!

SPLASH!!!



"Poor, poor Evie." Fenris said in Icelandic with the usual subtitles. "How cruelly you ate mistreated. How unfair it is for everyone to believe you should earn the respect you believe should be dealt to you without a second thought."

Fenris had taken a brief break from the life that he was slowly building around himself, with not just his brother Aron and tag partner Courtney, but also with Gabriel and Odette and the pseudo family that came along with being a member of their training camp.  The Vegas nightlife surrounded him on all sides, as he strode down the famed Las Vegas Strip with lights everywhere around him. Hotels that stretched as high as one could see. People of all ages and nationalities walking about, enjoying life as they knew it.

"Now you know how I hate to be the bearer of bad news." He frowned, then tapped a finger to his chin and broke into a smile. "No, wait. I think in a case like this, I'm going to take a great deal of satisfaction in telling you something that you don't want to hear, that you refuse to acknowledge."

He stopped at the base of the Eiffel Tower Experience, situated along the Paris Hotel. How many times had Fenris desired to see the real thing in the City of Lights, and here was a reasonable facsimile before him. One he had yet to take advantage of. The viewing deck was open, even at this nightly hour. Business before pleasure?

Fuck it. And he started to cross the road to do just that.

"You're not going to make history Sunday, Evie. You're not going to be the first and only two-time Blast From the Past Champion." He said calmly as he rose up in the elevator along with the rest of the tourists. "Courtney won't allow it. I won't allow it. Everything you've seen my partner do so far won't be enough to [prepare you for what she has held back. It won't help you be ready for everything I have worked with her to stop you short. Just for the sweet satisfaction of putting you down and shutting you up, and to hopefully hear what excuses you throw out after the show as to why you crashed and burned when it mattered most. To hear what you tell your new best friend Devin Tyler just why he shouldn't be disappointed in you for costing him his one chance at SCW greatness, and why he'll no longer be in line for a shot at the SCW World Championship..."

The elevator stopped and the door slid open. The tourists moved out, leaving Fenris the last to exit and he added to the camera, "...And why I will."

He finally exited the elevator and stepped onto the deck to take in the breath taking view laid out before him and all the others.

"That is what will make this the sweetest moment. When you have to spend the next several weeks, watching as I prepare for a title match that you failed to secure for your partner, and watch while Courtney takes what you wanted for yourself. And the slow burn you'll feel when you look into the history books and see our names immortalized as the winners --- at your expense."

He walked back along the deck, taking in every sight around him.

"Of course, it's not all about you. Slapping you down a peg was all fun and games until you made it personal, attacking my homeland when all her homeland is good for is wishing they were New Zealand."

He turned to the camera and smiled, pointing a finger toward it.

"You have a little partner to call your own, don't you? A cocky little shit who I tried to show respect to, and had it thrown right back in my face."

He huffed and turned to the enclosed walkway and stepped close to the caged railing and looked out over the night.

"I tried giving Devin the respect he deserved, but the little fucker showed he was as incapable of coherent thought as Miss PMS aka Evie Baang was. Maybe the last time he got dumped on his head, his brain got shook loose and lodged in his ass. It's a short trip from one to the other, after all. The little bastard thinks we're jokes, rookies who managed to work our way clear to the finals? What that makes Courtney and myself, is beyond anyone's fucking comprehension! Three other teams met us across the ring, and they did the same god damn thing you two are! Look at us, and see us as nothing of a challenge! And what happened then? Hm?"

He held up his fingers, counting off.

"Courtney debuted by submitting Otaki and I got the satisfaction of watching that fucktard Quinton Cross get eliminated! Round two, Courtney beat the current Roulette Champion Sam Marlowe! Round three, I kicked the head clean off a record setting Roulette Champion in Equinox and eliminated a future Hall of Famer in Keira Fisher-Johnson! Which brings us --- to you. We went through opponents who were just as highly touted and impressive as your own, only ours at least made an effort to win! You never would have made it out of the Quarter-Finals had Jon Dough actually bothered, but he didn't. He thought you an easy mark, and paid for it."

Fenris shook his head.

"I won't make that mistake, Devin. I'm not looking at your size as any form of advantage for me. I know damn well from watching you that it will just make you fight harder. And that will just make your loss all the harder to take. To get this far, to talk this much shit about being put against jokes, about the tournament meaning nothing...?"

Fenris turned  to face the camera and held his arms out.

"You'll be eating your words. and you'll have to explain to Sugar Tits why people who supposedly drive on the wrong side of the road when you yourself need a goddamn booster seat just to eat at a dinner table, is laying on his back, watching us celebrate our Championship win!"

Fenris started to turn back to the elevator and paused just long enough to wink at the camera.

"Who'll be the joke then, bitch?"



We are back in Las Vegas, continuing right where the members of London Underground left off. More specifically, where Charlotte had finished in telling a bit of the story in how they had first met Fenris, leading towards his transition from the world of Mixed Martial Arts, to that of professional wrestling.

Charlotte and Mackenzie stepped back into the room from the patio overlooking the City of Sin, and what idle chatter had been going on slowly subsided and heads turned. A story had been taking place, one in need of an ending, or at least -- a continuation. As Mackenzie walked over to the small bar where she made herself something strong to drink, Charlotte had a seat on the arm rest of the sofa where Fenris and his brother had taken a seat. Fenris could not help but take notice how closely the dangerous Bombshell had seated herself next to him, and Charlotte simply asked, "So, where were we?"

"I believe it was Happy Chops' turn to tell us a story." Daniel Morgan took point. And in saying this, all heads turned to Fenris who looked up over the rim of his beer bottle and slowly lowered it with a quizzical frown.

"Hvað?" He asked, looking around to those watching him with interest. Of course he understood little with his relaxed understanding of the English language, prompting his brother to sigh audibly.

"Oh for..." Aron muttered and he set his own drink down on a coaster on the coffee table before them. He leaned forward with his elbows resting on his knees and he started to speak...

"What the hell is going on up there?" Mackenzie asked as she and the other three members of London Underground walked up the hallway backstage of the Royal Albert Hall in London. The main event had just ended in a controversial nature, and Daniel had taken it upon himself to want to meet the retaining EliteXL Light Heavyweight Champion. Only once they made their way past security with little difficulty, it would seem all hell had broken loose somewhere down the hall.

Shouting could be heard, both in English as well as a foreign language they could only assume was the native tongue of the man they had intentions to seeing up close and in person. Staff members hurried up the hallway past them, causing them to pause and huddle against the wall, while sporadic reporters for various newspapers, web pages and sports programs hurried along on the scene. Once the hallway cleared somewhat from the impending chaos, Daniel straightened his tie and took the initiate as was his usual role.

"Well, we ain't going to find anything out just standing here." And he took that first step forward with the others following close at hand. And what they walked in on gave them a brief pause as they saw the man they wanted to meet, a bloodied and battered Kristjan "Fenris" Baltasarsson engaged in a shouting match with the owner of EliteXL, Xander Baptiste, a relative powerhouse in the world of MMA. Kristjan was right in the man's face, all but ignoring the wound above his right eye and the blood dripping from his obviously injured nose. The crimson dripping past his lips and tainting his pearly whites with a red stain.

"What's happening?" Daniel asked a young man nearest him, who just so happened to be Aron, Kristjan's little brother. Aron took one look at the formal attire worn by all four members and took it to mean they were more than just fans, so felt little heed in not answering them.

"He's been disqualified." Aron said half-heartedly, feeling the disappointment in a decision rendered against his flesh and blood. "The decision got reversed by the judges."

"What?" Charlotte asked, almost affronted herself at what they had just been told. "What the hell for?"

Aron was about to answer when the boss of EliteXL took it upon himself to literally pull the championship belt from Kristjan's grasp! Kristjan took a step forward to confront Baptiste, but that was where the security came into play, cutting him off and separating him from his employer! Aron's nerves were going into hyper drive, knowing his brother's temper all too well and watching as Kristjan's training entourage were attempting to calm him down without much success.

"That armbar after the bell." Daniel finally observed, understanding.

Aron stole a glance to Daniel and the rest and half nodded, "Yes. Gunnar's being checked out but they think Kristjan separated his shoulder." To which Daniel whistled appreciatively.

Aron went on, "Kristjan said it was because he was pissed at being busted open..."

"Pitbull..." Daniel mused over his shoulder to the others, much to their mild amusement. Referencing, of course, a pitbull's stereotypical response to blood, especially if it was its own. But Aron continued, "But it was more likely for what the bastard said about our mother before the match."

"Really." Daniel said as more of a statement than a question. Say what you want about he and his own in their professional lives, but Daniel was a gentleman first and foremost, and to take shots at a man's family, especially his mother, was simply unacceptable.

"Yeah, I... shit!!" Aron said as he saw Kristjan shove a security guard hard against the wall. "Excuse me!" And he hurried away from them to try and calm his older brother down, with some help from Kristjan's entourage.

"That's bullshit." Mackenzie even found herself admitting out loud. "I would have done the same to anyone who talked shit about my mom."

"Chances are you would have done worse." Daniel quipped, and Mackenzie was slow to nod in confirmation. They turned their attention back to the slowly fracturing scene across from them. Aron had inserted himself between his brother and the growing number of security guards who were readying themselves to intervene when and if need be in order to get Kristjan out of proximity to their boss.

"Way things are going, he could end up in serious shit." Mackenzie quietly observed, a sentiment obviously shared by Daniel who glanced up at the towering monolith Osbourne and gave him a silent nod. Osbourne already knew what was being asked of him and he calmly adjusted his tie and walked over to the chaotic scene, with the three others right alongside of him. The gargantuan enforcer of London Underground stepped up to the side of Kristjan and laid a hand on his arm to lead him aside, but the response was not what Osbourne was normally used to.

Kristjan was not afraid or intimidated by Os's size, and he slowly turned his head to see who the hell had just touched him. He looked down at the offending hand, then up at Osbourne with a hard stare; one that Osbourne easily matched. Aron's eyes grew wide as Kristjan reached down and grabbed Osbourne's hand, and simply pulled it off of his person.

"Snertu mig ekki aftur!" Kristjan said in a low, husky accent. Osbourne had no idea what the fighter just said to him, but the tone spoke volumes and he was ready to respond when Daniel himself intervenes, hands up.

"Alright you lot, let's calm down." He offered diplomatically. "This isn't going to get you anywhere but tossed out and possibly worse."

Kristjan's eyes left Osbourne and found themselves on Daniel who was the epitome of the stoic, calm figure.  "Hver ert þú?" Daniel looked from him to Aron who spoke up, "He asked who you were." Daniel had a feeling that wasn't an exact translation, but nodded. "Fair enough. Daniel Morgan." He offered his hand out, and after an uncomfortable pause, Kristjan finally gave it a brief grip. Daniel then found Aron grasping his hand himself.

"Aron Baltasarsson. I'm Kristjan's brother." He cast a glance back to his older sibling who's eyes narrowed as they watched Xander Baptiste make use of the distraction and beat a hasty retreat with security surrounding him. Kristjan gritted his teeth and started to take that first step to pursue but Aron grabbed his arm quickly, not receiving the same response that Osbourne had. He sighed, "And apparently caretaker." This time Kristjan did not struggle but instead reached up and wiped the crimson from his brow and stared at it on his fingertips.

Aron asked, "What can we do for you?"

"We came here tonight to see that fella right there." Daniel stated matter-of-factly, pointing a forefinger past Aron and toward Kristjan, who frowned at the gesture. "Mighty impressive."

"The fight or his temper?" Aron joked to which Daniel smiled himself and answered, "Both."

"Yeah, well... sorry you came all this way to see that trumped up bullshit." Aron shook his head as Kristjan exerted a bit of that temper, slamming his fist back against the wall he had relaxed against, still trying to process what had become of his championship run.

"Not his fault." Charlotte herself offered. "Or yours. Can't remember them ever just stripping someone of their championship."

"That he could have handled." Aron started to say, then cast his eyes heavenward and corrected himself. "Maybe. But it was the fact the decision got reversed and they handed the championship to Gunnar..."

"Bullshit!" Mackenzie blurted out. "They gave him the championship even though his candy arse tapped out!?"

Aron shrugged helplessly as Kristjan cursed beneath his breath. Daniel only listened, looking for his opening when he finally spoke up, "Listen, the show's over. Night's still young and I'm guessing this one..." He motioned towards Kristjan. "... could use a stiff drink. What say you lot join us? I know a local place."

Aron had a difficult time believing that a random stranger was simply inviting he and his brother out for drunks. Oh sure, there were the obligatory post-show parties where the men and women who fought within the caged octagon celebrated their victories and drowned out their sorrows. But for what seemed like a small group of fans to come backstage just to invite them out...?

Aron turned to Kristjan whose eyes had fallen on Mackenzie and Charlotte and their colorful, feminine attire. Mackenzie looked as if she were daring the MMA combatant to say something, anything, while Charlotte's expression argued she did not object to the attention. Aron translated Daniel's offer to his brother, to which Kristjan looked at the group and frowned, "Nei takk!"

His tone alone told them his answer, but Aron knew his brother well enough that a drink was perhaps just what the proverbial doctor ordered. He caught Kristjan's attention and spoke in Icelandic, "Look, you need to calm down. We can't change what just happened. You can file a grievance but...." He shrugged. "I think we both know it won't do a shit load of good. You need to calm yourself before you lose your contract. And maybe..." He turned back to London Underground and motioned toward them. "... maybe a few drinks wouldn't be the worst thing offered tonight?"

Kristjan's eyes left his brother and they roamed across the four members watching with heightened interest. This was the last thing that he wanted after what that fucker just pulled on him, but Aron usually could read him like a book. Annoyingly so! And he did want a drink as far away from these fuckers as he could manage so he found himself reluctantly relenting.

"Okay," Aron smiled with soft relief toward Daniel. "He's in."

"Good." Daniel replied calmly, as if he knew that Kristjan accepting was all but expected. After all, how often did Daniel Morgan NOT get what he wanted. He motioned with a finger towards the injuries to Kristjan's eye and his nose. "Maybe he should have those looked at first. We'll meet you in the lobby."

Aron nodded and silently turned to his brother and grabbed him by the shoulders and steered him around to the door of his private dressing room. Kristjan grasped the knob to enter, and before Aron moved to summon medical staff, he gave pause and asked Daniel, "Why are you doing this?"

"Call me a fan." Daniel smiled. "And I might have an idea for that brother of yours that will interest him."

Well if that wasn't a cryptic answer... Aron mused, but before he went for the paramedic, he said simply, "Thank you." And received a cordial acknowledgment in return.

Las Vegas

"And that's pretty much how we met Daniel, Osbourne and the ladies." Aron said in a finale of his story to the guests at the party. "We won't bore you with the details of the talk, since you all pretty much no the end result anyway. Daniel pitched the idea of wrestling to Kristjan. It took some convincing, but he eventually warmed to the idea and here we are."

Daniel raised his glass to Fenris in a silent toast, a gesture appreciated and returned in kind. Fenris's eyes roamed over to where Evie had isolated herself and he shook his head.

"I dunno."" The soft voice brought everyone out of their own thoughts and they found Despayre seated on the floor, looking at Angel. "I preferred Charlotte's story. What do you think?"