The Lyons Den was alive in the usual way with the faint smell of sweat and leather lingering in the air and all the trainees scattered around going through their various routines. Eddie strolled through giving friendly smiles and waves to all the young talent.
He was here for one person however, and it may not be who many of them expected. He was here to talk to Victoria Lyons. He found her working over a heavy bag like the thing had offended her personally, every strike as precise and calculated as she was in the ring.
He waited patiently for her to finish, he knew better than to interrupt her routine. Eventually she stopped for a rest, and looked over her shoulder at Eddie behind her.
“If you're here to critique my footwork.” she said “I'm not in the mood.”
“I didn't come here to coach.” Eddie replied
She raised an eyebrow curiously and turned to face him.
“Then why are you in my space during my workout?” she said.
“I just wanted to talk to you.” he said, "I have something I wanted to ask you.”
“Well make it quick.“ she replied “Darian went to pick up lunch for us and should be back soon.”
“Of course.” said Eddie “I won't be long, I know you're trying to prepare for Harper Mason and all.”
“Just get on with it.“ she said
“It's about my tag match this week.” he said, "Carter and I are facing Alexander Raven and Brayden Hilton.”
“That's not exactly a secret Eddie.” Victoria replied
“I didn't say it was..” said Eddie
“Go on.” Victoria said, sounding mildly annoyed.
“Ravens got Carter at Inception, and I've got Brayden.” said Eddie “That makes this match about momentum, and playing with the other's heads. Especially for Raven and Hilton.”
“Raven does love that chessboard mentality.” Victoria nodded.
“And Brayden loves shortcuts.” Eddie continued “Especially when he thinks he can get away with them.”
Victoria tilted her head slightly.
“Still waiting for the part where you need me.“ she said.
“Luna and Carliegh…” Eddie said with an exhale.
That seemed to get her attention and she raised an eyebrow curiously.
“They won't just stand there.” Eddie continued “If things start slipping, and Raven or Brayden get desperate they will get involved.”
“Of course they will.” Victoria scoffed “That's what you call backup.”
“And if they do.” Eddie said “I won't lay a hand on either of them, and I don't think Carter will either, neither of us will cross that line…”
Victoria nodded with a smirk coming to a realization.
“So what you're saying is the two of you are walking into that match knowing you have a blind spot..” she said “And you want me to help cover it.”
Eddie met her gaze.
“Yeah that's about the size of it..” Eddie said “I just need someone to watch our backs just in case.”
“You're really asking me.” Victoria said amused, “You want me to be the problem, so you don't have to be.”
“I'm asking you to be a problem solver." said Eddie “I'm asking you because you don't pretend to be something you're not.”
“Please…” said Victoria “You're asking me because you know I don't hesitate or care how it looks afterward.”
“That's part of it.” said Eddie “But I also know you don't jump unless there's a reason.”
“That's debatable.“ Victoria smirked, “You do realize what you're inviting right? If one of those girls tries to get cute, I'm not going to warn them and I'm definitely not going to ask permission. I'm just going to act.”
“I know.” said Eddie “I'm not asking you to play referee. I'm just asking you to make sure the match stays between the four people it's supposed to be between, and I don't want you involved unless one of the girls gets involved first.”
“Yeah.. well, we'll see.” said Victoria
“Victoria…” Eddie begin.
“No.” Victoria interrupted, “You don't get to walk this back, you came to me because you know Raven and Brayden aren't going to respect boundaries, and you know I don't respect them either.”
She smirked at Eddie.
“You're worried that Brayden tries to bait you into something stupid before Inception.” she continued “You're worried that Raven is going to take measures to soften up Carter and make his championship match easier, and Luna and Carliegh are going to make sure and neither of you can stop it.”
Eddie didn't answer right away and that gave Victoria all the answers she needed.
“You're thinking ahead at least.” Victoria said “That's good.”
“This isn't about being clever." Eddie said “It's about not letting my tag match spiral into something that doesn't need to be.”
“And you think I'm the stabilizing force?” Victoria replied, eyebrow raised.
“I think you're the deterrent.” Eddie replied honestly
“Well at least you're being honest.” she said “Although, I guess that's always sort of been your thing hasn't it?”
“That's kind of why I need you.” Eddie said “If Luna or Carleigh try to provide distractions I trust you to handle it however you see fit.”
“However I see fit?” she replied “You realize that's dangerous.”
“Well it's better than pretending it won't happen." Eddie said “Raven and Brayden will play dirty, and I need someone who's willing to get their hands dirty watching our backs. That's all.”
Victoria paused for a moment and studied Eddie.
“I'll do it.” she said "You worry about Brayden and Rave. If the girls try to involve themselves I'll be sure to make them wish they hadn't.”
“Thank you.” Eddie replied “Just please try not to get too carried away if things get wiry out there.”
“We'll see what happens.” Victoria grinned
At that moment Darian returned with a bag of carryout.
“Am I interrupting something?” he asked.
“No, just discussing business.” Victoria replied "Come on Dare Bear, that Chicken Caesar Salad is calling my name.”
She looked over at Eddie again.
“I'll see you on Sunday..” she smirked before walking off with Darian to enjoy their lunch.
Eddie watched them go with a sigh. He came in asking for backup and he knew Victoria could be unpredictable, but sometimes the most volatile solution was the correct one. Still one thing nagged at the corner of his mind.
Did he just make a huge mistake?
__________
The camera fades in on Eddie Lyons sitting alone in the Lyon's Den. No music, just a low hum of the building settling around him. I see rest his forearms on the top rope of a ring looking straight into the camera, calm and focused.
“So it's me and Carter against Alexander Raven and Brayden Hilton.” he began “And on paper it sounds simple, four competitors one match. But anyone who's been paying attention knows it's more than that.”
He pauses.
“You and I just went at it, Raven.” Eddie continued “One on one, man to man and you picked up the win once again. You've always been dangerous and calculating and in some aspects I do respect what you bring to the ring. But the ending to that match? That's what left a bad taste in my mouth.”
He exhaled slowly.
“I had you right where I wanted you." Eddie continued “I was in position to finish it and then Brayden Hilton made sure the spotlight wasn't where it needed to be.”
He shook his head, annoyed.
“You distracted me Brayden, that's the truth of it.” Eddie continued "You didn't outwork me, and you didn't out fight me. You pulled my focus and Raven capitalized.”
He shrugged.
“But that's the game isn't it?” he continued “Find the opening, exploit it and move on. What you don't realize is you don't get to do that forever, because at Inception it's just going to be you and me, no shortcuts and no allowing somebody else to do the heavy lifting.”
He pauses again.
“That's why this tag match matters.” Eddie continued “Because I know exactly what you're trying to do Brayden. You're trying to get in my head and frustrate me. You want me angry so I lose focus on the task in front of me, but I can assure you that's not going to happen.”
He keeps his eyes locked on the camera.
“I'm not looking past this tag match.” Eddie said “But I'm also not forgetting what's coming. I see every distraction and every move you're trying to make now and this time it's not going to work.”
He pauses again.
“And you Raven..” Eddie continued “You're walking into this match with your eyes locked on the world championship, and to be fair you should be. But Helluva Bottom Carter is the standard right now, he's the champion because he earned it. He's consistent, and he shows up every single time that bell rings."
Eddie nods respectfully.
“I don't need to carry Carter and he doesn't need to carry me.” Eddie continued “We're walking in as two professionals who understand what's at stake. Two contenders who are fully aware of the kind of fight you're bringing, but your partner Brayden he's the wildcard isn't he?”
He nods at the camera.
“Where you can back up your mouth most of the time Raven.” Eddie continued “Can you say the same thing about your partner? Because he seems like the type of guy who will question other people's commitment and work ethic while standing on the ring apron. He strikes me as the type of guy that will let you take the hit so he can take the glory. Is that who you want watching your back Raven?”
Eddie looks to the camera like he's expecting a response.
“I don't think it is.” said Eddie “You know as well as I do, as well as Carter does, that Brayden is the weak link on your team, in fact he's the weak link in this match in general. You can argue all day that maybe I'm the weak link of our team because I'm not the world champion, but I'm still a top contender in SCW. Brayden is someone who hasn't proved shit other than he's really good at running his mouth and writing checks that his ass can't cash.”
He pauses again.
“Are you really ready to carry the weight of your team?" said Eddie “Because that's what you're going to have to do Raven, and you know it. And that worries you because you know Carter and I will be able to be on the same page no problem. We won't be looking to one up each other. We're just going to be looking to send a message to the two of you for our respective matches at Inception and we will send that message loud and clear. Everything that Raven has done to Carter over the past few months will come to a head and I will teach Brayden Hilton a lesson in humility and remind him to be careful about who he speaks about.”
Eddie pauses.
“Carter and I walk in united, focused and without ego.” Eddie continued “You and Brayden walk in with questions about trust and priorities and whether the guy standing next to you is really who you want by your side.”
He exhales softly.
“Both of you will find out that the more you try to control the narrative the harder it hits when it slips out of your hand.” Eddie said “You will find out what true unity and true respect looks like, because that's what Carter and I have for each other, and that's what is going to allow us to work together and pick up the win over the two of you.”
A confident smile grows on his face
“And this is only the trailer for you Brayden.” said Eddie “Because I will see you at Inception in the Lyons Den for the future presentation and that's where it's going to be even worse for you. You really should have kept my name out your mouth. How you have nobody to blame but yourself for what's coming.”
With one final nod and a confident look to the camera everything faded to black.
