It was a warm sunny day in Inglewood California when Zayvion Lyons arrived at “The Spot” which was no more than a standard picnic bench in a local park where he and his friends often hung out at. Sin City Wrestling was doing the show from Legoland in Carlsbad this week which was only an hour and a half from home so he had plenty of time to visit before the tour moved elsewhere. Of course it was Bug who was the first to greet him, as usual.
“Future champ!” Bug said with a smile as he dabbed Zayvion up.
“Yo, Bug.” Zayvion replied “What's good?”
“Oh you know same ol’ same ol’.” Bug replied.
“Fo’ Sho.” Zayvion replied turning to his other friend Lorenzo “What about you Lo’? How you been?”
“You know me.” Lorenzo replied “Just keeping it real.”
“Heard you went to see Three.” Bug said “He said he was really happy to see you.”
“Yeah I wish he was here with us.” Zayvion said “The crew ain't complete without him.”
“Crew ain't complete without you.” interjected Lorenzo
Zayvion shot a look at Lorenzo.
“Come on dawg, you still on that?” he said. “You know I got nothing but love for all of y'all. I'm just out there trying to get my bag and represent. Don't act like I forgot y'all. I didn't just compare my opponents to y'all for a reason I wanted to shout you all out and show some love.”
“I'm just saying Three is going to be out in a few months.” Lorenzo said "Then you going to be the one missing from the group.”
“Like I said man I'm just out there trying to represent for all of us.” Zayvion said “Ya’ll always going to be my boys, here check it out, I got y'all something.”
Zayvion reaches into his bag and pulls out two t-shirts, handing one to each of his friends. They look at them to see that they're a new Zayvion Lyons SCW t-shirt.
“These are still unreleased.“ he said “My first t-shirt. I wanted my friends and family to get the first run before they went on sale to the public.”
“Yo this shit kind of fly.” Bug said putting his on immediately.
“So this is just going to be about you?” then said Lorenzo. “You want us to parade your face around the hood?”
“Come on Lo’ why you trippin’?” said Zayvion “You know it ain't like that.”
“You called me a headache bro compared me to some little turd-faced gremlin looking dude.” said Lorenzo.
“Well you are a headache.” said Zayvion “But I also said you're the realest friend that we got, did you forget that part?”
“You want real?” said Lorenzo “What happens when you win that championship? Cause I know my boys going to win that belt, then you going to disappear forever.”
“You know it ain't like that.” said Zayvion “Maybe I ain't around as much anymore, but that's life. I'm out there hustling. You think I want to stay trapped in the hood forever? I don't and you shouldn't either. You should be trying to get out as well, with all the talent you got."
“What talents?” said Lorenzo “You're the talented one.”
“You're good with cars.” said Zayvion “You've learned a lot working at your uncle's shop and you're creative as hell. I've seen your tags, I bet you can run one hell of a custom shop.”
“You're just saying that.” said Lorenzo “Just trying to butter me up.”
“That's not it at all.” said Zayvion “Did you even listen to what I said.”
"So now you're calling me stupid?" said Lorenzo
“Again. I didn't say that.” said Zayvion “Quit actin’ hard-headed.”
“You the one being hard-headed.” said Lorenzo
“Alright guys let's take it easy….” said
Bug trying to change the subject "Who they got you facing this week Zay?”
“Some dude named Liam Davis.” said Zayvion “He's like a cop or an ex-cop or something.”
That immediately made Lorenzo's eyebrow raise, his demeanor changing almost immediately.
“Holl’ up” Lorenzo said “You get to fight a cop this week?”
“Yeah, that's the short of it.” Zayvion nodded.
“You know you gotta stomp his ass out." said Lorenzo “For all of us. For the culture.”
“Man, I ain't trying to do all that.” said Zayvion “I'm just trying to gain momentum before my championship match.”
“But he's a cop.” Lorenzo insisted “You know how they be treatin’ us. You need to send a message.”
“This is my career.” said Zayvion “It's not the place to take a cultural or political stance.”
“You could just backhand him extra hard a couple times.” said Bug. “Lo’ sort of has a point.”
Zayvion sighed. He knew where they were both coming from. He remembered all the times the police had racially profiled against him. He didn't really like the idea, but still wanted to support his friends.
“I suppose I could toss in a couple extra stiff shots.” he shrugged with a grin.
“That's my boy.” said Lorenzo “Make sure you fry that bacon real good.”
“I'll do what I can.“ Zayvion replied with a slight laugh.
“Just don't lose.” said Bug “Most importantly focus on getting that dub.”
Zayvion nodded, getting the victory was his ultimate goal of course, but if it would make Lorenzo happy to see him smack Liam around a little bit he was willing to oblige. Even though Lorenzo was being difficult, he knew it came from a place of love and some worry that his people were leaving him and Lorenzo wasn't the type of person who liked to be alone.
“Hey, you really think I could run my own custom shop?” Lorenzo said
“Why not?” said Zayvion “You can do anything you set your mind to you just got to be willing to put into work.”
He meant all of it too and he wanted to see all of his friends find success and whatever they wanted. He wanted Bug to finish college and hopefully open that restaurant. He wanted to see Lorenzo find something he loved and make something of it, and he wanted to see Three-Ball start making better choices in his life when he got out. For himself he just wanted to continue his rise in Sin City Wrestling and achieve his first milestone by capturing the Roulette Championship. For now though it was time to unwind and just relax with the boys.
__________
Being that Climax Control was so close to home and from an amusement park no less, Zayvion took the opportunity to take his entire family out to Legoland. All his siblings were there and Big Mama came along too. His younger brother Malik in particular was proud to be considered a VIP and proudly wore his Zayvion Lyons t-shirt. He had actually given his younger brother a shirt before he gave them to his friends making young eight year old Malik the first person ever to have a Zayvion Lyons t-shirt. Something his younger brother would boast about proudly.
“Everyone excited?” Zayvion asked as they entered the park.
“Yeah!” Malik said happily.
“You're wearing that shirt again?” said Saphira, their seven year old sister.
“It's my favorite!” said Malik about the Zayvion Lyons shirt he wore. “And I have one of the only ones.”
“I know.” said Saphira rolling her eyes “I have one too. I don't wear it everyday.”
“But I got the first one.” said Malik sticking his tongue out.
“Only because you're the biggest troublemaker.” Saphira said.
“Am not!” replied Malik
“You tried to jump off the couch and hit me with an elbow!” said Saphira
“It would have worked.” insisted Malik.
“It would have gotten you grounded.” said Kaelani.
At sixteen Kaelani had already fallen into the role of helping with the younger ones although Zayvion did what he could to make sure she didn't carry too much of that responsibility.
“You two behave.” she added
“I always behave.” Malik insisted
Zayvion snorted and laughed as the family walked through the park together, Zayvion pushed their baby brother in his stroller as they passed a massive dragon statue made of Legos.
“Da! Da!” Baby J pointed a tiny finger at the statue.
“You like that one huh little man?” said Zayvion “It's pretty big isn't it?”
Zayvion's grandmother smiled at them warmly, as she watched the kids taking in everything around them.
“You sure you got all of them?” she asked Zayvion.
“Yeah, I got it Big Momma.” said Zayvion adjusting the diaper bag on his shoulder “Today you get to relax and enjoy yourself.”
His grandmother gave him a knowing look and a proud smile. They continued to walk throughout the park as the younger kids' eyes grew wide at all the bright colors and giant Lego sculptures.
“Look a roller coaster!” said Malik
Without further warning he started jogging towards it.
“Malik!!” Kaelani called after him
“Slow down Mal!” Zayvion yelled after him.
He caught up to his younger brother quickly before the kid could get too far ahead.
“You can't just run off like that.” he said placing a hand on Malik's shoulder “You got to stay with us.”
“But it's so cool.” said Malik pointing at the ride.
“I know.” Zayvion replied “But we'll get there. You got to be patient, we have all day.”
The rest of the family caught up a moment later.
“He always does that.” Saphira complained
Baby J giggled and reached out lightly tugging at Malik's shirt.
“Hey! Let go!” said Malik.
“He likes your shirt too.” said Zayvion with a smile.
“Well of course he does.” said Malik “It's the champions shirt."
“I'm not the champion yet, little man.” Zayvion reminded him
“Yeah but you will be.” said Malik
Zayvion couldn't help but smile, these were the moments he lived for. The quiet moments away from the ring, the moments that reminded him why he pushed so hard inside it. It was so Malik and Saphira could get all the opportunities they deserved. It was so Baby J could grow up with the best future possible. It was so Kaelani could have the chance to just be a teenager instead of feeling like she had to help raise everybody. Most of all Big Mama deserved the break. That tiny little woman with the ironic nickname had done more than enough and he had promised himself that one day she never have to worry about anything again, but for today all that mattered was time with family.
“Let's go first ride!” said Zayvion clapping his hands.
“I get front seat!” said Malik sprinting ahead once again.
“Malik!!!” Kaelani groaned.
“I got him.” Zayvion laughed has he followed after him.
Some things would never change and Zayvion wouldn't have it any other way.
__________
The cameras open on the usual close-up of Zayvion Lyons wearing his headphones as music plays this time the familiar sounds of NWA's Fuck The Police.
For police, I'm sayin', "Fuck you, punk"
Readin' my rights and shit, it's all junk
Pullin' out a silly club, so you stand
With a fake-ass badge and a gun in your hand
But take off the gun so you can see what's up
And we'll go at it, punk, I'ma fuck you up
Zayvion lowers the headphones as the music fades and begins speaking to the camera.
“I'll be honest Liam.” he started “I didn't want to go this route, but the elephant in the room can't be ignored. The simple truth is I don't like you, and I don't like you because you're a cop. Is that fair? Probably not, but it's just the way it is.”
Zayvion shrugged.
“I've had a lot of experiences growing up that didn't exactly make me feel like the police were on my side.“ he said “Being watched in stores like I did something wrong just by walking in, being treated like a suspect before they even bothered to learn my name so when I hear someone say they're a cop, yeah my first instinct is not exactly to welcome them with open arms.”
He raises a hand slightly.
“But here's the thing, I'm not stupid Liam.” he continued “I know every cop ain't the same, I know there are good ones out there doing their job the right way. You might even be one of them. I don't know you personally so maybe you are, but the problem is I don't know you.”
He pauses.
“All I know is I come from a place where when police sirens showed up, it usually meant your day was about to get a whole lot worse.” he said “And that's why I need to beat you. Whether I like it or not, I got people that have expectations of me and I can't lose to a cop. I can't lose to you with them watching. I need to send a message and unfortunately you are going to be the recipient of said message. It's just the way it is.”
He shrugs.
“But that ain't all.” he continued “Because I'm also coming to gain momentum into my championship match. I didn't earn that opportunity just to lose now. I'm going to make sure that Ryan Keys and Logan Hunter both see what's coming for one of them next.”
He gave a confident not into the camera.
“That's what it's really about.” Zayvion said “It's about where I'm headed. I've been grinding week after week climbing my way up and I've earned every inch of spotlight I've been given. Now I get a shot at the SCW Roulette Championship. You think I'm about to stumble now and lose my footing before the biggest opportunity of my career so far? Nah homie, this shit only the beginning.”
He smirks with confidence.
“Logan and Ryan both need to be aware of what's coming for them next after their championship match.” he said “Because the man they should be worried about is standing right here. The man they should be worried about is out here building momentum each and every week proving he belongs in that championship picture, and Liam you just happen to be next in that path.”
He steps closer to the camera.
“Once we step into that ring Liam, you're going to have no badge, no authority and no backup. Just you and me, and when that bell rings you're going to find out real quick that sometimes the guy you're trying to control, turns out to be the guy you can't stop." he said "I'm not just beating you this week, I'm using you to send a message. I'm going to make sure everybody's watching and that they understand one thing and that's that the Roulette Championship will be coming into the hands of Zayvion Lyons, and on a personal level I'm going to make sure you understand one thing.”
He pauses for a short moment.
“Fuck the police, and Zay said it with authority.” he grinned.
He kept his eyes confidently locked into the camera as everything faded out to black.
