Post by Ampersand on Oct 20, 2021 6:58:58 GMT
A distant cry is heard on the sound system of the Colosseum that is quickly cut off by a rhythmic clapping, percussion and a wordless melody carried by a rough voice. Lights swirl out across the assembled Ascended Army, dancing over the ring and entrance ramp.
On the big screen over the ramp, Quan Yin Okada stands on a stone bridge beneath spreading vermilion momiji in the Arboretum’s Japanese Garden. She makes for a stark contrast, with her dark hair, fair, freckled skin, and glittering eyes; a Winter warrior coming like an early frost to a grove in its fiery Autumn hues. Chiba Suzumiya is seen from the chin down, framed by a backstage vanity mirror’s bright lights. In her hands she holds her fringed, cat-like mask. We watch her bring it upward, the camera view following to show her pulling it on before opening her vivid, violet eyes, a malevolent smirk on her face.
The scene flashes to reveal Eleni Tolis standing in her ring gear at the top of a flight of stairs that cuts down through the rows of seats in the Ascended Colosseum. Smiling to herself, she descends the steps toward the ring; less a wrestler than she is royalty coming to claim a throne. The scene plunges into complete darkness that’s broken only as the eyes of the viewer seem to adjust. Sebastian Hawke, his blue eyes glowing with the flat, dead intensity of a moon on a hazy night, stands on one of the catwalks above the Ascended wrestling ring. In one hand he holds his black and purple mask. Expression unreadable, he drops it to the canvas below. We flash then to Sherah Prince, watching fondly as Bo and Adam appear to be hashing out things like ring gear, promo angles, and entrance notes in their apartment living room. He turns to look back to a laptop, a video replay of the Insensate’s match at Ascension going on loop.
SKUP9 is seen in his car, approaching Seattle on I-5. His eyes are red-rimmed but focused on the skyline that rises to meet him, grip on the steering wheel tightening. Kyle, walking purposefully down the hallway backstage at the Colosseum toward the gym, gets a high five from David O’Toole and another from Amelia ‘Wildheart’ Winston. He rolls his shoulders and starts going at it with a speed bag, the camera re-focusing on Winston standing in the doorway. She looks at him wistfully for a moment before turning and starting down the hallway, her expression turning intense and stony. She makes her way to the top of the entrance ramp, hands on her hips as she looks around the empty seats of the Colosseum. It could be hers. After tonight she could be a new champion. Roy Valentine, though, flashing across the screen in a flurry of green rose petals, surveys the title he holds in his hands. Moonlight glints across its silvery surface, and across the knife-like smile that splits his face.
The camera pans out across the audience, a few signs catching our eyes.
At the commentary table, Hiro is beaming behind his microphone, Artemis and Del to either side of him.
Hiro Suzuki: Welcome to the latest edition of Collision, Ascended Army! I’m Hiro Suzuki and I am joined on commentary tonight by Artemis Direction-
Artemis, dressed in a slinky black wiggle dress and turquoise statement jewelry, blows a kiss to the audience, then winks.
Hiro Suzuki: And Del Ramos!
Del scowls, stabbing pins into what appears to be a Voodoo doll, glancing between it and Hiro a few times before sighing, tossing the thing over their shoulder and sitting back in their chair.
Artemis Direction: We have quite a show for you all this evening, babies! There’s a small change in the card, and Ms. Hawkhurst will be joining us on a future edition of Collision. But we get to see the debut of the truly divine Ms. Quan Yin Okada! Besides just radiating positivity, and making me absolutely green with envy over her hair, she is an expert in multiple martial arts!
Del Ramos: Oh, I’m definitely looking forward to seeing her particular brand of ass-kicking. Can’t wait to see her start mixing it up out there. After that, we’re in for a helluva fight between two of our most vicious new roster members.
Hiro Suzuki: Eleni Tolis has shown she’s not above using her, uh, feminine allure to entice her opponents into slipping up.
Artemis Direction: Well, I suppose we’ll see if Chiba is susceptible to those particular charms herself!
Del Ramos: The fight after that’s gonna be fuckin’ wild. Sherah’s shown he’s a total goody two-shoes, and Sebastian Hawke has promised to inflict some serious pain on him. Let’s see him stick to those high and mighty principles when his body’s screaming in agony.
Hiro Suzuki: Speaking of, we’ll be hearing from Hawke tonight on our latest edition of, ‘Beyond the Belle,’ with Belle Silva!
Artemis Direction: Hiro, sweetling, won’t you be having a little interview of your own with Zephyr Quinn?
Hiro beams.
Hiro Suzuki: That’s right! On our previous episode of Collision, we had a mysterious ad air on our big screen. No one knows exactly what it was, but it seemed to strike a nerve with Zephyr. We’re going to see if she has any clues on what that’s about.
Artemis Direction: The intrigue! The mystery! The drama! The windswept, foreboding destinations! How very seasonally appropriate!
Del Ramos: Heh! That’s right. This is my favorite time a’ year. And it sounds like I ain’t the only one who thinks it’s something special.
Hiro Suzuki: Jodie Nguyen is set to talk with the Ascended Army this evening, addressing rumors of some recent real estate acquisitions by Afsah Properties Inc. and what they might mean for a supposed special Halloween edition Collision.
Artemis Direction: One where we may very well see our World Champion make his first title defense against Kyle Beckett! Our fiery little Aussie will be answering Silvio’s challenge, but I can’t imagine he’d turn it down. He’s making a name for himself at Ascended for being something of a prodigy.
Del Ramos: Some people just got brutality in their blood.
Hiro Suzuki: Maybe, but his opponent, SKUP9, has shown us he’s no slouch. Don’t forget - he put down Roy Valentine, our current Emerald City Champion. I’m sure Afsah’s got an eye on the big guy for gold in the future, and this just might be the match that convinces him it’s time for the Eliminator to have his shot.
Artemis Direction: Valentine has his work cut out for him tonight. It’s his first title defense!
Del Ramos: You know Wildheart’s gonna be fired up after last Collision. No motivation quite like tasting your own blood in your mouth.
Hiro Suzuki: I don’t know if Valentine’ll play fair. Now that he’s got gold, he’s not going to want to let it go. Do you think he’ll make Davie do his dirty work?
Artemis scowls and shakes her head with a sigh.
Artemis Direction: I wouldn’t put it past him. Remember last Collision when Davie left himself wide open to that strike from The Pit? I can’t help but think that contract Roy forced him to sign had something to do with it.
Del Ramos: Before we can get into the night’s sweet, sweet bloodshed, Jodie’s got something to share with us.
Standing in the ring, dressed in a smartly cut red dress suit and gleaming black pumps, Jodie holds a microphone, dark eyes scanning the audience.
Jodie Nguyen: Ascended Army, as you know, Halloween is just around the corner.
The crowd roars in excitement, Jodie waiting and nodding to herself.
Jodie Nguyen: Yes, exactly. Death, sugar, the occult, violence? This is precisely our demographic. As such, we’re going to let you in on a little sneak peak for what we have coming up on our next edition of Collision.
She smiles.
Jodie Nguyen: Say, ‘trick or treat,’ Ascended Army.
The crowd roars in unison:
As the lights go out, there’s a sound of a thunderclap followed by menacing laughter and a lightning bolt that splits the darkness of the big screen. The image resolves and shows the camera moving down a subterranean expanse. There are tunnels of earth and brick, lichen, roots, and small plants poking out here and there, reaching for the thin sunlight that filter down through the pale purple prisms from the streets above. As the camera continues, newer construction is shown, and the footsteps of the person on this journey take on a different, more echoing quality. As we continue, the view dims until, at last, everything is black and still.
There is a sharp, ‘click!’ followed by the sputtering electric murmur of power. The lights flicker then snap on, revealing a literal underground fighting pit; a ring emblazoned with the Ascended Wrestling logo, surrounded by rows of seats.
Jodie Nguyen: Afsah Properties Inc. has acquired a portion of the Seattle Underground where we will be holding our first special edition of Collision.
There are faint, ghostly echoing opening riffs of a song that defined a movement born from this rain-drenched, gargoyle-grey city as the title resolves in jagged black letters.
As the first few beats of the drum hit, the music fades out, the lights go up, and Jodie stands there with a little smile as the audience roars with anticipation.
Jodie Nguyen: Happy Halloween.
She leaves the ring, striding back up the entrance ramp as the crowd chants, ‘A-SCEN-DED! A-SCEN-DED!’
Artemis Direction: Well, well, well! That’s quite a twist!
Del’s grin may very well be showing all of their teeth.
Del Ramos: YES! FUCK YES! BLOOD AND BRUTALITY FROM FLOOR TO CEILING! VICIOUS VIOLENCE ALL THE WAY THROUGH! FUCK THE GOLDEN SPONGE THIS IS ALL CREAM!
Artemis and Hiro glance at one another and move themselves a smidge further away from Del.
Hiro Suzuki: A whole show in the Underground?
Artemis Direction: You have to admire the extravagance of it all! Marcus certainly doesn’t skimp, does he?
Hiro Suzuki: Not at all. You know, I went to an underground party once but I can’t say I enjoyed it.
Artemis Direction: Oh, no?
Hiro Suzuki: Nah, it was all a bit too mole-laborate for me!
Del Ramos: Where the fuck did that doll go?
Kevin Kim: Ascended Army, the following contest is set for one fall! Already in the ring with me is Beef Squat Thrust! Now coming to the ring, is his opponent, making her Ascended Wrestling debut!
As WALK THE MOON's begins, The Diamond Lotus appears at the top of the ramp, pumping her fist into the air on the second 'Hey!' in the music. Grinning from ear to ear, she starts forward with a bit of a skip in her step, almost dancing on her toes as she makes her way down toward the ring. Her dark hair is pulled into a braid that falls down to the small of her back, swaying with her upbeat motions.
Kevin Kim: From Kyoto, Japan, weighing in at 180lbs, she is the ‘Diamond Lotus,’ QUAN YIN OKADA!
As she reaches the apron, she slips into the ring and immediately climbs the turnbuckle, just in time to gesture to herself and then the crowd on the words "You and I, we're walking through the emptiness." Beaming to the cheering response, she neatly flips backward off the turnbuckle, landing in a roll that sends her into a cross-legged sit in the middle of the ring--she giggles and rocks to her feet, pumping her fist upward to the rhythm of her music as she takes up her corner.
Artemis Direction: You really have to admire the way she radiates positivity!
Del Ramos: Maybe, but you know what they say - watch out for the nice ones.
The two opponents begin to circle each other. Quan is quick to press the attack, lashing out with a super kick that Squat Thrust catches! Not even letting it break her stride, Quan counters with an enzuigiri that sends Beef to the mat! As he lays dazed on the canvas, Okada rolls back up to her feet with ease, executing a standing leg drop on her downed opponent before tangling him up into a leg grapevine! Beef howls with pain, clearly not expecting Quan to come out of the gate as assertively as she has! With effort, he manages to drag himself over to the nearest rope, grabbing it to break up the hold! Okada releases him, and the pair get to their feet again.
Del Ramos: See!? What’d I tell ya! She can spout all the cute zen stuff she wants - this chick’s thirsty for pain.
Seeming to have learned his lesson, Squat Thrust scowls at his opponent, and as Quan Yin goes for a running knee strike, the big man catches hold of her knee and just slams her back down to the mat! Undeterred, Okada spins onto her back in an attempt to hit Beef in the midsection with a kick, only for him to grab her leg, and slam his elbow down hard on her knee! Crying out in pain, Quan Yin rolls away, clutching at her injury!
Artemis Direction: Squat Thrust punishing Okada for using that knee against him.
Hiro Suzuki: Hey, did you hear about the knee that blew out smoke?
Del looks thoughtful.
Del Ramos: You know, fire might just be the answer. Fuck, why didn’t I think of this before? Fire is always the answer!
Hiro Suzuki: It was a chim-knee!
Del Ramos: Hey, Hiro, would you mind stuffing some of these balled up paper flyers into your jacket pockets? I gotta find my lighter.
Squat Thrust drags Quan Yin back up to her feet and starts laying into her with forearm strikes, forcing her back into the nearest corner. He slams her against the turnbuckle, then takes a few steps back, looking to go for a splash!
Artemis Direction: Okada’s in trouble! She might pack a punch, but Beef’s no lightweight! If he hits that splash--
As her opponent comes careening at her, Quan Yin climbs to the top turnbuckle, quick as a wink! Ready for Squat Thrust, she catches him with the Petalstorm!
Hiro Suzuki: Look at that picture perfect Tornado DDT!
Artemis Direction: Okada showing us exquisite form tonight!
Beef goes ass over teakettle, dazed as he sits up in the middle of the ring, wobbling like a child’s toy. She goes for the running knee strike again, hitting it clean and sending Squat Thrust collapsing down to the mat again. Quan tries for a triangle choke, but Squat Thrust is ready, grabbing her arms and pulling them both upright! They struggle, Quan Yin grabbing Beef’s hands and, with tremendous effort, she climbs up to plant her feet on the big man’s hips, throwing herself backward and executing a monkey flip that plants him on the canvas hard! The crowd is on its feet as Quan climbs to the nearest turnbuckle and performs her gravity defying Diamond’s Edge finisher!
Artemis Direction: That Phoenix Splash was pretty as a picture!
Del Ramos: Heh! Can’t say the same thing for Beef’s face anymore!
Artemis Direction: Darling, that implies it ever was in the first place.
Okada goes for the cover, Jill Kincaid sliding in for the count!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Kevin Kim: Your winner by pinfall, The Diamond Lotus, QUAN YIN OKADA!
The crowd is on its feet, cheering for the tremendous display of athleticism from Okada!
Artemis Direction: What an impressive first foray into the Ascended Colosseum! I expect we’ll be seeing great things from Ms. Okada.
Hiro Suzuki: That Diamond’s Edge finisher was amazing! You know, I was at the Market and there was this guy selling cubic zirconia cut in the shapes of clovers.
Artemis Direction: Oh, really?
Hiro Suzuki: He was trying to pass them off as diamonds, but everyone could tell they were sham-rocks!
Del Ramos: I’m going to make a happy hamster trail out of your corpse after I hollow it out with a teaspoon. And then I’m gonna sell it on Etsy.
Hiro Suzuki: You have an Etsy store?!
Del Ramos: What I have is a teaspoon and a gift certificate to PetSmart that says you should drop the subject.
We open backstage, hours before Collision started for the evening, Amelia 'Wildheart' Winston standing before a locker room door; she's not dressed to compete yet, in tight jeans, sneakers and a white tank top as she stares at the door for a long moment before knocking.
Amelia Winston: Hey, can I come in? I don't care if you're decent in there. Hell, more fun for me if you're not.
She grins a little, her tone jovial, joking. The door swings open and Amelia is met with a wall of chiseled muscle covered in beads of water. Sherah Prince, fresh out of the shower and wearing naught but a towel, steps back from the door and gestures toward the inside of the locker room.
Sherah Prince: Amelia, hi! This is an unexpected surprise. What’s going on? Are you ok?
Amelia blinks in surprise, eyes a little wide before she mumbles to herself.
Amelia Winston: I am now…
Amelia enters the locker room, followed by the camera. Adam Prince sits on a bench, talking to a vividly dressed Bo Fletcher as he lunpacks his equipment bag. Sherah signals to them that everything is ok, Amelia offering both men a quick wave.
Amelia Winston: Right, so... I have a favour to ask you guys and I know we don't know each other well but I'm kinda gambling that you two are trustworthy, I guess.
Sherah turns his back on Amelia and removes his towel, using it to dry his shoulders and back. The camera pans up slightly, Amelia’s gaze lingering a second before she clears her throat, looking over to Adam and Bo again.
Amelia Winston: I'm challenging Roy Valentine for the Emerald City Championship tonight, right? And... well, I don't trust that guy not to get up to shenanigans when it comes down to it. I'm not asking you guys to interfere on my behalf or anything, or even to come down to the ring with me but, well…
Sherah bends over. His back and shoulders rise and fall as he fidgets with something out of frame, Amelia unable to resist stealing another glance his way, grinning a little again despite herself.
Amelia Winston: If he happens to have anyone try to get involved on his behalf, maybe you guys might be down to keep that from happening if you can?
She looks back and forth between the two Princes, smiling hopefully. Sherah stands up and hops slightly. The camera pans down slightly to show him adjusting the waist of his pants along his hips.
Sherah Prince: A contended finish to a championship match would surely devalue the champion’s reign, and Roy Valentine seems like a man who greatly appreciates value. Really, we’d be doing him a favour ensuring there’s no controversy surrounding your match.
Amelia Winston: See? That’s a great way to look at it. You wouldn’t just be doing me a favour, you’d be doing everyone a favour. And I’d be grateful and happy to do a favour for you guys if you ever need it too, of course. So… we’re good for tonight, then?
Amelia glances back and forth once more, thumbs hooked into the front pockets of her jeans.
Sherah Prince: We’re good.
Adam Prince: Yeah, we’ve got your back, Amelia. Go out there and put on a show!
Amelia beams, offering both Princes and Bo a double thumbs up.
Amelia Winston: Thanks fellas. Hopefully you can help me celebrate a championship win later!
With that Amelia slips out the door as the shot fades out.
Artemis Direction: Well, now! It seems we’re seeing the start of an alliance here.
Del Ramos: Considering how this roster skews, it makes sense for those guys to stick together. They got a Helluva pantheon of ne’er do wells and sadists calling the Colosseum home who would just love to sink their claws into some white meat baby faces. I’m sure Perdurabo’s eager to avenge the loss he took from Wildheart.
Hiro shudders.
Hiro Suzuki: I really have to question the wisdom of having that guy on our roster. He’s even more of a monster than our other monsters, and that’s saying something!
Artemis Direction: I think we’re getting a rather cute one in our next match.
Del Ramos: That’s how they get you, y’know. Why be big and scary and chase after what you want when you can hide your fangs, be cute, and have what you want come to you? Chiba’s fucking smart.
Artemis Direction: Certainly a tactic Eleni’s no stranger to. Her opponents seem to find her flirtations irresistible. Lulls them into a false sense of security and then puts them down mercilessly.
Shaking her golden locks, Artemis fans herself with one hand.
Artemis Direction: It’s what we all aspire to, and it’s just so nice seeing one of us living her best life!
Kevin Kim: Our next match is scheduled for one fall with no time limit.
The house lights dim as the lyrics, 'I'm hell on heels.... I'm hell on heels, baby I'm comin' for you,' come over the sound system.
Kevin Kim: Now entering the ring from Los Angeles, California, weighing 115 pounds, accompanied tonight by Carl Ross, ELENI TOLIS!
Eleni, dressed in pink gear trimmed in black and a fashion robe, stands on the entrance ramp with her fingers in a heart shape symbol. As she breaks the heart, she spins around with smirk on her face and puts up a, 'Talk to hand,' to the fans. Some try to take pictures as she walks to the ring, but Eleni blocks their cameras, telling them, ‘you can't afford it.' She walks up the ring steps, entering under the middle rope. Standing in the middle of the ring, she unties her robe before slowly dropping it to the canvas and blowing a kiss.
Hiro Suzuki: Say, do you know why the supermodel brought her lipstick and mascara to school?
Del Ramos: Maybe this is all some taste of Hell the Prince of Lies has cursed me with as a sign of his favor; a fragment of his kingdom for me to be tormented in.
Hiro Suzuki: She had a makeup exam!
Del Ramos: I am too weak for your brutal gift, oh Dark Lord.
Once again, the house lights go black, and music begins to swell through the arena.
Kevin Kim: And her opponent, all the way from Tokyo, Japan, weighing 99 pounds, CHIBA SUZUMIYA!
Violet lights brighten the stage, revealing a lone masked figure, arms outstretched, her face towards the ceiling. Chiba lowers her gaze towards the ring and walks down the ramp, ignoring the chanting crowd at her sides. Her eyes blaze with determination. At the ringside, Chiba ascends the nearest turnbuckle, flings her arms out, and somersaults to center ring--
--where Eleni has rushed to meet her with a big boot that sends an unsteady Chiba to the mat! Before the fight has even begun, Tolis is stomping her prone opponent!
Del laughs maniacally, eyes bright as Hiro and Artemis both cringe at the all-out assault.
Del Ramos: THAT’S RIGHT! YOU EAT YOUR FILL NOW, BEAUTY QUEEN! FEAST ON HER SOUL!
Referee Jill Kincaid is on Eleni immediately, counting down her disqualification. But Chiba is faster than the count: as Kincaid hits ‘four’ and Eleni’s boot comes down, Chiba grabs Eleni’s foot and twists,, bringing her opponent crashing down with a surprised ‘yelp’!
Artemis Direction: Quick thinking on Chiba’s part!
Hiro Suzuki: Eleni’s been dominating, but Suzumiya has shown how fierce she is in the ring given half a chance. Tolis was smart to try and take her out early before she could get the momentum going.
Chiba rolls to the ropes, then leaps to her feet. Eleni is back up to meet her, holding an innocent finger to her lips as she mouths, ‘Oops, did I do that?’ Sensing opportunity, Chiba instantly steps up for a roundhouse kick. But Eleni isn’t as distracted as she seems and grabs Chiba’s foot midair! Eleni wrenches on Chiba’s ankle, forcing Chiba to hop back towards the turnbuckle. Then, in a flash, Chiba is airborne, spinning to deliver a standing enzuigiri to the back of Eleni’s head! Eleni reels as Chiba twists and pulls the Hell on Heels into a stunner! Down goes Eleni, and Chiba goes for the pin!
Artemis Direction: Talk about twists and turns!
Hiro Suzuki: These two are going at it full tilt! It’s hard to keep up!
One!
T-
NO! Tolis kicks out!
Chiba pulls her opponent up by her hair. A wicked smile is plastered across Chiba’s face as she knees Eleni in the stomach after forcing her up. With a twist, Chiba whips Eleni into the ropes and tries to run for the opposite end of the ring--but Eleni holds fast, and pulls Chiba with her! The Hell on Heels leans into Chiba’s back and forces her throat against the ropes!
Hiro cringes.
Hiro Suzuki: That could cause some serious damage!
Del Ramos: Heh! Or at least one helluva sore throat.
Hiro Suzuki: You know, that reminds me of a pink bird I once saw that had a sore throat!
Artemis Direction: A pink bird, lovely?
Hiro Suzuki: Yep! It was a phlegmingo!
Kincaid is at their side in a flash. Eleni releases Chiba at the count of four and backs away… only to turn and rush her with a rising knee! Chiba ducks and uses Eleni’s own momentum to throw her over the apron and out of the ring! When Chiba straddles the top rope and begins to clap, the crowd pops and claps along with her!
Del Ramos: Oh ho ho...nothing more brutal than having the crowd root against you. Tolis has gotta be in a foul mood now. Hope we see her bring the claws out.
To the Ascended Army’s steady beat, Chiba rises to the top rope, and perches, muscles tensed. Eleni is shaking off the rust from her tumble out of the ring. Chiba leaps--suspended in the air for a moment in a perfect, arcing moonsault--
Hiro Suzuki: This could be it!
Which Eleni has somehow risen to meet! It seems like Eleni is trying to catch Chiba and redirect her momentum into the barricade--but when Chiba falls upon her, Eleni has clearly misjudged her opponent’s inertia, and they both fall against the barricade with a metallic crack! Kincaid rushes to the count!
All three commentators let out a wince at the nerve-scrapping cracking sound.
Hiro Suzuki: I really have to get some ear plugs! The sounds we keep hearing in these matches haunt me!
Del Ramos: How dare you disdain the sweet, savage soundtrack of our bread and butter. Our reason to get out of bed in the morning. I say you savor those sounds, Suzuki! No one will ever get to hear them like we do, up close and personal!
Hiro Suzuki: Jeez, I sure hope not!
Del Ramos: Besides, for you, it’s karma for all those awful stand-up sets no one can forget.
… Eight! Nine! Ten!
Kevin Kim: Ladies, gentlemen, and gentlethems, we have a DRAW!
The Ascended medical staff rush on site to whisk Tolis and Chiba away--through separate entrances.
Del Ramos: Well that was downright brutal! Monsters come in all shapes and sizes; some are prettier than others, and some like to hide their claws. But some of them? Heh. Well… they can’t deny their nature no matter what they do or say. Which brings us to a promo from our current Underworld Champion, Vermin Ruler of the Underground, the Lab Rat King.
Somewhere deep below the city in the belly of the Underground, a white rat scurries along a rusted pipe, her ears nearly brushing the ceiling in the narrow clearance it offers. Her beaded red eyes are alert, but it’s her nose she’s following, whiskers vibrating in the dim light offered by the lavender glasswork above.
She disappears into a narrow crack, the flash of her skinny tail slipping into the dark.
Where she emerges, she runs down along a fallen beam that once held fast to the ceiling, creating a ramp to the sinking concrete below. No sooner has she touched the ground that she crawls up the side of what appears to be… a throne, of sorts. It’s made up of greying wood and iron bars, a door removed from its hinges serving as the broad backrest, secured with heavy lengths of chain. A harsh fluorescent light above casts deep shadows below; the white rat disappears into one of these dark places.
Seated on this throne built from the ruins left to the rats, their King looks on with a familiar fire in his amber eyes, made sharper by the dark muzzle covering his nose, mouth and jaw. The gigantic mutant of a man sits with his boots far apart, taking up as much space as he pleases; resting against his discoloured chest and shoulder, swelling visibly with raspy breath, is the obsidian and gold plating of the Underworld Championship Belt.
On his opposite side, a woman who must be half his weight--the missus, the Queen, evidently--is perched on the arm of the throne, one leg crossed over the other. Her pale blue eyes are accented with streaks of silver and sea, reminiscent of frost. She leans back, running a painted fingertip down the length of the King’s arm with a little smirk. King growls, his voice resonating in the underground space
Lab Rat King: I told you that you would kneel.
The beast sits up slightly, just enough to draw up from his arrogant lounging--a maned lion resting contentedly on the bones of his prey. He draws a thumb across his throat, cocking his head to the side.
Lab Rat King: At last, my long and lovely clash with the Queen Quinn, the Huntress and murderess, has come to such a saccharine conclusion; I’ll savour the sounds and sensations of that contention FOREVER! How fitting that your fall would lead you to true darkness--to let your monstrous makeup overrun your heart. How unexpected that my pulse pounding prolifically for the family beneath my fold would be the final match thrown into the kerosene!
He steals a subtle glance toward Grace, his valet and wife, rumbling with pleasure at her answering grin. His fierce eyes return to those of the watching Army.
Lab Rat King: But now… with our most persistent foe fallen, who is left to challenge us? The sweet siren call of this strap--
He scratches his blunt nails against the title belt's face plate.
Lab Rat King: for us, in TRUTH, is that it has become a beacon. A CALL TO ARMS, TO WAR, against the MONSTER WHO HOLDS IT IN HIS CLAWS! The black and gold sssssing so sweetly to us--we know its song must be such a vile temptation to other beasts cut from our cloth. With this, we will be bound to fight only the most vicious, the most violent, the HUNGRIEST of the wolves, aching to sink their teeth into her leatherrrrr…
The rabid grin is audible in his voice, his eyes wild as he leans forward again, resting his forearm on his knee. He extends the belt forward, holding it like a tantalizing hook, meant to tempt in the next contender crazy enough to step into the ropes against him.
His voice is a low, raspy hiss that cuts to the bone.
Lab Rat King: S o c o m e a n d g e t i t.
Del is practically salivating, their laugh low and rumbling, their eyes gleaming.
Del Ramos: Now that’s how you do it. Fucking assert your dominance as King Monster of Blood Mountain!
Artemis Direction: You know, I really cannot deny the smoldering appeal of Mr. King or his lady love! How can you do anything else but swoon in that kind of presence?
Hiro Suzuki: Sooner or later, someone’s gonna get it into their head to take him up on that challenge. And we got a whole slew of likely candidates who could easily fit the bill as Underworld Champion.
Del rumbles with malevolent pleasure.
Del Ramos: Oh, I know it’s a fuckin’ gorestravaganza waiting to happen.
Artemis Direction: Speaking of, we may have a battle of truly unique individuals in our next fight. The Insensate, who we now know is Sebastian Hawke, has been seen on camera to have forsaken that masked identity! Has he broken with Mara Lang permanently, or is this some kind of ploy? And if it is a genuine break from his erstwhile mentor, will he still have the ability to block out pain as we’ve seen him do in previous matches?
Del Ramos: Sherah Prince is the kind of guy to give anybody a second chance; even if it’s to his detriment.
Artemis Direction: The Princes really do embody the heart and soul of the company, don’t they?
Del snorts derisively.
Del Ramos: We’ll see how bright and shiny they are after their first loss. Maybe it won’t be tonight, but it's inevitable, and then we’ll see how fast they stick to their high an’ mighty morals. It’s always easy to be good when things are going your way.
High tempo, up-beat rock music suddenly fills the Colosseum and the entrance stage is bathed in flat blue lighting, punctuated by high frequency white strobes, timed to synch up to the beat, as The Near Future VII. Time to Fly by I Fight Dragons begins to play. Feeling the energy from his old music, Sebastian Hawke bounces out onto to stage and waves to the numerous fans happy to see him without The Insensate mask. Beaming, Sebastian runs down the ramp to the ring and slides in posing slightly before motion at the top of the ramp distracts him.
Adam Prince steps out from behind the curtain, microphone in hand and dressed in jeans and a white t-shirt, triggering another pop from the crowd. He smiles and runs his hand through his hair, almost sheepishly taking in the crowd reaction to his interruption.
Adam Prince: You know, it's a damn catchy song, Sebastian. I like it a lot better than the weird, dissonant, experimental thing you'd been using. The audience seems to agree, too, don't you?
Prince gestures broadly to the crowd and, on command, the Ascended Army bursts into an extended roar.
Adam Prince: And it really shocks me to say this, because I didn't believe it myself when I first heard, but it fits you. If someone could distill you down to your bare essence and turn that into a series of musical notes and guitar riffs, I can't help but think that this song is what would come out in the end. It's just so fun and buoyant, you know? But since you've apparently been going through a thing, abandoning core elements of your identity and whatnot, I was almost tempted to take it for myself.
Sebastian's face twists from an expression of puppy-like curiosity to one of disdain. He stands his ground though waiting to see what this is all about.
Adam Prince: You know, I'm not actually a big 'music guy' myself, but something that I've noticed with increasing frequency as I've grown up is how bad people are at actually listening to the soundtracks they give their lives. Sure, they take the bits that they feel encapsulates some piece of themselves, but the larger message often seems to get lost in the noise. Like, I grew up in the Midwest, and I can't count the number of people I've known that were big Rage Against the Machine fans who turned out to support the oppressive police actions of this past year or so. It feels like the only words they ever picked out were 'Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me'. And I hope you'll excuse me for saying so, but I feel like you've fallen into the same trap. You heard things like 'I always knew, deep down inside, I could be more' and 'time to fly' and said 'Yes, this is who I am!' It paints a picture of someone with untapped potential who likes to bounce and jump off of things! But the song, Sebastian -- as far as I can tell -- is about accepting that shit happens in life and playing the hand you were dealt, unexpected as it may be. Yet when the great dealer of the universe handed you a Joker, you, instead, chose to run away from your problems, from your feelings, and from your pain.
Adam begins slowly walking down to the aisle to ringside.
Adam Prince: Yeah, you got a raw deal. Honestly, I get it, and I hate that I get it. I look at you down there, even as you are right now, and I see someone doesn't deserve a whole lot of sympathy -- who isn't worth any real consideration from me -- but I see now, after ample persuasion, that my reasons for dismissing you were entirely selfish. You see, Sebastian, when I look at you, I see myself, save for few lucky turns. There, but for the grace of God, goes Adam Prince, and I hate that. You remind me of all my worst impulses, and it's become so incredibly clear to me why.
You and I are the same, Sebastian. We've had remarkably similar struggles, and have suffered the same tragic slings and arrows. I know what it feels like to believe that everyone you've ever trusted has lied to you. To feel a sense of belonging and of security, only to have the floor fall out from underneath you. I've been kidnapped, Sebastian -- twice in fact! -- and I've had my abductors feed me lies and twist my view of myself and of those around me, only instead of them doing it over the span of a few months, they did it for eighteen fucking years. See, when I was a baby the people I grew up believing were my family and caregivers stole me right out of the back seat of a car and whisked me away to Nowheresville, Flyover, USA. And let me tell you, Sebastian, they weren't especially nice to me. I didn't even know I needed rescuing, but I regularly dreamed of people coming to save me, and I was continually disappointed, angry, and downright hurt that my wishes never made manifest.
But one day, long after I'd given up hope of a different life, someone did rescue me, and you know what that showed me, Sebastian? It showed me that it's never too late to be saved. To be rescued. To be helped.
I know it probably doesn't mean a whole lot to you right now, but I want to help you, if you'll let me. Sherah and I know you can be better than you've been, and that you deserve better than you've had. You've been away from the world, and from yourself, for a short spell, Sebastian. Just give the word, and we can help you come back."
We're here for you.
Hawke and Sherah meet at center ring, their height difference on full display. Sherah, over a full foot taller than Hawke, reaches out his hand to shake--it rests by Hawke’s neck. The Insensate bellows with laughter and swats Sherah’s hand away. Then Hawke raises his palms, challenging the Iron Man to a test of strength.
Del Ramos: HA! Talk about cajones! FUCK HIM UP, HAWKE! I wanna see that mean, little guy energy on full display!
Sherah’s eyebrow twitches up in surprise even as he laces his fingers between Hawke’s. Both of Sherah’s eyebrows hit the ceiling when Hawke not only matches his strength, but begins to force the Iron Man back towards his corner!
Artemis Direction: Goodness me I didn’t see that coming!
Hiro Suzuki: Sebastian Hawke has been full of surprises since day one.
Del Ramos: He can be vicious, too. Leans into an opponent’s preconceived notions of who they’re up against and defies them in the most brutal way possible.
But this is a battle of attrition, and just as Sherah predicted, his monumental height and weight advantage begin to take their toll on The Insensate. The battle takes them back to center ring as slick sweat shines on both fighters’ faces. Where Sherah is fighting tooth and nail for every inch of ground, Hawke appears subdued, perhaps even elated by their struggle. Suddenly, The Insensate dives backward, pulling Sherah down with him! Hawke hasn’t let go of his opponent’s right arm and locks his legs in a figure-eight around Sherah’s shoulder, wrenching it back in an arm breaker!
Hiro Suzuki: Hey, do you know why they call it a pretzel?
Del Ramos: For the love of all that is unholy in the great depths of the frozen Hellscape my dreams have become, just let like… I dunno, leeches? Carnivorous slugs? Just have some kind of gastropod devour his tongue before he utters another word.
Hiro Suzuki: Because it’s knot bread!
Del Ramos: How have I failed my infernal, metal masters?
Prince grunts, his face contorting in pain with each new twist on his arm! Once, twice, Sherah’s massive left fist comes down on Hawke’s leg--but The Insensate doesn’t even flinch! Yet even as Sherah’s free hand tries to untangle Hawke from around his shoulder, Sherah has writhed his legs towards the apron, and he hooks a boot across the bottom rope. Referee Godric Smith begins the count for Hawke’s hold! At four, The Insensate releases, rolling to his knees wearing a sick grin. Sherah rises and tests his shoulder--clearly not broken, though Sherah wears his pain openly on his face.
Artemis Direction: Ooh, I think he’s going to be feeling that one for a while, darlings.
Del Ramos: I don’t care how beefy you are. What Hawke did there was some savagely painful shit.
Now The Insensate presses the attack, rebounding off the far ropes to come at Sherah with a rising roundhouse kick! Sherah is forced to defend with his injured arm and winces as Hawke’s boot connects. Hawke reaches for Sherah’s arm--but this time, the Iron Man is having none of Hawke’s manipulations. He pulls into Hawke’s grip to swing a swift left elbow into the side of The Insensate’s head! Hawke seems more aggravated then stunned, but Sherah doesn’t let up! He rains down blow after blow against The Insensate and pries his arm from the smaller fighter’s grip!
Del Ramos: HA! INDULGING IN A LITTLE OF THAT BLOOD LUST! GO ON, GOLDEN BOY! WALK ON THE BLEEDING EDGE!
Artemis Direction: I don’t think Sherah’s attacks are having quite the effect he was expecting...
Hawke revels in Sherah’s assault, thundering with laughter, and replies with a series of sharp fists to Sherah’s stomach. The Iron Man has finally had enough: he clasps his hands to the side of The Insensate’s head and brings Hawke’s face down into his rising knee! While Hawke reels in surprise at Sherah’s speed, Prince whips The Insensate against the ropes and hooks his leg on the return, sending Hawke sprawling face-first! Without missing a beat, Sherah hoists The Insensate upright and lifts him over his shaking right shoulder as he sets up for a vertical suplex! Hawke is still somehow fighting, raining fists down on Sherah’s injured arm!
Hiro Suzuki: Desperation from Hawke!
Del Ramos: If he doesn’t get out of that suplex, he’s fucking done for, so he’d better be throwing whatever he can at Prince!
Hawke’s blows clearly have an effect--Sherah’s grip wavers, and in that single moment of weakness, Hawke swings onto his opponent’s back, locks one arm beneath Prince’s right shoulder, and forces him into a half-nelson while clinging onto Sherah like a backpack! The Iron Man cries in pain as Hawke ties the hold tighter! Sherah drops to his knees, and his flailing left arm can’t find purchase on any part of The Insensate--he’s at too awkward an angle! The tap out comes moments later!
Kevin Kim: The winner of this match, “The Insensate”, SEBASTIAN HAWKE!
Artemis Direction: Sebastian’s first win as himself, without the poisonous influence of Mara Lang. It’s like a new beginning. But what’s he going to make of it?
As the bell rings, Hawke releases his grip. The crowd sits stunned. Bo Fletcher and Adam Prince watch agape from the side of the ring. Even Godric Smith, poised to try his best to wrench Hawke free of his victim, looks surprised. In perfect silence, Hawke nods to Sherah--now panting on his knees--and slips through the ropes and out of the arena.
Hiro Suzuki: Is that a show of respect from Hawke?
Del Ramos: Hnnn. He’s learning to be more in control of the pain; learning not to go overboard when he doesn’t have to. That’s smart.
Artemis Direction: What makes you say that, dear?
Del Ramos: Think about it like this. Say you’re a guy guarding a castle and it’s your job to drop a rock on the head of any dude who walks by to make sure he doesn’t get past. You start getting cocky, using bigger rocks that are harder to move to prove how strong you are. Doesn’t matter that the first rock got the job done just fine; you wanna show off. What harm is there in a little overkill? Then, one day you lift some big ass rock and it turns out it’s too big ass of a rock for you. You get a break or a sprain and suddenly you can’t even drop the first rock that got the job done just fine right at the start. Then where are you? Fucked and rockless, that’s where! Nobody wants that!
Artemis Direction: Ohhh, I think I get what you’re saying, darling. Hawke is demonstrating that he has a more intimate knowledge of pain and violence by knowing just how much to apply and not going overboard with it.
Del Ramos: Exactly. It’s precision.
Hiro looks at his fellow commentators with a horrified expression on his face.
Hiro Suzuki: Do you guys hear yourselves sometimes?
Del Ramos: What? This is a perfectly normal conversation. Anyway, don’t you have an interview or something to do?
Hiro brightens.
Hiro Suzuki: That’s right! Excuse me for just a sec!
We follow a beaming Hiro Suzuki to the center of the ring, a mic in hand.
Hiro Suzuki: Good evening Ascended Army! Our run so far has been exciting, hasn’t it? Our roster keeps growing, our first Pay-Per-View is in the can, we’ve crowned our first champions, and we have our first special edition Collision coming for this Halloween! Hey, speaking of Halloween, do you know why the vampire tried to bite a newspaper?
Del Ramos: Can somebody please exsanguinate this guy? I feel like he’s inviting it at this point.
Hiro Suzuki: Because he heard it had good circulation!
The Ascended Army groans, a few people shouting at the would-be comedian.
Fan: I’D SAY YOU’RE THE JOKE, BUT AT LEAST PEOPLE LIKE JOKES!
Hiro Suzuki: Thanks for the feedback! Always working on my routine! Tonight we have our resident Mistress of Mangling, Zephyr Quinn joining us in the ring!
Zephyr, already standing in the ring in street clothes and leaving against a turnbuckle, straightens up and gives a wave.
Zephyr Quinn: Nice to be here, Hiro.
Hiro Suzuki: We had an unexpected presentation in our previous show. Everyone’s buzzing, but no one knows what MiAtlantis is. No one except, maybe, you. A few people noticed you reacting to the ad and they’re wondering if you might have some insights. Any ideas?
Zephyr smirks and shakes her head.
Zephyr Quinn: I have several. MiAtlantis is…
Before she can continue though, multi colored fog blows into the ring obscuring all from view.
Hiro startles, looking around in confusion.
Hiro Suzuki: What--?
Del Ramos: I don’t know what or where MiAtlantis is, but if it takes Suzuki out of my sight, buy me a ticket there.
Zephyr sighs but before she can say anything a disembodied voice takes over.
: Good things come to those that wait!
An ungodly scraping sound is hard through the fog but no one can see what's going on.
: When the time is right, when you REALLY need MiAtlantis the premier vacation stop, that's when you'll see it all. Not before, not after, but right…. THEN!
With the last word a slam is heard and the fog dissipates, a massive grand piano now in front of a very disgruntled Zephyr.
Hiro blinks at the sudden piano owlishly, as if not quite believing it’s there. Gingerly, he reaches out and presses down middle C with a resonant, ‘plink!’
Del Ramos: ...What the actual fuck?
Artemis taps her chin, humming thoughtfully and arching one eyebrow.
Artemis Direction: Well, kittens, I must say I’ve never seen anyone leave a piano as a calling card, but you know what? Full points on the sheer audacity alone!
Hiro Suzuki: I, uh… um, so seeing as we gotta get… a piano… out of the ring… how about we cut backstage with our intrepid interviewer Belle Silva in the latest edition of, ‘Beyond the Belle!’
“Gave You Everything” by The Interrupters hits the airwaves and the Ascended Universe pops for the one and only Belle Silva! Her usual blonde hair is gone and replaced by silver-gray locks reaching down to her waist. Taking a microphone from a nearby stagehand, Belle sets up at the top of the ramp, taking center stage, her smile dazzling those in the front rows.
Belle Silva: Ascended Army! WHAT’S GOING ON?!
The fans cheer and Belle smiles.
Belle Silva: We have a full roster of people in the back with interesting stories to tell but one man seems to have a story to take the cake. We saw him out here earlier in a breathtaking match against “Iron Man” Sherah Prince and now we get to hear from him without any interruptions. Please help me welcome Sebastian Hawke!
“The Near Future VII. Time to Fly” by I Fight Dragons rings out and the fans in attendance pop once more as Sebastian Hawke comes out on stage, smiling to those around him and hopping along the ramp for high fives and selfies. Striding back up, he takes a mic offered to him by Belle and sits in a chair set up for him. As the fans settle Belle takes over.
Belle Silva: Now Sebastian, you started off in Ascended as The Insensate, a vicious monster of a man who seemed to enjoy inflicting pain on others. Now you seem to get back to how I remembered you in Carnage, the forever lovable Sebastian Hawke. Care to comment?
Sebastian laughs slightly as he replies.
Sebastian Hawke: Good to see you too Belle. I see we’re starting out with the hard stuff first, which is cool. B’more and Carnage left a very bad taste in my mouth. I had thought that I had been abandoned by those closest to me and with everything falling apart, including the federation we were both in, I lost all sight of what was important, the facts. I became gullible and fell under the spell of Mara Lang who convinced me, no… She poisoned me into thinking that everyone HAD abandoned me. Obviously, that isn’t the case and I’ve since stopped believing in her lies. The Insensate is effectively dead.
The fans pop and Sebastian smiles, encouraging the Ascended Army to get louder. Belle smiles and continues.
Belle Silva: That’s excellent to hear! Now, earlier tonight we heard Adam Prince come out and offer you a chance to be helped by him and his cousin Sherah, whom you shared the ring with earlier. Would you like to take a moment to respond to them?
Sebastian pauses, chewing on his words before speaking.
Sebastian Hawke: I… Honestly don’t know? Like… I was in a stable in Carnage and had some of the most fun I’ve ever had in a wrestling ring. Things went to shit and we were constantly overlooked, even shunned. I don’t know if I’m ready for something like that to happen again.
The fans boo and Sebastian looks taken aback slightly before continuing.
Sebastian Hawke: BUT! There’s a but!!!
Belle Silva: Shhhh!!! There’s a but everyone!
She winks and urges Sebastian to continue.
Sebastian Hawke: BUT… I have no issues accepting whatever help Adam might have in mind. He seems like a stand-up guy, but so did Mara when I was at my lowest point. I’d want to hear Adam out to see what he has in mind before I jump into anything super crazy.
The fans seem to appreciate Sebastian’s answer as Belle nods.
Belle Silva: That’s more than fair. Moving on, how are you coping with the loss to Silvio Leon and The World Title?
A bittersweet look floats over Sebastian’s features as he answers.
Sebastian Hawke: Look… Everyone wants to be World Champion at some point in their lives. If that isn’t your goal, then what are you even doing in the business? It just isn’t my time in the spotlight but I’m happy that Silvio gets the chance. I feel like he was cheated out of the title in Baltimore and now he has a fair shot at doing what he wants with it here. I’m… Happy for him.
Belle Silva: But what does that mean for YOU?
Sebastian laughs lightly.
Sebastian Hawke: Haha, it means that I’m starting from square one and working my way back up to the top. I have a key advantage over everyone else on this roster so far though, I know what it’s like to be in the ring and fighting for that belt. I know the pressure and I know how far I went to try to win. Now it’s just a matter of surpassing that limit and actually winning the thing the next time my shot comes around. Now is the time I get myself ready for that shot to come.
Belle Silva: Last comments, any final words for the Ascended Army, roster, fans, and management alike?
Sebastian pauses again before speaking.
Sebastian Hawke: Adam looked into my history to find out everything he could possibly want to know about me. I’m not that same Sebastian Hawke anymore though. I don’t know exactly who I am anymore but with a little bit of patience, we’ll all find out together. The Insensate is dead and that leaves me the ability to move on and become an even better version of who I was before. No one will stop me from claiming what is mine.
Belle claps as “The Near Future VII. Time to Fly” once again plays and the screen fades to black.
Artemis Direction: Sebastian Hawke showing us he’s not afraid to go after what he wants! That little speech there gave me chills, I must admit!
Del Ramos: He’s small, but he’s hungry. I like that.
Hiro Suzuki: Our next match features two opponents who have not been subtle in expressing their own desires.
Artemis Direction: Kyle Beckett is doing very well for himself so far. He’s come such a long way and had to make a new home on a totally foreign continent. Even when you speak the same language, the culture shock is still tremendous. You really do sympathize with him and his motivation.
Del Ramos: SKUP9 has his own motivations that are just as compelling. He pointed out their parallels in his video package.
Hiro Suzuki: No matter who wins tonight, we’re going to see them continuing to show up in the title scene. It’s only a matter of time before one or both are champions. You gotta be careful about that, though. Why, my friend died when his trophy case fell on top of him.
Del Ramos: You tricked me once with these death jokes; you can’t do it again, Suzuki!
Hiro Suzuki: He was a victim of his own success!
Del Ramos: AAAAAAAAA--
Kevin Kim: Making his way to the ring, from Brisbane, Australia and weighing in at 91kg, he is the 'Culture Clash', Kyle Beckett!
The Sick Puppies' 'Stick to your Guns' hits the speakers, spreading throughout the arena. The crowd erupts into cheers. Kyle stands at the top of the entrance ramp, bent slightly forward and arms crossed. He drops the hood of his jacket and throws his arms out wide, letting out an excited roar to the crowd. He looks around to take in the arena before striding down the ramp. He ascends on to the ring apron, looking out to the arena again with a sly grin on his face and climbs to the top of the turnbuckle where he cries out “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!” before leaping down to the ring to motion for a microphone. Kyle turns to the announcer.
Kyle Beckett: She'll be right Kev mate. I just need to yabber on a bit before I take down big, bag S-Klub.
Kevin Kim takes a seat to let Kyle have his moment.
Kyle Beckett: G'day Ascended, where the bloody hell are you?
The crowd roars their approval.
Kyle Beckett: Bloody oath, you're feeling the vibe! I know I'm set to fight against the Eliminator in a manner of seconds, but if I remember correctly there was some bloke, some true blue legend in the making who called me out by name last Collision. Now he claims to be an Oracle so I'm pretty sure he saw this coming. Then again, didn't we all?
More cheers.
Kyle Beckett: Let's keep this simple shall we. Silvio Leon. You asked me if I had some space on my dance card? You reckon that I've earned a chance to fight you for that strap your wearing. I'm sure its no surprise to anyone that I'm not about to turn down a good blue. And no cap I'm excited, more excited than Big Kev. No Kev mate, not you. Big Kev, look him up. Now this is match is some serious bizzo, so we shouldn't just leave it as some Basic Bitch. I got the time and the place. Don't we have some special show coming up in a couple of weeks? As an Aussie I've never really gotten the big deal with Halloween, but what better way to start celebrating then by facing you for that championship belt in a different style of match. Come, 'With the Lights Out,' it'll be time for you to catch these hands, as well as a whole bloody heap of shit in a hardcore match! But I warn you. You have something I want. The one thing I've been fanging for ever since I started. And I'm gonna take it from you in the name of my brother Cole Beckett. So I hope you're ready to dance Oracle, cause I do a mean Aussie Male Two-Step. Periodt.
With a profound mic drop Kyle turns back towards the entrance ramp, readying himself for the arrival of SKUP9 and their match.
Artemis Direction: It looks like the match between Silvio Leon and Kyle Beckett for the Ascended World Championship is on!
Del rumbles with bloodthirsty glee.
Del Ramos: And it’ll be an Underworld Rules match. No disqualifications, falls count anywhere, you get to be creative with kitchen implements, sports equipment, and lighting fixtures. My kind of match!
Hiro Suzuki: It’s in the Seattle Underground, too. What’s that going to mean for where this match might go?
Artemis Direction: Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, darlings, we’ve got a championship caliber match right in front of us to be dazzled by.
Then, the arena lights black out as the speakers proclaim:
Violins begin to whine as the voice continues.
The chorus kicks in and a spotlight appears from behind the entrance, creating the large, looming silhouette of the man in front of it. The lights come up and he raises his arms in the air.
Kevin Kim: And his opponent, weighing in at 369 pounds, from Grand Junction, Colorado: he is “The Eliminator,” SKUP9!
SKUP9 stalks his way down the ramp, stopping occasionally to give an intimidating stare to the crowd. He steps up from the ringside area onto the apron, then up and over the top rope and into the ring, He walks over to the corner, where he stretches while waiting for the match to start.
Artemis Direction: Another match tonight pitting two opponents of significantly different weight classes against one another.
Hiro Suzuki: Don’t forget - Amelia Winston not too long ago, and Sebastian Hawke earlier tonight showed us that just because your opponent is big, that doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed a win. Weight and size might make a difference, but so does speed and tenacity.
Kyle begins the match circling SKUP9. It’s clear he knows he can’t win in a straight contest of strength. Conversely, the Eliminator’s strategy is simple: walk down Kyle and overpower him. The two play a cat-and-mouse game around the ring as both search for an opening, a momentary lapse in their opponent’s attention. Kyle ducks in with feinting kicks, then ducks out or under SKUP9’s huge reach before the colossus can grab hold.
Artemis Direction: This cat-and-mouse act can’t last forever. Something’s got to give sooner or later!
Hiro Suzuki: If they’re not careful, someone might have to call a purramedic!
After maybe a minute of this dance, SKUP9 is starting to look unamused. He decides to call Kyle’s bluff and rushes the Aussie with a swinging lariat! But there’s a flash of mischief in Kyle’s eye--Kyle dips under the swinging arm, letting SKUP9 spin to bounce against the ropes and meeting him on the rebound with a roundhouse calf kick to the stomach! SKUP9 doesn’t even react… until Kyle, side flat against the ropes, pulls his other leg up and into the Eliminator’s throat with a satisfying smack! SKUP9 staggers back to center ring, clutching his neck!
Del Ramos: HA! Clever move from the slippery little fucker.
Hiro Suzuki: Oh! Speaking of slippery! I think I found an Australian animal that’s not weird or horrible! I wasn’t really having a lot of luck with mammals, so I decided I’d see about the reptiles!
Artemis Direction: And what did you find, sweetness?
Hiro Suzuki: There’s this cute turtle called the, ‘Fitzroy River Turtle!’ It’s like a little dinosaur!
Del immediately whips out their phone and begins to type away into a search engine.
Hiro Suzuki: It just goes to show if you look hard enough you can find something relatable in--
Del Ramos: It breathes through its ass.
Hiro gapes at Del, who triumphantly holds up their phone for their comedic commentating coworker to see.
Hiro Suzuki: ...What is wrong with that country’s wildlife?!
Kyle’s already at the turnbuckle--why not use it? Kyle clambers up the top turnbuckle where, facing the crowd, he pumps his fist and chants out, “Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!” The thunderous crowd replies in kind! Fueled by the roaring fans, Kyle readies himself, then leaps at SKUP9, twisting midair for the crossbody--but it’s checked! SKUP9 catches Kyle horizontal in his arms and, smiling, drops backwards and whips Kyle over his shoulders to the ground!
All three commentators groan in sympathy.
Del Ramos: That’s exactly what Kyle didn’t want.
They grin viciously.
Del Ramos: Now he’s in for it!
Kyle falls hard on his shoulder. SKUP9 rolls to his feet and stomps over to Kyle, driving his foot repeatedly into Kyle’s chest. Referee Jill Kincaid counts SKUP9 down--and at four, the Eliminator backs up, returning to hoist Kyle across his shoulder. Walking back to center ring, SKUP9 plants Kyle on his feet, hooks his head under his armpit, and swings the Aussie into a wicked fisherman buster! SKUP9 moves to pin!
Artemis Direction: Kyle may not be getting up from that one!
ONE!
TWO!
TH-
NO! Kyle kicks out!
Hiro Suzuki: The endurance on Beckett is remarkable!
Del Ramos: DON’T STOP DRINKING TIL YOU GET ENOUGH BLOOD, KIDS!
SKUP9 doesn’t relent--he bends over a wheezing Kyle to lift him again. But, as SKUP9 kneels down, he doesn’t see Kyle’s fist rising to meet his throat! Kyle is back on his feet before SKUP9 can react! With SKUP9 still kneeling and grasping his throat, Kyle rebounds off the far ropes and jumps-
Artemis Direction: This is it!
-right into SKUP9’s waiting arms!
Artemis Direction: ...Ohhhh dear.
The giant stands with Kyle’s legs wrapped around his head and slams Kyle into a powerbomb! Before Kyle can recover, the Eliminator leans down and, from a straight deadlift, powerbombs Kyle again! SKUP9 pauses to ensure that the Aussie is unresponsive this time before he falls upon him for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Kevin Kim: The winner of this match, “The Eliminator”, SKUP9!
As SKUP9’s hand is raised in victory, confusion and mixed reactions characterize the Ascended Army.
Artemis Direction: Kyle’s streak has been brought to an end, though he’s certainly proved he’s more than worthy of the shot Silvio wants him to take. But after that match, where does SKUP9 stand in line for a title fight?
Del Ramos: Gonna be hard to turn down a challenge from him, but Leon’s also said he wants to elevate the roster. The Eliminator there fits the bill - young, hungry, loads of potential. Silvio might already have his eye on the guy.
Del smirks.
Del Ramos: Maybe he’s more of a shark than he lets on.
Hiro Suzuki: Do you know what happened when the shark got famous?
Del Ramos: Nothing you’ll ever experience first hand.
Hiro Suzuki: He became a starfish!
Artemis Direction: It’s been quite a night so far! A special edition of Collision announced, the newest member of our roster showing her chops, what looks like a rivalry in the making with Eleni and Chiba, and The Lab Rat King declaring open season on anyone coming for his belt!
Hiro Suzuki: We finally got to see Sebastian Hawke fighting for himself as himself and pulling off a win over one of our most physically impressive roster members! We might not have cleared up what MiAtlantis is, but it looks like Zephyr has some ideas.
Del Ramos: Finally getting some insight from Hawke, too. I gotta say I’m pretty curious about the details of everything Lang did to make him the way he is, if he ever wants to share them. That had to be absolute brutality. And Beckett’s streak being ended? Heh. I can’t wait to see how he reacts to that. Can bet you anything, it’s gonna be bloody.
Artemis Direction: Which brings us to our main event! Roy Valentine, our first Emerald City Champion, defending his title against Amelia ‘Wildheart’ Winston!
Hiro Suzuki: Winston has to be motivated going into this fight. A first loss is always a perspective changer.
Del Ramos: Oh, I hope so. I wanna see what that chick can do when she’s got revenge on the mind. Maybe she’s not getting her hands on Leon tonight, but I bet she’s eager to take out some frustration on Valentine.
Artemis Direction: Undoubtedly! But Roy has a number of x-factors going in his favor. And by that, I mean some ringside support.
Hiro Suzuki: I don’t want to believe that O’Toole could get his hands dirty, but… who knows how Valentine might use that contract he forced Davie to sign. During his promo at Ascension, O’Toole shared some of the details, and they were pretty squishy; open to some creative interpretations. With the way Roy covets that title…
Del grins viciously.
Del Ramos: We might see O’Toole bringing out the mean-spirited side of himself whether he wants to or not. But Wildheart’s not alone. Remember, she’s got back up from the Princes and their manager.
Kevin Kim: Ascended Army, this is your main event of the evening set for one fall and is for the ASCENDED WRESTLING EMERALD CITY CHAMPIONSHIP!
The crowd pops!
Kevin Kim: Approaching the ring first is the challenger!
The lights dim, strobing along with the beat of the song, Amelia standing at the top of the entrance ramp, bouncing a little on the balls of her feet. The first verse hits and the lights come up brighter, still strobing a bit with the tune as she makes her way down to the ring, a bit of strut in her march.
Kevin Kim: Entering the ring from Belleville, Ontario Canada, she is, AMELIA ‘WILDHEART’ WINSTON!
She sprints the last few yards, diving in under the bottom rope and rolling to her feet, climbing onto the ropes to cut a pose for the hard camera as the lights come back to full normal before jumping down from the ropes, ready for her bout.
Artemis Direction: Winston looking confident and fired up for this match!
Hiro Suzuki: She’ll have to come at Valentine with everything she’s got if she wants to pull off a win.
Keivn Kim: Now entering the ring from Cape Elizabeth, Maine, weighing in at 219 pounds, accompanied tonight by “The Sidewinder”, David O’Toole: your Emerald City Champion, ROY VALENTINE!
Heavy operatic guitar blares through the stadium. The screen follows a trail of twisting, thorny vines as they wind over a pitch-black floor towards the foot of a marble throne. As the thorns begin to engulf the stone, the camera rises to reveal Roy Valentine lying sideways across the marble seat, legs pitched over its arm. The plants trace a deferential space around Valentine, but utterly consume every inch of bare throne. When the vines finally stop twisting, Valentine snaps his fingers, and the all-encompassing wall of green bursts into bloom, silver and emerald roses spelling out the name, “ROY VALENTINE”.
Valentine then makes his entrance in the flesh, strutting on stage under a shower of viridian petals. The Emerald City Championship belt glitters at his waist. Just behind him, wearing a tight-lipped smile and a light grey hoodie, comes David O'Toole, walking stiffly as he waves to the crowd. Valentine holds a snow-white rose at his heart, which he tosses into the crowd on his way to the ring, all the while blowing kisses to the adoring—or, more likely, disgusted—Ascended Army.
Artemis Direction: Nothing quite like a fighter an audience can love to loathe!
Del Ramos: Oh, yeah. Valentine gives them an excuse to indulge in all their most hateful little tendencies. Heh! People get real vicious when they got someone they feel it’s acceptable to get a little aggro on. Him parading O’Toole around like a trophy definitely doesn’t help his popularity.
The crowd’s jeers turn unexpectedly into cheers. Standing in the ring, Amelia grins as she sees Adam and Sherah Prince along with their manager, Bo, come out of the entrance, standing at the top of the ramp. The message is clear as Adam points to his eyes with index and middle finger on one hand, then points to Roy’s entourage.
”We’re watching you. Play nice.”
David’s mouth twists for a moment in an unreadable expression before he averts his eyes from the entrance ramp, seemingly embarrassed or ashamed to be stuck with Valentine’s crew.
Valentine himself scoffs, rolling his eyes as he waves off the trio dismissively before mounting a steel chair that has been painted or tinted a vivid shade of green with, ‘R.V.’ monogrammed on the backrest and using that to climb into the ring as opposed to the steel steps.
Hiro makes a face.
Hiro Suzuki: I guess the steel steps aren’t good enough now?
Del just chuckles darkly.
Del Ramos: Keep an eye on that thing.
David O’Toole, who is standing ringside, notices the chair and, waiting for Valentine’s attention to be absorbed elsewhere, folds it up before tucking it under the ring.
Artemis Direction: My my! Is that a bit of rebellion from Valentine’s contracted co-conspirator? It looks like O’Toole isn’t just going to stooge for Roy with no questions asked.
Before the last reverberations of the bell have even faded, Wildheart is flying at Roy like a bat out of Hell! Grabbing her opponent’s shoulders, she launches herself upward in a tremendous display of athleticism, catching Roy in a hurricanrana that sends him slamming into the mat with authority! Seated on his stomach, she hooks her arms around his legs while he’s still stunned, pushing his shoulders to the mat! Referee Godric Smith slides in for the count!
ONE!
Kick out from Valentine!
Del is clearly elated from Amelia’s immediate onslaught, dark eyes sparkling, smile broad.
Del Ramos: THAT’S IT, WILDHEART! RIP HIM LIMB FROM LIMB!
Roy is back on his feet, expression alive with outrage at the audacity of this upstart rookie who--
Amelia takes advantage immediately, hitting Roy with a forearm smash to the face followed up swiftly with a Muay Thai knee strike that sends him staggering. Incensed and purposeful, Valentine advances on Wildheart who makes a run for the nearest turnbuckle, her back to her opponent.
Artemis Direction: Ooh you can’t take your eye off the hornet in the room, darling!
Far from being caught unaware, however, Amelia shows off her in-ring intuition, gripping the top ropes and using them to leap backwards over Valentine, who collides with the turnbuckle! She cartwheels away to the other side of the ring before Roy turns and comes at her again, only for Winston to roll beneath the haymaker he throws, popping up to her feet and using both of their residual momentum to catch Valentine in an arm drag, hurling him to the mat! She climbs to her feet in a flash, and as Roy does the same, she hits him with a standing drop kick and goes for the pin again!
ONE!
TWO!
THR--
Kick out from Valentine!
As the Ascended Army gets to their feet, Adam, Sherah, and Bo all leading them in their cheers from the top of the ramp!
Artemis Direction: Good heavens! We almost had a new champ! Amelia is leveraging her outstanding speed against Valentine and not even giving him a moment to breathe!
Hiro Suzuki: We’re gonna have to watch that again in slow motion!
Del Ramos: Wildheart is ravenous tonight and showing she’s worthy of her namesake.
Roy’s expression has gone from condescending to homicidal as he and Amelia begin to circle one another. Wildheart comes at Valentine again, but this time he’s ready for her, using his height and weight advantage to anchor himself and swing her around into the ropes in a particularly vicious Irish whip! As she comes rebounding back, he hits her with a short-arm clothesline that sends her slamming onto the mat! Dazed, Amelia finds herself locked into a crossface! As she cries out in pain, Valentine seems to be mouthing something venomous judging by the look on his face and the sadism alight in his gaze. He’s not just trying to make her tap - he’s trying to teach her a lesson. Regaining her focus, Amelia utilizes her superior flexibility to nail the back of Valentine's head with a few kicks that cause him to release her. Holding the back of his head as he gets back to his feet, Valentine grabs his still-recovering opponent, hauling her to her feet and punishing her with a back body drop! He goes for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
Kick out from Wildheart!
Del Ramos: This is taking a turn and I’m fucking here for it!
Artemis Direction: Both of our competitors are absolutely relentless tonight!
Frustrated, Valentine takes a moment to roll toward the edge of the ring as Godric checks in with Winston. He reaches for the chair that he entered the ring with, frowning as he finds it’s no longer there. Brow furrowed, he looks first to the Princes and Bo, realizing they’ve not tried coming down to the ring. Something dawns on him and he glowers at Davie, who is looking at him with a defiant expression, arms crossed over his chest. Roy looks like he might be about to launch into a tirade, but before he can draw breath to do so, Winston has taken the opportunity to recover, and comes charging over to him. As he starts to get to his feet, she hops up onto the middle rope, not missing a beat as she grabs a hold of him and hits him with the Marie Antoinette Special! Valentine hits the mat hard, but whatever else it might have done, Davie’s ‘betrayal’ has awakened some kind of inhuman resolve in him. Letting out a bellow, he surges to his feet, slamming an elbow into Amelia’s face to momentarily stun her before doubling her over and lifting her up into his Red Crown finisher!
Eyes wide, Sherah starts to move down the ramp toward the ring. Noticing, Roy locks eyes with the bigger man and, with a vicious smirk, brings Amelia down onto the mat!
Roy goes for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Kevin Kim: Your winner, and STILL Emerald City Champion, ROY VALENTINE!
Roy rises to a chorus of boos from the Ascended Army, practically ripping his title from Godric Smith’s hands. He climbs out of the ring, his attention focused now solely on Davie, who doesn’t flinch or look away. As the pair leave back up the ramp, the Princes and Bo rush past them to the ring, the trio coming to Amelia’s side to help her back to her feet.
Del Ramos: That’s what we get out of our roster! Leon’s right. Every one of these fuckers is championship material.
Artemis Direction: Speaking of, it sounds like my dear child has a little something to say. Let’s go to the back for our sign off, Ascended Army!
The scene cuts to Silvio Leon standing in a room illuminated only by the light of a single light bulb screwed into the top of a shadeless lamp. Dressed in his ring gear, the championship belt around his waist, he’s cast in sharp relief standing so close to the light, and he has a baseball bat balanced across his shoulders, reaching up to hold it lightly with a hand on either side.
Silvio Leon: Hey, Kyle! Real glad you decided to accept my invitation; a girl hates to be turned down, after all. Regardless of any blemish on your record, you’re showing me you have the kind of champion-level tenacity and heart that it takes to be our next World Champ. But, y’know, at the risk of gilding the lily here, why don’t we make things a little more interesting. World Title match? Totally. Underworld Rules? I’m game. But how about we do this best two out of three pins? Let’s see if you can do what no one else here has so far - not just pin me, but do it twice. I mean, shoot, it’s Halloween, right? Why not give ourselves a little treat? Oh, and I, uh… heard you’re fond of the Two-Step! I get that, but honestly, I’ve always had a preference…
He adjusts his grip on the bat, holding it like a player and grinning over the curve of his arm.
Silvio Leon: ...For swing.
The Oracle swings the bat, shattering the light bulb and leaving the viewer in complete darkness.
Silvio Leon: Happy Halloween, Ascended Army.
Credits:
Wildheart & The Princes + Bo backstage - Kichae and Amelia
Eleni Tolis vs. Chiba Suzumiya - Aedan
LRK Challenge - Zen
The Princes + Bo offer help to Sebastian Hawke - Kichae and Zephyr
Sebastian Hawke vs. Sherah Prince - Aedan
MiAtlantis - Zephyr and Ampersand
Beyond the Belle with Sebastian Hawke - Zephyr Quinn
Kyle Accepts Silvio’s Challenge - Kyle Beckett
SKUP9 vs. Kyle Beckett - Aedan
Everything Else: Ampersand
A special thanks to all my contributors and the people who helped me judge matches I was unable to, or needed a second opinion on.
I'm in a sweet spot
I'm feeling good
The sun is shining
I knew it would
On the big screen over the ramp, Quan Yin Okada stands on a stone bridge beneath spreading vermilion momiji in the Arboretum’s Japanese Garden. She makes for a stark contrast, with her dark hair, fair, freckled skin, and glittering eyes; a Winter warrior coming like an early frost to a grove in its fiery Autumn hues. Chiba Suzumiya is seen from the chin down, framed by a backstage vanity mirror’s bright lights. In her hands she holds her fringed, cat-like mask. We watch her bring it upward, the camera view following to show her pulling it on before opening her vivid, violet eyes, a malevolent smirk on her face.
The world's a playground
I'm in the clouds
Let me show you what it's all about
The scene flashes to reveal Eleni Tolis standing in her ring gear at the top of a flight of stairs that cuts down through the rows of seats in the Ascended Colosseum. Smiling to herself, she descends the steps toward the ring; less a wrestler than she is royalty coming to claim a throne. The scene plunges into complete darkness that’s broken only as the eyes of the viewer seem to adjust. Sebastian Hawke, his blue eyes glowing with the flat, dead intensity of a moon on a hazy night, stands on one of the catwalks above the Ascended wrestling ring. In one hand he holds his black and purple mask. Expression unreadable, he drops it to the canvas below. We flash then to Sherah Prince, watching fondly as Bo and Adam appear to be hashing out things like ring gear, promo angles, and entrance notes in their apartment living room. He turns to look back to a laptop, a video replay of the Insensate’s match at Ascension going on loop.
Check it out
I'm gonna light it up
Yeah I'm gonna light it up
Check it out
I'm gonna light it up
Yeah I'm gonna light it up
SKUP9 is seen in his car, approaching Seattle on I-5. His eyes are red-rimmed but focused on the skyline that rises to meet him, grip on the steering wheel tightening. Kyle, walking purposefully down the hallway backstage at the Colosseum toward the gym, gets a high five from David O’Toole and another from Amelia ‘Wildheart’ Winston. He rolls his shoulders and starts going at it with a speed bag, the camera re-focusing on Winston standing in the doorway. She looks at him wistfully for a moment before turning and starting down the hallway, her expression turning intense and stony. She makes her way to the top of the entrance ramp, hands on her hips as she looks around the empty seats of the Colosseum. It could be hers. After tonight she could be a new champion. Roy Valentine, though, flashing across the screen in a flurry of green rose petals, surveys the title he holds in his hands. Moonlight glints across its silvery surface, and across the knife-like smile that splits his face.
Just check it out
I'm gonna light it up
Yeah I'm gonna light it up
Let me show you what it's all about
Check it out!
The camera pans out across the audience, a few signs catching our eyes.
THE BEARD IS BACK!
VALENTINE FEARS WILDHEART!
SAVE DAVIE BRIGADE!
STEP ON ME ELENI!
Hiro Suzuki: Welcome to the latest edition of Collision, Ascended Army! I’m Hiro Suzuki and I am joined on commentary tonight by Artemis Direction-
Artemis, dressed in a slinky black wiggle dress and turquoise statement jewelry, blows a kiss to the audience, then winks.
Hiro Suzuki: And Del Ramos!
Del scowls, stabbing pins into what appears to be a Voodoo doll, glancing between it and Hiro a few times before sighing, tossing the thing over their shoulder and sitting back in their chair.
Artemis Direction: We have quite a show for you all this evening, babies! There’s a small change in the card, and Ms. Hawkhurst will be joining us on a future edition of Collision. But we get to see the debut of the truly divine Ms. Quan Yin Okada! Besides just radiating positivity, and making me absolutely green with envy over her hair, she is an expert in multiple martial arts!
Del Ramos: Oh, I’m definitely looking forward to seeing her particular brand of ass-kicking. Can’t wait to see her start mixing it up out there. After that, we’re in for a helluva fight between two of our most vicious new roster members.
Hiro Suzuki: Eleni Tolis has shown she’s not above using her, uh, feminine allure to entice her opponents into slipping up.
Artemis Direction: Well, I suppose we’ll see if Chiba is susceptible to those particular charms herself!
Del Ramos: The fight after that’s gonna be fuckin’ wild. Sherah’s shown he’s a total goody two-shoes, and Sebastian Hawke has promised to inflict some serious pain on him. Let’s see him stick to those high and mighty principles when his body’s screaming in agony.
Hiro Suzuki: Speaking of, we’ll be hearing from Hawke tonight on our latest edition of, ‘Beyond the Belle,’ with Belle Silva!
Artemis Direction: Hiro, sweetling, won’t you be having a little interview of your own with Zephyr Quinn?
Hiro beams.
Hiro Suzuki: That’s right! On our previous episode of Collision, we had a mysterious ad air on our big screen. No one knows exactly what it was, but it seemed to strike a nerve with Zephyr. We’re going to see if she has any clues on what that’s about.
Artemis Direction: The intrigue! The mystery! The drama! The windswept, foreboding destinations! How very seasonally appropriate!
Del Ramos: Heh! That’s right. This is my favorite time a’ year. And it sounds like I ain’t the only one who thinks it’s something special.
Hiro Suzuki: Jodie Nguyen is set to talk with the Ascended Army this evening, addressing rumors of some recent real estate acquisitions by Afsah Properties Inc. and what they might mean for a supposed special Halloween edition Collision.
Artemis Direction: One where we may very well see our World Champion make his first title defense against Kyle Beckett! Our fiery little Aussie will be answering Silvio’s challenge, but I can’t imagine he’d turn it down. He’s making a name for himself at Ascended for being something of a prodigy.
Del Ramos: Some people just got brutality in their blood.
Hiro Suzuki: Maybe, but his opponent, SKUP9, has shown us he’s no slouch. Don’t forget - he put down Roy Valentine, our current Emerald City Champion. I’m sure Afsah’s got an eye on the big guy for gold in the future, and this just might be the match that convinces him it’s time for the Eliminator to have his shot.
Artemis Direction: Valentine has his work cut out for him tonight. It’s his first title defense!
Del Ramos: You know Wildheart’s gonna be fired up after last Collision. No motivation quite like tasting your own blood in your mouth.
Hiro Suzuki: I don’t know if Valentine’ll play fair. Now that he’s got gold, he’s not going to want to let it go. Do you think he’ll make Davie do his dirty work?
Artemis scowls and shakes her head with a sigh.
Artemis Direction: I wouldn’t put it past him. Remember last Collision when Davie left himself wide open to that strike from The Pit? I can’t help but think that contract Roy forced him to sign had something to do with it.
Del Ramos: Before we can get into the night’s sweet, sweet bloodshed, Jodie’s got something to share with us.
Standing in the ring, dressed in a smartly cut red dress suit and gleaming black pumps, Jodie holds a microphone, dark eyes scanning the audience.
Jodie Nguyen: Ascended Army, as you know, Halloween is just around the corner.
The crowd roars in excitement, Jodie waiting and nodding to herself.
Jodie Nguyen: Yes, exactly. Death, sugar, the occult, violence? This is precisely our demographic. As such, we’re going to let you in on a little sneak peak for what we have coming up on our next edition of Collision.
She smiles.
Jodie Nguyen: Say, ‘trick or treat,’ Ascended Army.
The crowd roars in unison:
‘TRICK OR TREAT!’
As the lights go out, there’s a sound of a thunderclap followed by menacing laughter and a lightning bolt that splits the darkness of the big screen. The image resolves and shows the camera moving down a subterranean expanse. There are tunnels of earth and brick, lichen, roots, and small plants poking out here and there, reaching for the thin sunlight that filter down through the pale purple prisms from the streets above. As the camera continues, newer construction is shown, and the footsteps of the person on this journey take on a different, more echoing quality. As we continue, the view dims until, at last, everything is black and still.
There is a sharp, ‘click!’ followed by the sputtering electric murmur of power. The lights flicker then snap on, revealing a literal underground fighting pit; a ring emblazoned with the Ascended Wrestling logo, surrounded by rows of seats.
Jodie Nguyen: Afsah Properties Inc. has acquired a portion of the Seattle Underground where we will be holding our first special edition of Collision.
There are faint, ghostly echoing opening riffs of a song that defined a movement born from this rain-drenched, gargoyle-grey city as the title resolves in jagged black letters.
Ascended Wrestling Presents:
With the Lights Out
An all Underworld Rules edition of Collision in the Seattle Underground
Jodie Nguyen: Happy Halloween.
She leaves the ring, striding back up the entrance ramp as the crowd chants, ‘A-SCEN-DED! A-SCEN-DED!’
Artemis Direction: Well, well, well! That’s quite a twist!
Del’s grin may very well be showing all of their teeth.
Del Ramos: YES! FUCK YES! BLOOD AND BRUTALITY FROM FLOOR TO CEILING! VICIOUS VIOLENCE ALL THE WAY THROUGH! FUCK THE GOLDEN SPONGE THIS IS ALL CREAM!
Artemis and Hiro glance at one another and move themselves a smidge further away from Del.
Hiro Suzuki: A whole show in the Underground?
Artemis Direction: You have to admire the extravagance of it all! Marcus certainly doesn’t skimp, does he?
Hiro Suzuki: Not at all. You know, I went to an underground party once but I can’t say I enjoyed it.
Artemis Direction: Oh, no?
Hiro Suzuki: Nah, it was all a bit too mole-laborate for me!
Del Ramos: Where the fuck did that doll go?
Kevin Kim: Ascended Army, the following contest is set for one fall! Already in the ring with me is Beef Squat Thrust! Now coming to the ring, is his opponent, making her Ascended Wrestling debut!
Woo-oo-hoo! (Hey!)
As WALK THE MOON's begins, The Diamond Lotus appears at the top of the ramp, pumping her fist into the air on the second 'Hey!' in the music. Grinning from ear to ear, she starts forward with a bit of a skip in her step, almost dancing on her toes as she makes her way down toward the ring. Her dark hair is pulled into a braid that falls down to the small of her back, swaying with her upbeat motions.
Kevin Kim: From Kyoto, Japan, weighing in at 180lbs, she is the ‘Diamond Lotus,’ QUAN YIN OKADA!
As she reaches the apron, she slips into the ring and immediately climbs the turnbuckle, just in time to gesture to herself and then the crowd on the words "You and I, we're walking through the emptiness." Beaming to the cheering response, she neatly flips backward off the turnbuckle, landing in a roll that sends her into a cross-legged sit in the middle of the ring--she giggles and rocks to her feet, pumping her fist upward to the rhythm of her music as she takes up her corner.
Artemis Direction: You really have to admire the way she radiates positivity!
Del Ramos: Maybe, but you know what they say - watch out for the nice ones.
DING DING!
The two opponents begin to circle each other. Quan is quick to press the attack, lashing out with a super kick that Squat Thrust catches! Not even letting it break her stride, Quan counters with an enzuigiri that sends Beef to the mat! As he lays dazed on the canvas, Okada rolls back up to her feet with ease, executing a standing leg drop on her downed opponent before tangling him up into a leg grapevine! Beef howls with pain, clearly not expecting Quan to come out of the gate as assertively as she has! With effort, he manages to drag himself over to the nearest rope, grabbing it to break up the hold! Okada releases him, and the pair get to their feet again.
Del Ramos: See!? What’d I tell ya! She can spout all the cute zen stuff she wants - this chick’s thirsty for pain.
Seeming to have learned his lesson, Squat Thrust scowls at his opponent, and as Quan Yin goes for a running knee strike, the big man catches hold of her knee and just slams her back down to the mat! Undeterred, Okada spins onto her back in an attempt to hit Beef in the midsection with a kick, only for him to grab her leg, and slam his elbow down hard on her knee! Crying out in pain, Quan Yin rolls away, clutching at her injury!
Artemis Direction: Squat Thrust punishing Okada for using that knee against him.
Hiro Suzuki: Hey, did you hear about the knee that blew out smoke?
Del looks thoughtful.
Del Ramos: You know, fire might just be the answer. Fuck, why didn’t I think of this before? Fire is always the answer!
Hiro Suzuki: It was a chim-knee!
Del Ramos: Hey, Hiro, would you mind stuffing some of these balled up paper flyers into your jacket pockets? I gotta find my lighter.
Squat Thrust drags Quan Yin back up to her feet and starts laying into her with forearm strikes, forcing her back into the nearest corner. He slams her against the turnbuckle, then takes a few steps back, looking to go for a splash!
Artemis Direction: Okada’s in trouble! She might pack a punch, but Beef’s no lightweight! If he hits that splash--
As her opponent comes careening at her, Quan Yin climbs to the top turnbuckle, quick as a wink! Ready for Squat Thrust, she catches him with the Petalstorm!
Hiro Suzuki: Look at that picture perfect Tornado DDT!
Artemis Direction: Okada showing us exquisite form tonight!
Beef goes ass over teakettle, dazed as he sits up in the middle of the ring, wobbling like a child’s toy. She goes for the running knee strike again, hitting it clean and sending Squat Thrust collapsing down to the mat again. Quan tries for a triangle choke, but Squat Thrust is ready, grabbing her arms and pulling them both upright! They struggle, Quan Yin grabbing Beef’s hands and, with tremendous effort, she climbs up to plant her feet on the big man’s hips, throwing herself backward and executing a monkey flip that plants him on the canvas hard! The crowd is on its feet as Quan climbs to the nearest turnbuckle and performs her gravity defying Diamond’s Edge finisher!
Artemis Direction: That Phoenix Splash was pretty as a picture!
Del Ramos: Heh! Can’t say the same thing for Beef’s face anymore!
Artemis Direction: Darling, that implies it ever was in the first place.
Okada goes for the cover, Jill Kincaid sliding in for the count!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING!
Kevin Kim: Your winner by pinfall, The Diamond Lotus, QUAN YIN OKADA!
The crowd is on its feet, cheering for the tremendous display of athleticism from Okada!
Artemis Direction: What an impressive first foray into the Ascended Colosseum! I expect we’ll be seeing great things from Ms. Okada.
Hiro Suzuki: That Diamond’s Edge finisher was amazing! You know, I was at the Market and there was this guy selling cubic zirconia cut in the shapes of clovers.
Artemis Direction: Oh, really?
Hiro Suzuki: He was trying to pass them off as diamonds, but everyone could tell they were sham-rocks!
Del Ramos: I’m going to make a happy hamster trail out of your corpse after I hollow it out with a teaspoon. And then I’m gonna sell it on Etsy.
Hiro Suzuki: You have an Etsy store?!
Del Ramos: What I have is a teaspoon and a gift certificate to PetSmart that says you should drop the subject.
We open backstage, hours before Collision started for the evening, Amelia 'Wildheart' Winston standing before a locker room door; she's not dressed to compete yet, in tight jeans, sneakers and a white tank top as she stares at the door for a long moment before knocking.
Amelia Winston: Hey, can I come in? I don't care if you're decent in there. Hell, more fun for me if you're not.
She grins a little, her tone jovial, joking. The door swings open and Amelia is met with a wall of chiseled muscle covered in beads of water. Sherah Prince, fresh out of the shower and wearing naught but a towel, steps back from the door and gestures toward the inside of the locker room.
Sherah Prince: Amelia, hi! This is an unexpected surprise. What’s going on? Are you ok?
Amelia blinks in surprise, eyes a little wide before she mumbles to herself.
Amelia Winston: I am now…
Amelia enters the locker room, followed by the camera. Adam Prince sits on a bench, talking to a vividly dressed Bo Fletcher as he lunpacks his equipment bag. Sherah signals to them that everything is ok, Amelia offering both men a quick wave.
Amelia Winston: Right, so... I have a favour to ask you guys and I know we don't know each other well but I'm kinda gambling that you two are trustworthy, I guess.
Sherah turns his back on Amelia and removes his towel, using it to dry his shoulders and back. The camera pans up slightly, Amelia’s gaze lingering a second before she clears her throat, looking over to Adam and Bo again.
Amelia Winston: I'm challenging Roy Valentine for the Emerald City Championship tonight, right? And... well, I don't trust that guy not to get up to shenanigans when it comes down to it. I'm not asking you guys to interfere on my behalf or anything, or even to come down to the ring with me but, well…
Sherah bends over. His back and shoulders rise and fall as he fidgets with something out of frame, Amelia unable to resist stealing another glance his way, grinning a little again despite herself.
Amelia Winston: If he happens to have anyone try to get involved on his behalf, maybe you guys might be down to keep that from happening if you can?
She looks back and forth between the two Princes, smiling hopefully. Sherah stands up and hops slightly. The camera pans down slightly to show him adjusting the waist of his pants along his hips.
Sherah Prince: A contended finish to a championship match would surely devalue the champion’s reign, and Roy Valentine seems like a man who greatly appreciates value. Really, we’d be doing him a favour ensuring there’s no controversy surrounding your match.
Amelia Winston: See? That’s a great way to look at it. You wouldn’t just be doing me a favour, you’d be doing everyone a favour. And I’d be grateful and happy to do a favour for you guys if you ever need it too, of course. So… we’re good for tonight, then?
Amelia glances back and forth once more, thumbs hooked into the front pockets of her jeans.
Sherah Prince: We’re good.
Adam Prince: Yeah, we’ve got your back, Amelia. Go out there and put on a show!
Amelia beams, offering both Princes and Bo a double thumbs up.
Amelia Winston: Thanks fellas. Hopefully you can help me celebrate a championship win later!
With that Amelia slips out the door as the shot fades out.
Artemis Direction: Well, now! It seems we’re seeing the start of an alliance here.
Del Ramos: Considering how this roster skews, it makes sense for those guys to stick together. They got a Helluva pantheon of ne’er do wells and sadists calling the Colosseum home who would just love to sink their claws into some white meat baby faces. I’m sure Perdurabo’s eager to avenge the loss he took from Wildheart.
Hiro shudders.
Hiro Suzuki: I really have to question the wisdom of having that guy on our roster. He’s even more of a monster than our other monsters, and that’s saying something!
Artemis Direction: I think we’re getting a rather cute one in our next match.
Del Ramos: That’s how they get you, y’know. Why be big and scary and chase after what you want when you can hide your fangs, be cute, and have what you want come to you? Chiba’s fucking smart.
Artemis Direction: Certainly a tactic Eleni’s no stranger to. Her opponents seem to find her flirtations irresistible. Lulls them into a false sense of security and then puts them down mercilessly.
Shaking her golden locks, Artemis fans herself with one hand.
Artemis Direction: It’s what we all aspire to, and it’s just so nice seeing one of us living her best life!
Kevin Kim: Our next match is scheduled for one fall with no time limit.
The house lights dim as the lyrics, 'I'm hell on heels.... I'm hell on heels, baby I'm comin' for you,' come over the sound system.
Kevin Kim: Now entering the ring from Los Angeles, California, weighing 115 pounds, accompanied tonight by Carl Ross, ELENI TOLIS!
Eleni, dressed in pink gear trimmed in black and a fashion robe, stands on the entrance ramp with her fingers in a heart shape symbol. As she breaks the heart, she spins around with smirk on her face and puts up a, 'Talk to hand,' to the fans. Some try to take pictures as she walks to the ring, but Eleni blocks their cameras, telling them, ‘you can't afford it.' She walks up the ring steps, entering under the middle rope. Standing in the middle of the ring, she unties her robe before slowly dropping it to the canvas and blowing a kiss.
Hiro Suzuki: Say, do you know why the supermodel brought her lipstick and mascara to school?
Del Ramos: Maybe this is all some taste of Hell the Prince of Lies has cursed me with as a sign of his favor; a fragment of his kingdom for me to be tormented in.
Hiro Suzuki: She had a makeup exam!
Del Ramos: I am too weak for your brutal gift, oh Dark Lord.
Once again, the house lights go black, and music begins to swell through the arena.
Kevin Kim: And her opponent, all the way from Tokyo, Japan, weighing 99 pounds, CHIBA SUZUMIYA!
Violet lights brighten the stage, revealing a lone masked figure, arms outstretched, her face towards the ceiling. Chiba lowers her gaze towards the ring and walks down the ramp, ignoring the chanting crowd at her sides. Her eyes blaze with determination. At the ringside, Chiba ascends the nearest turnbuckle, flings her arms out, and somersaults to center ring--
--where Eleni has rushed to meet her with a big boot that sends an unsteady Chiba to the mat! Before the fight has even begun, Tolis is stomping her prone opponent!
Del laughs maniacally, eyes bright as Hiro and Artemis both cringe at the all-out assault.
Del Ramos: THAT’S RIGHT! YOU EAT YOUR FILL NOW, BEAUTY QUEEN! FEAST ON HER SOUL!
DING DING!
Referee Jill Kincaid is on Eleni immediately, counting down her disqualification. But Chiba is faster than the count: as Kincaid hits ‘four’ and Eleni’s boot comes down, Chiba grabs Eleni’s foot and twists,, bringing her opponent crashing down with a surprised ‘yelp’!
Artemis Direction: Quick thinking on Chiba’s part!
Hiro Suzuki: Eleni’s been dominating, but Suzumiya has shown how fierce she is in the ring given half a chance. Tolis was smart to try and take her out early before she could get the momentum going.
Chiba rolls to the ropes, then leaps to her feet. Eleni is back up to meet her, holding an innocent finger to her lips as she mouths, ‘Oops, did I do that?’ Sensing opportunity, Chiba instantly steps up for a roundhouse kick. But Eleni isn’t as distracted as she seems and grabs Chiba’s foot midair! Eleni wrenches on Chiba’s ankle, forcing Chiba to hop back towards the turnbuckle. Then, in a flash, Chiba is airborne, spinning to deliver a standing enzuigiri to the back of Eleni’s head! Eleni reels as Chiba twists and pulls the Hell on Heels into a stunner! Down goes Eleni, and Chiba goes for the pin!
Artemis Direction: Talk about twists and turns!
Hiro Suzuki: These two are going at it full tilt! It’s hard to keep up!
One!
T-
NO! Tolis kicks out!
Chiba pulls her opponent up by her hair. A wicked smile is plastered across Chiba’s face as she knees Eleni in the stomach after forcing her up. With a twist, Chiba whips Eleni into the ropes and tries to run for the opposite end of the ring--but Eleni holds fast, and pulls Chiba with her! The Hell on Heels leans into Chiba’s back and forces her throat against the ropes!
Hiro cringes.
Hiro Suzuki: That could cause some serious damage!
Del Ramos: Heh! Or at least one helluva sore throat.
Hiro Suzuki: You know, that reminds me of a pink bird I once saw that had a sore throat!
Artemis Direction: A pink bird, lovely?
Hiro Suzuki: Yep! It was a phlegmingo!
Kincaid is at their side in a flash. Eleni releases Chiba at the count of four and backs away… only to turn and rush her with a rising knee! Chiba ducks and uses Eleni’s own momentum to throw her over the apron and out of the ring! When Chiba straddles the top rope and begins to clap, the crowd pops and claps along with her!
Del Ramos: Oh ho ho...nothing more brutal than having the crowd root against you. Tolis has gotta be in a foul mood now. Hope we see her bring the claws out.
To the Ascended Army’s steady beat, Chiba rises to the top rope, and perches, muscles tensed. Eleni is shaking off the rust from her tumble out of the ring. Chiba leaps--suspended in the air for a moment in a perfect, arcing moonsault--
Hiro Suzuki: This could be it!
Which Eleni has somehow risen to meet! It seems like Eleni is trying to catch Chiba and redirect her momentum into the barricade--but when Chiba falls upon her, Eleni has clearly misjudged her opponent’s inertia, and they both fall against the barricade with a metallic crack! Kincaid rushes to the count!
All three commentators let out a wince at the nerve-scrapping cracking sound.
Hiro Suzuki: I really have to get some ear plugs! The sounds we keep hearing in these matches haunt me!
Del Ramos: How dare you disdain the sweet, savage soundtrack of our bread and butter. Our reason to get out of bed in the morning. I say you savor those sounds, Suzuki! No one will ever get to hear them like we do, up close and personal!
Hiro Suzuki: Jeez, I sure hope not!
Del Ramos: Besides, for you, it’s karma for all those awful stand-up sets no one can forget.
… Eight! Nine! Ten!
DING DING DING!
Kevin Kim: Ladies, gentlemen, and gentlethems, we have a DRAW!
The Ascended medical staff rush on site to whisk Tolis and Chiba away--through separate entrances.
Del Ramos: Well that was downright brutal! Monsters come in all shapes and sizes; some are prettier than others, and some like to hide their claws. But some of them? Heh. Well… they can’t deny their nature no matter what they do or say. Which brings us to a promo from our current Underworld Champion, Vermin Ruler of the Underground, the Lab Rat King.
Somewhere deep below the city in the belly of the Underground, a white rat scurries along a rusted pipe, her ears nearly brushing the ceiling in the narrow clearance it offers. Her beaded red eyes are alert, but it’s her nose she’s following, whiskers vibrating in the dim light offered by the lavender glasswork above.
She disappears into a narrow crack, the flash of her skinny tail slipping into the dark.
Where she emerges, she runs down along a fallen beam that once held fast to the ceiling, creating a ramp to the sinking concrete below. No sooner has she touched the ground that she crawls up the side of what appears to be… a throne, of sorts. It’s made up of greying wood and iron bars, a door removed from its hinges serving as the broad backrest, secured with heavy lengths of chain. A harsh fluorescent light above casts deep shadows below; the white rat disappears into one of these dark places.
Seated on this throne built from the ruins left to the rats, their King looks on with a familiar fire in his amber eyes, made sharper by the dark muzzle covering his nose, mouth and jaw. The gigantic mutant of a man sits with his boots far apart, taking up as much space as he pleases; resting against his discoloured chest and shoulder, swelling visibly with raspy breath, is the obsidian and gold plating of the Underworld Championship Belt.
On his opposite side, a woman who must be half his weight--the missus, the Queen, evidently--is perched on the arm of the throne, one leg crossed over the other. Her pale blue eyes are accented with streaks of silver and sea, reminiscent of frost. She leans back, running a painted fingertip down the length of the King’s arm with a little smirk. King growls, his voice resonating in the underground space
Lab Rat King: I told you that you would kneel.
The beast sits up slightly, just enough to draw up from his arrogant lounging--a maned lion resting contentedly on the bones of his prey. He draws a thumb across his throat, cocking his head to the side.
Lab Rat King: At last, my long and lovely clash with the Queen Quinn, the Huntress and murderess, has come to such a saccharine conclusion; I’ll savour the sounds and sensations of that contention FOREVER! How fitting that your fall would lead you to true darkness--to let your monstrous makeup overrun your heart. How unexpected that my pulse pounding prolifically for the family beneath my fold would be the final match thrown into the kerosene!
He steals a subtle glance toward Grace, his valet and wife, rumbling with pleasure at her answering grin. His fierce eyes return to those of the watching Army.
Lab Rat King: But now… with our most persistent foe fallen, who is left to challenge us? The sweet siren call of this strap--
He scratches his blunt nails against the title belt's face plate.
Lab Rat King: for us, in TRUTH, is that it has become a beacon. A CALL TO ARMS, TO WAR, against the MONSTER WHO HOLDS IT IN HIS CLAWS! The black and gold sssssing so sweetly to us--we know its song must be such a vile temptation to other beasts cut from our cloth. With this, we will be bound to fight only the most vicious, the most violent, the HUNGRIEST of the wolves, aching to sink their teeth into her leatherrrrr…
The rabid grin is audible in his voice, his eyes wild as he leans forward again, resting his forearm on his knee. He extends the belt forward, holding it like a tantalizing hook, meant to tempt in the next contender crazy enough to step into the ropes against him.
His voice is a low, raspy hiss that cuts to the bone.
Lab Rat King: S o c o m e a n d g e t i t.
Del is practically salivating, their laugh low and rumbling, their eyes gleaming.
Del Ramos: Now that’s how you do it. Fucking assert your dominance as King Monster of Blood Mountain!
Artemis Direction: You know, I really cannot deny the smoldering appeal of Mr. King or his lady love! How can you do anything else but swoon in that kind of presence?
Hiro Suzuki: Sooner or later, someone’s gonna get it into their head to take him up on that challenge. And we got a whole slew of likely candidates who could easily fit the bill as Underworld Champion.
Del rumbles with malevolent pleasure.
Del Ramos: Oh, I know it’s a fuckin’ gorestravaganza waiting to happen.
Artemis Direction: Speaking of, we may have a battle of truly unique individuals in our next fight. The Insensate, who we now know is Sebastian Hawke, has been seen on camera to have forsaken that masked identity! Has he broken with Mara Lang permanently, or is this some kind of ploy? And if it is a genuine break from his erstwhile mentor, will he still have the ability to block out pain as we’ve seen him do in previous matches?
Del Ramos: Sherah Prince is the kind of guy to give anybody a second chance; even if it’s to his detriment.
Artemis Direction: The Princes really do embody the heart and soul of the company, don’t they?
Del snorts derisively.
Del Ramos: We’ll see how bright and shiny they are after their first loss. Maybe it won’t be tonight, but it's inevitable, and then we’ll see how fast they stick to their high an’ mighty morals. It’s always easy to be good when things are going your way.
"Warriors" by Aaliyah Rose begins to play over the PA system and yellow lights strobe and pulse to the beat as "Iron Man" Sherah Prince and his manager, "Beautiful" Bo Fletcher, step out onto the stage and make their way down the aisle. Upon reaching the ring, Sherah climbs the stairs and continues up the outside of the turnbuckles to look out over the audience for a moment before hopping down from the top rope to the middle of the ring.
High tempo, up-beat rock music suddenly fills the Colosseum and the entrance stage is bathed in flat blue lighting, punctuated by high frequency white strobes, timed to synch up to the beat, as The Near Future VII. Time to Fly by I Fight Dragons begins to play. Feeling the energy from his old music, Sebastian Hawke bounces out onto to stage and waves to the numerous fans happy to see him without The Insensate mask. Beaming, Sebastian runs down the ramp to the ring and slides in posing slightly before motion at the top of the ramp distracts him.
Adam Prince steps out from behind the curtain, microphone in hand and dressed in jeans and a white t-shirt, triggering another pop from the crowd. He smiles and runs his hand through his hair, almost sheepishly taking in the crowd reaction to his interruption.
Adam Prince: You know, it's a damn catchy song, Sebastian. I like it a lot better than the weird, dissonant, experimental thing you'd been using. The audience seems to agree, too, don't you?
Prince gestures broadly to the crowd and, on command, the Ascended Army bursts into an extended roar.
Adam Prince: And it really shocks me to say this, because I didn't believe it myself when I first heard, but it fits you. If someone could distill you down to your bare essence and turn that into a series of musical notes and guitar riffs, I can't help but think that this song is what would come out in the end. It's just so fun and buoyant, you know? But since you've apparently been going through a thing, abandoning core elements of your identity and whatnot, I was almost tempted to take it for myself.
Sebastian's face twists from an expression of puppy-like curiosity to one of disdain. He stands his ground though waiting to see what this is all about.
Adam Prince: You know, I'm not actually a big 'music guy' myself, but something that I've noticed with increasing frequency as I've grown up is how bad people are at actually listening to the soundtracks they give their lives. Sure, they take the bits that they feel encapsulates some piece of themselves, but the larger message often seems to get lost in the noise. Like, I grew up in the Midwest, and I can't count the number of people I've known that were big Rage Against the Machine fans who turned out to support the oppressive police actions of this past year or so. It feels like the only words they ever picked out were 'Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me'. And I hope you'll excuse me for saying so, but I feel like you've fallen into the same trap. You heard things like 'I always knew, deep down inside, I could be more' and 'time to fly' and said 'Yes, this is who I am!' It paints a picture of someone with untapped potential who likes to bounce and jump off of things! But the song, Sebastian -- as far as I can tell -- is about accepting that shit happens in life and playing the hand you were dealt, unexpected as it may be. Yet when the great dealer of the universe handed you a Joker, you, instead, chose to run away from your problems, from your feelings, and from your pain.
Adam begins slowly walking down to the aisle to ringside.
Adam Prince: Yeah, you got a raw deal. Honestly, I get it, and I hate that I get it. I look at you down there, even as you are right now, and I see someone doesn't deserve a whole lot of sympathy -- who isn't worth any real consideration from me -- but I see now, after ample persuasion, that my reasons for dismissing you were entirely selfish. You see, Sebastian, when I look at you, I see myself, save for few lucky turns. There, but for the grace of God, goes Adam Prince, and I hate that. You remind me of all my worst impulses, and it's become so incredibly clear to me why.
You and I are the same, Sebastian. We've had remarkably similar struggles, and have suffered the same tragic slings and arrows. I know what it feels like to believe that everyone you've ever trusted has lied to you. To feel a sense of belonging and of security, only to have the floor fall out from underneath you. I've been kidnapped, Sebastian -- twice in fact! -- and I've had my abductors feed me lies and twist my view of myself and of those around me, only instead of them doing it over the span of a few months, they did it for eighteen fucking years. See, when I was a baby the people I grew up believing were my family and caregivers stole me right out of the back seat of a car and whisked me away to Nowheresville, Flyover, USA. And let me tell you, Sebastian, they weren't especially nice to me. I didn't even know I needed rescuing, but I regularly dreamed of people coming to save me, and I was continually disappointed, angry, and downright hurt that my wishes never made manifest.
But one day, long after I'd given up hope of a different life, someone did rescue me, and you know what that showed me, Sebastian? It showed me that it's never too late to be saved. To be rescued. To be helped.
I know it probably doesn't mean a whole lot to you right now, but I want to help you, if you'll let me. Sherah and I know you can be better than you've been, and that you deserve better than you've had. You've been away from the world, and from yourself, for a short spell, Sebastian. Just give the word, and we can help you come back."
We're here for you.
DING DING!
Hawke and Sherah meet at center ring, their height difference on full display. Sherah, over a full foot taller than Hawke, reaches out his hand to shake--it rests by Hawke’s neck. The Insensate bellows with laughter and swats Sherah’s hand away. Then Hawke raises his palms, challenging the Iron Man to a test of strength.
Del Ramos: HA! Talk about cajones! FUCK HIM UP, HAWKE! I wanna see that mean, little guy energy on full display!
Sherah’s eyebrow twitches up in surprise even as he laces his fingers between Hawke’s. Both of Sherah’s eyebrows hit the ceiling when Hawke not only matches his strength, but begins to force the Iron Man back towards his corner!
Artemis Direction: Goodness me I didn’t see that coming!
Hiro Suzuki: Sebastian Hawke has been full of surprises since day one.
Del Ramos: He can be vicious, too. Leans into an opponent’s preconceived notions of who they’re up against and defies them in the most brutal way possible.
But this is a battle of attrition, and just as Sherah predicted, his monumental height and weight advantage begin to take their toll on The Insensate. The battle takes them back to center ring as slick sweat shines on both fighters’ faces. Where Sherah is fighting tooth and nail for every inch of ground, Hawke appears subdued, perhaps even elated by their struggle. Suddenly, The Insensate dives backward, pulling Sherah down with him! Hawke hasn’t let go of his opponent’s right arm and locks his legs in a figure-eight around Sherah’s shoulder, wrenching it back in an arm breaker!
Hiro Suzuki: Hey, do you know why they call it a pretzel?
Del Ramos: For the love of all that is unholy in the great depths of the frozen Hellscape my dreams have become, just let like… I dunno, leeches? Carnivorous slugs? Just have some kind of gastropod devour his tongue before he utters another word.
Hiro Suzuki: Because it’s knot bread!
Del Ramos: How have I failed my infernal, metal masters?
Prince grunts, his face contorting in pain with each new twist on his arm! Once, twice, Sherah’s massive left fist comes down on Hawke’s leg--but The Insensate doesn’t even flinch! Yet even as Sherah’s free hand tries to untangle Hawke from around his shoulder, Sherah has writhed his legs towards the apron, and he hooks a boot across the bottom rope. Referee Godric Smith begins the count for Hawke’s hold! At four, The Insensate releases, rolling to his knees wearing a sick grin. Sherah rises and tests his shoulder--clearly not broken, though Sherah wears his pain openly on his face.
Artemis Direction: Ooh, I think he’s going to be feeling that one for a while, darlings.
Del Ramos: I don’t care how beefy you are. What Hawke did there was some savagely painful shit.
Now The Insensate presses the attack, rebounding off the far ropes to come at Sherah with a rising roundhouse kick! Sherah is forced to defend with his injured arm and winces as Hawke’s boot connects. Hawke reaches for Sherah’s arm--but this time, the Iron Man is having none of Hawke’s manipulations. He pulls into Hawke’s grip to swing a swift left elbow into the side of The Insensate’s head! Hawke seems more aggravated then stunned, but Sherah doesn’t let up! He rains down blow after blow against The Insensate and pries his arm from the smaller fighter’s grip!
Del Ramos: HA! INDULGING IN A LITTLE OF THAT BLOOD LUST! GO ON, GOLDEN BOY! WALK ON THE BLEEDING EDGE!
Artemis Direction: I don’t think Sherah’s attacks are having quite the effect he was expecting...
Hawke revels in Sherah’s assault, thundering with laughter, and replies with a series of sharp fists to Sherah’s stomach. The Iron Man has finally had enough: he clasps his hands to the side of The Insensate’s head and brings Hawke’s face down into his rising knee! While Hawke reels in surprise at Sherah’s speed, Prince whips The Insensate against the ropes and hooks his leg on the return, sending Hawke sprawling face-first! Without missing a beat, Sherah hoists The Insensate upright and lifts him over his shaking right shoulder as he sets up for a vertical suplex! Hawke is still somehow fighting, raining fists down on Sherah’s injured arm!
Hiro Suzuki: Desperation from Hawke!
Del Ramos: If he doesn’t get out of that suplex, he’s fucking done for, so he’d better be throwing whatever he can at Prince!
Hawke’s blows clearly have an effect--Sherah’s grip wavers, and in that single moment of weakness, Hawke swings onto his opponent’s back, locks one arm beneath Prince’s right shoulder, and forces him into a half-nelson while clinging onto Sherah like a backpack! The Iron Man cries in pain as Hawke ties the hold tighter! Sherah drops to his knees, and his flailing left arm can’t find purchase on any part of The Insensate--he’s at too awkward an angle! The tap out comes moments later!
DING DING DING!
Kevin Kim: The winner of this match, “The Insensate”, SEBASTIAN HAWKE!
Artemis Direction: Sebastian’s first win as himself, without the poisonous influence of Mara Lang. It’s like a new beginning. But what’s he going to make of it?
As the bell rings, Hawke releases his grip. The crowd sits stunned. Bo Fletcher and Adam Prince watch agape from the side of the ring. Even Godric Smith, poised to try his best to wrench Hawke free of his victim, looks surprised. In perfect silence, Hawke nods to Sherah--now panting on his knees--and slips through the ropes and out of the arena.
Hiro Suzuki: Is that a show of respect from Hawke?
Del Ramos: Hnnn. He’s learning to be more in control of the pain; learning not to go overboard when he doesn’t have to. That’s smart.
Artemis Direction: What makes you say that, dear?
Del Ramos: Think about it like this. Say you’re a guy guarding a castle and it’s your job to drop a rock on the head of any dude who walks by to make sure he doesn’t get past. You start getting cocky, using bigger rocks that are harder to move to prove how strong you are. Doesn’t matter that the first rock got the job done just fine; you wanna show off. What harm is there in a little overkill? Then, one day you lift some big ass rock and it turns out it’s too big ass of a rock for you. You get a break or a sprain and suddenly you can’t even drop the first rock that got the job done just fine right at the start. Then where are you? Fucked and rockless, that’s where! Nobody wants that!
Artemis Direction: Ohhh, I think I get what you’re saying, darling. Hawke is demonstrating that he has a more intimate knowledge of pain and violence by knowing just how much to apply and not going overboard with it.
Del Ramos: Exactly. It’s precision.
Hiro looks at his fellow commentators with a horrified expression on his face.
Hiro Suzuki: Do you guys hear yourselves sometimes?
Del Ramos: What? This is a perfectly normal conversation. Anyway, don’t you have an interview or something to do?
Hiro brightens.
Hiro Suzuki: That’s right! Excuse me for just a sec!
We follow a beaming Hiro Suzuki to the center of the ring, a mic in hand.
Hiro Suzuki: Good evening Ascended Army! Our run so far has been exciting, hasn’t it? Our roster keeps growing, our first Pay-Per-View is in the can, we’ve crowned our first champions, and we have our first special edition Collision coming for this Halloween! Hey, speaking of Halloween, do you know why the vampire tried to bite a newspaper?
Del Ramos: Can somebody please exsanguinate this guy? I feel like he’s inviting it at this point.
Hiro Suzuki: Because he heard it had good circulation!
The Ascended Army groans, a few people shouting at the would-be comedian.
Fan: I’D SAY YOU’RE THE JOKE, BUT AT LEAST PEOPLE LIKE JOKES!
Hiro Suzuki: Thanks for the feedback! Always working on my routine! Tonight we have our resident Mistress of Mangling, Zephyr Quinn joining us in the ring!
Zephyr, already standing in the ring in street clothes and leaving against a turnbuckle, straightens up and gives a wave.
Zephyr Quinn: Nice to be here, Hiro.
Hiro Suzuki: We had an unexpected presentation in our previous show. Everyone’s buzzing, but no one knows what MiAtlantis is. No one except, maybe, you. A few people noticed you reacting to the ad and they’re wondering if you might have some insights. Any ideas?
Zephyr smirks and shakes her head.
Zephyr Quinn: I have several. MiAtlantis is…
Before she can continue though, multi colored fog blows into the ring obscuring all from view.
Hiro startles, looking around in confusion.
Hiro Suzuki: What--?
Del Ramos: I don’t know what or where MiAtlantis is, but if it takes Suzuki out of my sight, buy me a ticket there.
Zephyr sighs but before she can say anything a disembodied voice takes over.
: Good things come to those that wait!
An ungodly scraping sound is hard through the fog but no one can see what's going on.
: When the time is right, when you REALLY need MiAtlantis the premier vacation stop, that's when you'll see it all. Not before, not after, but right…. THEN!
With the last word a slam is heard and the fog dissipates, a massive grand piano now in front of a very disgruntled Zephyr.
Hiro blinks at the sudden piano owlishly, as if not quite believing it’s there. Gingerly, he reaches out and presses down middle C with a resonant, ‘plink!’
Del Ramos: ...What the actual fuck?
Artemis taps her chin, humming thoughtfully and arching one eyebrow.
Artemis Direction: Well, kittens, I must say I’ve never seen anyone leave a piano as a calling card, but you know what? Full points on the sheer audacity alone!
Hiro Suzuki: I, uh… um, so seeing as we gotta get… a piano… out of the ring… how about we cut backstage with our intrepid interviewer Belle Silva in the latest edition of, ‘Beyond the Belle!’
“Gave You Everything” by The Interrupters hits the airwaves and the Ascended Universe pops for the one and only Belle Silva! Her usual blonde hair is gone and replaced by silver-gray locks reaching down to her waist. Taking a microphone from a nearby stagehand, Belle sets up at the top of the ramp, taking center stage, her smile dazzling those in the front rows.
Belle Silva: Ascended Army! WHAT’S GOING ON?!
The fans cheer and Belle smiles.
Belle Silva: We have a full roster of people in the back with interesting stories to tell but one man seems to have a story to take the cake. We saw him out here earlier in a breathtaking match against “Iron Man” Sherah Prince and now we get to hear from him without any interruptions. Please help me welcome Sebastian Hawke!
“The Near Future VII. Time to Fly” by I Fight Dragons rings out and the fans in attendance pop once more as Sebastian Hawke comes out on stage, smiling to those around him and hopping along the ramp for high fives and selfies. Striding back up, he takes a mic offered to him by Belle and sits in a chair set up for him. As the fans settle Belle takes over.
Belle Silva: Now Sebastian, you started off in Ascended as The Insensate, a vicious monster of a man who seemed to enjoy inflicting pain on others. Now you seem to get back to how I remembered you in Carnage, the forever lovable Sebastian Hawke. Care to comment?
Sebastian laughs slightly as he replies.
Sebastian Hawke: Good to see you too Belle. I see we’re starting out with the hard stuff first, which is cool. B’more and Carnage left a very bad taste in my mouth. I had thought that I had been abandoned by those closest to me and with everything falling apart, including the federation we were both in, I lost all sight of what was important, the facts. I became gullible and fell under the spell of Mara Lang who convinced me, no… She poisoned me into thinking that everyone HAD abandoned me. Obviously, that isn’t the case and I’ve since stopped believing in her lies. The Insensate is effectively dead.
The fans pop and Sebastian smiles, encouraging the Ascended Army to get louder. Belle smiles and continues.
Belle Silva: That’s excellent to hear! Now, earlier tonight we heard Adam Prince come out and offer you a chance to be helped by him and his cousin Sherah, whom you shared the ring with earlier. Would you like to take a moment to respond to them?
Sebastian pauses, chewing on his words before speaking.
Sebastian Hawke: I… Honestly don’t know? Like… I was in a stable in Carnage and had some of the most fun I’ve ever had in a wrestling ring. Things went to shit and we were constantly overlooked, even shunned. I don’t know if I’m ready for something like that to happen again.
The fans boo and Sebastian looks taken aback slightly before continuing.
Sebastian Hawke: BUT! There’s a but!!!
Belle Silva: Shhhh!!! There’s a but everyone!
She winks and urges Sebastian to continue.
Sebastian Hawke: BUT… I have no issues accepting whatever help Adam might have in mind. He seems like a stand-up guy, but so did Mara when I was at my lowest point. I’d want to hear Adam out to see what he has in mind before I jump into anything super crazy.
The fans seem to appreciate Sebastian’s answer as Belle nods.
Belle Silva: That’s more than fair. Moving on, how are you coping with the loss to Silvio Leon and The World Title?
A bittersweet look floats over Sebastian’s features as he answers.
Sebastian Hawke: Look… Everyone wants to be World Champion at some point in their lives. If that isn’t your goal, then what are you even doing in the business? It just isn’t my time in the spotlight but I’m happy that Silvio gets the chance. I feel like he was cheated out of the title in Baltimore and now he has a fair shot at doing what he wants with it here. I’m… Happy for him.
Belle Silva: But what does that mean for YOU?
Sebastian laughs lightly.
Sebastian Hawke: Haha, it means that I’m starting from square one and working my way back up to the top. I have a key advantage over everyone else on this roster so far though, I know what it’s like to be in the ring and fighting for that belt. I know the pressure and I know how far I went to try to win. Now it’s just a matter of surpassing that limit and actually winning the thing the next time my shot comes around. Now is the time I get myself ready for that shot to come.
Belle Silva: Last comments, any final words for the Ascended Army, roster, fans, and management alike?
Sebastian pauses again before speaking.
Sebastian Hawke: Adam looked into my history to find out everything he could possibly want to know about me. I’m not that same Sebastian Hawke anymore though. I don’t know exactly who I am anymore but with a little bit of patience, we’ll all find out together. The Insensate is dead and that leaves me the ability to move on and become an even better version of who I was before. No one will stop me from claiming what is mine.
Belle claps as “The Near Future VII. Time to Fly” once again plays and the screen fades to black.
Artemis Direction: Sebastian Hawke showing us he’s not afraid to go after what he wants! That little speech there gave me chills, I must admit!
Del Ramos: He’s small, but he’s hungry. I like that.
Hiro Suzuki: Our next match features two opponents who have not been subtle in expressing their own desires.
Artemis Direction: Kyle Beckett is doing very well for himself so far. He’s come such a long way and had to make a new home on a totally foreign continent. Even when you speak the same language, the culture shock is still tremendous. You really do sympathize with him and his motivation.
Del Ramos: SKUP9 has his own motivations that are just as compelling. He pointed out their parallels in his video package.
Hiro Suzuki: No matter who wins tonight, we’re going to see them continuing to show up in the title scene. It’s only a matter of time before one or both are champions. You gotta be careful about that, though. Why, my friend died when his trophy case fell on top of him.
Del Ramos: You tricked me once with these death jokes; you can’t do it again, Suzuki!
Hiro Suzuki: He was a victim of his own success!
Del Ramos: AAAAAAAAA--
Kevin Kim: Making his way to the ring, from Brisbane, Australia and weighing in at 91kg, he is the 'Culture Clash', Kyle Beckett!
The Sick Puppies' 'Stick to your Guns' hits the speakers, spreading throughout the arena. The crowd erupts into cheers. Kyle stands at the top of the entrance ramp, bent slightly forward and arms crossed. He drops the hood of his jacket and throws his arms out wide, letting out an excited roar to the crowd. He looks around to take in the arena before striding down the ramp. He ascends on to the ring apron, looking out to the arena again with a sly grin on his face and climbs to the top of the turnbuckle where he cries out “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!” before leaping down to the ring to motion for a microphone. Kyle turns to the announcer.
Kyle Beckett: She'll be right Kev mate. I just need to yabber on a bit before I take down big, bag S-Klub.
Kevin Kim takes a seat to let Kyle have his moment.
Kyle Beckett: G'day Ascended, where the bloody hell are you?
The crowd roars their approval.
Kyle Beckett: Bloody oath, you're feeling the vibe! I know I'm set to fight against the Eliminator in a manner of seconds, but if I remember correctly there was some bloke, some true blue legend in the making who called me out by name last Collision. Now he claims to be an Oracle so I'm pretty sure he saw this coming. Then again, didn't we all?
More cheers.
Kyle Beckett: Let's keep this simple shall we. Silvio Leon. You asked me if I had some space on my dance card? You reckon that I've earned a chance to fight you for that strap your wearing. I'm sure its no surprise to anyone that I'm not about to turn down a good blue. And no cap I'm excited, more excited than Big Kev. No Kev mate, not you. Big Kev, look him up. Now this is match is some serious bizzo, so we shouldn't just leave it as some Basic Bitch. I got the time and the place. Don't we have some special show coming up in a couple of weeks? As an Aussie I've never really gotten the big deal with Halloween, but what better way to start celebrating then by facing you for that championship belt in a different style of match. Come, 'With the Lights Out,' it'll be time for you to catch these hands, as well as a whole bloody heap of shit in a hardcore match! But I warn you. You have something I want. The one thing I've been fanging for ever since I started. And I'm gonna take it from you in the name of my brother Cole Beckett. So I hope you're ready to dance Oracle, cause I do a mean Aussie Male Two-Step. Periodt.
With a profound mic drop Kyle turns back towards the entrance ramp, readying himself for the arrival of SKUP9 and their match.
Artemis Direction: It looks like the match between Silvio Leon and Kyle Beckett for the Ascended World Championship is on!
Del rumbles with bloodthirsty glee.
Del Ramos: And it’ll be an Underworld Rules match. No disqualifications, falls count anywhere, you get to be creative with kitchen implements, sports equipment, and lighting fixtures. My kind of match!
Hiro Suzuki: It’s in the Seattle Underground, too. What’s that going to mean for where this match might go?
Artemis Direction: Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, darlings, we’ve got a championship caliber match right in front of us to be dazzled by.
Then, the arena lights black out as the speakers proclaim:
Violins begin to whine as the voice continues.
“It's been a long time, been a long time comin'
It's life or death for me now
But you know, there's no turning back now
This is what makes me, this is what I am
Feel me, let's go”
The chorus kicks in and a spotlight appears from behind the entrance, creating the large, looming silhouette of the man in front of it. The lights come up and he raises his arms in the air.
Kevin Kim: And his opponent, weighing in at 369 pounds, from Grand Junction, Colorado: he is “The Eliminator,” SKUP9!
SKUP9 stalks his way down the ramp, stopping occasionally to give an intimidating stare to the crowd. He steps up from the ringside area onto the apron, then up and over the top rope and into the ring, He walks over to the corner, where he stretches while waiting for the match to start.
DING DING!
Artemis Direction: Another match tonight pitting two opponents of significantly different weight classes against one another.
Hiro Suzuki: Don’t forget - Amelia Winston not too long ago, and Sebastian Hawke earlier tonight showed us that just because your opponent is big, that doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed a win. Weight and size might make a difference, but so does speed and tenacity.
Kyle begins the match circling SKUP9. It’s clear he knows he can’t win in a straight contest of strength. Conversely, the Eliminator’s strategy is simple: walk down Kyle and overpower him. The two play a cat-and-mouse game around the ring as both search for an opening, a momentary lapse in their opponent’s attention. Kyle ducks in with feinting kicks, then ducks out or under SKUP9’s huge reach before the colossus can grab hold.
Artemis Direction: This cat-and-mouse act can’t last forever. Something’s got to give sooner or later!
Hiro Suzuki: If they’re not careful, someone might have to call a purramedic!
After maybe a minute of this dance, SKUP9 is starting to look unamused. He decides to call Kyle’s bluff and rushes the Aussie with a swinging lariat! But there’s a flash of mischief in Kyle’s eye--Kyle dips under the swinging arm, letting SKUP9 spin to bounce against the ropes and meeting him on the rebound with a roundhouse calf kick to the stomach! SKUP9 doesn’t even react… until Kyle, side flat against the ropes, pulls his other leg up and into the Eliminator’s throat with a satisfying smack! SKUP9 staggers back to center ring, clutching his neck!
Del Ramos: HA! Clever move from the slippery little fucker.
Hiro Suzuki: Oh! Speaking of slippery! I think I found an Australian animal that’s not weird or horrible! I wasn’t really having a lot of luck with mammals, so I decided I’d see about the reptiles!
Artemis Direction: And what did you find, sweetness?
Hiro Suzuki: There’s this cute turtle called the, ‘Fitzroy River Turtle!’ It’s like a little dinosaur!
Del immediately whips out their phone and begins to type away into a search engine.
Hiro Suzuki: It just goes to show if you look hard enough you can find something relatable in--
Del Ramos: It breathes through its ass.
Hiro gapes at Del, who triumphantly holds up their phone for their comedic commentating coworker to see.
Hiro Suzuki: ...What is wrong with that country’s wildlife?!
Kyle’s already at the turnbuckle--why not use it? Kyle clambers up the top turnbuckle where, facing the crowd, he pumps his fist and chants out, “Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!” The thunderous crowd replies in kind! Fueled by the roaring fans, Kyle readies himself, then leaps at SKUP9, twisting midair for the crossbody--but it’s checked! SKUP9 catches Kyle horizontal in his arms and, smiling, drops backwards and whips Kyle over his shoulders to the ground!
All three commentators groan in sympathy.
Del Ramos: That’s exactly what Kyle didn’t want.
They grin viciously.
Del Ramos: Now he’s in for it!
Kyle falls hard on his shoulder. SKUP9 rolls to his feet and stomps over to Kyle, driving his foot repeatedly into Kyle’s chest. Referee Jill Kincaid counts SKUP9 down--and at four, the Eliminator backs up, returning to hoist Kyle across his shoulder. Walking back to center ring, SKUP9 plants Kyle on his feet, hooks his head under his armpit, and swings the Aussie into a wicked fisherman buster! SKUP9 moves to pin!
Artemis Direction: Kyle may not be getting up from that one!
ONE!
TWO!
TH-
NO! Kyle kicks out!
Hiro Suzuki: The endurance on Beckett is remarkable!
Del Ramos: DON’T STOP DRINKING TIL YOU GET ENOUGH BLOOD, KIDS!
SKUP9 doesn’t relent--he bends over a wheezing Kyle to lift him again. But, as SKUP9 kneels down, he doesn’t see Kyle’s fist rising to meet his throat! Kyle is back on his feet before SKUP9 can react! With SKUP9 still kneeling and grasping his throat, Kyle rebounds off the far ropes and jumps-
Artemis Direction: This is it!
-right into SKUP9’s waiting arms!
Artemis Direction: ...Ohhhh dear.
The giant stands with Kyle’s legs wrapped around his head and slams Kyle into a powerbomb! Before Kyle can recover, the Eliminator leans down and, from a straight deadlift, powerbombs Kyle again! SKUP9 pauses to ensure that the Aussie is unresponsive this time before he falls upon him for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING!
Kevin Kim: The winner of this match, “The Eliminator”, SKUP9!
As SKUP9’s hand is raised in victory, confusion and mixed reactions characterize the Ascended Army.
Artemis Direction: Kyle’s streak has been brought to an end, though he’s certainly proved he’s more than worthy of the shot Silvio wants him to take. But after that match, where does SKUP9 stand in line for a title fight?
Del Ramos: Gonna be hard to turn down a challenge from him, but Leon’s also said he wants to elevate the roster. The Eliminator there fits the bill - young, hungry, loads of potential. Silvio might already have his eye on the guy.
Del smirks.
Del Ramos: Maybe he’s more of a shark than he lets on.
Hiro Suzuki: Do you know what happened when the shark got famous?
Del Ramos: Nothing you’ll ever experience first hand.
Hiro Suzuki: He became a starfish!
Artemis Direction: It’s been quite a night so far! A special edition of Collision announced, the newest member of our roster showing her chops, what looks like a rivalry in the making with Eleni and Chiba, and The Lab Rat King declaring open season on anyone coming for his belt!
Hiro Suzuki: We finally got to see Sebastian Hawke fighting for himself as himself and pulling off a win over one of our most physically impressive roster members! We might not have cleared up what MiAtlantis is, but it looks like Zephyr has some ideas.
Del Ramos: Finally getting some insight from Hawke, too. I gotta say I’m pretty curious about the details of everything Lang did to make him the way he is, if he ever wants to share them. That had to be absolute brutality. And Beckett’s streak being ended? Heh. I can’t wait to see how he reacts to that. Can bet you anything, it’s gonna be bloody.
Artemis Direction: Which brings us to our main event! Roy Valentine, our first Emerald City Champion, defending his title against Amelia ‘Wildheart’ Winston!
Hiro Suzuki: Winston has to be motivated going into this fight. A first loss is always a perspective changer.
Del Ramos: Oh, I hope so. I wanna see what that chick can do when she’s got revenge on the mind. Maybe she’s not getting her hands on Leon tonight, but I bet she’s eager to take out some frustration on Valentine.
Artemis Direction: Undoubtedly! But Roy has a number of x-factors going in his favor. And by that, I mean some ringside support.
Hiro Suzuki: I don’t want to believe that O’Toole could get his hands dirty, but… who knows how Valentine might use that contract he forced Davie to sign. During his promo at Ascension, O’Toole shared some of the details, and they were pretty squishy; open to some creative interpretations. With the way Roy covets that title…
Del grins viciously.
Del Ramos: We might see O’Toole bringing out the mean-spirited side of himself whether he wants to or not. But Wildheart’s not alone. Remember, she’s got back up from the Princes and their manager.
Kevin Kim: Ascended Army, this is your main event of the evening set for one fall and is for the ASCENDED WRESTLING EMERALD CITY CHAMPIONSHIP!
The crowd pops!
Kevin Kim: Approaching the ring first is the challenger!
The lights dim, strobing along with the beat of the song, Amelia standing at the top of the entrance ramp, bouncing a little on the balls of her feet. The first verse hits and the lights come up brighter, still strobing a bit with the tune as she makes her way down to the ring, a bit of strut in her march.
Kevin Kim: Entering the ring from Belleville, Ontario Canada, she is, AMELIA ‘WILDHEART’ WINSTON!
She sprints the last few yards, diving in under the bottom rope and rolling to her feet, climbing onto the ropes to cut a pose for the hard camera as the lights come back to full normal before jumping down from the ropes, ready for her bout.
Artemis Direction: Winston looking confident and fired up for this match!
Hiro Suzuki: She’ll have to come at Valentine with everything she’s got if she wants to pull off a win.
Keivn Kim: Now entering the ring from Cape Elizabeth, Maine, weighing in at 219 pounds, accompanied tonight by “The Sidewinder”, David O’Toole: your Emerald City Champion, ROY VALENTINE!
Heavy operatic guitar blares through the stadium. The screen follows a trail of twisting, thorny vines as they wind over a pitch-black floor towards the foot of a marble throne. As the thorns begin to engulf the stone, the camera rises to reveal Roy Valentine lying sideways across the marble seat, legs pitched over its arm. The plants trace a deferential space around Valentine, but utterly consume every inch of bare throne. When the vines finally stop twisting, Valentine snaps his fingers, and the all-encompassing wall of green bursts into bloom, silver and emerald roses spelling out the name, “ROY VALENTINE”.
Valentine then makes his entrance in the flesh, strutting on stage under a shower of viridian petals. The Emerald City Championship belt glitters at his waist. Just behind him, wearing a tight-lipped smile and a light grey hoodie, comes David O'Toole, walking stiffly as he waves to the crowd. Valentine holds a snow-white rose at his heart, which he tosses into the crowd on his way to the ring, all the while blowing kisses to the adoring—or, more likely, disgusted—Ascended Army.
Artemis Direction: Nothing quite like a fighter an audience can love to loathe!
Del Ramos: Oh, yeah. Valentine gives them an excuse to indulge in all their most hateful little tendencies. Heh! People get real vicious when they got someone they feel it’s acceptable to get a little aggro on. Him parading O’Toole around like a trophy definitely doesn’t help his popularity.
The crowd’s jeers turn unexpectedly into cheers. Standing in the ring, Amelia grins as she sees Adam and Sherah Prince along with their manager, Bo, come out of the entrance, standing at the top of the ramp. The message is clear as Adam points to his eyes with index and middle finger on one hand, then points to Roy’s entourage.
”We’re watching you. Play nice.”
David’s mouth twists for a moment in an unreadable expression before he averts his eyes from the entrance ramp, seemingly embarrassed or ashamed to be stuck with Valentine’s crew.
Valentine himself scoffs, rolling his eyes as he waves off the trio dismissively before mounting a steel chair that has been painted or tinted a vivid shade of green with, ‘R.V.’ monogrammed on the backrest and using that to climb into the ring as opposed to the steel steps.
Hiro makes a face.
Hiro Suzuki: I guess the steel steps aren’t good enough now?
Del just chuckles darkly.
Del Ramos: Keep an eye on that thing.
David O’Toole, who is standing ringside, notices the chair and, waiting for Valentine’s attention to be absorbed elsewhere, folds it up before tucking it under the ring.
Artemis Direction: My my! Is that a bit of rebellion from Valentine’s contracted co-conspirator? It looks like O’Toole isn’t just going to stooge for Roy with no questions asked.
DING DING!
ONE!
Kick out from Valentine!
Del is clearly elated from Amelia’s immediate onslaught, dark eyes sparkling, smile broad.
Del Ramos: THAT’S IT, WILDHEART! RIP HIM LIMB FROM LIMB!
Roy is back on his feet, expression alive with outrage at the audacity of this upstart rookie who--
Amelia takes advantage immediately, hitting Roy with a forearm smash to the face followed up swiftly with a Muay Thai knee strike that sends him staggering. Incensed and purposeful, Valentine advances on Wildheart who makes a run for the nearest turnbuckle, her back to her opponent.
Artemis Direction: Ooh you can’t take your eye off the hornet in the room, darling!
Far from being caught unaware, however, Amelia shows off her in-ring intuition, gripping the top ropes and using them to leap backwards over Valentine, who collides with the turnbuckle! She cartwheels away to the other side of the ring before Roy turns and comes at her again, only for Winston to roll beneath the haymaker he throws, popping up to her feet and using both of their residual momentum to catch Valentine in an arm drag, hurling him to the mat! She climbs to her feet in a flash, and as Roy does the same, she hits him with a standing drop kick and goes for the pin again!
ONE!
TWO!
THR--
Kick out from Valentine!
As the Ascended Army gets to their feet, Adam, Sherah, and Bo all leading them in their cheers from the top of the ramp!
Artemis Direction: Good heavens! We almost had a new champ! Amelia is leveraging her outstanding speed against Valentine and not even giving him a moment to breathe!
Hiro Suzuki: We’re gonna have to watch that again in slow motion!
Del Ramos: Wildheart is ravenous tonight and showing she’s worthy of her namesake.
Roy’s expression has gone from condescending to homicidal as he and Amelia begin to circle one another. Wildheart comes at Valentine again, but this time he’s ready for her, using his height and weight advantage to anchor himself and swing her around into the ropes in a particularly vicious Irish whip! As she comes rebounding back, he hits her with a short-arm clothesline that sends her slamming onto the mat! Dazed, Amelia finds herself locked into a crossface! As she cries out in pain, Valentine seems to be mouthing something venomous judging by the look on his face and the sadism alight in his gaze. He’s not just trying to make her tap - he’s trying to teach her a lesson. Regaining her focus, Amelia utilizes her superior flexibility to nail the back of Valentine's head with a few kicks that cause him to release her. Holding the back of his head as he gets back to his feet, Valentine grabs his still-recovering opponent, hauling her to her feet and punishing her with a back body drop! He goes for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
Kick out from Wildheart!
Del Ramos: This is taking a turn and I’m fucking here for it!
Artemis Direction: Both of our competitors are absolutely relentless tonight!
Frustrated, Valentine takes a moment to roll toward the edge of the ring as Godric checks in with Winston. He reaches for the chair that he entered the ring with, frowning as he finds it’s no longer there. Brow furrowed, he looks first to the Princes and Bo, realizing they’ve not tried coming down to the ring. Something dawns on him and he glowers at Davie, who is looking at him with a defiant expression, arms crossed over his chest. Roy looks like he might be about to launch into a tirade, but before he can draw breath to do so, Winston has taken the opportunity to recover, and comes charging over to him. As he starts to get to his feet, she hops up onto the middle rope, not missing a beat as she grabs a hold of him and hits him with the Marie Antoinette Special! Valentine hits the mat hard, but whatever else it might have done, Davie’s ‘betrayal’ has awakened some kind of inhuman resolve in him. Letting out a bellow, he surges to his feet, slamming an elbow into Amelia’s face to momentarily stun her before doubling her over and lifting her up into his Red Crown finisher!
Eyes wide, Sherah starts to move down the ramp toward the ring. Noticing, Roy locks eyes with the bigger man and, with a vicious smirk, brings Amelia down onto the mat!
Roy goes for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
DING DING DING!
Kevin Kim: Your winner, and STILL Emerald City Champion, ROY VALENTINE!
Roy rises to a chorus of boos from the Ascended Army, practically ripping his title from Godric Smith’s hands. He climbs out of the ring, his attention focused now solely on Davie, who doesn’t flinch or look away. As the pair leave back up the ramp, the Princes and Bo rush past them to the ring, the trio coming to Amelia’s side to help her back to her feet.
Del Ramos: That’s what we get out of our roster! Leon’s right. Every one of these fuckers is championship material.
Artemis Direction: Speaking of, it sounds like my dear child has a little something to say. Let’s go to the back for our sign off, Ascended Army!
The scene cuts to Silvio Leon standing in a room illuminated only by the light of a single light bulb screwed into the top of a shadeless lamp. Dressed in his ring gear, the championship belt around his waist, he’s cast in sharp relief standing so close to the light, and he has a baseball bat balanced across his shoulders, reaching up to hold it lightly with a hand on either side.
Silvio Leon: Hey, Kyle! Real glad you decided to accept my invitation; a girl hates to be turned down, after all. Regardless of any blemish on your record, you’re showing me you have the kind of champion-level tenacity and heart that it takes to be our next World Champ. But, y’know, at the risk of gilding the lily here, why don’t we make things a little more interesting. World Title match? Totally. Underworld Rules? I’m game. But how about we do this best two out of three pins? Let’s see if you can do what no one else here has so far - not just pin me, but do it twice. I mean, shoot, it’s Halloween, right? Why not give ourselves a little treat? Oh, and I, uh… heard you’re fond of the Two-Step! I get that, but honestly, I’ve always had a preference…
He adjusts his grip on the bat, holding it like a player and grinning over the curve of his arm.
Silvio Leon: ...For swing.
The Oracle swings the bat, shattering the light bulb and leaving the viewer in complete darkness.
Silvio Leon: Happy Halloween, Ascended Army.
Credits:
Wildheart & The Princes + Bo backstage - Kichae and Amelia
Eleni Tolis vs. Chiba Suzumiya - Aedan
LRK Challenge - Zen
The Princes + Bo offer help to Sebastian Hawke - Kichae and Zephyr
Sebastian Hawke vs. Sherah Prince - Aedan
MiAtlantis - Zephyr and Ampersand
Beyond the Belle with Sebastian Hawke - Zephyr Quinn
Kyle Accepts Silvio’s Challenge - Kyle Beckett
SKUP9 vs. Kyle Beckett - Aedan
Everything Else: Ampersand
A special thanks to all my contributors and the people who helped me judge matches I was unable to, or needed a second opinion on.