Post by Ampersand on Aug 20, 2022 4:42:56 GMT
Sun down on the sorry day
By nightlights the children pray
I know you're probably gettin' ready for bed
Beautiful woman get out of my head
By nightlights the children pray
I know you're probably gettin' ready for bed
Beautiful woman get out of my head
The camera sweeps along the backstage area of the Ascended Colosseum. Aurelius Adler, the company’s newest talent, is stalking through the hallways like a dark, predatory thing, nothing but disdain sparking in his dark eyes. He passes by the ‘office’ of Moxie Golightly, who looks after him as he walks by before scribbling down something in her notebook. She’s beginning to unravel the mystery of Mia Rayne, and no matter who wins this next match, she’s determined to get to the bottom of the case. Rayne herself lurks in the shadows nearby, watching Adler with sharp eyes. MiAtlantis has always been her refuge, and while it was open for any of the Ascended Gladiators, Golightly had been one of the few to actively seek it out, whether she realized it or not. The detective was someone for Rayne to keep an eye on.
I'm so tired of the same old crud
Sweet baby I need fresh blood
Sweet baby I need fresh blood
Finding kindred spirits in a place so far from home was something David O’Toole had never expected. Nevertheless, he’d managed to discover another cosmic castaway in the form of his next opponent. Gearing up for the show backstage, was difficult not to wonder about what it all meant. What was drawing them here? Him, his sisters, and now Boruk. BoarKnight himself was certainly here to find out. Testing the fasteners of his mask and tightening the laces of his boots, the pint-sized powerhouse is certain there has to be an answer to why he’s here at hand. The Underground, Ascended, the Underworld - it can’t all be a coincidence. The meaning is there and he’s going to uncover it.
The moon shines on the autumn sky
Growin' cold the leaves all die
I'm more alone than I've ever been
Help me out of the shape I'm in
Growin' cold the leaves all die
I'm more alone than I've ever been
Help me out of the shape I'm in
Kyle Beckett seems equally determined, the Emerald City Champ firing off a message to his tag partner as he surveys the crowds gathering around the Colosseum. He’s certain he’s going to make Valentine pay for every offense he’s committed in and out of the ring. As far as Valentine’s concerned, all this is going to be the necessary blow to Beckett’s pride to bring him low and take back his championship. Hierarchy. Order. Authority. Valentine stands in his dressing room, regarding his tag partner as they enter, his expression splitting into a wicked smile. It’s one shared by Frater Perdurabo. The sinister man looks over the assembling crowd from his place in the rigging above the arena. Such a congregation to bear witness. Tonight he was going to drag Silvio Leon into the light of the truth, kicking and screaming if necessary. Seawater weeps from between his teeth as he bares them in a carnivore’s grin. His opponent, fighting to defend the world championship one last time, sits in the locker room, gazing at the title laid across his lap. For the first time since becoming a professional wrestler, Silvio Leon will be going into the ring without the tremendous burden he’s been carrying for seven years. It all comes to this - did you have it in you all this time, or was it all a lie? Getting to his feet and slinging the belt over one shoulder, he strides through the doorway into the Colosseum beyond to find out.
After the fires before the flood
My sweet baby I need fresh blood
My sweet baby I need fresh blood
As the camera takes in the crowd for Breaking Point, a few signs stand out amid the throng.
LAB RAT KING FOREVER
I BELIEVE IN BECKETT SUPREMACY
A REIGN FOR RAYNE
The view takes us to the announcer table where Artemis Direction is seated between Hiro Suzuki and Del Ramos. Artemis is swathed in the bright, tropical colors of her maxi dress and matching head scarf, Hiro is in a navy suit with a white shirt and black bow tie, and Del is decked out in black band t-shirt and fishnets worn under jeans that look like they were saved from a wood chipper.
Artemis Direction: Hello, darlings and welcome to Ascended Wrestling’s Breaking Point! Tonight I am joined by our maven of malevolence, Del Ramos–
Del Ramos: Tonight we gather for the blood feast, you meat-hungry acolytes.
Artemis Direction: –and our resident funny man Hiro Suzuki!
Hiro Suzuki: Here at Breaking Point to help crack you up!
Del Ramos: One of these days you’re going to tell a joke that’ll compel somebody to punch an infant and we’re all going to be on the news.
Artemis Direction: Well until then, dearest, let’s enjoy ourselves with a little magic and mayhem! We’ve got quite a fascinating line up this evening.
Del Ramos: We’re gonna see Brawn get his entire way of life derailed when the new kid kicks his head in.
Hiro Suzuki: Aurelius Adler is new to Ascended and he really seems to have a chip on his shoulder!
Artemis Direction: You’re not wrong, sweetness. And yet, so far no one’s been able to get a word with him about why. He’s really got the whole Seattle Freeze down pat.
Hiro Suzuki: After that we’ll be seeing Mia Rayne in action against Moxie Golightly!
Del Ramos: Those two broads can really go. But Golightly might find out what happens when she goes sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong.
Artemis Direction: Curiosity did kill the cat, dear. But satisfaction brought it back.
Hiro Suzuki: If anyone’s going to get to the bottom of the case of Mia Rayne, it’ll be our detective.
Artemis Direction: Speaking of mysteries, what do you two think of the masked man in the fight to follow? It would be the height of impropriety to divest him, but it does make you wonder.
Del Ramos: The only thing I care about that’s under that mask is the drive to brutalize anyone who gets in his way.
Artemis Direction: I’d say you have your wish, dear heart! So far Boarknight has proven himself quite the puissant warrior!
Hiro Suzuki: He held his own against The Lab Rat King!
Del Ramos: In King’s final match as Underworld Champion, no less.
Artemis Direction: It does look like our ultra violent monarch has abdicated, but you know that throne won’t be empty for long.
Hiro Suzuki: Both David O’Toole and BoarKnight have shown they’re game for an Underworld Rules match. In fact, O’Toole is one of the only people to have ever beaten Kane King!
Artemis Direction: By causing a cave-in on him, no less!
Del Ramos: This job fucking rules. Where else do you get paid to commentate on the finer points of a man getting buried alive?
Artemis Direction: It would be easy to see David O’Toole or BoarKnight going to fill that vacant championship. This fight may very well show us who might be primed to take the crown next. O’Toole may give us a hint of what he has in mind for the future in his feature on Beyond the Belle with Belle Silva tonight! To say nothing of hopefully addressing a few rumors concerning his time with Roy Valentine.
Hiro Suzuki: Speaking of, our Emerald City Champ is currently embroiled in a little drama with our magnolia magnate!
Artemis Direction: Just so, sweetheart! Kyle Beckett, our current Emerald City Champion, will be facing off against our former Emerald City Champion, Roy Valentine, in a tag match where they each are bringing in a mystery partner!
Del Ramos: It’s a wonder Valentine has anyone willing to work with him left in the locker room. I can appreciate the utter depravity of what he sinks to to get the job done - that stiletto heel to Rayne’s sternum a few shows back was sick - but it doesn’t exactly endear you to your colleagues.
Artemis Direction: Money talks, darling, and heaven knows there are more than a few in the back willing to throw out their scruples if it means racking up an important win.
Hiro Suzuki: Of all people, Roy’s in the best position to show them where the grass is greener, eh?
Del Ramos: I’m going to punch all of your blood out.
Artemis Direction: We now know that Roy Valentine has been behind the interferences with Kyle’s latest matches. It looks like he’s taking it upon himself to show Beckett his place.
Del Ramos: If you ask me, Valentine’s bitter as Hell that Kyle has the Emerald City strap and he’s positioning himself to take it back.
Artemis Direction: If he manages to pin Beckett in this fight, it would be difficult to say he doesn’t deserve a shot.
Hiro Suzuki: That could be it, but if you ask me? I think Valentine might have his eye on a bigger prize.
Artemis Direction: That could indeed be the case. Because after tonight we’re either going to have a vacant belt or a new Ascended Wrestling World Champion.
Del Ramos: Frater Perdurabo has been on a tear through the members of the Ascended roster associated with Silvio Leon.
Hiro squirms uncomfortably.
Hiro Suzuki: Yeah, and he’s been… pretty extreme about it, too. He dislocated Sebastian Hawke’s arm, almost suffocated Kane King, and David O’Toole was forced to choke him out against the entrance ramp just to get away from him. It’s been brutal. It’s been sadistic. It’s been–
Del Ramos: It’s been just what all our bloodthirsty little freaks tuned in right now wanna see and my reason to get up in the morning. I fucking love Frater’s work. He’s an artist in the medium of pain and we’re lucky we get to watch him do his thing. Heh. But if I’m honest, seeing Mr. Goody Two Shoes finally getting his hands dirty has been a lot of fun, too.
Artemis Direction: Silvio was denied the opportunity to dish out some payback to Perdurabo after he badly injured Leon’s tag partner, Kane King. He’s been taking out his frustrations on his opponents in ways that just didn’t fit with his usual behavior, vowing to break every opponent put before him until Afsah gave him what he wanted.
Del Ramos: He was doing just that until Afsah called his bluff, putting him in a match with his friend, Tessa Thorne. Faced with his friend, he realized he couldn’t say he was promoting and protecting a roster he was also actively trying to destroy.
Hiro Suzuki: And now he’s finally able to get his hands on Perdurabo.
Del Ramos: Although this match almost didn’t happen. Apparently Leon was in some kind of accident that landed him in the hospital.
Artemis nods, her brow furrowed in concern.
Artemis Direction: It isn’t my place to say what happened, exactly, but there was an incident that… necessitated some overnight care. Nevertheless, Silvio has been cleared by our Ascended medical team to compete tonight.
Hiro Suzuki: Win, lose, or draw, we’re going to see the title shift tonight!
Del Ramos: Let’s get started and see what the pissed-off kid with the broken halo’s got up his sleeve.
Artemis Direction: We go now to our announcer Kevin Kim already in the ring with Brawn Johnson and referee Godric Smith!
Kevin Kim: Ascended Army, welcome to Breaking Point! Our opening bout is scheduled for one fall with a twenty minute time limit! Already in the ring with me is Brawn Johnson. And introducing his opponent, making his Ascended Wrestling debut!
The arena grows dim. A ringing sound--like a climbing siren--resonates through the ring, underlined with a thumping pulse; the noise burrows into the bones and leaves behind a deep sense of unease. The tension finally breaks when the music plummets into a frantic rhythm, a subtle strobe light flickering along the floor, highlighting the approaching figure in flashes of silver. In a wash of red light he reveals himself--dark eyes like cold stained glass, jet curls pushed back from his face, expression stony. He wears black tights, pads and boots with gold highlights in the shape of jagged feathers cascading down his flanks, a black leather jacket covering his otherwise bare torso.
Kevin Kim: From Pearl City, Hawai’i, weighing in at 195 pounds, he is AURELIUS!
Aurelius proceeds down to the ring with a slow confidence, as though he owns the ground he walks on. He doesn't look at the crowd, nor seem to acknowledge them at all, hoisting himself over the top rope and landing with a thud that seems to belong in the pulse of the music. As he moves to the corner, discarding his jacket on the turnbuckle, he turns his eyes upward at last. Their liquid smoke surfaces glare with defiance.
Artemis Direction: I’d certainly say our newest signee has a smolder about him.
Del Ramos: You say smolder, I say homicidal intent.
DING DING!
Del lets out a laugh, slamming their palms down on top of the commentary table.
Del Ramos: HA! What did I tell you? Fucker’s got nothing but murder on his mind.
Artemis Direction: Aurelius is off to a decisive start!
Johnson’s back arches off the mat in pain, but Aurelius doesn’t let him rest. With almost a sense of impatience, Aurelius pulls his opponent the rest of the way to his feet. Johnson tries to steal the window of opportunity to shoulder-block Aurelius back–which briefly gives him space–only to have that breadth backfire on him as the younger wrestler knocks him back to the canvas with a brutal spinning heel kick to the jaw.
Hiro Suzuki: I can’t believe Johnson’s still going after that! Looks like he’s taking the Buddhist perspective on tooth care!
Artemis Direction: How’s that, darling?
Hiro Suzuki: He wants to transcend dental medication!
Stunned and disoriented, Johnson barely parses that he’s being moved as Aurelius grabs his legs, hauling them up around his waist. With a sidestep, dragging Johnson’s body into an awkward twist, he bends the unfortunate vet like a bow and jams his knee between the man’s shoulder blades, pressing him down into a painful, anatomy-defying stretch–the newcomer’s submission signature!
Del Ramos gives an appreciative growl.
Del Ramos: That’s it, kid! Make him scream for a reprieve that his gods will never grant!
As a sweating and reddening Johnson howls in pain and protest, his arm flailing hopelessly for a rope that isn’t even close, Aurelius looks directly into the lens of the nearest camera-his dark eyes burn like volcanic smoke, and the Army can read his lips. ‘Say Mercy’.
Artemis begins to fan herself.
Del Ramos: My goodness, darlings, our newest signee is giving mother the vapors!
Johnson begins frantically tapping out!!
DING DING DING!
Hiro Suzuki: It doesn’t look like victory’s enough for the new kid!
Aurelius holds the camera’s eye for a few seconds longer, making certain he’s been heard, until the referee forces him to let go. He doesn’t even look at his defeated opponent as he strides to the corner of the ring, takes back his jacket, and stalks back up the ramp as the crowd erupts around him in a thunder he doesn’t seem to hear.
Artemis Direction: It looks like Aurelius is here to kick ass and chew bubblegum and, my stars, it seems he’s all out of bubblegum!
Del Ramos: This guy’s on a mission, and I can’t wait to see the brutal conclusion.
Artemis Direction: Indeed, dearest! Now, as mentioned before, our intrepid interviewer Belle Silva is here this evening, bringing us a meeting with David O’Toole!
“Gave You Everything” by the Interrupters blares out of the speakers as Belle Silva comes out to her music, bobbing her head to the beat. She makes her way down the ramp, slapping hands with fans at ringside before getting into the ring. Beaming, her smile brighter than the spotlights that showed upon her, she picks up her microphone and addresses the Ascended Army.
Belle Silva: Ascended Army! How’s it going?!
The crowd around her erupts as she smiles and waves at a few overexcited fans in the front row.
Belle Silva: I’m glad to hear it! We, as a company, have had our ups and downs. Our turnabouts. Our foul balls and yes, even some penalties. No one knows how to navigate this crazy roller coaster better than my next guest, he is The Sidewinder, David O’ Toole!
“Shipping Up to Boston” kicks in, and from a crew entrance to one side of the stage emerges O’Toole himself in a forest green hoodie. He keeps light on his feet in time with the music as he comes down to the ring. He takes up his mic, and extends a fist to Belle.
David O’Toole: Cheers, Miz Silva, good to see you.
Belle bumps Davie’s fist with her own and smiles.
Belle Silva: Likewise! Now, before we get to the stuff our fans REALLY want to know about…
She winks slyly at the camera as she continues.
Belle Silva: How is life treating you these days?
David O’Toole: Yeah, definitely can’t complain. Had some good scraps, vibing with some of the newer noses on the roster, been climbing some good trees—life’s pretty good.
Belle’s smile grows wider as the fans cheer for Davie.
Belle Silva: So let’s get to it shall we? At this point in your career, what motivates you to come out and do what you do?
Davie grins.
David O’Toole: Really getting to it, cripes. But it's good, like– I've been squaring up for about ten years, in all kinds of places—though this is the nicest spot by a country mile. And doing this’s hard. But I’m good at this, and I like being good at this. I know my way around a pit, but there's always something new to learn, always something to try to keep improving. And when you’re opposite one of the crew we’ve got on the books? Win or lose, you're always gonna come away from a scrap with something new to think about and work into your kit.
Belle nods encouragingly.
Belle Silva: So what’s something new that you’ve recently started to think about and, ‘work into your kit?’
The last words were laced with sweetness, the kind meant to convey friendliness.
David O’Toole: Honestly? The razzmatazz that comes with a sphere like this. Back-alley stuff, your focus is a lot more singular—it's just you and your opponent; you square up, try to win, and move on. The crowd in that scene is mostly a wall of noise. They’re the reason you can square up in a spot, but they’re there to watch you fight, not to watch you fight, yeah?
Belle nods in earnest and motions for O’Toole to continue.
David O’Toole: They’re invested in the scrap, but unless they’re betting on that scrap, the actual combatants are secondary. And if that's what they’re there for, you hunker down, hone your craft, and do your best to deliver.
He gestures out to the audience.
David O’Toole: Crowd in this sphere? Makes a huge difference.
The Ascended Army explodes with cheers. Davie smiles crookedly.
David O’Toole: It's true! Y’all are here for us lot as much as you’re here for the scraps, and there's a wild energy with that. It’s hard to describe, and it’s fantastic and it’s weird if you’re not used to it—it’s strong, like a wind blowing you along from behind. Figuring out how best to use that energy’s a learning curve, but you’ve gotta use everything at your disposal to get the most out of a scrap, so it’s worth riding the curve to shape your sail. And I've made progress—like, I never would’ve been able to do this here this time last year, never mind lay down a challenge so openly.
Belle Silva:The one calling for the cage match against Valentine at Conquest, you mean?
There’s a slight pause, and the slightest twitch of a smile.
David O’Toole: … Yeah. That one.
Belle leans forward expectantly.
Belle Silva: Let’s stop beating around the bush. What kind of fallout has there been after you defeated Roy Valentine?
David O’Toole: “Fallout”? Like, that makes it sound real dramatic or something.
His eyes glint with something impish. Belle’s grin only grows wider.
Belle Silva: Surely there has to be some kind of positive change getting out of the servitude of Roy Valentine.
David O’Toole: I mean, servitude’s kinda strong, but like– the biggest changes have been a decent chunk of time what’s been freed up, and my commute’s shorter again. Makes a lot of other things easier.
Belle chuckles. She can’t put her finger on it, but she feels Davie isn’t telling the entire story.
Belle Silva: What about your contract status? Surely this was a headache from a legal standpoint.
David O’Toole: Surprisingly less so than you might think, thankfully. He’s definitely not lacking the resources to press the issue if there was an issue to press—but we agreed to that match, and that if I won we’d break off; I won it, it’s been free agency since, and that’s been respected. And like– I’d already collected my stuff from the house before that, it's not like I had to go back and clear my bench after the match or nothing.
Belle Silva: Right, there was something about a party?
David O’Toole: Yeah, timing just worked out the way it did. But like– yeah, that six months was a learning experience, in a lot of ways. It’s had an influence, of course it has. But that much newness all at once, being exposed to that kind of social altitude that fast makes a head spin, and even I’m not immune to that, even if I didn’t recognize that at first. Some good folks in my corner set me right, and kinda reminded me, like, what I am, in a way— ‘cause I kinda lost track of it, frankly. It’s hard to describe, but they helped get my self back in order, and it just all kinda came together at once.
Belle Silva: It sounds like you have everything positioned almost perfectly. So, let’s talk about the future. What are some of your goals, short-term or long-term, for your career?
David O’Toole: Overall? Better grounding myself here. I’ve been here a year, yeah, but I kinda had other stuff jockeying for my attention for about half of that time. I haven't been able to bed in as I’d like, vibe with the roster, figure out better what for my own self it means to be here. I haven’t been able to really be here the way I’d want to. I can make good on that now.
Belle applauds with the Ascended Army and allows the cheers to subside before talking.
Belle Silva: Thank you so much for being a part of Beyond the Belle, David! Do you have any closing remarks, a message you’d like to send, or anything left to say?
David O’Toole: If we’ve got a minute, let’s just take a sec and make some noise for all the crews that make this whole thing float.
The crowd obliges and erupts.
David O’Toole: My fellow rig crew, of course, but all the techs, all the runners, the assistants, our officials, our medics, our rockin’ commentary team–
He throws their table a pair of finger guns.
David O’Toole: Catering, facilities, admin—all the fantastic folks who make this arena look good, who make us all in the locker room look good, and who make sure we all can bring you all the best damn show we can, whether you're here or out in the big wide world.
Belle smiles at the nearest camera.
Belle Silva: That’s all the time we have for you on this installment of Beyond the Belle! Thank you and good night!
Del Ramos: You ever meet a person so fucking wholesome you feel like you can get your entire daily fiber intake just by listening to them talk?
Hiro Suzuki: Hey, you know what kind of murderer has high moral fiber?
Del Ramos: Whichever one is willing to take you off the census?
Hiro Suzuki: A cereal killer!
Del Ramos: Just bring me home now, Satan. At least a trip to the ninth circle will take me someplace with better AC.
Artemis Direction: Speaking of trips to fantastical places, the current warden of MiAtlantis, Mia Rayne, has a match coming up next against Moxie Golightly!
Hiro Suzuki: Mia Rayne has shown she has her sister’s propensity for violence, but so far she’s bringing twice the people to the party.
Del Ramos: Double the gore, double the fun.
Artemis Direction: One has to wonder how it all operates and evidently, Ascended’s very own Girl Detective is keen to crack the case!
Del Ramos: As long as she’s cracking skulls while she does it, that’s all I care about.
Artemis Direction: Mia Rayne is unquestionably someone I could see going after the Underworld title.
Hiro Suzuki: We’ve seen her face off against some tough opponents in the arena of ultra violence.
Del Ramos: And walk away with bloody victory.
Artemis Direction: Moxie’s had a taste of it before, personally. She won against Boarknight, but came up short against Roy Valentine.
Hiro Suzuki: On the one hand, you get the feeling that Mia might have something of a kindred spirit in Moxie, but on the other, the Forsaken Psychotic might not like someone looking too closely at her affairs.
Kevin Kim: Ascended Army, the following contest is set for one fall! Introducing first!
The lights go out, leaving the Ascended Army in darkness as "Committed," by One-Eyed Doll, echoes creepily around the arena. The lights flicker back on, the smoke machines around the entrance wreathing a figure backlit with a profusion of colors from the tunnel behind her. Mia Rayne steps out of the fog like a lunatic sylph emerging from a stained glass miasma. Her contrastingly calm demeanor just makes the crazy quilt of colored lights and images stand out all the more. The big screen behind her takes the viewer on a tour through a cathedral whose insides have been converted into a series of padded cells, each one appearing to hold some version of Mia within them.
Kevin Kim: Hailing from Parts Unknown, she is the Forsaken Psychotic, MIA RAYNE!
Mia climbs into the ring, her posture and focused gaze showing pure confidence.
Del Ramos: If you ask me, Rayne’s a front runner for the Underworld belt. She’s got the pedigree of brutality and more than enough action in the ring to back it up.
Kevin Kim: And her opponent!
As the emphatic opening brass and percussion of Tank!” by Yoko Kanno and the Seatbelts blasts from the sound system, the big screen flashes with jagged washes of black, white, and red. The screen divides into white on top and red on the bottom, the thin red line that runs between them pulses and vibrates along with the impatient thrum of the bass, smoke billowing around the entrance like fog rolling in.
I think it's time we blow this scene
Get everybody and the stuff together
Okay, three, two, one, let's jam!
Get everybody and the stuff together
Okay, three, two, one, let's jam!
Kevin Kim: From Spokane, Washington, weighing 150 pounds, she is Girl Detective, MOXIE GOLIGHTLY!
As the rest of the band kicks in, ‘MOXIE’ appears in black letters in the white division of the screen, ‘GOLIGHTLY’ in white text in the black division. Moxie strides out onto the ramp, emerging from the fog in a film noir detective style overcoat and fedora. The images on the big screen shift to ones of a steamy Seattle right out of a Raymond Chandler novel - all sharp silver angles awash in neon rain. Moxie watches the ring as she approaches as if trying to replay the scene of some mystery she's trying to solve, mounting the stairs and hanging her hat and jacket on the turnbuckle to reveal a bodysuit done in Art Deco style lines of black and white with red highlights, fishnet stockings, knee pads, and kick pads. She paces a circle around the ring as if examining a crime scene before standing in the ring's center and raising a fist to the sky.
Hiro Suzuki: Rayne certainly has the experience, but there’s an enthusiasm with Golightly you can’t deny! It’d be a bit of an upset if she got the win here.
DING DING!
The competitors approach the center of the ring where Moxie extends a hand to Mia. Smiling, Rayne gives it a shake, prompting the crowd to cheer its approval before the pair begin to circle each other, each falling into the rhythm of their fight.
Artemis Direction: A fine show of sportsmanship between our competitors!
Rayne is the first to move, letting out a trilling laugh as she goes for a short-arm clothesline Moxie ducks to avoid. Golightly pops up, going for a discus lariat that Rayne catches! Moxie is rewarded with a headbutt that sends her staggering backward toward the ropes, Rayne pursuing! Mia catches her opponent by the arm, but before she can capitalize, Golightly uses the momentum to spin Rayne around, slamming her against the ropes and nailing her with the Chicago Typewriter!
Hiro Suzuki: Moxie using the momentum of the fight in her favor!
At first Rayne is stunned, unable to defend herself, however as the blows continue, she starts to laugh, spreading her arms open wide to receive the punishment even as florid red bruises begin blooming across her exposed skin. Taken aback by the masochistic behavior from her opponent, Golightly’s rhythm falters and that’s all the opening Mia needs to grab her opponent by the arm, jerk her around, and throw her over one shoulder, crashing onto the mats below! The Ascended Army lets out a howl of sympathy as Moxie arches off the mats in pain, but Rayne isn’t content to let her have time to recover. Following her opponent to the outside with a mile-wide grin, Mia seizes Golightly by the back of the head, dragging her upright and walking her dazed opponent to the nearest ringpost. Looking to bash Moxie’s head into the ring, Mia is thwarted as Golightly throws up her hands at the last second to save herself! Rayne makes another attempt, but again, Golightly denies her! Finally, Mia makes one more motion as if she’s going to try again, but it’s a feint! As Moxie throws her arms up to defend herself again, she’s swept off her feet into a cradle DDT that slams her into the outside mats!
At the commentary table, Hiro and Artemis are cringing as Del laughs malevolently.
Del Ramos: BREAK ALL THE BONES AND BUILD AN ALTAR TO THE MEAT LORDS!
Hiro Suzuki: What do you call the world’s most famous skeleton detective?
Artemis Direction: I don’t know, sweetness, what?
Hiro Suzuki: Sherlock Bones!
Rayne shoves Golightly back into the ring and goes for a pin, Jill Kincaid sliding in for the count!
ONE!
TWO!
TH–
Kick out from Golightly!
Artemis Direction: What Moxie may lack in experience she certainly makes up for in resilience!
Instead of upset, Rayne only seems delighted that her opponent still has some fight left in her, cackling with joy. It’s swiftly cut short, however, as Moxie grabs Rayne’s arm and locks her into a Fujiwara arm bar! Mia’s gleeful laugh quickly morphs into a shriek of pain as Moxie wrenches with all her might!
Del Ramos: THAT’S IT, KID! SHOW US YOUR MEAN!
Moxie’s teeth are bared as keeps the hold locked in, Jill Kincaid checking in with Mia, who only laughs darkly, eyes glimmering. Though Moxie’s strength rivals her opponent’s, Rayne uses every bit of her own to drag herself to the nearest rope, grabbing hold and forcing Golightly to release her. Moxie is up on her feet soon after, and as Rayne follows, the Girl Detective goes for a Dry Gulch! The Ascended Army gasps as Mia catches Golightly’s signature with some difficulty due to her opponent working over her arm. But Moxie doesn’t even hesitate, immediately stomping hard on Rayne’s instep and following up with a flurry of blows! Mia looks surprised, staggering back, which gives Moxie the room she needs to successfully connect with that spinning back elbow! Rayne goes down and Golightly goes for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
Kick out from Rayne!
Artemis Direction: Quick adaptation from Golightly!
Del Ramos: It ain't over til it’s over, and this chick’s not going down without a fight.
Both opponents lay on the mat for a moment, breathing hard, Moxie with a look of determination and Mia with one of pure exaltation. The Girl Detective rises first, doggedly climbing to her feet and putting up her dukes, calling for her opponent to do the same. Rayne doesn’t need much encouragement, malevolent and mirthful eyes alight as she gets to her feet and feints a lunge at Golightly, catching Moxie off guard when she instead goes to bounce herself off the ropes to collide with a cyclone kick! Knocked into a turnbuckle behind her, Moxie barely spins out of the way of a Big Boot from Rayne! With her opponent momentarily hung up on the ropes, Golightly slams her in the back with a running dropkick that has Mia arching back like a bow being pulled taut! As Moxie gets upright again, Mia just keeps bending backward, Matrixing back to her feet to grin madly at her opponent, even as she reaches up to wipe away a trickle of blood descending from one nostril. In spite of herself, Moxie can’t help but grin back, shaking her head before the pair fall in toward each other in the center of the ring, locking up and exchanging holds!
Artemis Direction: Good heavens I think our painted pugilist’s attitude is rubbing off on Ms. Golightly!
Hiro Suzuki: Luckily we have some EMTs that’ll help if Ms. Rayne loses too much of her face paint.
Artemis Direction: Really, now?
Hiro Suzuki: Always important to keep some cos-medics on staff!
The Ascended Army is chanting for each competitor as they test each other’s mettle, Rayne finally switching things up to Irish Whip Golightly into the ropes, slamming her to the canvas with a short-arm clothesline before going for the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
Kick out from Moxie!
Mia gets vertical only for Moxie to bowl her over into a surprise rollup!
ONE!
TWO!
Kick out from Rayne!
The Ascended Army is going absolutely banana as the pair roll apart, surge upward with mutual battle cries and meet again in the center of the ring! Reaching into whatever well of energy either of them still has, each of them starts laying into the other viciously. Moxie hits Rayne with a short arm lariat that sends her to the mat, quickly following up with a standing leg drop that Mia rolls away from! Once vertical, Rayne goes for a fist drop that Golightly barely avoids, dragging herself backward with her arms while scrambling at the mat with her feet. Once she’s up, she continues back into the turnbuckle behind her, scaling it with a speed that is coming purely from whatever adrenaline still fuels her as Rayne pursues. Moxie goes for a Superman punch, launching herself at Mia, fist cocked back for a devastating blow–
Artemis Direction: This is it!
--only for Rayne to step in to the attack, and let Moxie’s momentum do all the work of slamming her clavicle directly onto the top of Mia’s head! Golightly crumples to the ground, gasping and blinking rapidly as Mia descends upon her and locks in the Anaconda Vise for her Forsaken Journey finisher!
Hiro Suzuki: Oh my God!
Golightly claws weakly at Rayne’s face, but getting the wind knocked out of her has taken its toll, the Girl Detective’s arm quickly going limp against the canvas! Jill Kincaid checks in with the competitors, then calls for the bell!
DING DING DING!
Mia’s arm is raised in victory, but she’s immediately kneeling to check on her opponent. Moxie is coming around, coughing a little as she sits up, and soon finds herself being offered a helping hand from her erstwhile opponent. Golightly takes it, getting a bit unsteadily to her feet where Mia briefly raises the gumshoe’s arm in appreciation, the Ascended Army cheering in response.
Artemis Direction: Oh, my stars and garters! I’d say our competitors really brought out the intensity in one another!
Del Ramos: Just the way I like it. And we’re doubtlessly gonna keep that train rolling with this next match.
Artemis Direction: Indeed, darling! David O’Toole and BoarKnight have both shown they’ve no qualms about getting a little bloody in the name of conquest, legacy, and, above all, entertainment!
Hiro Suzuki: As a comedian, I can relate.
Del Ramos: No.
Artemis Direction: If I didn’t know any better, I’d say the two may share a bit of a bond with one another. Davie was speaking a language in his promo I can’t say I’ve ever heard it before, but apparently it’s one he shares with our war hog! It would appear BoarKnight is a warrior and a scholar! Color mother intrigued!
Del Ramos: Hard to say who’s coming out on top in this one.
Hiro Suzuki: Don’t you mean high on the hog?
Del Ramos: Y’know pigs can eat human corpses, bones and all, and leave no evidence behind, right? Cuz I think about that a lot when we’re in the same room together, Suzuki.
Kevin Kim: This next contest is an Underworld match set for one fall with a thirty minute time limit.
The dramatic sting of “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” kicks in, the lights around the big screen pulse green and gold in time with the beat. The screen shows an overhead view of an industrial district, hanging in mid-air for a moment before diving down to the alleys below to show gritty images of hands being taped up, quick footwork of fighters wearing work boots instead of ring boots, and blood spattering against brick walls.
Kevin Kim: Introducing first—from Astoria, Oregon, weighing in at 190 pounds, the Sidewinder, DAVID O’TOOLE!
At first there’s no movement at the entrance ramp—but lights find the top of some scaffolding, and from the top descends Davie O’Toole himself. As he reaches the ringside mats, he surveys the crowd with some appreciation, nodding his head then knocking the air twice in time with the music. He pulls off his hoodie, slides under the ropes, and keeps light on his feet.
Artemis Direction: David O’Toole bringing that back alley brawler realness as usual. Ten out of ten, darlings!
Kevin Kim: And his opponent!
A dramatic timpani strike and roll swells, ushering in bold, commanding low brass.
Kevin Kim: From frontiers unknown, weighing in at 105 pounds, the Pint-Sized Powerhouse—BOARKNIGHT!
A broad-shouldered figure all in black, complete with a black boar’s mask, appears at the top of the ramp. He takes a moment to survey the crowd, then begins his descent, striding down the ramp with all the confidence of a well-seasoned fighter. He continues to look over the crowd as he goes, but as he reaches the floor he only has eyes for the ring—and his opponent within.
Del Ramos: The bloodiest things come in small packages. People might not believe it, but I honestly think this guy’s got a good shot at being our next Underworld champ.
He hauls himself up onto the apron and rolls under the bottom rope. O’Toole meets him in the center, and reaches out his fist. BoarKnight nods, and taps O’Toole’s fist with his own.
DING DING!
Immediately both are in motion, sizing each other up—as BoarKnight tries to move closer, the Sidewinder keeps stepping back, making them slowly spiral around the ring as they circle one another. Finally O’Toole bites first, and takes a few jabs at BoarKnight, getting quite low with considerable ease. BoarKnight darts to one side, he launches forward and headbutts O’Toole right in the chest! Davie staggers, though still has his feet under him—but BoarKnight surges, and sweeps them down with a swinging neckbreaker! He goes for the pin, referee Godric Smith sliding in for the count!
ONE!
TWO—!
O’Toole kicks out!
Artemis Direction: Getting things started off with a bang!
Del Ramos: Boarknight’s using his entire body as a fucking cannon ball and I’m here for it.
Hiro Suzuki: I think he’s got more up his sleeve than that!
But as he sits himself up, BoarKnight immediately descends on his shoulders to cinch a tight chinlock. O’Toole writhes, using a rare weight advantage to knock Boruk off his feet—but still he holds on! Slowly Davie drags his feet back under him, still vainly trying to shake off BoarKnight. He doesn’t quite have the momentum to throw him forward—so hauls them up and he rams himself backwards and into the ropes! They rebound, and with the extra momentum he flings himself forward in a dive roll, throwing BoarKnight over the top of his head and landing on him hard!
Hiro Suzuki: Talk about pressed ham!
BoarKnight is forced to let go, but swiftly rolls on his side and under the ropes. Davie is just as quick to his feet—and Boruk is just as fast to snatch Davie’s ankle and haul him out! Quick as a flash, as he’s pulled over and off the apron O’Toole flings and twists to wrench himself out of BoarKnight’s grip, and to land rolling on his side. But the ringside mats are still unforgiving, so he’s slower to recover from the bump—and just as he comes to a knee, BoarKnight runs up to deliver a brutal shining wizard!
ONE!
A decisive kick-out!
Del is roaring with bloodthirsty glee.
Del Ramos: THAT’S IT! NO REST FOR THE WICKED!
Without hesitation BoarKnight dives under the apron, and as quick as he’s able O’Toole scrambles away and to one side—a smart move, as something metal swipes out from under the apron, and BoarKnight flies back out brandishing a length of pipe almost as long as he is tall.
Artemis Direction: Oh, my word!
Del Ramos: BREAK HIS KNEECAPS!
Hiro Suzuki: If O’Toole’s not careful, Boarknight’s gonna give him some pipe dreams!
Del Ramos: CHANGE OF PLANS, BORUK!
Del points to Hiro.
Del Ramos: BREAK HIS KNEECAPS!
Boarknight takes a hearty swing at Davie’s legs, but O’Toole has enough of a leap to keep his kneecaps intact. He makes to retreat, shoving the metal steps in Boruk’s path—he leaps up to the apron, flips over the ropes, and slides back under the adjacent ropes, ending up behind BoarKnight, and snatches up a long flashlight that had followed BoarKnight out from under the ring. BoarKnight is just able to turn around, and barely blocks a blow from the flashlight with his pipe. That pipe is a trickier weapon to use in close quarters, but the two stoutly scrap, a flurry of blows and clatters as both take as much punishment as they give.
Del Ramos: IT’S LIKE IF HIGHLANDER TOOK PLACE IN A DENNY’S PARKING LOT! THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE, MOTHERFUCKERS! SOMEBODY’S GOTTA LOSE THEIR HEAD!
Finally BoarKnight wields his improvised spear and knocks the flashlight from O’Toole’s hand—but before he can capitalize, the Sidewinder strikes, throwing his knee to fold BoarKnight in half. He wrenches the pipe from his grasp and chucks it out of reach—and is in a perfect position to receive a crawling headbutt! BoarKnight descends!
ONE!
TWO!
O’Toole twists and lunges for a surprise roll-up!
ONE!
TWO!
TH–!
A wild kick-out from Boarknight!
Artemis fans herself, eyelids fluttering.
Artemis Direction: I don’t know how much more of this I can take, sweetlings! Our competitors are positively on fire this evening!
Even in his brief time with Ascended so far, there is no question of the intensity that BoarKnight brings to a fight. But now there’s a desperation in his lines as he surges to his feet and backs up. O’Toole gets to his feet—just in time for BoarKnight to spear him with the Boar Gore!
The commentary table all cry out reflexively, Hiro wrapping his arms around his middle.
Davie goes down hard, Boruk goes down with him. But he doesn’t cover—as Davie tries to wriggle free, BoarKnight’s hands wrap around his torso, and he ends up beside Davie, still pressed into his chest. BoarKnight wrenches in a twist, digging his shoulder into O’Toole’s neck. Davie still struggles, but that shoulder only presses harder—finally his hand raises weakly, but it drops before he can tap!
DING DING DING!
Kevin Kim: Ascended Army, your winner, BOARKNIGHT!
Godric raises BoarKnight’s arm in victory, the Ascended Army roaring its approval!