Thursday Night Meltdown November 1st 2007

[BK London]

Thursday Night Meltdown
November 1st 2007

Schedule of Matches:
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Shikari vs. Simba Mufasa

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Jon Taylor vs. Josh The Jersey Boy

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ACW Entertainment Title
Echo vs. Rena

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Ricky Falcon vs Adrian Flamingo

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Jay Zero vs The Senator

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[BK London]

Segment: The Champ is in a Present Static Position (Credit: Hunter)

The lights dim slightly before an incredibly heavy guitar riff rings through the speakers and pauses briefly. The fans are already on their feet even before the all-too-familiar message finds its way through the speakers.

...and Hell followed with him...

The fans continue their incredibly loud cheers as Hunter appears on the top of the stage wearing a suit and his trademark sunglasses, the gleaming World Title resting carefully on his shoulder. He looks at the cheering fans with a clear sign of distaste on his face, and then begins to walk down the ramp, ignoring them and focusing on the ring. He reaches it and rolls in quickly, and then grabs a flying microphone and raises it to his lips. He attempts to speak, but the fans continue to cheer wildly over him.

Hunter: Cease and desist, people. You shouldn't be cheering me.

The fans quiet down slightly, if only to let him explain this.

Hunter: What precisely have I done that's been any different from before? I beat the hell out of some guy you people didn't like, and I took back a title that's rightfully mine...and you cheer? What the fuck kind of twisted individuals are you anyways?

Now the fans begin to boo, and Hunter cannot help but smirk.

Hunter: That's more like it. That's more like the sheep that I know and loathe. How the fuck have you been? Wait, don't answer that, because we all know full well that I simply don't give a shit. My weekend was a lot more interesting AND a lot more stressful than yours. Did any of you wrestle in the House of Mirrors Match? Did any of you receive multiple cuts to virtually every part of your body? And lastly, did any of you win the ACW World Championship after one of the best and most brutal matches of all time? No, you didn't. I did.

The fans are now complete beside themselves, booing furiously. But Hunter simply eats it up.

Hunter: How many people here are two-time World Champions? None of you are, and only one or two people backstage are. I am currently holding the most prestigious title in wrestling history for the second time in my young career. Does that make me better than you? Of-fucking-course. I've done more in my twenty-five years of existence than most of you will ever do in your entire lifetimes. But don't feel bad. None of you are as good as I am in any regard.

The fans continue to boo as Hunter leans nonchalantly on the ropes, picking his next words carefully.

Hunter: Oh, that's right. I'm the champion heading into the November PPV, I get to name it. Well, would you like to hear what the name will be?

Some of the fans cease their booing and begin to cheer, and Hunter scoffs.

Hunter: Well too fucking bad. No, you misunderstand; it's not that I don't want to tell you, it's that I simply don't know yet. You'll forgive me if I was distracted by a one and a half inch long piece of glass that was wedged in my back.

Some of the fans chuckle after this, but Hunter is clearly not amused.

Hunter: As a result of those injuries, I will not be competing tonight, but I can assure you that I will be in the Chairman for a Day Battle Royale that will happen within the next week, and I'll win that too. Because recently I've been VERY good at becoming a two-time something.

The fans have quieted down slightly by now, and Hunter slightly changes up his game plan.

Hunter: I know that most champions will come out here the day after their title win and attempt to celebrate with some unnecessarily materialistic party that will simply make a large mess for the janitors. I didn't do that...primarily because Ginger didn't approve the budget for it. But rest assured, I'm fucking happy. And you're probably aren't. And that's too fucking bad for you.

Some fans in the back begin to cheer, and Hunter clearly notices them. He points to them and smirks.

Hunter: Oh, you're happy? Why, because I beat Starkweather? You just didn't like him that much, did you? Well too fucking bad for that one too, not much is going to change. Starkweather has been dethroned, and his reign of terror has ended. But mine? Mine has just begun.

"No Sympathy for Fools" hits the speakers as Hunter drops the mic and stares briefly at that group of fans who was cheering, and then readjusts his sunglasses and rolls out of the ring. The entire time that he travels up the ramp, the fans maliciously boo him, which is clearly a change from their reaction to seeing him a few short minutes ago. But he simply smiles. His fun, as he has already said, is just beginning...

Fade Out

[BK London]

Segment: A Clash of Drums, A Flash of Light (credit: Jonny Hughes)

OOC: Fifty e-cookies to the person who know where I got the title from.

Monday October 28th
3.00pm

ACW fades to a pre recorded video package, the setting of which is the ring area of the ACW Arena. The arena is still dressed from Samhain, which took place the previous evening and members of the production crew are carefully removing all the Samhain branded stage equipment in preparation for Thursday’s Meltdown broadcast. The camera closes in a solitary figure sat on the ring apron near the commentary tables, the figure is dressed in an ACW branded shirt and a pair of sweat pants, as the camera gets close enough for a mug shot the figure raises his head and stares into the camera.

Hughes: So here I am, less than 24 hours after my draw with Dan White last night. But why am I here?

Well, I am here to learn. You see, unlike the majority of this locker room I don’t have days off. I don’t have time to waste making movies or recording albums. All of my time is dedicated to this sport. I watch tapes of matches from all over the world to improve my game.

And I think that I have gotten to the stage where I can go toe-to-toe with anyone else in this company, but first to get past Dan White. A man who I have nothing but contempt for, a man who had halted my progress for too long, a man who I have been unable to put away for one reason or another. But I have found an eloquent solution to this whole mess. I’ve found a stipulation that will not end with a tie, a stipulation that isn’t an over the top gimmick, a stipulation that is all about wrestling. Details of this stipulation will be sent to your people for you to look over and there will be a contract signing to ensure that if you try to run you will be punished.

I think it’s best that we keep this stipulation quiet until all the necessary legal complications have been bypassed. So Mister White, I eagerly await your response.

Hughes smiles into the camera as it slowly fades to black.

Fade

[BK London]

Segment: Another interview with Mr. Wrestling
Credit: Jon Taylor

Meltdown has just returned from a commercial break, the screen fades into a packed arena. The crowd are clearly enjoying themselves and there are several chants going around the arena such as "We want BK" and "Meltdown, Meltdown, Meltdown". The majority of the crowd are wearing wrestling merchandise of their favourite superstars, and a mexican wave can be seen going from side to side. The commentators can be seen quietly discussing the show so far amongst themselves, and the ringside officials seem anxious the show to continue. Suddenly a sound bursts out of the P.A system and two people are viewable on the Alphatron. The arena falls silent as they look over to see what is happening. The camera zooms into the Alphatron, the two people standing there can be identified as Charlotte King and Jon Taylor.

Charlotte King | ACW Interviewer

Ladies and Gentlemen I am joined at this time by the man known as Mr. Wrestling - Jon Taylor! Jon, you made your Pay-Per-View debut with a victory over Deus Noxus - how did it feel not only to make your PPV debut but also to win?

Taylor smiles, he thinks briefly before replying.

Jon Taylor | Mr. Wrestling

Well, Charlotte as you would imagine it felt great. I managed to keep my focus and not get excited by the fact that it was my PPV debut and leave the ring as the victor. I stuck to my game plan and it paid off. I knew that I would have to try and stick with my strengths in order to get the best of Deus and it worked. I would have been a fool to try and match his power game, and that's why I didn't. I knew that I had the technical advantage over him and I capitalised on this. He may of been more powerful and bigger in size but as the saying goes - power isn't everything. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was a good challenge, I managed to adapt my style partly so that I could use his strength to my advantage. In the end I just had that extra little bit of determination and experience in ACW to turn the tables on him and hit my finishing move to pin his shoulders on the ring mat 1-2-3.

Taylor seems to be pleased thinking about his PPV debut.

Charlotte King | ACW Interviewer

Since your debut loss to Thunderkiss you have managed to start a winning streak, and now have won 3 out of 4 of your matches here in ACW - how does it feel to be able to win each week compared to losing?

Taylor thinks for a few seconds before replying, King seems to be happy at having another opportunity to interview the ACW up and coming superstar.

Jon Taylor | Mr. Wrestling

It obviously boosts my confidence level going into my next match each week and inspires to work that extra bit harder to see it pay off. Nobody here likes losing and obviously I am no different, I am happy with my record so far and I hope I can continue it in the coming weeks. So far each of my matches have been challenging and made me move out of my normal comfort zone, which has helped me to learn to adapt to my opponent's styles so I can use it to my advantage. I look at each new week as new challenge, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Since I have come to ACW I have progressed a lot as a competitor and that is definitely partly down to the challenge of facing someone I haven't come across previously. In preparation you can watch videos of your opponent wrestles, but that can only do so much and it comes down to how quickly you work out to counter your opponent's style by adapting your own to use your opponent's strengths against them.

Taylor seems to be relaxed and enjoying how the interview is going so far.

Charlotte King | ACW Interviewer

Are you pleased with your progress in ACW so far?

After thinking for a moment or two Taylor replies.

Jon Taylor | Mr. Wrestling

In short - yes. I am definitely pleased with how things are going so far, I have been here less than a month and already I am being booked weekly and being put in a match on the PPV was just the cherry on the icing. I didn't expect to be given as many opportunities as I have been given so far, I expected maybe 1 or 2 matches if I was lucky. I don't think I would of thought a few months ago that I would be winning each week against much more experienced opponents in ACW. I only hope that I continue to be as successful as I am being currently and continue to earn the opportunities which have been handed to me so far.

King appears to be thoughtful before asking her final question.

Charlotte King | ACW Interviewer

Later on tonight you compete against Josh the Jersey Boy. In your single previous encounter you walked away with the victory - how do you feel going into this match?

Taylor responds immediately, he seems to be more focused than previously.

Jon Taylor | Mr. Wrestling

Well I have a bit of a score to settle with Josh with how he interrupted my match with Prince. To say it annoyed me would be putting it nicely. I like to win my matches fair and square, I do not appreciate having Josh "help" me during the match. It was not only unfair on the part of Prince but it also spoiled the ending of a potentially great match. Having said that, I am confident going into the match. I defeated him without too much trouble in our previous encounter, and although I will be weary of him trying to catch me off guard with a move he hasn't used before, I have to say I am confident in my abilities to go 2-0 up in my match record against Josh. I hope he will play it fairly in this match, as there isn't anything I hate more than having to compete against a cheater.

Taylor looks to be clearly annoyed about how Josh The Jersey Boy acted during Taylor's match with Prince.

Charlotte King | ACW Interviewer

Thank you for your time, good luck against Josh the Jersey Boy.

Jon Taylor | Mr. Wrestling

No problem and thank you.

As the two people exit the interview area, the camera slow zooms out and begins to pan around the arena. The crowd seem to be warming up Jon Taylor and seem eager for his match to start.

Fade

[BK London]

Segment: The beginning, of the end (Credit: Shikari)

The ACW fans are packed into the arena when the lights dim out. Nobody knows what has happened until a man starts walking down the ramp in a spotlight. He is around six foot tall and is wearing a shirt and tie. He walks up the ring steps and enters. He raises a microphone to his lips and starts talking in a hushed voice.

Man: Hello, I am John Kidman and am here to tell you a short story.

The fans wait as John straightens up.

JK: You see, I'm from little England. Sheffield to be exact. I like going out on walks in the hills, it is so relaxing. One time when I was walking through the country when I heard a baby. I went to investigate and found a boy. He was only a year or so old, but obviously his parents hadn't loved him.

The fans make noises of sympathy.

JK: But what to do? People would think I'm crazy if I just FOUND a baby. So I brought him up in secret. He had a bad temper and had been hurt so bad he cant talk even now. Over the years he became less of a man, more pure evil. So I named him Shikari, hunter to you less educated. He never learned to read and spent his day punching and kicking the house and everything in it. So I taught him to wrestle from books and have come to prove that Shikari is deserving of living. In my opinion, two wrongs make a right, and Shikari is wrong. But so is the way you people live your lives. You drink and take drugs with no thought of what it is doing to you. Shikari is here to show you that life is worth living by making you feal how bad it can be if you don't think. Now if you just lay down and admit your wrongs, maybe we will spare you. So without further due, welcome the hunter, SHIKARI!

Raining blood by Slayer blasts out and Shikari walks out. He has short black hair and black jeans which have a long chain dangling off. His body is battered and bruised but he walks like a proud warrior.

JK: This is the man who will show you what it means to be hurt. He will show you that you cant run around, shoving anything and everything in your body. So who will be first up? Which of you will be first to change your ways?

Kidman turns to the crowd.

JK: WHO'S FIRST THEN!?

The fans boo Kidman.

JK: Fine then, we will wait but remember. Shikari WILL get you.

John and Shikari leave to huge boos but Kidman still smiles, unfased.

[BK London]

Match 1: Shikari vs Simba Mufasa (Credit: Shikari)

Raining blood plays and the lights go out. Shikari lumbers down the isle with Kidman at his side. Shikari mounts the apron and enters. He stands in the center of the ring as Kidman riles the crowd and screams at them. Next Simba strolls in with a guard pushing him. Simba tries running but Kidman slaps him and rolls him in. Kidman hits multiple stiff punches to Simba against the ropes then a big knee to the gut. Shikari lifts Simba up onto his shoulders and yells out loud before dropping him chest first on to his outstretched knee! Simba backs up and receives more punches then a big clothesline, sending him to the mat. Simba tries climbing up and Shikari picks him onto his shoulders and power slams him hard into the center of the ring. Cover
1
2
KICKOUT!

Shikari lets Simba up then no sells every single one of a flurry of strikes then smashes him in the face. Simba reels and Shikari hits a large shoulder block then boots him in the gut. Simba again tries getting up and scurries to the corner but Shikari follows with a clothesline then a big scoop slam. The massive Shikari won’t let up and stomps Muffasa into the mat before dropping a big elbow. Muffasa yelps and tries to get up but Kidman levels him with a tiger driver, lifts him up then plants a second! Simba lifts up his leg and tells Shikari to pin him but Kidman just grabs under and flips him up into a torture rack then chucks him down over his knee! Simba starts yelling gibberish but Shikari just boots him in the jaw.

Muffasa starts yelling for Rafiki to save him as he gets up but is just met with a knee to the face then a short arm slap jack. Shikari stalks an injured Muffasa then plants him with a dragon suplex before locking in a sleeper. Simba’s foot is on the rope and he can’t get it off. At the four count Shikari lets go and starts working away with a flurry of punches and ends with a head but. The referee has a few words with Shikari and Kidman sneaks in before punting Simba in the face. Both men get up and Shikari lifts up Simba by the neck with both hands. He walks to the corner and smashes Simba down then mounts the top rope. Shikari stands up tall then drops off with a BIG splash. Shikari gets up and brings Simba to the middle of the ring. He lifts up Simba in a press then drops him down straight on his head! Cover.
1
2
3!

It’s over and both Shikari and Kidman slide into the ring. Simba bails out as Kidman raises a microphone to his mouth.

JK: That is just a taster of Shikari’s power; he could easily have killed that wannabe and shown how strong he is. But I have my eyes on other targets, many stronger wrestlers. So don’t try hiding from us, just come out and play. Maybe we will spare your bones and soul!

Kidman beckons to Shikari and they leave the ring, pushing past Simba.

[BK London]

Segment: A challenge from Mr. Wrestling
Credit: Jon Taylor

ACW Meltdown is already well underway and some of the superstars have already hit the showers following their matches. Many superstars can be seen relaxing backstage prior to their match and the mood seems to be a pleasant one. The setting changes to the interview area, standing there is Jon Taylor. He is wearing his usual ring attire and it is not long until his match begins. He looks into the camera and indicates that he has something to say.

Jon Taylor | Mr. Wrestling

Thursday 11th October - the day that I debuted here in ACW. The day of my single loss. The day where my dream became a reality. Since that fateful day I have come so far in yet what in comparison seems such as a short time. I have only been here in ACW 22 days but still I feel I have achieved so much. I have picked up wins against Josh the Jersey Boy, The Prince and Deus Noxus. I have made my Pay-Per-View debut. Yes, I am happy that I have been able to be able to pick up wins against my fellow roster members, but this is only the beginning. So far you have only witnessed the start of the path of the success for Jon Taylor. The only way to continue to be successful is to keep winning against the opponents which I am given the chance to compete against. And that's what I intend to do. I have realised since my debut that I shouldn't be the one that should worry about my opponents having more experience at this level than me. I shouldn't be the one making excuses for my opponents mistakes in my matches. I should be the one that people will fear to face. I should be the one that people stay clear of. I am pleased with my start here, but like anyone else I want more. I want to be able to say that I am one of the best in the company. The only way to do this is to start proving myself to the big guys. I may be what they call a "rookie", but I am by no means inferior to them because I am new to the company. Unlike a usual rookie I cannot be intimidated and will not back down from a challenge. I relish having a challenge. I don't care if your name is Hunter, I don't care if your name is Yoko Satoshi - I don't even care if your name is BK London - you name the time, date and place - i'll be there. I don't have time to waste, life’s too short. The only way to get places fast in a company such as this is to get noticed. The only way to get noticed in a company like this is by competing with the big guys. I don't mean opening the show and decimating a lower carder, I mean beating the best that ACW has to offer. And that's what I intend on doing.

Some could say that I should keep to my place as a new member of the roster - but I don't play the game - I create it. This may come over as disrespectful towards the veterans of the roster, but I don't intend it to. You could say I should be patient and wait until it is my turn - but again, I don't want to. Life is for living and that's what I intend to do. I don't want to be stuck in the lower card where I have to compete with someone who doesn't know how to work a match; I don't want to be in a match where I could beat my opponent with a blind fold on. I want to have my abilities stretched to the limit. I want to come out of each match each week thinking that it was close. I don't just like to have a challenge, I love to have a challenge.

Tonight I face Josh the Jersey Boy for the second time during my time in ACW. On the first occasion I managed to come out of the match with the win - and I intend to win once again. He may intend to get some "revenge" following the defeat I inflicted upon him but I can assure you, that will not be the case. A certain lesson has to be taught to Josh tonight - and that is not the mess with other people's business. He chose to interfere during my match with The Prince and I can tell you I did not appreciate it. I detest people who don't play by the rules, and people who cheat to win don't deserve to be here in my opinion. That's why tonight Josh is going to find out what happens to people who interfere during my matches. I can tell you now - it wont be pretty. Nonetheless my match with Josh will hardly be a challenge considering how easy my match with him was previously you could say "it will be a walk in the park". Anyway, that's enough about Josh - the reason I am talking here is because it is about me.

My aim since I arrived here in ACW was always to be the best I could be. Well there was a saying where I came from and it was "to be the best you have to beat the best" and it is true. You cannot claim to be the best by defeating people who are by no means at the same level of ability as yourself, that is why I believe that it is important for me to be given the chance to compete with the talent higher up the roster in order for me to see if I can keep up with them, it also gives the opportunity to improve myself as a wrestler. I may be new to this company but by no means am I new to this business. It is time for Jon Taylor to show his full potential to the wrestling world. There are no more excuses, I have finally made it to where I wanted to - now it is time to show everyone that I am better than they think, it is time to show my fellow roster that I am the new man to watch out for - it is time to show everyone why I am called Mr. Wrestling.

Fade.

[BK London]

Segment: “Nightmares” Credit: T-Kiss

[It’s been a terribly long day. Since he walked through the door, the agenda has read like a list of items that make this job boring - publicity photos, interviews and the like. Feeling like a caged animal, he’s ready to explode out the door and run free. His eyes have been darting to the clock several times per hour and as soon as it reached four, he almost couldn’t resist looking away from it. When it tells him he’s finally done, he almost knocks the door off its hinges to escape the clutches of Gingerdude’s money making schemes. Leaping into his car, Thunderkiss hits the long highway all so he can hear those three little words that will turn around his day. The same three little words that greet him every time he steps across the threshold leading into his house...]

Alicia: Welcome home honey.

Thunderkiss: Good to BE home.

[TK bends over and gives her a kiss on the lips setting the mood asunder. He backs his beloved wife up against the kitchen table, but before they can consummate their love, they are interrupted by the voice of a young child.]

Child: DAD!!!

[Up runs a little boy, looking around 4-5 years of age. Arms flying in the air, he runs up to Thunderkiss and grabs his leg and begins to tightly hug it as if he hasn’t seen his father in years. Thunderkiss reaches down and grabs the boy around his arms and lifts him up onto his shoulders.]

Child: Weeeeeeeeee! Again! Again! Again!

Alicia: My goodness! No more sugar for you, mister!

Thunderkiss: Ah it’s alright Alicia, the boy just misses his father.

Alicia: If only he missed his mother as much!

[Alicia rolls her eyes playfully and TK lets out a tiny chuckle in return. He places his son down on the floor and watches him scurry off into the living room where he places himself behind a box full of ACW toy wrestlers on the floor. His heart cannot help but to swell with pride as he sees him pull out a Thunderkiss action figure and place it on top of all the others.]

Child: You stink Steve Phillips! BAM! BAM!

Thunderkiss: Heh.

[From behind he feels the silky smooth touch of his wife’s hand traveling around his shoulders and down his chest. Her head now leans against his arms and he can’t help but to look up into the sky and say “thank you.” He has everything he always wanted right here under this roof; the perfect life some would say. Could this all possibly get any better? You bet it can.]

Alicia: Oh ..by the way Kiss, I made you dinner tonight.

Thunderkiss: Really? What is it?

Alicia: Your favorite.

[Alicia happily bounces over to the stove where a skillet rests atop. Reaching above and behind it, she turns off the front burner and lifts it’s handle with a big, joyful smile. Like a contestant on Iron Chef, she holds her creation just inches away from his chest and pops the top off with her other free hand.]

Alicia: SMOKED EYEBALL! EH... HEHEHEHEHEHEHEEH!

Thunderkiss: Oh God ...

[All it takes is one look at it to make his body feel as if it will collapse at any moment. He stumbles back to the wall and props himself onto it to help support his knees which feel like rubber. The urge to turn away is great, the fear that grips his heart is even greater. Horrified, he watches Alicia poke the eyeball with a fork and raise it up to her lips.]

Alicia: I HOPE YOU LIKE IT! Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!

[She opens her mouth and slides it in ...]

Thunderkiss: NO!

...

..

.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Light.

A big ball of light is now all he sees. Faint voices surround him, each sounding more panicked than the next.

Doctor: Give him 2 CC’s of trynizinam! DAMMIT, HURRY!

Moments later, tranquilness returns to his being.

The Light fades.

He dreams once again.

[FADE]

[BK London]

Segment: I Told You So (Credit: Senatorial Stable)

As the show returns, "Hail to the Chief" plays, as the Senatorial Stable, Hunter, Steve Phillips, Jonny Omega, Ricky Falcon, and the Capitalists all stride down to the ring. Hunter and Phillips are both sporting their championship belts, while the rest of the Stable look quite pleased with themselves. Phillips takes the microphone, and addresses the crowd.

The Senator: Well, well, well...not a bad night to be in the Senatorial Stable, if I do say so myself! Over the last few months, I have heard that the Stable no longer matters, that we are past our prime, that Group A and Group B are the wave of the future, that we just do not have "it" anymore...pure balderdash!

Fitsharris: Yeah, balderdash!

Senator: Yes, the Senatorial Stable proved at Samhain that excellence still matters! Dan White could not handle Johnny Hughes. Hunter brought the ACW Title back home where it belongs, and I managed to retain my International Title. But yes, as pleased as I am, seeing the Stable on top of the world again...I am still less than content with that match against Adrian Flamingo. Mr. Flamingo, do you not have a competitive bone in your body? Are you here to wrestle, or to play games? I must say, that if you want to play games, I will not hesitate to play rough, and you better believe that you do not want that. This International Title used to be the most contested title in ACW. I will not be mocked, and I will not allow this belt to be mocked by your utter disregard for such a tradition! Flamingo, if you want to really take a shot at this title, be my guest! Hmph, in any case, I will not allow this night to be ruined by the dark lining on our silver cloud...Kalb, Fitsharris, congratulations, by the way, on your advancing in the PEWA tag tournament, here is hoping that you can eventually make your way back to an in-ring role here in ACW.

Kalb: You better believe it, I didn't really want in the tournament, but Fitsy pushed me, and really, I think we can win this thing. So then, don't Hughes and Falcon have things to say, too?

Hughes: Speaking of victory, I'm getting pretty tired of drawing with Dan White. You see, Dan White knows he can't get the job done against me so he finds ways to not lose to me. But I have a solution to it all, a solution that will be revealed in due course. I hope you're watching this broadcast Dan, because what I have to say is very important.

Falcon: Hmm...nah, I can't think of anything.

As Falcon stretches out the microphone to Hunter, Hunter looks at it with a raised eyebrow. He takes it and looks it over as if he has seen a microphone for the first time.

Hunter: I...have little to say. I was out here already, friends, and I don't think I can go into any sort of rant about how I'm better than you and everyone else backstage. Why? Because I know I am, and I needn't prove it to you. But if you REALLY want some proof, well...lookie here.

He points to his shoulder, where the ACW World Championship is comfortably resting. He then tosses the microphone over to the Senator, who catches it with a smile.

Senator: Well, then...even if you people are at a loss for words, we certainly make up for it with our heroic deeds in this ring, and that, my friends, constituents, opponents, and associates, is nothing...but the truth.

Fade Out

[BK London]

Match 2: Jon Taylor vs Josh The Jersey Boy (Credit: Thunderkiss)

..::ACW::.. JOSH THE JERSEY BOY VS. JON TAYLOR ..::MELTDOWN::..

-* Tale of the Tape, brought to you by BK FUNYONS! Tired of stale old potato chips? Try some BK FUNYONS today! – Why break your leg when you can break your teeth on some delicious goodness instead? *-

Josh the Jersey Boy
Age: 26
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 230 lbs.
Hometown: Jersey City, New Jersey

Jon Taylor
Age: 30
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 238 lbs.
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky

The opening of “Clint Eastwood” by Phu Life Cypher begins, as the fans wait for JJB. The spotlight on the tope begins to search for JJB, but JJB is nowhere to be found. When the song begins to pick up, JJB is seen in the crowd and depending on the reaction he gets he either sings the song with them or he steals a beer and spits on the audience. When JJB leaves the barriers, he heads into the ring and begins to smoke a cigarette. Depending on the crowd's reaction JJB either puts out his cigarette before his opponent ocmes to the ring or JJB throws his lit cigarette at a fan. JJB then waits for his opponent!

“Numb” by Linkin Park hits the sound system and out comes Jon Taylor. With each passing week his wins continue to mount up, including one over the man standing in the ring right now - JJB. Wishing to remain undefeated against the Jersey boy, Taylor focuses in on his game plan as he walks to the ring. His eyes remained focused on JJB as soon as he positions himself just outside the apron to ensure he doesn’t get sneak attacked again. JJB gets frustrated over Taylor’s stalling and begins to verbally berate the newcomer, leading to a full confrontation between the two men in the middle of the ring! Desiring a clean start, the ref separates them both and quickly signals over to the time keepers table!

~!~DING,DING,DING~!~

MATCH START: JJB and Mr. Wrestling lock up in the middle of the ring and Taylor easily out grapples the brawler. He swings behind him and locks in a nice bear hug that is soon transforms itself into a GERMAN SUPLEX! JJB hits hard to the mat and Taylor swings around and puts a chinlock on him! JJB fights and claws his way back up to his feet and quickly reaches up and behind him where he hooks the head and Taylor. Keeping this position, he drops his weight down to the canvas and counters the chinlock with a big time jawbreaker! Taylor falls back covering his mouth in pain and JJB smells the blood. He leaps on top Mr. Wrestling and begins to pound down upon him with vicious rights and lefts! Pushed back by the ref, JJB grabs the official by the shirt but thinks better of it before actually landing a blow. Going back to work, he drives a stiff series of stomps into Taylor’s prone body before finally lifting him up and tossing him outside the ring.

MATCH MIDPOINT: At the match midpoint, we have a big back and forth battle between two men who have growing animosity towards each other. Reaching out with a wild punch, JJB grabs Taylor’s arm and quickly slaps on a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Cranking it down , he drives Taylor into the mat and almost snaps his arm right out of its socket. Rising to his feet, Taylor gets blasted by a big boot from JJB and finds himself back down on the mat. JJB has taken control of the match and decides to take the action out of the ring! He rolls Taylor under the ropes and down the floor where he quickly joins him. JJB lifts Taylor up and tries to implant him into the steel guardrail, but Taylor puts on the breaks and sends JJB’s head into the steal instead! Dazed, JJB falls back towards the ring and Taylor drops his shoulder straight into him. Josh’s spine gets crushed right up against the rings apron and he falls to his knees. This opens him up for a big time knee lift to his jaw and Taylor catches off of it!

MATCH ENDING: During the final stage of this match JJB tries to end it all by going to the top, but is quickly caught off guard. Taylor counters with a big time superplex off the top and the crashing thud both men make as they hit the canvas echos throughout the arena. Taylor rises and then tries to slap on a TRIANGLE OF PERFECTION, but JJB manages to slip out of it before its fully locked in. JJB lunges towards the ropes to get distance between himself and Taylor, but back fires as JJB bounces off the ropes back into Taylor who lifts him straight up into the air for a TAYLOR DRIVER! JJB gets blasted into the mat and Taylor sweeps around and hooks his leg!

ONE!

TWO!!

THREE!!!

METLDOWN WINNER: JON TAYLOR!

[BK London]

OTA Segment: “TK: The Real World. Part 1" Credit: T-Kiss

-THE REAL WORLD-

[4 P.M. That magic time of day that tells Ken he is no longer a “slave to the grind.” It’s time to hit the interstate and push the peddle to the floor all so he can get home and hook his veins directly into the interweb, his self admitted addiction. If the rest of the world understood his peril then perhaps the cars in front of him would kindly get out of his way.]

*HONK, HONK*

Ken: Dammit, MOVE!

[Barely escaping 3 traffic accidents, he finally pulls into his garage, leaps out of his car and rushes through his door. Throwing all his possessions onto his couch, he flips on the stereo to some GnR before lunging himself into his computer chair.]

Ken *singing*: Shananannananana, eeeee! Eeeee! Mwah! I’m going to watch you BLEED!

[His hands works the keyboard in the same manner that a Jedi master works a lightsaber. Before you know it, The Alpha Championship Wrestling posting boards reside on his monitor as well as its’ chatroom. Entering in his screen name, he cannot help but announce to the zero others around him - ]

Ken: LOOK OUT, HERE COMES THUNDERKISS!

[Entering in his screen name, Ken waits for the page to load. The tapping sound his impatient fingers make is the only sound that echoes throughout the room, that is until - ]

~!~CRACK~!~



Ken: They didn’t say anything about rain today?

-THE ACW WORLD-

[At that very moment in another reality far from our own, the heart of the Thunderkiss stirs in anticipation. Tonight is another match, another moment to shine. Since the arrival of the Worldbreaker, heads have certainly been turning, but more important, they have also been rolling. Tying the final lace on his boot, he can only exclaim his contentment for his existence.]

Thunderkiss: Ahhh, now this is the life!

[One of TK’s seldom known prematch rituals is get as much fresh air as possible before he must confine himself in between the stuffy arena walls. Exiting out of the Entourage’s locker room, he travels down two corridors that he likes to call his own personal “escape route” until he reaches the back bay doors. Stepping outside he tilts his head back and upward, taking a deep breath in the process. As he pulls air into his nostrals, he suddenly realizes his face is getting wet; it is raining. Disappointed, he lowers his head and surveys the turbulent sky.]

Thunderkiss: They didn’t say anything about rain today?

-THE REAL WORLD-

[Concern over power surges flash through Ken’s mind as he watches the rain now pour from the sky. The storm intensifies with each passing moment causing him to quickly retreat back to his computer so that he may back up his files.]

Ken: I swear, if I loose power over this.

~!~CRACK~!~

[Another jolt of lighting hits the ground, this time landing even closer. Startled, he reaches for a can of Budweiser placed near him so that it may sooth his nerves.]

Ken: G’Dammit!

-THE ACW WORLD-

[Not wanting to get soaked before heading into a big match, Thunderkiss reverses his direction and so that he may take cover inside the arena. He puts his hand on the door handle and pulls - it does not open. He tries again, this time applying more force. The same result. Not wanting to take “no” as an answer from the locked door, TK grips the handle as tight as he can and uses his maximum power to pull it open.]

~!~SNAP~!~

[In his hand now resides a broken handle and it appears he’ll have to find another way back inside.]

Thunderkiss: G’Dammit!

-THE REAL WORLD-

[The storm is now raging out of control. It has been years since Ken has seen a storm of this magnitude, if not ever. Knowing he is on the clock, he begins to shut his computer off but mother nature waits for no one. Her aim has been off the last two times and the third time is indeed a charm.]

~!~CRACK~!~

-THE ACW WORLD-

[Now completely drenched, TK has gone from being grateful about his existence to cursing it. Running around the building, he cannot believe his luck tonight. If he only knew the irony. They say you have a 1/700,000 chance of getting struck by lighting. Congratulations TK, tonight you hit the lottery.]

~!~CRACK~!~

-THE REAL WORLD-

Ken: What the HELL?

[... and comes face to face with something he is very familiar with.]

Ken: Oh ... my ... God.

Thunderkiss: Whuh? Wh- WHERE AM I?!

THUNDERWORLD Productions Proudly Presents:

THUNDERKISS: THE REAL WORLD

[BK London]

Match 3: Echo vs Rena – Entertainment Championship (Credit: Jonny Hughes)


New match writing style here, a bit similar to TK’s I’ll admit but I’m trying it out. Feedback is appreciated.

Setting the Scene
So here it is. A match between two of ACW’s top female workers, a title match nonetheless. This match will mark Echo’s second defence as Champion. What will happen in this match? Will Echo smash Rena’s face beyond recognition? Or will Rena shock Echo and start her first reign as Entertainment Champion? Well, let’s find out shall we?

Entrances

‘Moi dix Mois by Perish’ hits over the Alpha Tron to rapturous applause from the crowd. Echo makes her way out and heads straight down the ramp, taking her time. After reaching the ring, she languidly climbs up to the apron, turns with her back to the ropes, and leans back, looking up at the ceiling. The moment of reflection passes quickly and she slides through the ropes, heading to a corner and removing her niqab.

‘Lighters Up’ plays out of the Alpha Tron sound system to a mixed reception, some sections of the crowd are booing Rena whilst others cheer loudly for her. Rena makes her way to the ring, high fiving fans as she passes them by. She gets into the ring and poses for the fans.

The Match

The match opens with the reigning champion taking control of the match after The International. Echo presses her advantage by dragging Rena to her feet with a fist full of hair, Echo then drives her palm into the face of Rena a few times before dropping her with a Snapmare, she measures for a roundhouse kick to the face but Rena is prepared and falls to her back and rolls out of the way as Echo’s boot comes flying for her face. Rena quickly gets to her feet and delivers a vicious slap to the face of Echo, sending the champion into a rage that culminates in Echo smashing Rena in the solar plexus before hitting a holding knee strike combo where each strike draws a yelp of pain from the recipient.

Echo retains control of the match with some solid mat work until Rena picks her spot and pokes the eye of Echo, forcing the latter to relinquish her hold for long enough to allow Rena to escape it. Rena waits for Echo to get to her feet before delivering a spinning side kick to the midsection which she follows up with a Lightning Inside Cradle for a quick two count. Rena presses her advantage with a armdrag that she swiftly transitions into a wristlock, she keeps hold of the wrist lock for a few moments before applying a hammerlock and swiftly moving to a headlock and then again into a bulldog. Rena covers once more for another two count.

Rena tries to pick up the win with the Crossleg Michinoku Driver II but Echo counters the hold by smashing her in the face with some elbow strikes. Rena stumbles backwards a few steps, allowing Echo to hop onto Rena’s shoulders, she drives each of her elbows into the crown of Rena’s head before flawlessly performing Lacrimosa which she rolls through into a seated pin to pick up the three count.

Philip: Here is your winner and still Entertainment Champion Echo!!

Echo gets to her feet and lets the referee raise her hand before being handed her title, she poses with the title for the fans before the scene fades to black.

Fade

[BK London]

Segment: the unknown one strikes again! credit-the unknown one

The fans are all waiting for the show to continue, but it does not continue as planned. Instead the giant screen goes black, and the ring almost blows up with pyro that shoots from all the corners.

When the people look at the screen again, they see fear. The hooded figure, the unknown one appears, in black and white.

Maxwell McNally: Not this again!

Eddie Edison: Go away, you evil creature!

the unknown one: halloween was here and gone, were you afraid, acw?

Eddie Edison: you filthy fiend, stop breaking into our show!

unknown one: you were not afraid then, but you will be. you will know fear, and fear will be your emotions. if you thought my explosives were nice, just cover your ears.

MaxwellMcNally: Why should we do that?

[glow=red,3,300]BOOOOOM!!!!! [/glow]

THE ANNOUNCE TABLE HAS EXPLODED!

unknown one: that was your weekly fear lesson. don't make me teach you again.

The screen goes blank, and the announcers pick themselves up, while ACW brings out a new table for them.

End

[BK London]

Segment: “Do Not Disturb”
(Credit: TK, Senator)

[Alone he lays in his bed succumbing to the drugs that infiltrate his veins. Under their power, his body rests and recuperates from the horrors that have been done to it. His life has not seen as much turmoil as it has over the past few hours yet at first, he didn’t even realize it. When he finally awoke, he was barely able to remember much of anything yet alone what actually happened to him.. As far as his memory is concerned, one moment he just defeated Alicia at Samhain and the next he woke up here in the hospital. Without a doubt, it was a very intense moment when he realized what exactly had been done to him and may heaven continue to help the poor doctor that had to break the news. Still irate, at this moment all he wants is to be left alone. Unfortunately for the next person who walks through his door, they will learn this the hard way.]

Nurse: You may go in now Mr. Phillips, but do please keep it brief.

[From the doorway the preceding words have been spoken. A shadow casts itself into the room from the hallway, one belonging to one of TK’s greatest foes of all time - SENATOR STEVE PHILLIPS. It was just over a month ago that this very situation was reversed and saw Phillips as patient and TK as the not so friendly guest. Obviously one not to forget, this memory is fresh on Phillip’s mind as his feet now take him past the threshold and into the room.]

Thunderkiss: Zero... is that you?

[...are the first words that his has spoken since his confrontation with the hospital staff. Confused and unaware of who is there, the drugs that still lace his system impair his judgment as they keep him groggy and absent minded. They also prevent him from opening his good eye thus taking away his sight completely. The Senator now has free reign over his arch nemesis as he is rendered completely defenseless.]

The Senator: Not exactly.

[He knows the voice. Instantly his blood begins to boil and his heart monitor begins to beep faster with each passing breath.]

Thunderkiss: You son of a bitch. GET OUT OF HERE!

The Senator: Deja Vu... Would not you agree?

Thunderkiss *shouting*: I SAID GET OUT!

[Phillips can’t help to let out a gleeful chuckle as he completely ignores TK’s wishes and pulls up a chair next to the bed.]

The Senator: Now, now, Thunderkiss. What kind of a colleague would I be if I did not come to the aid of one of my own? We really are a band of brothers in ACW, are we not? In any case, I thought that it would be the proper thing to do, and visit you here. Did you not do the same for me?

Thunderkiss *shouting*: NURSE! NURSE!

The Senator: Hush! In any case, I figured it would be a much more pleasant way to spend my time tonight, rather than to check my finances yet again, to see if Rena found a loophole around my block on the campaign treasury. You do like to listen to political matters, do you not? Perhaps I might even be able to enthrall you with a little speech that I prepared the other day!

Thunderkiss: Oh.... God... NO!

The Senator: Now, now, just sit back, ease those sterioid infused muscles, and relax...not that you need much of my help or pleading to do that. So then, I think that this particular statement might be of particular interest for you! It concerns the current state of the health care industry, what it does right, where it falls short, and what we as concerned citizens of the United States can do to solve the problems! Tremendous stuff here, if I do say so myself.

Thunderkiss: Let...me...out of here...

The Senator: In fact, one of the more facinating passages concerns the real danger of post-op infections! But if I start from the beginning, and I do think I will, I only have some three hundred pages of information to give before we even get to the speech itself! And since I believe in the role of goverment keeping the public well informed, I will do just that! Do pay attention, I have heard that you are having physical difficulties with sleeping at the moment...so I do think you will be quite the receptive audience. And when we finish with this, I happen to have, on this nifty I-Phone, a good selection of podcasts...of Hillary Clinton speeches...

[Reaching into his jacket, Phillips pulls out a document that is busting apart at the seams. As he unfolds it, Thunderkiss begins to question what is worse: the pain and shock from losing the eye...or the other stuff.]

[FADE]

[BK London]

Segment: The Glory of a Thousand Suns (Credit: AK/Echo)

Wednesday, 31st October, 4.30pm

Twilight. Along with its estranged sibling daybreak, the time when are most likely to imagine that there is something beyond the monochrome of our safe, comfortable existence; the point where the edges fray.

For most people, this particular night is superficially significant in their musings upon the subject; far and wide, children of all ages are preparing to pay homage to that modern wizard and demi-devil, consumerism. Except, it appears, in the location where Alicia Laureano finds herself; the neighbourhood seems to be literally dead.

The sinking sun casts its watery rays on to the building in front of her; she doesn’t really recognise it, but it most certainly feels familiar, as indeed it should. This is the place where Echo was taken upon her abduction several weeks previously, and as Alicia regards the façade, the memories which have lingered just beyond her consciousness find their way back toward the surface…

The sound of a car door shutting abruptly brings her attention back to a geographical focus. Joachim walks toward the side door, the same one they entered through on their previous visit; he paces casually, almost slinking. It’s strikingly different from the way he moved last time… that was nothing short of a hunting, stalking tread.

Despite his apparent calm, Alicia remains cautious as she approaches the doorway.[/i]

Alicia: Are you sure it’s empty?

His pupils slide back toward her momentarily before returning to their original orientation, the only indication he gives of the irrelevance of the question.

Joachim: Yes.

He pushes the door open and steps through. Alicia falls in behind; taking a moment more to think, she realises that her companion would have prepared (i.e. armed) himself ahead of time if he was expecting to be challenged. She’s relieved in more ways than one; Joachim’s distinctive blade makes her feel a chill in the back of her neck, though she can’t for the life of her figure out why.

Once they are in the hallway, the scars of their last visit are glaringly evident. There are areas of broken plaster on the walls, a cracked stair bar or two, and some ominous marks on both the walls and floors…

Alicia almost physically feels an echo of those intense, chaotic moments. There were two young men in the hall when they slipped in – probably guards who didn’t expect to have to actually do anything to live up to that name. The first never saw his attacker; she remembers Joachim passing silently, like an oily shadow, across behind him… the stifled gurgle when he was pierced almost made her bolt there and then. But somehow, there wasn’t time; the second man turned, straight into something out of his nightmares, and then there was the third, emerging from a small ante-room to the right… She thinks she went in with a kick to the gut and then took him directly into the opposite wall. With hindsight, she realises that she was both electrified by the enormous adrenaline rush, and keen to immobilise her foes to perhaps render her accomplice’s more final solutions less necessary…

Joachim: My. Not the most salubrious of surroundings, hmm? We should move on.

He is already advancing up the corridor, and Alicia moves quickly to keep up; this soujourn is evidently going to be conducted at her companion’s pace. Joachim glances to his left and right in turn, seemingly able to discern if a room contains anything of interest within a second or two. Only when they get to the far end of the corridor and turn to their left does he pause and allow a faint flicker of intrigue to pass across his features.

The door creaks as they pass through; Alicia looks around, the light is now becoming fainter and details are harder to make out. She blinks rapidly as illumination is suddenly provided; Joachim sweeps his flashlight across the room, and then hands her a more compact version. The beams reveal that the room does not show any signs of being disturbed, and Alicia does not remember entering it; they must have passed by without paying it any attention in the headlong rush of that first night.

The furniture in the room is simple and unadorned – an empty bookcase, a table with wooden seats. There are a few papers on the table and Alicia picks one up; the script is not familiar to her. Without turning around, she senses that Joachim has drifted behind her, and passes the paper back for him to assess. His eyes dance over its contents and halfway through his skimming, he replaces the page.

Joachim: Now, isn’t that fascinating.

Alicia furrows her brow.

Alicia: …I’m sure it is, but is it what we’re looking for?

Joachim: Not in the slightest.

He continues to scan the room, briefly digging through the files, but finds nothing else which piques his curiosity. Alicia scratches the back of her head; she feels rather like a spare part.

Alicia: You know, it would help if I knew a bit more about what we’re trying to discover here. I mean, I don’t even really understand what it is that you do.

The answer comes from within a pile of documents over which Joachim is bent, scanning each and discarding it in turn within seconds. He sounds only half-there, as if the question’s lured his train of thought off the tracks.

Joachim: It’s been dismissed as ‘esoteric’, a category with which I’m inclined to agree. You’d likely find the complexities I deal with to be dizzyingly untenable at best, and insulting to your sense of reason at worst.

Alicia folds her arms with a half-smile.

Alicia: I’m not contesting your expert status, love, but you were the one who invited me along, so if you would deign to try and descend to the level of us mere mortals, that’d be good.

A pause, and Joachim chuckles in that curious manner of his. He straightens, turning with a bit of a flourish, and sets his bemused eyes on Alicia.

Joachim: …Mortals, how appropriate. As irony may have it, I happen to be a researcher in the polar opposite. A connoisseur, if you will, of entities from beyond the planar reaches, nightmares lurking between the dimensional fabrics to whom the existence of mankind is merely an unfortunate diversion. Beings that, although they have not ‘always been here’ as they claim and will likely die out someday to their fellows, are nonetheless venerated as eternal and omnipotent by those unfortunate few humans who happen to stumble across them.

Another pause, this one significantly longer and more awkward. Alicia blinks once, twice, then responds at his back; he’s already turned away and is hanging up his long, ornate overcoat on the bookshelf.

Alicia: With no disrespect intended, you sound like you seriously believe this; in normal society that’d be considered a bit…deluded.

He shrugs, playing havoc with the ruffles on the sleeves and neckline of his stark-white shirt.

Joachim: I told you that you’d find it bizarre beyond comprehension, and you asked anyway. Perhaps you’re as deluded as I am, then? I’m not one of the goetics claiming all these stimuli come from the subconscious, like several of my colleagues, but I’ve found there’s certainly an element of human participation to these phenomena, which you might find a bit more…plausible. However, once in a while there come those incidents in which humanity is caught up involuntarily, and that, I believe, is the kind we deal with here. Precisely the kind I wish to prevent.

A beat passes, and Joachim turns to the door.

Joachim: Well. Let’s move on.

Still a bit overwhelmed by the flood of cryptic information, Alicia follows him once again. They continue to the far end of the corridor and open a door at the end to find a staircase heading down. Alicia gets another chill up her spine; she definitely recognises this.

They almost got trapped on the stairwell; she’d somehow managed to get in front of the elegant exterminating force accompanying her, and this had left her with the challenge of having to force her way downward. The crashing waves of sound from behind her were accompanied by an occasional cry as some unfortunate was cast out over the handrail, a tactic which she found came unnervingly easily to her too. She recalls little of the detail; it’s the motion, the energy… the purity of the moment, with just one goal, and no restraints, no ifs or buts, and no regrets whatsoever…

At the bottom, Joachim goes straight for a room on the right. Alicia nips in behind him, and is quickly brought to a halt by what she sees.

The room is tiny, barely the size of a large walk-in closet, with a ceiling so low as to induce claustrophobia in those so prone. Every square centimeter of its surface, wall to wall and floor to ceiling, is covered with intricately-painted symbols, in a soft blue that comes as a distinct contrast to the black surface of the walls. They shimmer unnaturally as the flashlight beams play off their surface, giving the whole thing a vaguely celestial feel. Each letter has the appearance of having been painstakingly hand-painted on, but a closer examination reveals that there is, in fact, no deviation in the way each has been drawn, as if they were copied mechanically.

The symbols are vaguely Semitic in appearance, bringing to mind either Hebrew or Arabic at first glance, with wide, sweeping curves and a series of underscored vowel markers adorning each word. One phrase in particular, throned atop the insignia of a sword surmounted by seven four-pointed stars, adorns an entire space of one square meter on the wall opposite Alicia and Joachim. The latter crouches to examine it, shining his light one by one over the words.

Joachim: “Vengeance for the Mikladim.” I might’ve known.

Alicia: What’s this say?

She motions to a row of words, illuminating them with a wave of the hand. Joachim stands and peers at them, translating out loud.

Joachim: “The gateway to the Empyreum is the embarkment upon the glorious ascension, the sublimity of obedience to the One True Almighty God, by whose name we beseech, Tetragrammaton, Anaphaxeton, Primeumaton, who was, and is, and shall be, to not suffer the heretic and the insurrectionist to press us sorely, but strike them down where they stand and plunge them into the darkest abyss of Gehennas.”

Alicia: That sounds vaguely kabbalah-ish.

He simply smirks, knowingly, and continues reading.

Joachim: “For were a thousand suns to explode at once in the eastern skies, such would not begin to mirror the glory of the Tetragrammaton. It is Death, shatterer of worlds, and it is Life, who infuses with breath the creatures below us.”

Alicia: Wait.

Joachim: Hmm?

Alicia: That sounds vaguely familiar. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but…

She frowns, trying to force her mind to track down that maddeningly elusive bit of knowledge, but it’s for naught; Joachim solves the problem with a knowing smile.

Joachim: No need to strain yourself. It’s a slightly more elaborate paraphrase from the Bhagavad-Gita.

It’s slightly bewildering to hear that. Alicia blinks, asking the obvious question.

Alicia: Isn’t that a Hindu text?

Joachim: Mmhmm.

Alicia: Then why is it up there with the rest of them?

Joachim: Do you find that distinction important?

The question is deeper than it would seem to be on first glance, and it takes her a moment to consider, after which she carefully chooses her words so as not to generalize or assume.

Alicia: From what I was taught way back when, those are incompatible, yes. Are you suggesting otherwise?

Joachim: I’m suggesting that, as I said earlier, incompatibility is an entirely human invention when it comes to most of these systems. There are certainly those that do not adhere, but most have died out and the rest pale in comparison. The god of east and west, m’dear, is a leech, a bloated, complacent leech that is more than content to languish in the Empyreum and grow ever fatter off the prostrations of the masses…regardless of what name they may be under.

Alicia continues to stare at the symbols. As she looks at them, it is as if there is something about them which draws… amusement? No. Contempt? Not that either, but it’s not wholly divorced from it. She does not notice that Joachim is looking directly at her, and with an expression of his own which is certainly novel. He seems to be verging on curiosity, so much so that it is Alicia who moves first, and the “expert” who follows behind.

Alicia: I think we should look at the room where we found Echo. I’m sure that’s at the heart of this…

She moves back out into the corridor and along it; the memories are now almost visceral, to the point where her hands unconsciously mimic some of the strikes she executed the last time she advanced toward the door at the end. It’s surprisingly stiff when they reach it, to the point where they both have to push to get it open; brushing up against Joachim’s shoulder, Alicia notices something she did not in the heat of battle. He doesn’t seem to give off any kind of warmth, even through a relatively thin shirt; his flesh under it is likely ice-cold. It’s disconcerting.

They make it into the chamber, and everything is as they left it when they brought Echo out; the broken bonds still lie on and around the bench where Echo was lying. Panning around the room with their flashlights, they examine the walls and ceiling, but there are only a few simple markings, certainly no grand design. A lectern stands at one end of the room, plainly unadorned and looking miserably lonesome.

Pausing in her rotation, Alicia waits for Joachim to turn to face her.

Alicia: Joachim… I need to ask you a question. Something personal.

Joachim: You can certainly ask.

Alicia: Your relationship with Echo…

His expression doesn’t alter.

Alicia: …Your professional interest has a lot to do with it, am I right? What I mean to say is… what is it about her that’s so important? What’s going on?

Joachim: I suppose this is a fair enough question. If you’ll take a minute to indulge my deluded self…

With a sigh, she waves him on, triggering an overly courteous half-bow (if that were possible).

Joachim: Extraplanar superior entities residing on other dimensional planes of existence does not necessarily entail that they have to stay there. Do you follow me?

Alicia: I do.

Joachim: Good. Now, by and large there are rules governing this kind of activity. Nothing they can change; it’s just always been that way. Remember, regardless of what people will claim to you, no one was ‘here first’. There is no precedence, only prevalence over the competition. So with the notable exception of whoever’s holding enough of the resources to do so, these rules are not circumventable. Generally, as a rule of thumb you might use, these entities cannot come unless they are called, and calling takes some very specific, ritualistic practices. Still with me?

Alicia: …Yes.

Joachim: Every once in a while, depending on the entity and the purpose of the operation, it is possible to make someone a ‘host’, you might say, for such a being. They would be, for all means and purposes, a normal human, but with something lying dormant beneath the surface, something…entirely inhuman, waiting for the right time to surface. The host is, of course, drastically affected by this, as are their surroundings and all in contact with them. It’s as if something is, say, tainting their presence.

Alicia: You’re saying you think Echo might be a ‘host’ for something…paranormal, then.

Joachim crosses the room, heels rapping cadence on the floor as he passes behind her, and leans against the table in turn.

Joachim: You’ve seen her; hells, you’ve fought with her. She’s clearly human, yes, and she’s not exactly a petite little china doll, but you’ve seen firsthand the kind of strength she commands. It’s not natural.

Alicia: I don’t know. It’s possible, but she might—

Joachim: And have you seen her when she’s angry? Really, truly angry, not just in some petulant little fit like she has during her depressive mood swings?

She pauses, and thinks for a second. There’s been a moment or two when she’s seen hints and flickers, but…no. Never before has she seen Echo get legitimately worked up over something, it’s usually been drowned in a pool of melancholy.

Alicia: No…no, I don’t believe I have.

Joachim: Because she’s terrified of it. Terrified of what she’s capable of when truly infuriated, terrified of what she might end up doing to people if she lets herself be pushed that far. Allow me to relate to you an anecdote: on the morning of March 15th this year, the show Ayres was working on was visited by several representatives of the Yamaguchi-gumi demanding protection money from the entire talent roster. You’re aware of the grasp the yakuza have on the industry, yes?

Alicia: I’ve heard stories. Can’t say I’ve bothered finding out if they were true.

Joachim: Wise. But I digress; the, uh, the shateigashira, I believe it’s called, managed to anger Ayres to the point that, for once, she resorted to physical violence.

He pauses there, letting the tension hang over the room until Alicia inevitably prompts him.

Alicia: And?

Joachim: Likely in a coma to this day, unless they pulled the plug; no terrible loss, that. By the time security and I managed to get her off him, she’d neutralized both of his escorts, snapped most of his ribs, and managed to inflict a compound skull fracture, to the point that there were shards of bone lying on the floor in the aftermath. Shortly afterwards we sought new employment for her and moved here, for obvious reasons.

Looking back on several recent events of her own, Alicia finds this hits fairly close to home. She shivers slightly, despite the relatively normal temperature of the room.

Alicia: I take it you encourage this.

Joachim: Oh?

Alicia: You’re all about lack of restraint. Actually, I’m rather surprised you haven’t complimented me about Sunday yet.

He snorts, almost unseemingly.

Joachim: I’ll not be insulted so cavalierly, m’dear. Regarding your actions that day, I’ll suffice to say that had you done that at the beginning quite a few problems would’ve been alleviated, and then you would’ve received a compliment from me. But to answer the question, no, I advocate control and appropriate useage. The two of us simply differ on our definitions of “appropriate”.

Joachim pauses in mid-phrase and holds up a finger.

Joachim: To tie that in, let’s make that “the three of us”. You, me, and them.

Alicia: “Them” being whoever’s after Echo.

Joachim: Correct. I can assure you that, whatever their plans are for her once they get their hands on her, they do not fall within my criteria for her well-being or any of ours. A creature such as the one we’re likely dealing with is not something with which to trifle, and amateurs accidentally unleashing it…or worse, conspirators deliberately doing so…is, I think you’ll agree, contrary to the best interests of anyone involved.

Alicia takes a moment to consider all of this new information; it’s a lot to take in. She is suddenly struck with an uncanny sense of deja-vu.

Joachim: I would guess by your reaction that you are not entirely ignorant of the kind of phenomena I have described. Perhaps not “bleeding walls and exploding light bulbs” obvious, but something similar.

She nods; the memory comes back to her, a windswept rooftop and a life at stake… and a room not that dissimilar to this one, only recently concealed…

Alicia: I think I may very well have encountered ‘something similar’, yes.