Post by soulshadow on Jan 12, 2014 18:23:33 GMT -5
A Phoenix Rising production
{In the shadow of Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, a local gym opens extremely early even in the heart of winter, hoping to cater to the early risers looking to start off their day with an intense workout. In the moments before sunrise, the parking lot is empty. Just when the sun begins to break over the horizon, a lone blue Acura pulls into a spot near the entrance. As the engine is killed, the door opens, revealing the driver to be none other than one-half of the MPW World Tag Team Champions Soul Shadow. Dressed in a Patriots hoodie and matching sweatpants, he looks to be ready for a training session. Rather than immediately enter the building, he instead scans the desolate surroundings.}
Soul: I wonder if she has arrived.
{Shrugging, he reaches back into the car and removes a large duffel bag emblazoned with the MPW logo. The anti-theft device is engaged through his key fob as he walks towards the gym entrance. Pulling the door open, he takes one last searching glance around the parking lot before stepping inside.}
{After pausing for a few moments to allow his eyes to adjust to the lighting change, Soul scans the open area before him. A couple of rings are set up against the far wall with rolled mats lying between them. Close to him are several benches with a full set of weights behind them. Jump ropes, speed bags, even a stationary bike are located throughout the area, offering a variety of workout choices. Soul’s gaze moves over each one in turn as if appraising them and perhaps developing a plan of routine. However, his attention is soon captured by the steady rhythm of loud smacks coming from the opposite end of the room.}
Voice: Damn those bitches…
{Soul’s lips curve into a smile as he finally lays eyes on the true object of his search. Across the gym is his fellow champion Aeryn Ashfield, pounding her fists into a hefty punching bag. Though she strikes at measured pace, there is an underlying intensity flowing through her that rocks the leather with stunning force. Her gorgeous face, lately one of measured calm and control, is twisted in uncontrolled fury as she strikes.}
Aeryn: God damn bitches…
Soul: Aeryn.
{The bag bounces back as Aeryn picks up the pace and power. Sweat flies from her furrowed brow.}
Aeryn: Fucking bitches…
Soul: Aeryn!
{Soul, realizing his partner is not aware of him, walks across the room to try and get her attention. His attempt looks to be in vain as she is completely absorbed in her tasks, now just hammering the bag with reckless abandon. Small tears begin to form in the leather from the force of the assault.}
Aeryn: GOD…
{The steel chain connecting the bag to the ceiling clinks loudly as it strains to hold on after Aeryn’s blow.}
Aeryn: DAMN…
{A few stitches in the bag’s side suddenly pop upon the impact of the champion’s fist.}
Aeryn: FUCKING…
{The bag arcs crazily backwards.}
Aeryn: BITCHES!!!!!!
{Finally, the leather gives way, splitting from a powerful punch delivered by Aeryn. Sand spills onto the gym floor as the bag spins insanely on its chain, completely spent by the ruthless assault. Despite the damage, the champion shows no sign of willing to let up as she rears back for another strike.}
Soul: AERYN!!!!!
{Aeryn’s head snaps in Soul’s direction, drawn by the sound of his voice. Involuntarily, he takes a step back, a little intimidated by the boiling rage he sees in her eyes. Noticing her partner’s reaction, Aeryn’s expression slowly begins to change. Her face begins to soften, savage fury being gradually replaced by tender affection for the man who has come to mean so much to her in such a short amount of time.}
Aeryn: Oh, hi, Soul. I didn’t hear you arrive.
Soul: I’m not surprised. You were pounding so hard on that bag I bet they heard the smacks all the way into New York City.
{Aeryn smiles sheepishly, a little crimson creeping into her cheeks.}
Aeryn: Yeah, I guess had a lot of anger to work out…
Soul: No fooling. Would I be correct in assuming you were imagining Misses Tavares and Starr just now?
{The ugly disdain in Aeryn’s features gives Soul all the answer he needs. She gives the broken bag one final punch before walking past her partner to grab a nearby bottle of water.}
Aeryn: Can you believe those two fucking skanks? What the fuck is their problem? Is his ex-wife still pining over him and thought I might have been too close to him? Was Chrissy seriously threatened by my friendship with him? I could told both those damn bitches they had nothing to worry about. But instead, those two whores nearly killed me!
{Aeryn drains about half the water bottle in one long drink. However, instead of placing it back down, she spins and throws it against the wall, sending the liquid spraying everywhere.}
Aeryn: Fucking whores!!! I ain’t let this stand. Those two fuckers are going to get what is coming to them…
Soul: Yes, they will. But in time. Right now, they can’t be your focus.
Aeryn: Can’t be my focus?!?! Since Sunday, those two are all I can think about!
Soul: Which is one of their goals… to distract you from where your attention should be: defending the gold you already have and preparing yourself for the gold you are going to win in Toronto.
Aeryn: I know, I know. We have this title defense against Johnny and his mystery friend tomorrow. And I’m finally cashing in the briefcase on Roxi at Army of One.
Soul: That’s right, love. Both are difficult matches. Facing an unknown competitor is tricky enough as is without having someone of Johnny’s caliber in the mix. Roxi is shaping up to be one of the greatest World champions this sport has ever seen. If you are even the tiniest bit unfocused in either match, it’ll be a disaster.
{Aeryn sighs heavily.}
Aeryn: You’re right, Soul. I need to put all of my energy into those challenges. But… it goes against every fiber in my being to let them get away with it. I owe those two hos…
Soul: Oh, trust me, love. They are going to get what is coming to them. While you concentrate on getting prepared for Roxi in Toronto, I intend to give them my undivided attention.
Aeryn: Soul, I don’t want you fighting my battles for me…
Soul: Aeryn, you’re an important part of my life now. One I can’t imagine being without. So when they assaulted you, it was like they assaulted me. It’s why I went after Carter with such a vengeance when I thought he was the culprit. Now that I know who the true attackers are, I feel I owe them just as much you do.
{Soul walks over to Aeryn, placing his hands on her shoulders.}
Soul: This is OUR fight, Aeryn. One we do together. Just right now you have an incredible opportunity, one you can’t afford to miss. So I’m going to take the burden, so you can take full advantage and go after the World title with everything you got. Okay?
{Aeryn looks at him for a long moment, as if wanting to disagree but ultimately knowing it would be fruitless. Instead, she simply envelopes him a hug.}
Aeryn: Okay. I’m just not used to someone caring about me so much they are willing to join me in a battle and help me accomplish an individual goal. I have a hard time believe anyone would ever do that. But I am learning to accept it. And I thank you for it.
{Soul smiles and kisses his lover on her forehead whilst returning the embrace. He pats her on the back.}
Soul: Think nothing of it, love. Now, come on, we got some training to do.
Aeryn: Not just yet, Soul. Like you said, I need to clear my head of Chrissy and Laura. I’m gonna go for a jog to get some air. Once I get back, I’ll be ready to prepare for our defense tomorrow.
{Soul looks thoughtfully at his partner for a moment, then nods his head in understanding.}
Soul: Okay, love. Enjoy yourself. I’ll be warmed up when you get back.
{Both go to their respective bags for a moment. Soul strips off his sweatshirt, revealing the Arsenal t-shirt which highlights his built biceps. Aeryn, in contrast, pulls a Liverpool sweat jacket from hers, which she dons as well as a pair of earbuds from a MP3 player. Smiling back at her partner, she heads for the exit as he walks over to the weights. The scene fades as she opens the door…}
{The scene has switched to Aeryn running along a path in a beautiful park. She passes a few joggers on her way before turning onto a side path. Quickly getting out of view of the main trail, she slows her pace.}
Aeryn: Why do I do this? Why do I put myself through this, weekly?
{She stands with her hands on her hips, small puffs of breath meeting the cold morning air. Looking back in the direction she has just run, she is at least six miles from Soul and the gym by now and has stopped to catch a break.}
Aeryn: What's to stop me from just keeping going, keeping running down this road and never turning back? I should just say forget it and walk away right now. That would be the sensible thing to do.
{Aeryn lets out a little sigh.}
Aeryn: I didn't have a bad life before I came to the MPW. I made my money in wrestling, ten years’ worth of money throughout many different federations. I had made my name, left my legacy, and I had retired. I should have stayed retired. Why didn't I stay retired? ...
{Aeryn looks to the sky, as if expecting the answer to drop from there.}
Aeryn: Johnny Clash ... the reason I didn't stay retired is Johnny Clash calling me, enticing me back to the ring. My friend ... Johnny Clash ... my friend Johnny Clash whose girlfriend and ex-wife tried to have me KILLED! ...
{She lets out a growl followed by loud roar as she lashes out at a trash can on the edge of the pavement, leaving a visible dent in the side of it as it spills over into the path. She turns away from it and runs her fingers back through her hair as she composes herself with a few deep breaths.}
Aeryn: I came to the MPW as a singles competitor because of you Johnny. You wanted me to come here and prove .. to myself mostly that I still had what it took to make it. And boy, did I still have it! More than I knew. In five short months I've main evented more than I have in my entire career, battled with and against champions, become part of the best tag team I have ever been a part of ... unintentional though it may have been… overcome frightening odds to earn a shot at the World title, and become one half of the tag team champions. ... Wow! Though short, my time in the MPW has been a veritable whirlwind!
{She shakes her head in amazed disbelief.}
Aeryn: And why I could never become a part of the Resistance. Though your offer was appreciated Johhny and was something to consider. When I look back at what I have achieved, I realise that I don't need the Resistance half as much as it needs me… me and Soul Shadow. Why would you need us? Well that's the same reason that we're having this match at Reloaded, isn't it?
{Aeryn smiles wide.}
Aeryn: The tag straps. Having the Tag Team champions as part of the Resistance would make your faction have control of all the titles in the MPW. And by us not joining, well, I guess it forces you to come out and get them for yourselves. It's funny by ridding yourself of Iconic Aggression, you have managed to become them. And after fighting so hard against them, that's not something that myself and Soul can be a part of.
{Aeryn starts walking forward slowly, hands still in the same position.}
Aeryn: So at Reloaded you and your mystery partner have the chance at our gold, the chance to bring it into the Resistance fold making yourself a double champion in the process. Not that I don't relish the opportunity of finally facing you in the ring after so many years of being on the same side, but I can tell you now we will not be letting these titles go easily. I will not let these title go easily. Those belts are the symbol of everything that myself and Soul have worked so hard to achieve. So you bring your special partner, anyone you like. We welcome all challengers to our titles. And challengers is how they will leave because we will meet you and we will beat you! ... You saw how far we took the fight to win these titles. We will fight even harder to keep them. You have been warned.
{Aeryn stops once more, smiling dangerously at the camera.}
Aeryn: Hum...i guess I just answered my own question. Why didn't I stay retired? Because I’m not that sensible. In fact I’m not sensible at all. After we’re done with Johnny and his special friend, Chrissy and Laura, you girls had better keep looking over your shoulders. You had your chance to kill me, but you made one mistake...you didn't finish the job. Now it's my turn to play!
{The scene fades out as Aeryn turns back towards the direction of the gym and begins to run.}
{Back at the gymnasium, Soul Shadow is working on his curls. His left arm rises and falls at a steady tempo, lifting the weight with minimum effort. A slight sweat forms on his brow from the workout as he prepares to speak.}
Soul: It’s all about trust.
{Soul continues to work the weight, never losing his rhythm.}
Soul: Trust in those you call family. Trust in those you call friends. Trust in your co-workers. Trust in those you love and care about.
{The movement is almost hypnotic to the viewer.}
Soul: Prove yourself worthy of this trust, you will forge a bond which will last an entire lifetime. One that might even be stronger than death itself. However, if you chose to break it…
{Without warning, Soul releases the weight during his downswing. If flies out of the hand to the ground, hitting with impact hard enough to break a chip into the concrete floor.}
Soul: …the consequences just might be disastrous.
{The tag champion reaches over to a nearby rack, snatching a white towel.}
Soul: When I told you Phoenix Rising was passing on the chance to join the Resistance, Johnny, I explained one of the reasons was I felt I couldn’t trust you. Your checkered past, especially when it came to your romantic life, didn’t exactly inspire people to put their faith in you. In your wake you left a trail of broken promises, shattered dreams, and shredded hopes. Looking at the record, neither Aeryn nor I felt we could fully commit ourselves to stand by your side as we felt it was almost guaranteed to blow up into our faces.
{Soul wipes the sweat from his face, temporarily obscuring it from the cameras. When he lowers the towel, his features have donned a mask of anger.}
Soul: Little did we fucking know it already had.
{The champion tosses the towel to one side while leaning forward, placing his elbows on his knees.}
Soul: Let me make something extremely clear, Johnny. I hold YOU just as accountable as your ex-whores Chrissy and Laura for what happened in Columbus. You weren’t the one who came up with the plan to assault my partner and Miss Madison. You weren’t driving the car which nearly ended their lives. However, it was your actions… YOURS… which drove those bitches to do it. Chrissy, your latest skank of the week, loved you with all her heart yet could never get the green-eyed monster off her shoulder. Laura, just one of your ex-wives, still harbored resentment for the way you humiliated her in public with the details of your messy divorce. No wonder their minds snapped. Unfortunately, Valentina and Aeryn were the ones almost killed while all you got was a foot to your tiny little grapes.
{He sits back, placing his hands on his knees. He looks rather intimidating, even in his seated stance.}
Soul: Don’t doubt for one minute Misses Starr and Tavares won’t get exactly what they deserve… with interest… on what I owe them for their assault on my love. But first Johnny, Aeryn and I get to deal with you. When we accepted your challenge, we both figured it would be nothing more than just a friendly contest. To Aeryn, it probably still is. But to me…
{Soul’s fingers on his right hand curl into a fist. He looks down at it while continuing.}
Soul: To me, Johnny, it is time to teach you a lesson I think you failed to learn long ago. Every single one of your actions has consequences, Clash. You may not realize it at first. Hell, you might not even have to deal with them for a long time. But eventually they come due, Johnny. Tomorrow night, the hurt you have caused Laura and Chrissy… the pain you indirectly gave Valentina and Aeryn… it’s coming for you from these very hands.
{Soul’s eyes flick towards the camera.}
Soul: And lest you think I forgot about you, Johnny’s mystery partner, let me just say… I’m sorry. Sorry for the pain you are going to receive for simply agreeing to this match. Sorry my anger to Johnny is going to be visited upon you as well. Sorry you are about to pay because you have yet to learn the lesson so many others before you have to their extreme misfortune…
{Soul stands as in the background one can hear the sound of the door opening.}
Soul: Trusting in Johnny Clash always gets one hurt.
{He turns around just as Aeryn walks up to him.}
Aeryn: Hey hun.
{She reaches up and pulls him into a sweet kiss.}
Soul: Hey yourself. Did the run help you clear your head?
Aeryn: Yes, it certainly did, luv. My focus is squarely where it needs to be.
Soul: Glad to hear it. Now let’s get ourselves ready for our title defense…
{Soul places his arm around his lover as the two head towards one of the workout rings. The camera watches them for a few moments, then slowly fades to black…}
{In the shadow of Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, a local gym opens extremely early even in the heart of winter, hoping to cater to the early risers looking to start off their day with an intense workout. In the moments before sunrise, the parking lot is empty. Just when the sun begins to break over the horizon, a lone blue Acura pulls into a spot near the entrance. As the engine is killed, the door opens, revealing the driver to be none other than one-half of the MPW World Tag Team Champions Soul Shadow. Dressed in a Patriots hoodie and matching sweatpants, he looks to be ready for a training session. Rather than immediately enter the building, he instead scans the desolate surroundings.}
Soul: I wonder if she has arrived.
{Shrugging, he reaches back into the car and removes a large duffel bag emblazoned with the MPW logo. The anti-theft device is engaged through his key fob as he walks towards the gym entrance. Pulling the door open, he takes one last searching glance around the parking lot before stepping inside.}
{After pausing for a few moments to allow his eyes to adjust to the lighting change, Soul scans the open area before him. A couple of rings are set up against the far wall with rolled mats lying between them. Close to him are several benches with a full set of weights behind them. Jump ropes, speed bags, even a stationary bike are located throughout the area, offering a variety of workout choices. Soul’s gaze moves over each one in turn as if appraising them and perhaps developing a plan of routine. However, his attention is soon captured by the steady rhythm of loud smacks coming from the opposite end of the room.}
Voice: Damn those bitches…
{Soul’s lips curve into a smile as he finally lays eyes on the true object of his search. Across the gym is his fellow champion Aeryn Ashfield, pounding her fists into a hefty punching bag. Though she strikes at measured pace, there is an underlying intensity flowing through her that rocks the leather with stunning force. Her gorgeous face, lately one of measured calm and control, is twisted in uncontrolled fury as she strikes.}
Aeryn: God damn bitches…
Soul: Aeryn.
{The bag bounces back as Aeryn picks up the pace and power. Sweat flies from her furrowed brow.}
Aeryn: Fucking bitches…
Soul: Aeryn!
{Soul, realizing his partner is not aware of him, walks across the room to try and get her attention. His attempt looks to be in vain as she is completely absorbed in her tasks, now just hammering the bag with reckless abandon. Small tears begin to form in the leather from the force of the assault.}
Aeryn: GOD…
{The steel chain connecting the bag to the ceiling clinks loudly as it strains to hold on after Aeryn’s blow.}
Aeryn: DAMN…
{A few stitches in the bag’s side suddenly pop upon the impact of the champion’s fist.}
Aeryn: FUCKING…
{The bag arcs crazily backwards.}
Aeryn: BITCHES!!!!!!
{Finally, the leather gives way, splitting from a powerful punch delivered by Aeryn. Sand spills onto the gym floor as the bag spins insanely on its chain, completely spent by the ruthless assault. Despite the damage, the champion shows no sign of willing to let up as she rears back for another strike.}
Soul: AERYN!!!!!
{Aeryn’s head snaps in Soul’s direction, drawn by the sound of his voice. Involuntarily, he takes a step back, a little intimidated by the boiling rage he sees in her eyes. Noticing her partner’s reaction, Aeryn’s expression slowly begins to change. Her face begins to soften, savage fury being gradually replaced by tender affection for the man who has come to mean so much to her in such a short amount of time.}
Aeryn: Oh, hi, Soul. I didn’t hear you arrive.
Soul: I’m not surprised. You were pounding so hard on that bag I bet they heard the smacks all the way into New York City.
{Aeryn smiles sheepishly, a little crimson creeping into her cheeks.}
Aeryn: Yeah, I guess had a lot of anger to work out…
Soul: No fooling. Would I be correct in assuming you were imagining Misses Tavares and Starr just now?
{The ugly disdain in Aeryn’s features gives Soul all the answer he needs. She gives the broken bag one final punch before walking past her partner to grab a nearby bottle of water.}
Aeryn: Can you believe those two fucking skanks? What the fuck is their problem? Is his ex-wife still pining over him and thought I might have been too close to him? Was Chrissy seriously threatened by my friendship with him? I could told both those damn bitches they had nothing to worry about. But instead, those two whores nearly killed me!
{Aeryn drains about half the water bottle in one long drink. However, instead of placing it back down, she spins and throws it against the wall, sending the liquid spraying everywhere.}
Aeryn: Fucking whores!!! I ain’t let this stand. Those two fuckers are going to get what is coming to them…
Soul: Yes, they will. But in time. Right now, they can’t be your focus.
Aeryn: Can’t be my focus?!?! Since Sunday, those two are all I can think about!
Soul: Which is one of their goals… to distract you from where your attention should be: defending the gold you already have and preparing yourself for the gold you are going to win in Toronto.
Aeryn: I know, I know. We have this title defense against Johnny and his mystery friend tomorrow. And I’m finally cashing in the briefcase on Roxi at Army of One.
Soul: That’s right, love. Both are difficult matches. Facing an unknown competitor is tricky enough as is without having someone of Johnny’s caliber in the mix. Roxi is shaping up to be one of the greatest World champions this sport has ever seen. If you are even the tiniest bit unfocused in either match, it’ll be a disaster.
{Aeryn sighs heavily.}
Aeryn: You’re right, Soul. I need to put all of my energy into those challenges. But… it goes against every fiber in my being to let them get away with it. I owe those two hos…
Soul: Oh, trust me, love. They are going to get what is coming to them. While you concentrate on getting prepared for Roxi in Toronto, I intend to give them my undivided attention.
Aeryn: Soul, I don’t want you fighting my battles for me…
Soul: Aeryn, you’re an important part of my life now. One I can’t imagine being without. So when they assaulted you, it was like they assaulted me. It’s why I went after Carter with such a vengeance when I thought he was the culprit. Now that I know who the true attackers are, I feel I owe them just as much you do.
{Soul walks over to Aeryn, placing his hands on her shoulders.}
Soul: This is OUR fight, Aeryn. One we do together. Just right now you have an incredible opportunity, one you can’t afford to miss. So I’m going to take the burden, so you can take full advantage and go after the World title with everything you got. Okay?
{Aeryn looks at him for a long moment, as if wanting to disagree but ultimately knowing it would be fruitless. Instead, she simply envelopes him a hug.}
Aeryn: Okay. I’m just not used to someone caring about me so much they are willing to join me in a battle and help me accomplish an individual goal. I have a hard time believe anyone would ever do that. But I am learning to accept it. And I thank you for it.
{Soul smiles and kisses his lover on her forehead whilst returning the embrace. He pats her on the back.}
Soul: Think nothing of it, love. Now, come on, we got some training to do.
Aeryn: Not just yet, Soul. Like you said, I need to clear my head of Chrissy and Laura. I’m gonna go for a jog to get some air. Once I get back, I’ll be ready to prepare for our defense tomorrow.
{Soul looks thoughtfully at his partner for a moment, then nods his head in understanding.}
Soul: Okay, love. Enjoy yourself. I’ll be warmed up when you get back.
{Both go to their respective bags for a moment. Soul strips off his sweatshirt, revealing the Arsenal t-shirt which highlights his built biceps. Aeryn, in contrast, pulls a Liverpool sweat jacket from hers, which she dons as well as a pair of earbuds from a MP3 player. Smiling back at her partner, she heads for the exit as he walks over to the weights. The scene fades as she opens the door…}
{The scene has switched to Aeryn running along a path in a beautiful park. She passes a few joggers on her way before turning onto a side path. Quickly getting out of view of the main trail, she slows her pace.}
Aeryn: Why do I do this? Why do I put myself through this, weekly?
{She stands with her hands on her hips, small puffs of breath meeting the cold morning air. Looking back in the direction she has just run, she is at least six miles from Soul and the gym by now and has stopped to catch a break.}
Aeryn: What's to stop me from just keeping going, keeping running down this road and never turning back? I should just say forget it and walk away right now. That would be the sensible thing to do.
{Aeryn lets out a little sigh.}
Aeryn: I didn't have a bad life before I came to the MPW. I made my money in wrestling, ten years’ worth of money throughout many different federations. I had made my name, left my legacy, and I had retired. I should have stayed retired. Why didn't I stay retired? ...
{Aeryn looks to the sky, as if expecting the answer to drop from there.}
Aeryn: Johnny Clash ... the reason I didn't stay retired is Johnny Clash calling me, enticing me back to the ring. My friend ... Johnny Clash ... my friend Johnny Clash whose girlfriend and ex-wife tried to have me KILLED! ...
{She lets out a growl followed by loud roar as she lashes out at a trash can on the edge of the pavement, leaving a visible dent in the side of it as it spills over into the path. She turns away from it and runs her fingers back through her hair as she composes herself with a few deep breaths.}
Aeryn: I came to the MPW as a singles competitor because of you Johnny. You wanted me to come here and prove .. to myself mostly that I still had what it took to make it. And boy, did I still have it! More than I knew. In five short months I've main evented more than I have in my entire career, battled with and against champions, become part of the best tag team I have ever been a part of ... unintentional though it may have been… overcome frightening odds to earn a shot at the World title, and become one half of the tag team champions. ... Wow! Though short, my time in the MPW has been a veritable whirlwind!
{She shakes her head in amazed disbelief.}
Aeryn: And why I could never become a part of the Resistance. Though your offer was appreciated Johhny and was something to consider. When I look back at what I have achieved, I realise that I don't need the Resistance half as much as it needs me… me and Soul Shadow. Why would you need us? Well that's the same reason that we're having this match at Reloaded, isn't it?
{Aeryn smiles wide.}
Aeryn: The tag straps. Having the Tag Team champions as part of the Resistance would make your faction have control of all the titles in the MPW. And by us not joining, well, I guess it forces you to come out and get them for yourselves. It's funny by ridding yourself of Iconic Aggression, you have managed to become them. And after fighting so hard against them, that's not something that myself and Soul can be a part of.
{Aeryn starts walking forward slowly, hands still in the same position.}
Aeryn: So at Reloaded you and your mystery partner have the chance at our gold, the chance to bring it into the Resistance fold making yourself a double champion in the process. Not that I don't relish the opportunity of finally facing you in the ring after so many years of being on the same side, but I can tell you now we will not be letting these titles go easily. I will not let these title go easily. Those belts are the symbol of everything that myself and Soul have worked so hard to achieve. So you bring your special partner, anyone you like. We welcome all challengers to our titles. And challengers is how they will leave because we will meet you and we will beat you! ... You saw how far we took the fight to win these titles. We will fight even harder to keep them. You have been warned.
{Aeryn stops once more, smiling dangerously at the camera.}
Aeryn: Hum...i guess I just answered my own question. Why didn't I stay retired? Because I’m not that sensible. In fact I’m not sensible at all. After we’re done with Johnny and his special friend, Chrissy and Laura, you girls had better keep looking over your shoulders. You had your chance to kill me, but you made one mistake...you didn't finish the job. Now it's my turn to play!
{The scene fades out as Aeryn turns back towards the direction of the gym and begins to run.}
{Back at the gymnasium, Soul Shadow is working on his curls. His left arm rises and falls at a steady tempo, lifting the weight with minimum effort. A slight sweat forms on his brow from the workout as he prepares to speak.}
Soul: It’s all about trust.
{Soul continues to work the weight, never losing his rhythm.}
Soul: Trust in those you call family. Trust in those you call friends. Trust in your co-workers. Trust in those you love and care about.
{The movement is almost hypnotic to the viewer.}
Soul: Prove yourself worthy of this trust, you will forge a bond which will last an entire lifetime. One that might even be stronger than death itself. However, if you chose to break it…
{Without warning, Soul releases the weight during his downswing. If flies out of the hand to the ground, hitting with impact hard enough to break a chip into the concrete floor.}
Soul: …the consequences just might be disastrous.
{The tag champion reaches over to a nearby rack, snatching a white towel.}
Soul: When I told you Phoenix Rising was passing on the chance to join the Resistance, Johnny, I explained one of the reasons was I felt I couldn’t trust you. Your checkered past, especially when it came to your romantic life, didn’t exactly inspire people to put their faith in you. In your wake you left a trail of broken promises, shattered dreams, and shredded hopes. Looking at the record, neither Aeryn nor I felt we could fully commit ourselves to stand by your side as we felt it was almost guaranteed to blow up into our faces.
{Soul wipes the sweat from his face, temporarily obscuring it from the cameras. When he lowers the towel, his features have donned a mask of anger.}
Soul: Little did we fucking know it already had.
{The champion tosses the towel to one side while leaning forward, placing his elbows on his knees.}
Soul: Let me make something extremely clear, Johnny. I hold YOU just as accountable as your ex-whores Chrissy and Laura for what happened in Columbus. You weren’t the one who came up with the plan to assault my partner and Miss Madison. You weren’t driving the car which nearly ended their lives. However, it was your actions… YOURS… which drove those bitches to do it. Chrissy, your latest skank of the week, loved you with all her heart yet could never get the green-eyed monster off her shoulder. Laura, just one of your ex-wives, still harbored resentment for the way you humiliated her in public with the details of your messy divorce. No wonder their minds snapped. Unfortunately, Valentina and Aeryn were the ones almost killed while all you got was a foot to your tiny little grapes.
{He sits back, placing his hands on his knees. He looks rather intimidating, even in his seated stance.}
Soul: Don’t doubt for one minute Misses Starr and Tavares won’t get exactly what they deserve… with interest… on what I owe them for their assault on my love. But first Johnny, Aeryn and I get to deal with you. When we accepted your challenge, we both figured it would be nothing more than just a friendly contest. To Aeryn, it probably still is. But to me…
{Soul’s fingers on his right hand curl into a fist. He looks down at it while continuing.}
Soul: To me, Johnny, it is time to teach you a lesson I think you failed to learn long ago. Every single one of your actions has consequences, Clash. You may not realize it at first. Hell, you might not even have to deal with them for a long time. But eventually they come due, Johnny. Tomorrow night, the hurt you have caused Laura and Chrissy… the pain you indirectly gave Valentina and Aeryn… it’s coming for you from these very hands.
{Soul’s eyes flick towards the camera.}
Soul: And lest you think I forgot about you, Johnny’s mystery partner, let me just say… I’m sorry. Sorry for the pain you are going to receive for simply agreeing to this match. Sorry my anger to Johnny is going to be visited upon you as well. Sorry you are about to pay because you have yet to learn the lesson so many others before you have to their extreme misfortune…
{Soul stands as in the background one can hear the sound of the door opening.}
Soul: Trusting in Johnny Clash always gets one hurt.
{He turns around just as Aeryn walks up to him.}
Aeryn: Hey hun.
{She reaches up and pulls him into a sweet kiss.}
Soul: Hey yourself. Did the run help you clear your head?
Aeryn: Yes, it certainly did, luv. My focus is squarely where it needs to be.
Soul: Glad to hear it. Now let’s get ourselves ready for our title defense…
{Soul places his arm around his lover as the two head towards one of the workout rings. The camera watches them for a few moments, then slowly fades to black…}
