AfterBurn for Vertigo E64

[FGA Office]

Catch up with your favorite FGA grapplers on AfterBurn! Get their thoughts on the latest, their opponents, and other backstage happenings right here, only on AxxessNet!

[Deleted]

Backstage, and a smiling Peaches is greeted by Spencer Burke as she emerges from her locker room with her gym bag in one hand and a bottle of Corona in the other. Having changed out of her ring attire, Peaches is now wearing a yellow hooded top with red lips printed on one breast, and a pair of slim fit jeans.

Spencer Burke: Peaches, would it be possible to get a word?

Peaches: Sure thing, Spence.

She’s more spritely than the last time we saw her, after being attacked by Tristan Ambrose on a recent edition of Vertigo. Peaches sips from her celebratory bottle of Corona as Spencer speaks again.

Spencer Burke: Tonight we saw you attack Tristan Ambrose after his match against Nando Fresno–

Peaches nods, smiling from behind the beer bottle.

Spencer Burke: –would you care to share your thoughts on the matter?

Peaches: I’ll tell you what, Spence…

She says after stopping drinking, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

Peaches: …a few weeks ago I was sittin’ in my locker room when Jessie Pederson walked in an’ asked me why I thought Tristan Ambrose attacked me. An’ why I thought this guy I ain’t hardly ever spoke to, let alone done wrong to, why he attacked me.

Another sip of Corona goes down the hatch before Peaches speaks again.

Peaches: An’ I’ll tell you what, Spence. I thought long an’ hard ‘bout that question. An’ I ain’t come up with nothin’, ‘cept that he thought I might be an easy target while I’m on my own. But I’ll tell you somethin’ else too, I ain’t gonna be alone for long. Dan’s gonna be back from injury before we know it. But until then, I ain’t want Tristan Ambrose or any of The Resistance to think I’m an easy target!

With that, Peaches walks away whilst drinking her Corona, with her gym bag slung over one shoulder, as the scene fades to black.

[Deleted]

Dom Harter: He turned me down…AGAIN!

The incredulity in his voice is almost palpable; Dom Harter stands backstage, dressed much the same as he was earlier in the evening just without the leather jacket, The Tenacious Little Bastard runs one hand through his hair as the other hovers just in front of his face, wagging a finger towards the camera.

Dom Harter: I went out of my way–acted totally uncharacteristically and I gave Johnny Karma a SECOND CHANCE! I thought MAYBE–he might’ve acted hastily on the last Vertigo, he might’ve made a rash decision when he said no. Maybe the emotions were getting to him, maybe he was putting up a brave front for the fans!

Harter shakes his head, throwing his hands up into the air before they rest on his hips.

Dom Harter: But no…Johnny Karma truly thinks he’s too good for The New Murder. Johnny Karma actually thinks he’s better than us. Johnny Karma really, really believes he can SAVE HIMSELF!

Dom laughs in disbelief, scratching at the back of his head as he does so.

Dom Harter: And where did it get you, Johnny? What good did it do you? Because you said it yourself; this time last year you were the FGA Undisputed Champion! You had the world at your feet; you’d gotten past Chandler Scott, past me, past Molly, past Evan! You were on your way to becoming the most successful World champion in FGA history. A few months shy of the longest reign…and look at you now!

Pause.

Dom Harter: Look in the mirror, Johnny!

Dom yells at the camera.

Dom Harter: You failed in the Frontier Lions Cup, you couldn’t beat Brian Stryker. And now–NOW–you lost to Mark Bisley. You’re regressing, Johnny…and you need help…

The last sentence is said with the utmost sincerity, Dom’s voice ripe with emotion as he looks away from the camera for a moment. He sniffs, and exhales a heavy sigh…before that familiar crooked smile slowly creeps onto his face.

Dom Harter: But you’re not going to get it from us…

Dom chuckles to himself as he runs a hand through his hair again.

Dom Harter: You’ve had your chance, Johnny. But The New Murder will continue with or without you--no matter what jokes Kris Cruise wants to make! We've still gone eighteen months longer than any other stable in FGA history, Kris! But me, Annie, my boy Fenrys, we'll keep going. Keep succeeding. And you? Well, I hope you liked where you ended up tonight, Johnny, because you’ll have to get used to it when you’re forced into retirement, and a commentary job is the best you can do…

With that, Harter shrugs his shoulders and walks away, before the scene comes to an end with the fade to black.

[Seth Iser]

We are now in the parking lot for this next one as we see a hurried and obviously pissed Seth Iser starting to march out of the arena with things in hand and the camera man sprinting ahead to try to catch up to the pissed off Pride Champion. Spencer Burke has the unenviable job ot also being in lock step. And like earlier he’s perhaps moving the fastest we’ve ever seen him but he still hears the footsteps and his eyes are almost wild for a brief moment before he takes a breath to try to compose himself and he notices Spencer. This doesn’t enhance his mood.

Seth Iser: What the hell do you want?

Spencer Burke: Congratulations on you--

Seth Iser: Congratulations? How dare you say that to me right now considering what the hell happened. Do you have no sense at all!?

Seth ends up dropping his things while keeping hold of his Pride Title and approaching Spencer with a look that could very well kill.

Seth Iser: My manager, my friend, my brother is in the hospital with what looks like to be either a broken leg or his knee cap damn near shattered and you’re telling me congratulations on ripping Ricky Valero’s arm out of socket? Is that what you’re REALLY doing?

Spencer Burke: No but I was wondering if your meeting went well after Izzy went through on her promise and in your own words ‘kicked somebody’s ass’.

Seth Iser: She wants to be a double champion while playing her own game. But she’s not getting her title opportunity from me unless I say so at this point. She lost her jurisdiction for unprofessionalism. There WILL be a restraining order as well because this is bull and each and everyone of you know it!

Spencer Burke: Is this different than when Tyler did it?

Seth Iser: That happened in the ring with a scheduled agreement. There was nothing against the code there. What Izzy did? That was nothing more than a glorified lynching over a difference of opinion and that is criminal and absolutely morally wrong! He might be a former wrestler but he’s RETIRED and deserved better than that.

Seth ends up spitting on the floor while pushing the title he has won toward the camera.

Seth Iser: You want to know WHY you aren’t getting a shot at this? It’s YOU! There isn’t some conspiracy theory here. You might be one of the most talented in the craft but you failed at the PROFESSIONAL part of the sport. It’s still PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING! And YOU are the one who got in YOUR OWN WAY! And I go by the code! That code has won me great success EVERYWHERE I’ve ever been and it includes this Pride Title that I took from you! If you weren’t so damn valuable to the company and the brand Jenevieve Geroux might have had to fire you but we both know that wouldn’t happen. You’re too valuable to the brand and make the brand and company too much money with how good you are. But even for someone that good and esteemed there are consequences for one of the more blatant and HIDEOUS violations of the code!

Seth’s voice is raised but he’s still in control. Just and Spencer just raises his eyebrow to ask the obvious question.

Spencer Burke: Is she in your head?

Seth Iser: No.

A specific denial with malice there and Spencer’s expression is a quizzical one.

Spencer Burke: I don’t know if I believe that.

Seth Iser: If she tries to get in my head playing her game Spencer...she’ll find out that people like me...well we just don’t play.

Spencer looks like he’s about to ask another question but Seth just has that look that it’d be better if he didn’t ask anything more and they let him go without any further questioning as he gets into his classic truck before he hits it in reverse and speeds off to what we presume to be the hospital to check up on his friend.

[Marlon Cure]

The scene opens up backstage, showing Marlon Cure - having changed out of his ring gear and into a custom made black and white suit with a pair of dark sunglasses covering his eyes, walking towards the parking lot as he looks to make an exit and continue his night. His Personal Assistant, Keiko, trailed behind him as the two conversed about appointments and dates for the future that needed to be marked. Just as Cure turns the corner to exit the locker rooms, he hears the sound of very quick footsteps behind him, trying to catch up.

Spencer Burke: Marlon! Marlon! Can I have a moment of your time?

Cure didn’t bother stopping or slowing his stride as he forces Spencer to keep up with him. Cure strikes a match and lights his cigar while Keiko mutters to herself as she seems to be in the middle of scheduling something for him.

Marlon Cure: Keep it short and sweet, Spencer. I got shit to do, people to see, money to make and no time to waste.

Burk manages to hold back a huff, having become used to “King Cure” and his enjoyment of being difficult with interviewers in the months since his arrival.

Spencer Burke: I just wanted your thoughts on everything that’s happened tonight? Between Piper Lemon’s… comments…

It takes an effort from Burke to not laugh at the indignant look on Cure’s face at the mention of Piper Lemon. He doesn’t make it, letting out a few chuckles at the expense of The Mid Atlantic Legacy Champion.

Marlon Cure: ...Y’all keep tee-heeing like shit’s funny, got hippies out here just grabbing people without consent and shit. But when HR starts turning a blind eye when a wrestler puts paws on you, I want you to keep that same energy when I get my six, seven chuckles in at your expense.

Burke immediately shuts up, causing Cure to give him a smug smirk.

Marlon Cure: Now… as for what was said? I don’t know. I was getting ready for my match when Keiko told me my shit went missing so I didn’t watch the playback. Maybe she’s tryna do a little get back when I said she ain’t as off as she seems and got everybody fooled for buying into it… Or maybe she’s all about whatever artsy spin about how she’s just tryna dig underneath the underneath to figure out what makes me tick to excuse tryna Weinstein the kid.

Marlo gives a slight shiver of disgust.

Marlon Cure: But that still doesn’t negate forcing her cold, clammy dick beaters upon my person like she knows me like that. She tries to get up close to sneak a peek again, I’m siccing Keiko on her.

Marlon looks to exit, only for Burke to continue on alongside him.

Spencer Burke: Wait. What about Annie?

Cure gives a dismissive snort.

Marlon Cure: What about Annie?

Annie Zellor: Probably something about how much better I am than you…

The three parties turn their heads towards the direction of the voice, and they see Annie Zellor walking towards them with Mary-Jane McCracken in tow. The pair have changed out of ‘their’ ring attire and can now be found in their casual attire of jeans and t-shirts.

Mary-Jane McCracken: Or how shook you got him before his match earlier tonight.

Marlon Cure: I—

Annie Zellor: It’s rude to interrupt, Marlon, didn’t your mom ever tell you that?

She says through a wicked smirk as the pair stop on the other side of Spencer Burke; the interviewer finding himself in a potentially volatile predicament as the warring factions surround him.

Annie Zellor: Do we wanna talk about how I was a better Mid-Atlantic Legacy champion than you ever will be? Probably the greatest of all time, huh?

Mary-Jane McCracken: Oh, definitely.

Marlon doesn’t look impressed by the claim, however, and just shakes his head as Annie continues.

Annie Zellor: Yeaaahhh, I’m sure Marley wouldn’t disagree with that.And nobody here can deny that I made your gear look better than it ever has before, right? Or maybe you, like, wanna talk about our accomplishments outside the ring. Like, how I’m more successful in business than you! If it’s Brutal Brew or #PHILLYCHEESEDEATHSTEAKS, or even the Denver Divas. Wanna talk about how my acting career is, like, way ahead of yours? Starred in two movies and, like, three series - what about you? Or is it my singing career you’re more jealous of? ‘Cause I can spit SUPA HOT FIYAH!

Annie and Mary-Jane do a little dance like only white girls can, leaving Marlon and Keiko to look on in horror and disgust. Spencer, to his credit, maintains a straight face as the girls giggle and resume normal service.

Cure suddenly let out a chuckle, covering his face with one of his hands while Keiko still looks horrified, actually stepping behind Cure to avoid having to look at the cringe fest before her.

Marlon Cure: This the part where I’m supposed to be impressed or furious, right right? You shouting up at me, bragging about the fact that you fiending for attention in multiple lanes.

Cure begins to list off with his fingers as Annie and Mary-Jane share a glance.

Marlon Cure: From a team that can’t win shit when it matters to finding validation and love in a camera, to garbage ass cover albums that wouldn’t even be weed plate status. You wanna bring up the Playboy cover that flopped too? Don’t worry, I’ll wait.

He gives a derisive sneer. Annie shrugs.

Annie Zellor: Centerfold, not cover.

Marlon Cure: A flop either way. The funniest thing in all this? trying so so hard to compete with me. All this energy, never once realizing I already won. All I gotta do is exist and you frustrated and spiteful, and truthfully I would too if situations were reversed.

Cure gives a lazy half smirk.

Marlon Cure: You been barking since the fall cause you seen the shine and respect I command when I come through and want it to be you. But when it concerns me? You’ll always be my little number two. Shit at this rate, I’m making more off all the effort and time you putting in, than you do.

He mockingly pats her head, and Annie does not appreciate that.

Marlon Cure: Gon’, talk that big girl shit loud and proud from the second spot though.

He turns to go and leave with Keiko in tow, only to be interrupted...by clucking sounds? Cure slowly turns his head back, peering over his shoulder, and sure enough he sees Annie clucking at him like a chicken.

Marlon Cure: Excuse me?

Mary-Jane McCracken: She’s calling you a chicken.

Annie Zellor: Uh huh. ‘Cause he’s just afraid to put his money where his mouth is. Afraid of the competition, especially when he knows anything he can do I can do better…and especially when we’re one on one in the center of that ring. Isn’t that right, Marley?

Spencer Burke: Your match is already booked for Revelations on March 17th, and in two weeks time you’re set to face off again in tag te—

Annie Zellor: I’m not talking about a match, Spencer.

She cuts him off.

Annie Zellor: I’m talking about you and me, Marlon, in a rap battle!

Cure stares…. And stares, and stares some more, waiting for the gag to be over with as he looks down at Annie with a blank expression.

Marlon Cure: ...You serious right now? Burke, she serious?

He turns towards Burke, who looks even more puzzled than he’d previously been and only gets a shrug in return. Cure shakes his head and facepalms at the sheer absurdity of her challenging him to a battle, muttering under his breath before he turns and begins to walk away.

Marlon Cure: Nope. Not happening.

Annie giggles as she looks over to Mary-Jane, giving her a knowing glance as if to say ‘I told you so’. Keiko looks between Cure's retreating form, then at both MJ and Annie. She gives a shiver at the memory of their earlier antics before following after Cure as the screen fades.

[Delikado]

A commercial pops up prior to the loading of this Afterburn footage online.

Voice-Over: [Swedish with English subtitles] Spring is around the corner, and that can only mean one thing—your fun levels are about to spring TO LIFE! The Resistance and FGA proudly present:

~THE RESISTANCE’S PARKING LOTTA FUN~

Cue flashy lights and overdone sounds as a video kick-starts over an insane-looking amusement park, all with the national flag of Sweden practically shoe-horned into footage that looks strangely familiar otherwise.

Voice-Over: [Swedish with English subtitles] Yes, The Resistance has branched out to embrace all the arts of entertainment in professional wrestling with this, the latest in this mighty sport’s evolvement! What was once a boring, non-handicap accessible flatbread of subpar pavement that became an oppressive, possibly homicidal in its design park that had a “no parking” policy bigoted to scooters now welcomes parking and scooters for all, under the banner of the legendary Resistance tag team…and also Scandinavia.

Insert more Swedish flags alongside that of Denmark and those other viking places.

Voice-Over: [Swedish with English subtitles] Before you enter the FGA shows and witness your favorite group squash loser Cuban wrestlers and crippled bimbos among others, take your family and friends through the park’s many The Resistance attractions, like the Ragnar Rock-Climbing Showcase, a mighty colossus of rocks made difficult by the physicality of climbing!

Cue footage of a man climbing a rock and then turning to give a thumbs-up.

Man: It’s a rock, and I’m on it!

Voice-Over: [Swedish with English subtitles] And then don your gear for the Runner and Gunnar Paintball Field, making it clear it’s Valhalla or bust for those Asgard-holes who stand in your way of championship glory!

A teen is shown shooting down other teens with the paintball gun and then laughing psychotically.

Teen: HAHAHAHAHA! LONG LIVE THE RESISTANCE!!! Jag spenderade mer tid än nödvändigt för att försöka tänka på något för den här linjen, och det här är allt jag har. …Oh God, The Resistance has manipulated me into speaking in tongues! I…I can’t live like this!

He puts the paintball gun under his chin pointing up and—

Voice-Over: [Swedish with English subtitles] Once that chaos is done, take a walk on the wild side at The Resistance’s Parking Lotta Fun food court, now revamped with less Schnitzel and more husmanskost. There’s the main course, the Tristan ‘Hambrose’, a platter of nothing but Swedish ham, and for dessert, feast on some Tyler Onion Kingsley, the finest Swedish onions chopped and dipped in Swedish chocolate. It’s a combination that’ll have your taste buds staging their own Resistance…of flavor!

These name puns doing it for ya? Quick shots of the food go by before the title card pops up one more time.

~THE RESISTANCE’S PARKING LOTTA FUN~

Voice-Over: [Swedish with English subtitles] The Resistance’s Parking Lotta Fun! Unlike that other meat-named Cuban park, this one won’t EVER go out of style, because The Resistance is here to stay and dominate FOREVER! So stop on over before the next Vertigo and see what all the hubbub is about!

Warning: Parking finally available and welcoming to all scooters.

(o)(o)(o)(o)(o)(o)

~Susan Kent’s Apartment Complex~

Sometime later after the show, Delikado is seen being pushed in his wheelchair by Sofia Monzón in an evening stroll of sorts, though the impression we’re given is it isn’t a relaxing time.

……………….

Sofia Monzón: Of COURSE your insane asylum of a theme park was taken over by that Swedish prince with The Resistance, you didn’t have a SINGLE security measure put in! Any schmuck could’ve walked in and claimed it.

…….

Sofia Monzón: “Calling dibs” doesn’t work in this industry, you imbecile, regardless whatever you and Dusty and Henrik ever believed. Just put this particular wacko hobby aside and focus on what matters. After this latest Vertigo, I think at the very least we can take Bristow & Barnes off the shelf as a threat for the time being. That leaves us more freedom to go after The Resistance for what they’ve tried to do to us.

…………………………

Sofia Monzón: YES, like conquering your stupid park! What do you want me to do, cheapskate?! *sigh* I don’t KNOW anything about your “curse”, Delikado. I wasn’t there, I didn’t hear any of the rules or whatever laws hang over your “old man status.” You’ve won matches, but obviously we don’t know how many you have to win before we start seeing notable changes to your physicality.

……………………………………………………………….

Sofia Monzón: …Pfft, right. I know what that “warrior’s honor rebuilt” is code for. You just want to improve so you can tell Susan Kent all the gross, perverted things in your heart direct, instead of trying to force me into translating it in my own way. I’ve known you longer than anyone, and I’ll continue to know the negative effect she’s going to have on you.

….

Sofia Monzón: Okay, YES, you two won your debut together as a team. Some might say you won “definitively”, but the competition’s only going to get tougher now. Thankfully, it’s only Gunnar and Ragnar posing the threat now that Bristow and Barnes are out of the way, so that—

Suddenly, a carrier pigeon swoops in and drops a note into Delikado’s lap.

Carrier-Pigeon A: Mail from the FGA, sqwak!

Sofia takes the letter and opens it. As she reads its contents, her eyes are initially calm, but they go widen near the note’s end.

Sofia Monzón: It’s your next Vertigo booking. It’s you against Gunnar and…………What the crap?? Vince Steel!? Now the freaking Fam is being put against us!

……………………………

Sofia Monzón: “Friendly competition” my ass, this is out of nowhere! And Susan’s being put against Ragnar and Terrence Tillman!

Carrier-Pigeon A: Sounds like ya’ll got some tough competition, sqwak!

Sofia Monzón: I just…hold on.

Sofia reaches her other hand out and grabs the pigeon by his throat, squeezing and pulling the bird in close.

Sofia Monzón: You and your cronies nearly got us future endeavored with your backstabbing—

Carrier-Pigeon A: *cough* We’re pigeons, not crows, sqwaAAAAAAGAH!

The extra pressure nearly finishes the pigeon off, though Sofia spares him as she utters her next icy line.

Sofia Monzón: Either way, while Delikado may want to keep you feathered rats employed for news, all I know is if you sell us out again, I’m going to be selling fried pigeon at our theme park once we’ve taken it back from The Resistance. So….go spread that word around the coop or cars or wherever the <BEEP> you hang out.

She chucks the pigeon away and he flies off gasping in the air. Once that’s done, the Spaniard returns to skimming the note.

Sofia Monzón: It’s just…this is unbelievable. Wait…I see this Dick Pict guy with FGA management signed off on the match. I thought we cleared the air with him. I have to check this…

She pulls out her cellphone and types in a number. Seconds pass before a voice is heard on the other end.

Dick Pict: Hello, this is Major Dick Pict with Frontier Grappling Arts booking.

Sofia Monzón: Yes, hi, Major Pict. This is Sofia Monzón, one of the managers to Delikado. I was calling to ask why my client is being thrown into a match with both Gunnar AND Vince Steel of The Fam.

Dick Pict: Oh, I don’t need to explain myself to you people.

Sofia Monzón: ….Excuse me?

Dick Pict: That’s right. You all threatened to sue our company yet continue to shamelessly show your faces, so I decided to give the tag teams of FGA the opportunity to knock your client down a few pegs from the ego ladder you seem to have established him upon. It’s much more endearing to the fans to see rogues get their comeuppance in the ring.

Sofia Monzón: Major, there must be some kind of miscommunication. We do NOT want to sue the FGA! In fact, I--

Dick Pict: Save it, Miss Monzón. Your last phonecall made it abundantly clear there’s no honesty or even common decency in the words of you and your little gang. I’m somewhat sorry Susan Kent had to get dragged into it, but she joined you willingly and her tag match at this last Vertigo shows she’s committed to it. Yet she’s been in the company long enough to know better, so it’ll be a fitting punishment that she faces the people your client faces. After all, the team that wins together should go down together, hmm?

…………………………………

Sofia Monzón: [to Delikado] Can it! [to Pict] Ummm, what about this “phonecall”…?

Dick Pict: Oh please, you know the one! Right around the Superbowl, when you had your simpleton of a boyfriend call me to act like he was going to apologize, right before you all blasted Saving Private Ryan or some nonsense in my ear, boasted about suing the FGA, and to top it all off insulted my son!

Sofia Monzón: That…I…None of that was the case! The context--

Dick Pict: Then explain it to me, Miss Monzón. Explain to me EXACTLY what the context of that phonecall was meant to convey.

Sofia starts to explain what happened that night Ewan called Major Pict to smooth over the lawsuit angle, before Frik Snackey and The Resistance attacked them……but then the overall silly randomness of it all seems to hit her, and her face alone makes it clear there’s no way she can translate the matter clearly to the man without sounding totally batshit insane. I mean, how would YOU explain a “Superbowl Snack Attack” to someone? She just closes her eyes and expresses defeat on this matter.

Sofia Monzón: ….You’re right. We wanted to continue threatening with the lawsuit.

Dick Pict: Ha. At least YOU have some balls, unlike that Jakeway fella. All the same, your client will face Gunnar and Steel as scheduled, and for that matter, Delikado and Susan will face both The Resistance and The Fam at Revelations. I suppose at the very least you can take comfort knowing your client provoked both these competitors to request the match and is getting what he wanted. Goodnight.

Sofia Monzón: Wait, WHAT?!

*click*

Sofia lowers her phone and slowly tilts her head at the comatose Delikado.

Sofia Monzón: Why did he say you “provoked” The Resistance AND The Fam to come after us….?

Another carrier pigeon suddenly swoops in and drops and envelope.

Carrier-Pigeon B: Mail from Columbus Skydiving, sqwak!

Sofia snatches this envelope and tears it open, finding a picture of Delikado, in his wheelchair, in the middle of skydiving, with a note in-hand that reads “’The Fam’? More like ‘THE SHAM’, is Delikado right?! A million XOXOXO’s to Susan Kent, one half of the best tag team in FGA! Signed 2/15/2019”

Sofia Monzón: OH WHAT THE <BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP>!?

Carrier-Pigeon B: As per your orders, I made sure you got the main photo while Steel and Tillman got their personalized signed copies, Delikado, sqwak! It was a riot, you shoulda seen their faces when—

Sofia promptly superkicks the pigeon and then turns on her client, jerking him up out of his chair by his shirt collar and viciously shaking what little life he might possess to the brink.

Sofia Monzón: STOP. GETTING. PEOPLE. PISSED. AT US. YOU. STUPID. PIECE. OF. SHIT!

When she has finally exhausted herself, Sofia chucks Delikado back into his chair, causing him to roll a good ten feet away and almost into the street while she paces around, seething. A scathing laugh escapes her.

Sofia Monzón: And then there’s more. A few for you, a few for Susan your wishful squeeze, and then it comes to a head in a tag team triple threat at the Revelations supershow! I know I said the competition was going to get tougher but…….it’s just never enough for you, is it?

…………………………

Sofia Monzón: Well, you wanted to speed up your “de-aging” process with more matches, and you got it. Speaking of, I suppose we should go tell Susan what you’ve gotten us all involved with now. Unless you want to give me what *I* want and let her get a surprise railroading to put her out of action again.

…………………..!

Sofia Monzón: Oh, what? You alone against The Resistance and Fam isn’t to your liking? NOW you don’t want to face all-comers…?

…

Begrudgingly the grumbling Sofia takes the wheelchair and pushes her client back toward Susan Kent’s apartment. The camera feed transitions to inside the apartment sometime after all the latest news has been conveyed to Susan and her friends. Delikado, Sofia, and Ewan all sit by themselves on her couch.

Ewan Jakeway: Well, she took it quite well, huh? That girl wants to be a contender! That’s a quality tag partner right there.

Sofia bites her tongue and instead tries to stay homed in on forming a plan.

Sofia Monzón: Maybe so, but we need to realize how the lay of the land is about to change for us. The FGA is going to gun for us both because of this fantasy lawsuit and especially because that idiot shot his mouth off bragging and bragging until he provoked all these teams to want to kick his dentures out—Bristow and Barnes, The Resistance, now The Fam….that IS all the ones you’ve prodded, yes?

….

Sofia Monzón: “Currently?” I just might form a team and fight you if you keep this up. But let’s at least act like Bristow and Barnes are done. Single-handed you took them on and won. Then in what should have been their specialty over yours, you kept the momentum strong and claimed the victory. Your tag match with them showed their spirit just isn’t in trying to defeat you.

Ewan Jakeway: Don’t forget Susan. You always seem to leave her out!

She flashes Ewan an uplifted “you think?” eyebrow before returning to the main topic.

Sofia Monzón: But I’ll tell you whose spirit IS in defeating you—Gunnar and Ragnar’s. Just going by your solo match with Gunnar a few weeks ago, they practically want to feast on you at this point.

Ewan Jakeway: *gasp* Full-on Viking Blood Eagle?!

Sofia Monzón: ……My point is, they have the men, and they have the resources. Plus, that Swedish prince who’s in their corner, Sonsson? His taking your park shows The Resistance won’t yield to keeping it strictly in-ring.

…………….

Sofia Monzón: Right, that’s EXACTLY what I want to hear from you now! This is reaching a pinnacle, the high noon so to speak, and you’re going to have to fight for every inch of these matches ahead if you hope to make it to wagging a finger…or whatever’ll happen once you finally start to turn back the clock on your “corpse-y” status.

Ewan Jakeway: And we’ll make sure Susan gets all the help she needs too! As your tag partner, and more importantly our friend, she’s gonna need to be standing tall and true against these bullies as well!

Sofia rolls her eyes, yet a sigh of resignation does escape her.

Sofia Monzón: *sigh* I’m not pleased by it, but Ewan’s right. She’s gotta outmatch Ragnar and Tillman just as effectively as you’ve got to outmatch Gunnar and Steel. Your power and ability as a team depends on it. We can’t let either team use their experience and close connection as a unit be used against you two as a weapon. You’re going to have to force a ‘crash-course’ bond between you and Kent, no second-guessing.

….

Sofia Monzón: I don’t care HOW you want to phrase it right now, honestly, just do it. I’m telling you all this “common knowledge” because you’ve never been much of a tag team wrestler, Delikado. You and Evan Envi was the last time you really scratched this type of fighting, and that was YEARS ago. The Resistance is still fresh, and they’ll likely be on the warpath not just against you, but that other force of nature you wonderfully prodded, The Fam…

Silence holds on the room for a few seconds as this new challenge’s name hovers between the trio.

Ewan Jakeway: So, erhm, I’ll ask for Deli since he won’t: what do we do for them…?

Sofia Monzón: He didn’t ask at all, cocky bastard thinks he knows everything, but I’ll lay it out for you so you can…I don’t know, think on it as a manager or pass it along to Kent or whatever. See, luckily we’re freer to move with them. Yes, Delikado doesn’t know Steel or Tillman in battle like Bristow and Barnes or The Resistance, but neither do they know him. That element of surprise has been a boon so far in your matches, Delikado, so I suggest continuing to employ it. For now, let’s keep the eye on the triple threat on this next Vertigo, and then we’ll talk more tag team shop for Revelations as it nears. Vince Steel is a beast of an entirely different caliber to Gunnar. I don’t even have to watch the FGA footage you stupidly don’t allow us to keep or reference for silly things like “strategy” to have heard of his and Tillman’s time on Flashpoint prior to the draft.

…….

Sofia Monzón: YOU’RE NOT “SAVING LIVES” BY NOT ALLOWING US TO USE THE TECHNOLOGY, YOU’RE JUST BEING AN IDIOT! A SENILE OLD…..*exhale* They may have had the Dynamic Duos winners carrying them last night, but the momentum is still in their favor now. Steel won’t want you to rise up, nor Tillman toward Kent, which is why we can expect them to employ any and all tricks the FGA will allow, especially since the company thinks we’re ass<BEEP>les right now. However, all of what I’ve said aside, there’s one thing above all else that makes me nervous…

Ewan Jakeway: Hmm? You, nervous? What is it, babe?!

Sofia frowns at Ewan before returning to Delikado.

Sofia Monzón: You’ve got the bragging and the surprise factor in singles matches, but in a straight-up tag match you and Kent are not bound by the nature of a bloodline that The Resistance shares as half-brothers, nor even the close kinship of cousins that unites The Fam. These opponents you and Susan are about to meet in the weeks ahead, they’re families…and what are you?

………………………………………………………….

Sofia Monzón: I didn’t ask what you WANT to be—what ARE you two, really? What are ANY of us…? That’s what we have to figure out, because even if you win based on bragging and surprise, that layer of family can easily tip the scale and declare who’ll be triumphant in the ring. That’s not my philosophy or nerves or any of that bullshit—that’s pure and simple truth.

Ewan Jakeway: Hey yeah, those guys ARE all families! Dang it, that means family ties can be their Hail Mary and win the whole shebang for them!

Voice #1: You got that right, fella. The Fam is especially gifted with that trait, hence the ol name, and hence why yer Cuban boy an’ the gal gotta be better’n them to rewrite that old law.

Voice #2: Quite, and you gotsta prove it too, as a new modern fam of ye own!

Sofia and Ewan turn to see two randos, a heavyset black woman and an albino dwarf, peeking in through Susan Kent’s open apartment window and idly leaning on the windowsill, soaking everything in. Delikado seems to notice the woman is pushing aside Susan Kent’s curtains and lets out the tiniest of defensive growls—like a chihuahua.

Sofia Monzón: What my client is trying to say is, either tell us what you want, or <BEEP> off.

The mysterious duo look at each other and smile. They’re obviously very much alike, as they practically start and finish one another’s sentences like they know how the other’s thinking. The black woman speaks first.

Pea: Why, I’m Pea.

Nut: And I’m Nut.

Both: Put us together and what do ya got?

Ewan Jakeway: *excited gasp* Peanut!

Pea: I don’t follow. Anybut, we’re Nutpea, feller.

Nut: And we’re on your side, here to help you to defeat The Fam. See, we used to roll with them before they was FGA official, in a faction we called Peanut Butter and Fam.

Pea: We left because the name just didn’t feel right, but those bounders went off and got famous off the image we all made together. Time to right that unseemly wrong.

Nut: And we’ll do it by making you and pretty Miss Kent the best ripping family in the entire history of wrestling.

Sofia and Ewan exchange a look of initial skepticism before the former takes a deep breath of resignation, especially as Delikado utters something telepathically.

Sofia Monzón: Okay, I’ll bite: how will you do that?

It’s Pea and Nut’s turn to exchange a look as their grins broaden before we dramatically cut to black.