Greed: I desire the freedom to take everything this world has to offer.
C-N(shaking his head): You can't be free. No, not yet.
C-N: Look at what happened when you last broke free.
Greed: We scored a big victory over that upstart John Carter…You're welcome for that by the way!
C-N: And lost in one of the biggest opportunities that we have had in OCW today.
C-N: All it took was a leap of faith to send Quartz reeling... but then you had to show your greedy self and let the win slide through our fingers.
Greed(angrily): STOP HOLDING ME BACK!!!
Greed(laughing): I am a part of you. Your constant desire to possess everything.
C-N(firmly): I'm not holding you back. We're just not ready.
Greed: As per the norm you’re nothing but his lapdog.
C-Note chuckles.
C-N: Better a lapdog than his wiping boy.
Greed: To hell with him! He can't keep me under his thumb forever. One day I'll have the power to permanently remove him.
C-N: As delusional as always Greed. We are both aware that he is not someone to be trifled with and that, if we are careless, he has the power to instantly destroy both of us.
C-N: Just keep being useful to him and your time will come.
Greed growls in anger.
Greed: Damn you and him for this hellish life.
Greed: Suffering In His Name…
C-N: Until You Can Make Others Suffer In His Name!
Greed (begrudgingly): Fine. But remember, I'm always here. And I won't go away until the time is right.
C-N(nodding): I know. But for now, you need to go back to sleep.
C-Note inhales deeply as the monster in the mirror gradually returns to his reflection.
ALEXA HAYES vs. DEBORAH
Back at the OCW Combat center, it seems that Tacitus and Nate Ortiz are doing some ring work. Both men have worked up a bit of a sweat, but Tacitus is clearly the more worn out of the two.
Nate: Alright, that’s enough. Seen what I needed to see. Got a question for you.
Nate: Your old man teach you how to wrestle?
Tacitus: No. He never taught me anything. Was never around long enough to. I learn by doing.
Nate: My old man didn’t do much for me either. But mentors here and there sent me on the path.
Nate: At the end of the day hard work beats out talent and lineage every day of the week. And you… you can be doing more.
Seemingly from out of nowhere, another figure calls out to them.
Sarah: Tacitus?
This figure reveals herself to be… Sarah Macedo, OCW hopeful and former RGPW women’s champion, who seems awfully shocked, but not at the appearance of Nate Ortiz. Rather, she’s staring at Tacitus.
Tacitus: …oh. It’s you.
Sarah seems happy to seem him, at least, offering a smile and walking over to the ring.
Sarah: Long time no see! I didn’t realize you’d taken up wrestling again, I thought you were done after everything that happened… I’m really sorry about-
Tacitus leans over the ropes, scowling at the much smaller woman below him.
Tacitus: You think I want your bloody sympathy?
Sarah: Huh?
Tacitus: Are you deaf, now? If you have a question for the GOAT, ask him, but if you’re here to bother me, then do us both a favor and piss off to the bingo hall before Deborah comes back and kicks your head off again. I don't want your pity, and I don't want your condolences. Piss. Off.
Sarah’s happy expression rapidly fades, but rather than angry, she looks more… confused, a little hurt, maybe, but leaving them without another word.
Nate: What the hell was that?
Tacitus: Just someone I used to know.
Nate: So when show time comes and you see a pretty girl in the cheap seats, you’re gonna get punched in the mouth?
Tacitus: It’s not that, damn you!
The GOAT doesn’t seem to appreciate the bass in Tacitus’ voice, squaring up to the taller man without a hint of fear.
Nate: Then enlighten me, son. What’s so important that you feel the need to waste my time?
Tacitus: You don’t get it. You’d never understand it, because every time you go out there, you’re living your dream, right, Nate? This is what you wanted, isn’t it, Nate? Their adoration? Their praise? IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED!? WAS THIS YOUR DREAM!?
Tacitus: Because this wasn’t mine. But I’m here now, and every day I have to see people like that particular little tart and I have to be reminded that my own FU-
There’s a pause. Tacitus turns away and composes himself, and then turns back to Nate, letting out a frustrated exhale.
Tacitus: … never mind.
Nate: My dream was make a name for myself and build a legacy for me and my family. This man you talk to was built brick by brick. 17 years of triumph and heart break. You know what title match pressure is like, I've seen you play. Imagine living with that pressure every time you step in front of fans. Be it Riot or some show in a sand box. But you know what, pressure makes diamonds.
Nate takes a step back, and gives the man in front of him a stern look and a nod.
Nate: All this B.S. aside, are you in, or are you out?
There's a long pause. Tacitus composes himself, as best he can, anyway, and returns with a nod of his own.
Tacitus: I’m in.
We return backstage as KC Barrett sits on the medical table. The training staff going through the usual procedures to close the hole left in his head from The street fight with Cody Hagen.
The impatient still bleeding KC shifts to his side pulling a lighter and a box of cigarettes out of his pocket.
Trainer: Doesn’t seem like the brightest idea to keep those in your pocket during a match.
KC Barrett: I just stared down another man holding a baseball bat and dared him to hit me in the head….
KC places a cigarette in his mouth, lighting it and taking a drag as he blows the smoke towards the trainer.
KC Barrett: Do I seem like the brightest person in the room to you? How about you do us both a favor and slap the sticker on my forehead and we call it a night?
The trainer sighs as he walks over to his medical kit and pulls out a bandaid and a smiley face sticker. Tossing them both to KC before exiting the room.
KC takes another drag from his cigarette as he reaches down putting the smiley face sticker over the cut. The blood now just slowly seeping out the sides and dripping down his chest.
KC Barrett: And now everything is back right in the world, almost as if we can pretend my outburst weeks ago didn’t even happen….
KC tilts his head to the side as he begins to acknowledge something taking place behind the camera.
KC Barrett: Wrap what up? You followed me in here wanting a word and you are gonna tell me to cut it short?
KC rises to his feet as he moves closer to the camera.
KC Barrett: How about this you want that next segment so bad then fade away to this.
KC pulls the sticker off the cut on his forehead and places it in the center of the camera.
KC Barrett: Just leave me be next time
The last word barely makes it out before the camera switches to a shot of a dark room. It’s only lit by a desk lamp and a flickering dim light in the background, along with a faint sound that you can't quite hear.
From the details you can make out, it appears to be a hotel room. You see someone come toward the camera and pull out the chair that was in front of the desk and sit down.
You can’t make out what he looks like cause he keeps his face out of the light of the lamp and in the shadows. He sets his hand on the desk in front of him and begins to speak
???: There’s a saying I live by. ”Life is about moments: Don’t wait for them, create them.” And that’s what I do.
???:
I “MAKE MOMENTS”. For 10-plus years I have been making moments all over the world...From The US, to Japan. From the UK, to Mexico. And so on and so on.
???:
I’ve won titles, put on Five-star matches, made friends, and made enemies… I’ve done it ALL.
???: Which brings me to this…
???: When's the last moment OCW had.…
Camera pans back to ringside
TAG TEAM TURMOIL
LOS SICARIOS
vs.
WOLVES OF VANGUARD
(Tre/Darryl)
The camera opens to the repeated thudding sound of fists hitting a punching bag. Alone in one of the Training Areas, Shianne Lovelace is hammering away - doing her daily reps to maintain the power behind the PAWNCH™.
She’s wearing her usual crop top and shorts, her hoodie and cap cast aside on a nearby chair.
The camera lingers on her for perhaps a little too long, and a bit in the wrong places before we hear the door open and close. The camera turns to greet the person entering, a familiar sight to the OCW faithful.
Sheldon:Oh ehhm Excuse me Miss Lovelace?
Shianne continues to punch away, seemingly unbothered by the presence of Sheldon behind her.
Sheldon: Ah, I see always staying on top with the training. I always admire the passion and determination you have since coming here.
Sheldon starts scratching his head, looking down as to hide his face turning slowly red.
Sheldon: I came to find you here just to say that I like how you get things done? No, I mean like you stand tall even when you aren't? Nah, I am sorry, I mean you had it rough in your past, and you pulled through you seem like someone who is very tough, and I like that about you.
Sheldon starts twitching his shoes on the ground. Every time he tries to look her straight in the face, he feels his face heating up again.
Shianne unleashes a series of swift, loud jabs at the bag until she suddenly jumps back a bit, shaking one of her hands rapidly. It appeared that she hurt one of her knuckles through her striking, as she hadn’t been wearing any gloves.
Shianne: Tch! F**kin’ bitch! Mrrmm!
Sheldon: Oh, what happened? Should I get the doctor? Oh, what was I thinking getting here? Now I made her hurt herself. Shianne you there are you hearing me? Heeelloo?
Shianne’s eyes then wander to her peripherals, where she finally seems to take notice of the German standing mere inches away from her.
She reaches up and pulls earbuds out of her ear, the feed briefly picking up the faint sound of vulgar sounding hip hop music blasting through them before she disconnects them and shoves them into a pocket.
Shianne: Hm?
Shianne then blankly stares at Sheldon for a moment, before a glint of recognition is seen in her eyes.
Shianne: You’re the bratwurst guy from catering, right? I f**king LOVE those! Though I think you might be out of a job soon… I hear the big boss doesn’t like ‘em as much as I do. Such a prick, right?
Sheldon: uhhh yeah sure. You can't catch the drift of everyone, right? Ha … Ha. Maybe you want to get your hand looked at, can't give the female Locker room a good pummeling when your wrist is broken, right?
Shianne: Eh? No breaks, just a knick. I guess you wouldn’t really know what it feels like, right Mr Bratwurst? Can you even hurt yourself like that while making those? Hm..
She thinks to herself for a moment, before turning back to face Sheldon.
Shianne: Why are you even in here? I didn’t think you catering guys had access to the gym.
Sheldon: I ehhm I am not a member of the catering crew I am a wrestler here you know SANCTUM we were the last tag team champs before Maxx and Colin took them from us. I try to stand on my own feet now. And I admire you from a far, you seem like a good Person to take advice from.
Shianne seems to think for a moment, before drawing a blank.
Shianne: Boss ain’t talked about you much.
Shianne pauses for another moment.
Shianne: Advice, though… what kind of advice? My advice is usually just punch ‘em really f**kin’ hard. That what you’re lookin’ for?
Sheldon: I can take some sort of advice from that. Anyway, thank you for that and good look for your next match.
Shianne: I don’t need thanks. It’s common sense, really. Punch hard, win!
Shianne does a little shadow boxing in front of Sheldon to show what she means.
Sheldon: Straight solver of problems, eh? I got that. I will put that into motion as soon as I have my next opponents coming up.
Shianne: I’d say I’d watch but I’ll probably be busy with the boss.
Sheldon: I understand that you have a busy schedule with tog and the Terra business.
Shianne’s brow furrows angrily.
Shianne: Don’t even get me STARTED on that nymph lookin', nature loving, tree hugging, stupid motherf**kin' dy-
Sheldon cuts her off before she can begin to rant more and possibly say things that would get all of her social media accounts redacted from existence.
Sheldon: I think I get you with that but maybe let out your frustrations in the ring and not out here, you don't know who is listening right now right?
Shianne blinks, then seems to process that statement. She grabs Sheldon by the collar - as well as she can given the disparity in their stature.
Shianne: Are you sayin’ you’re with them, bratwurst man!?
Sheldon: Nein, Nein, Nein das doch nicht ehhm I mean no just with empress being under a lot of pressure you don't need any more problems with any problems getting out there.
Shianne lets go of him, then tilts her head almost like a confused dog.
Shianne: True. Also, for the record, I don’t speak whatever made up language you were just using there.
Sheldon: Yeah, sorry i forget the English lingo when i am … under pressure or flustered … ehhm I mean scared.
A smug grin appears on the face of the woman stood before him.
Shianne: Not the first and you won’t be the last to fear me.
She sounds rather confident about that remark, the stuff beaming from her presence.
Sheldon: I shouldn't hold you off any longer, i know you don't need luck but … good luck anyway, Bye Miss Lovelace.
Sheldon turns and heads for the door, leaving. Shianne gives a slight, if confused, wave as he goes. She then walks over to the chair and picks up her things, before stiffening up as a realization had dawned on her.
Shianne: He didn’t even introduce himself! What’d he say his team was?...
Shianne struggles to try and recall that piece of the puzzle but eventually gives up.
Shianne: Welp! Weirdo, talking with made up words.
She shrugs and leaves the gym, probably having already deleted the conversation from her brain so she can focus more on PAWNCH™.
