"Mr. Royalty... I..." the female begins...
"Ron, please..." Ron interjects, "You are part of the family, Gabby, call me Ron."
"I take it you saved my number?" Gabby's voice squeezes out from a smile.
'I did." Ron says, "I take it you read the letter."
"Yeah, crazy stuff..." Gabby begins, "Figures I find my way back and things go to hell. Story of my life."
"Yeah, it's unfortunate." Ron says with an obvious sorrow, "I know a lot of us were looking forward to doing this Reunion, so believe me, you aren't alone."
"Yeah, and I get it..." Gabby says carefully, "But... I just feel like maybe the worst thing we could do is just roll over. I mean, we are the HWA... do we really run and hide when things get tough?"
"Gabby, I know you weren't around last year..." Ron says, "but seeing it on TV was a mere portion of the danger that truly haunts my sleepness nights, as well as the others who were there... I wouldn't be a proper president if I didn't take heed of putting these people back into danger. It's just... it's still fresh."
"I mean, I get it but c'mon, Ron." Gabby is adamant, "You had snipers literally shooting real life bullets, you had storm troopers, explosions, fires, tanks, helicoptors... this is the HWA, you survived ALL of that together, as one, and now you want to hide away? I'm sorry, but that isn't the HWA I remember... that's not the Ron Royalty I remember..."
"Gabby, please... I appreciate the dedication but I can't, in good faith, allow my people to be subject to potentially life-ending circumstances. I'm sorry."
"Not sure if you have heard of democracy, but it's kinda what kicked your British ass back in the day." Gabby states bluntly, "No offense."
"Come again?" Ron swears he misheard her.
"What I'm saying is... leave it to the HWA to decide." Gabby suggests, "Leave it to the superstars who might be in the same boat as me, as far as, we don't negotiate with 'terrorists' and if they mostly want to, well, beef up the security."
"I don't know, Gabby..." Ron is unsure.
"Hey, leave it to me." Gabby says, "Let me be your little helper. I'll go around, find out who wants to still do the show, and if we have enough for a full card... we just do it, Red Starrs be damned. Who knows, maybe this whole thing will fizzle out anyway."
"What if you're wrong..." Royalty wonders, "What if someone else gets hurt or worse? I couldn't live with myself."
"You know why I reached out this time around?" Gabby asks, "Because of the unity. It was so nostalgic... it was like... the odds were stacked, the game was rigged, the game board was everchanging and HWA still came through... and it was because you did it together, as a family, united."
Ron doesn't say anything, feeling that spark of inspiration he felt last year enter his mind, and to his surprise, he is actually considering it.
"I believe in you, Ron..." Gabby says, "I believe in the HWA... we just have to stick together... and there's nobody in the entire universe that can stop us."
"8 Superstars." Ron gives in, Gabby gets giddy, "Any less, and no go. That means 7 and the show remains cancelled."
'Well, we already have 1." Gabby answers sharply.
"Who?" Ron asks.
"Me, silly." Gabby laughs, hearing Ron sigh at his own misstep.
"Right then." Ron says, "Let me know how it goes."
"We'll be in touch!" Gabby squeals in optimistic excitement, "Wish me luck!"
"I'm not quite sure I should root for you or against you." Ron admits.
"Root for us, Ron." Gabby says, "and we won't let you down. Okay, bye now!"
"Good da-" Ron begins until he hears the click has already disconnected them.]]>
It pains me to write these disappointing words, and as it truly is disappointing, it would be more disappointing if more lives were to be taken on account of forcing through our scheduled Reunion event in the wake of this dangerous trend going on. It has become clear to everyone that the incredulous allegations and conspiracy theories regarding a former HWA employee's death has become an unfounded and, quite frankly, disturbing movement based on, not facts, but internet gossip. This, as it is, isn't dangerous, but given the blurred lines between fantasy and reality, certain actors within the movement have inspired violence, terrorism, and cyber-attacks on HWAe, myself, and HWA's superstars.
After last year's traumatic events, this year was supposed to commemorate our unity and survival, but these recent attacks have successfully reopened wounds, triggered post traumatic stress, and continue to violate some of our most selfless, and loyal members at their residences. Threatening violence and melee upon the families of our superstars, bomb scares at the Royalty Entertainment Center, as well as death threats and promises of violence at our HWA Reunion event.
To make matters worse, our HWA Infinity website has been hacked and we, as well as fans, have been subject to this movement's defacto leader who shall NOT be named here. In this video, he claims lies as truth, spreads false information that incites public distrust, and even suggests attending the HWA Reunion event disguised as HWA fans in order to gain access, and then, terrorize those in the arena... all in the name of a man who was laid to rest, and before that, was imprisoned for high crimes of the highest degree.
This man is not an idol. This man is not a martyr.
With that said, the growing dissension that exists in the weeks leading up to the event, combined with the looming climate of violence on our very door steps, with a heavy heart, it saddens me to make the righteous decision to cancel this year's HWA event effective immediately. We will be refunding those who have spent money for tickets to the event, and will honor any pre-sale perks acquired for early admission during our March offer.
I'm not going to sit here and make promises of returning because I do not have a crystal ball, but what I can tell you is, the year of 2021 can not continue at this time.
Sincerely,
President Ron Royalty]]>
Nothing.
She tiptoes away down the hall, only letting loose a soft sigh when she reached the safety of her own bedroom.
Syren closes her eyes and absorbs the silence for long seconds. Such moments of peace were extraordinarily rare in the Wolfe household, never mind the very few stolen ones she had all to herself. With the baby finally down for a nap, Tristan at therapy, and Niahm off with her aunt Skye, she only had one destination in mind.
She glances at the bed...although a nap of her own did sound... No. She had been daydreaming of a bubble bath for weeks now, and she was going to grab this precious chance.
She sets the baby monitor on high and enters the bathroom, turning on the spigots and pouring a healthy dollop of lavender scented solution under the running water. She hands a silken robe nearby, gathers towels, and prepares to indulge.
She steps delicately into the steaming hot water, slowly submerging as the bubbles embrace her with their luscious scent. With a moan of contentment, she lays her head back, closing her eyes as the heat envelops her.
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
One eye pops open as she stares balefully at her phone.
Of course.
She debates on ignoring it, but a quick glance at the screen has a small smile flickering over her face. She probably would have, if it were anybody else. She swipes a finger across and puts it on speaker.
Syren: Hello there love.
Cassandra: Well, hello doll. How are you and Trys? How’s that beautiful new addition?
She said trying to make small talk as she sat down at the kitchen table
Syren grinned as she trailed a fingertip in the water.
Syren: Ah, very well. He’s at therapy, he’s doing so much better... worlds away from last year. As for the little beast... She’s finally taking a nap, I’m telling you... this little one hates sleep. She’s going to be a handful and a half. How are you and everyone else?
Cassandra: Well, I’m not sure if you have seen the news. We just had a group of angry protesters muttering something about Danny again, outside our home. I don’t know where they are getting this garbage.
Syren: No, I haven’t.
She frowns as she slides her toes out of the water, noting how badly she needed a pedicure.
Syren: What were they saying? Are you all okay? They aren't doing anything physical are they?
Relieved that she is getting to Syren before the news does.
Cassandra: We are fine thankfully. They think we, have something to do with hiding Danny. Can you believe that?! We all know he was killed, we attended the funeral. They are just some conspiracy theorists I’m sure.
Syren: You know Cass, ever since the press conference this has confused me. What sort of evidence could they possibly have? And if he somehow WAS alive you wouldn’t be harboring him after everything that happened at One Night Stand.
She pauses.
Syren: Right?
BZZZZZZZ
Syrens phone buzzes as an incoming text pops in at the top.
RON ROYALTY: THE HWA INFINITY SITE HAS BEEN HACKED
She sits up sharply, water sloshing dangerously at the edges of the tub, silent with shock.(edited)
Cassandra: Hold up, did you just get that text..?? Shit…
Syren: I did yeah....
Her voice trails off as her fingers fly over the screen, going to the HWA website to see for herself. She keeps speaking as she does.
Syren: I can’t believe it, who would do such a thing... Especially after last year and...
She stops as her eyes land on the webpage.
Syren: Of course it has to do with him. Look Cass, I think you should check out the site yourself. All I have to say is, this is getting really old and I thought we laid it to rest with your brother. I was hoping life would get back to normal, without Danny Starr hanging over us and....
She expels a large sigh.
Syren: I gotta go. I hear the baby. Talk later.
She clicks off and drops the phone onto the bathmat, sinking down into the tub once more, her mind racing. So much for that peaceful moment.
]]>
¨you know, Mcdreamy dies ...right¨ Michael startled her as he reached around the back of the couch, kissing his wife on the head.
¨you mock me, but the fact is you know who that is soo….¨ she raised her eyebrow at him ¨Can, I help you..?”she asked sarcastically, wanting to get back to her tv show.
¨I am going to pick up Scarlett from school and take her to the mall. She claims i owe her, for her grades…?¨ he said confused
¨You spoil that child, Michael….have fun, ill figure out something for dinner with Shawn¨”she kissed him goodbye as he grabbed his keys and headed out the door. She picked up the remote and unpaused the show to begin watching again.
¨Mom…?¨ she heard coming from the stairs She huffed as she paused the show again
¨Yes, Shawn...what can I do for you? She said annoyed.
¨How was the conference, I haven't really talked to dad?¨”he said quietly
¨Well, your dad and I have matches against Romeo and Auntie Syren. So that will be interesting¨ she said as she turned around to face him
¨Can i ask you a question?¨ he said timidly
¨As long as it is in a different tone, then the last attack i received from you¨ she said cocking her head at him
¨Yeah, i am really sorry about that mom, just alot going on with the Uncle's death, and school.¨”he said bitiǹg his lip
¨”Speaking of Uncle Danny, i've been reading online…..Mom...people think he`s alive?¨ Shawn said excitedly
Shaking her head, sad to burst her sons bubble ¨Shawn, Danny is gone. We had the funeral, weve gone through the will¨… she exhaled ¨”you really need to stop going on those silly websites¨
Noticing Shawn has a bucket of green paint in his hand she looked down at the paint and then up at him. Pointing at the bucket ¨what exactly is going on with that¨ she said questioning his intent.
¨nothing, just...ah...updating my room¨ he said nervously running up the stairs
She shook her head and unpaused her show ….
¨Diamond Calling¨”her phone announced. As the phone rang a ¨Breaking News¨ came through the tv.
¨People protesting outside the DIamond Mansion¨ the reporter announced Cassandra ignoring her husbands phone call as she intently watched the broadcast
¨”Seems to be a mob of people, believing DANNY STARR, is still alive, and tht the Diamond family is hiding the truth¨ the reporter continued ¨ we will be bringing love reports throughout the day¨
Cassandra in shock, staring at the television ¨You, have got to be kidding me¨ she uttered
Picking up her phone she dialed Michael.
¨Guessing you seen it too?¨ he said
¨What the hell is going on Michael, please come home soon. I am getting worried¨ she said.
¨We are on our way, stay inside and lock the doors. Huntress is keeping watch on the perimeter¨ he assured her
¨Ï better call Syren, and make sure they don`t believe any of this crap¨ she said shaking her head. She grabbed her phone and headed into the kitchen, staring out the window at the crowd of people shouting at their home, behind the gate.]]>
The regular, everyday din of the prison carried on outside his door, kept locked for twenty-three hours out of every day. The lone hour it wasn’t, he was simply moved to a slightly bigger enclosure, barely amounting to any more than a cage, outside.
98...99...100.
He flips, holding his hands out, toes touching the floor as he easily moves into push-ups, focused on keeping his body in superior shape. 1... 2... 3... Sweat sheens over his body, muscles rippling as he moves.
“Maxem!”
He is so engrossed, he doesn’t notice his name being shouted over the rest of the noise outside the damnable door. 20... 21... 22...
“Yo! MAXEM!”
Ryan Maxem pauses, mid drop. “What do you want Flores?” he shouts back.
“Yo, you were in that HWA yeah? You hear the news about your boy?”
“What boy?” Maxem slides into a standing position, striding over to the door to stick his face against the bar, looking down the row, barely seeing Flores’ heavily tattooed arms, hanging negligently out of his own cell. Bastard had just come back from his leisure hour. “What are you talking about?”
“Man, that Starr chump. He offed himself bro! All on the news and shit.”
Maxem leans against the cold steel and laughs heartily.
“Fucking A Flores, you just made my night.”
Later..............
His door sliding open awakens him.
“C’mon Maxem. Visitor.”
“At this fucking hour?”
“I don’t get paid to ask questions, move your ass.”
He barely has time to slip his prison issued sandals on before he is ushered out the door in nothing but his boxers. He strolls along, not a care in the world, more intrigued than anything else as he is ushered into the communal visiting room. His eyes land on the man waiting for him, sitting with a casual air about him, legs spread taking up maximum space as he hunches over. Maxem smirks.
“Maybe I was wrong, maybe you just made my night. What are you doing here?”
"You know me?" The same man who visited Abrianna asks the former HWA champion.
“Man, do you not realize how fast news travels? Even in here?” Maxem crosses his arms over his chest, purposely making his muscles bulge in his biceps. “Why you looking for me though?”
"I didn't take you for such a news junkie... then, I guess you saw my latest work at that hospital? Whatever, point is, you have a reputation... I have a reputation... what do you say we walk out of here and make beautiful acts of atrocity together?" the man offers, a malicious smile across his face like a cheshire cat's grin.
Laughter bubbles from Ryan Maxem, turning sarcastic in nature as his shit eating grin morphs into a sneer. “And how the fuck do you expect that to happen as much as I wish it were possible? You know damn good and well they ain’t gonna let a bastard like me out onto the streets. Never mind with a fucker with a mind like yours.”
He shakes his head as he leans on a nearby partition, running a hand over his washboard abs as if to reassure himself he looked as good as he thought he did.
“The fucking fuzz in here man, they are jokes, but they aren’t as dumb as their fat asses waddling around look.”
The man laughs in Ryan's face. "Man, did it even cross your mind how I got in here to begin with? The fuzz nice and fuzzy... but it's not really your option to choose, buddy. You can come with me... or you can keep bein' a little pussy."
He jerks upright, his upper lip curling as he drags his eyes from the top of the man's head, down to his feet and back. Was this guy nuts? Who the fuck was he calling a pussy? Was he blind?
“The fuck man? Doesn’t fucking matter how you got in here. Thought you had something of substance to give me.”
He pushes forward, letting his bulk invade the man's space.
“Instead you just dealing in insults and shit that won't happen, just asking to get your ass beat.”
"Shit, man.... I thought you knew who I was." the man raises a knife to Maxem's throat, backing him to the wall, "You know what I find interesting about people like you? The amount of effort and time dedicated to building your body up to the point everyone is too scurred to talk back to you... but you see, a little sharp blade like the one pressing against your throat makes all of that effort and time completely useless... a few inches... a small movement and all of that muscle drops to the floor... but... you are still employed, whether you like it or not... and you are going to come with me, boy."
The man pulls the knife away, a drip of blood leaks down Maxem's neck.
"So, let's be friends... yeah?" the man smiles the same way as before, but this time, Maxem feels uneasy about the context.
The heat of embarrassment floods Maxem’s body, and he grits his teeth against a sharply hurled retort. His fingers twitch, clenching and unclenching in a conscious effort to keep his tenuous hold on what control he had left. He detested being threatened, and he especially detested being made a fool of. Especially by this... worm. Unfortunately, said creature had the upper hand in this... and a reputation for not being the kindest. Word got around in Ryan’s circle about people of his sort.
“Yeah. Let's do that.” he growls, biting his tongue to prevent any expletives from following. “Heard shit from the news. What do you need me for?”
"Same reason Starr needed you to begin with... You are the muscle."]]>
“Ah yes, Mr. Vogel? Just the man I wanted to talk to”
"Oh?" Dr. Vogel's german voice is surprised, "Well, there is a reason I am calling you and everyone else. Are you able to talk at this exact moment?"
"Well I am busy but I do make time to speak to people when I have business to discuss which we do have. But what reason did you have for calling me?" Grimjack says as he tries to compose himself.
"Well, I just wanted to let you know that due to an undeniably rare opportunity I have pledged to offer Robin Vengeance a BYE in the Gauntlet match for the Apex championship... I do hope you understand. I am calling everyone on the roster to inform them in directly.(edited)
Grimjack pauses for a moment. "Um ok but can I ask why? Because he got his leg ripped off? Can't it just be reattached?"
"I'm very sorry but its an opportunity to enhance our company's mission, it shouldn't affect your own chances of victory. Which, in my opinion, are just as unrealistic as any of the other human competition against predator45.... I'm sorry, that was a poorly delivered joke. Now... What is it you'd like to ask me?"
"Well now wait just a second here. It's already a bit unfair but I'm not too worried, I plan to win this. The only one I'm worried about is Evan Blane because I know he can fight. But you have me stepping threw a lot of hoops here. It's a gauntlet where I have to beat multiple people. Which is fine but yeah that brings me to what I wanted to talk about. My pay. It's going to need to go up a bit especially if you're giving other people a bye and not me. Because I'm helping bring in viewership. And Blane deserves a raise too by the way. We're the biggest names here and you got a bit lucky to get us bringing eyes to your product. You're making money ten times what you pay us for the TV deal. I know the numbers. Look, I respect you. Big time. But let's treat each other like men. And not bullshit each other. I'm making you money, you can make me money. We can make a long term deal here and it will ensure SWC stays popular for an entire year or more. What do you think? Can we talk turkey or not?" Grimjack decides to leave it at that and await a response.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Grimjack, I hear you and I don't mean to dismiss you or your question but I have to go, quite abruptly I'm afraid. We will discuss these ideas at another time... Please forgive me."
Dr. Vogel hangs up before Grimjack can respond, putting his phone in his pocket, and never looking back at the approaching visitor who just abruptly entered the lab.
Dr. Vogel: I didn’t expect you so soon… especially with our employer, how should I say… unavailable. I would have guessed our dealings were paused.
Visitor: You would be correct in that assumption, Doc. But… I have an alternative direction that begs for your assistance.
Dr. Vogel never looks up, smiling to himself.
Dr. Vogel: I’m sorry, but we both know that if I wasn’t give approval by you know who… that I will not be taking part in any of your… extra curricular activities.
Visitor: I think maybe you should reconsider your decision! We wouldn’t want to have to find a new doctor when the time comes.
Vogel finally turns to the visitor.
Dr. Vogel: How dare you come into my Laboratory with no invitation, threatening me to do your bidding when we both know that when our employer IS available, you will certainly suffer the backlash, and rightfully so. I don’t work for YOU.
Before Dr. Vogel can finish letting out the word, in a dash, gloved hands are already around his collar, hoisting him up in midair and pushes his back into a metal cabinet. He struggles to breathe as he grabs the man’s wrists.
Dr. Vogel: Let… go… of… me…
Visitor: You’re going to help my friend here… and you’re going to do it right this moment. I promised him you were the best… now, figure out what makes this leg work the way it works on that douche bag’s nub, and apply it to my friend here…
Dr. Vogel sees a man in the shadows, lurking, but lurking from a wheel chair.
Dr. Vogel: You want this gentleman to have robotic legs… so he can waste them as he sits in a chair with wheels…?
The visitor laughs, his grin like a carnivorous animal baring it’s teeth, with jagged edges that are caught in the low lightning. Dr. Vogel feels a chill run up his spine at their sight.
Visitor: I want you to make him homoerectus… and I want you to do make him as strong and unstoppable… just like your precious Sinbots. You don’t have long, so unless you want Dr. Shaw to become the primary physician in our… place of employment, I suggest you get on it… Got it?
Dr. Vogel begrudgingly nods and the visitor drops him to the floor once again. He begins to cough as air is introduced back into his lungs without the visitor’s hands preventing it.
Visitor: I’ll leave you two to it!
Dr. Vogel: (Coughing) How… long… do I…
but in a blink, the visitor is gone, and only the man in the chair remains.
Dr. Vogel: Have.
Man in the chair: You have until July 3rd. Not a single day later.
Dr. Vogel: Well then… let’s get to work.]]>
Tommy: You send someone to do a job you expect them to do it. Unknown Ninja… he’s someone we could have used last year.
Tommy looks up surprised to find he’s not alone in the room.
Sett holsters a duffel bag over his shoulder before reaching into his pocket to find his cigarettes. Opening the new pack, he pops a cig above its brethren, snags it deftly with his free hand, and offers the package to TCO if he so chooses. Accept or refuse, he'll put the death sticks back into his pocket before withdrawing a lighter and shaking his head, releasing a low whistle.
Sett: So uh, what the fuck, right?
He chuckles and lights the cigarette, offering the light to TCO as well if necessary. He relishes the first drag, glancing out the window towards the skyline of the city for a moment. Just as he seems about to say something, Tommy Romeo comes wandering in as well. Sett just raises his eyebrows at the man and his remarks.
Sett: Hey buddy.
TCO smiles and looks at one of his oldest friend offer him one of his old vices. Normally, he’d refuse…but given what the fuck just happened, well why not?
TCO: What the fuck is right. What’s an HWA celebration without Danny Starr fucking it up somehow. Alive, dead, otherwise.
TCO takes a long drag off the cigarette and studies the two men in front of him.
Tommy: I don’t know if I should be nervous in a room alone with you two or not.
Tommy opens the door and peeks out into the hallway to see a frustrated Erin searching for him. He quietly closes the door again and presses his back to it.
Tommy: Definitely safer in here. Erins on a rampage. Been a bit gents. I should have asked one of you two to find the ninja last year. Blane saw a body pulled out of the river gave up and went home.
He chuckles a bit breathing the second hand smoke in deeply as if trying to get a long needed nicotine fix.
TCO quietly stares at Romeo.
TCO: No, but perhaps we sidetrack the Starr conversation for a moment and ask you why on earth you’re scared of your wife and have an appointment with diabetes next week.
Romeo goes to open his mouth for a response but TCO shakes his head.
TCO: You remember that you went on one hell of a journey and we respect you as a warrior. Don’t open your mouth and shove a Reese’s cup in it and prove me wrong.
Sett offers an almost meek shrug in response.
Sett: But if you're offering instead, I'll take one!
Romeo grind an drops his bag on the ground. Unzipping the front pocket revealing an assortment of candy and jerky.
Romeo: Take your pick big guy. Also… im not scared of her I just need a breather. I’m sure you know how overwhelming it can be to spend months away from home and return to be thrust into family life. The snacks help me cope..
TCO nods his head.
TCO: I do. And this is experience talking. That lady and child need you to do your part and be there for them. Running - be it this room or somewhere else with lots of snacks - is only going to make it worse for you. Pull your shit together. Be the saying on the coffee mug - “No one cares, work harder.”
With that, TCO puts his hand on Romeo’s shoulder and looks to Sett and Tommy.
TCO: So who had Ninja alive after all in the death pool?
Sett: Do we even know it's him? The guy was "Unknown Ninja," for christ's sake, his whole schtick was that nobody ever saw underneath the mask.
Sett instead reaches into his pocket for his cell phone, holding it up and shaking it towards the other two men, a reference to the video message they all received.
Sett: This is what's been in my head since it all went down. Surely it won't be hard to verify any video editing, right?
He swipes open the phone and plays the video again, just to watch one more time.
Sett: I've got a guy who can but...
Sett looks back up at TCO.
Sett: I imagine you've got at least a couple and a bit better of a budget, to boot.
TCO: I do, but sometimes my guys are playing catch up with “the real world”. And loyalty can be kind of funny sometimes. Let’s go both avenues and see what we come back with. We either corroborate a similar answer, or we start getting into some really, really interesting threads to pull if they’re different.
TCO takes one last drag and puts the butt out under his dress shoe.
TCO: But yeah, I agree with you. Kind of an interesting thought that Unknown Ninja maybe a mantle and not a person.
TCO chuckles in advance of his next question.
TCO: So seriously, the Danny Starr truth website. QAnon lite much?
Tommy: Heh. I didn’t have Ninja being alive but I definitely had a Danny Starr conspiracy theory prop bet. If Starr was alive. Someone would know. Maybe someone should ask Cass and Michael about what they know… Just saying.
Sett laughs and shakes his head.
Sett: I wish I could say I was surprised. Now everybody's got the blueprint for paranoia and conspiracy laid out before them, these days.
He pauses to consider. Not to say that all conspiracies were made up, after all... His thoughts are interrupted by Tommy's words, snapping him back to attention.
Sett: I don't know, that seems a little... accusatory? I mean...
Sett glances back and forth between the two.
Sett: We don't... actually believe that's possible, do we?
Tommy: If you had seen the things I’ve seen in the last year you might question it too. I had to go to Damien a few months ago because we had some craziness go on at the RMI office. Erin was assaulted in her office. DVR caught nothing. Damiens guys found nothing. A Ghost…
Tommy runs his hands through his thinning hair till it reaches the back of his neck where he leaves it.
Tommy: Makes you question your sanity.
TCO stares to the sky and sighs.
TCO: Does it really matter if we believe it’s possible? We get two choices. Either investigate it as if this is another Starr plan or we ignore it and he creates another persona that blind sides us AGAIN.
TCO looks to Sett and Romeo.
TCO: This situation needs True Detective Season 1.
Sett and Romeo look incredulously at TCO.
TCO: Well, or it’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It needs a whodunnit board!
Sett purses his lips and rubs the skin above them thoughtfully.
Sett: Suppose I could grow a shitty mustache...
He snorts out a slight, breathy laugh and shakes his head.
Sett: You're right though. Whatever the truth is, we can't just let it sit and fester. I'll get the gang together and see what we can rustle up. Keep in touch?
Tommy: Seems like you gents have got this covered.
Tommy chuckles.
Tommy: I’ve got some stuff on my plate with RMI and being Rons bitch till the event is over. He made a large donation that made starting RMI possible. Kinda in his debt.
TCO thinks for a moment and looks to Romeo.
TCO: Go apologize to your wife and get your head back in the game. I think you as. Ron’s bitch puts you in a good spot to keep an eye on things around him. Like, where is the old man now?
Letting that thought linger, TCO scuffs the cigarette butt from earlier under his heel.
TCO: Guys - I hope the Diamonds aren’t a part of this. I really hope they’re not. But if they are…they need to be dealt with.
With that, TCO offers his hand to each, and starts to walk away from the REC.]]>
"What do you guys make of this?" Romeo asks the group not considering the fact that Grim had missed the entire scene on stage.
Blane looks at Tommy already visibly annoyed by everything that just transpired. Blane walks over while keeping his eyes locked on Romeo
Blane: First. Don't snap your fingers at me. I'm not a dog. Second, I was there at the scene I saw them fish a body out of the swamp. I don't have a clue about this especially since he's claiming that Danny is still breathing air.(edited)
Grimjack puts his phone back in his pocket.
Grimjack: Hey what’d you say about Danny? Starr? I was meaning to speak to you about him.
Tommy goes to snap at Evan again but Erin swats his hand.
Erin: You think if Danny was actually still alive my sources wouldn’t have come to me with some sort of information? This is clearly the tabloids at work. How do we even know the man in the crowd is actually who he claims to be?
Tommy: We don’t, but Rons still out there with him so clearly he’s convinced. Tommy sneers at Evan
“They pulled a body out of the swamp so I just assumed it was the guy I was looking for and left. “He says mockingly
Also where did he get this footage of the Diamond estate?
Erin: You know you should really be nicer to the people you care about or they may all just end up leaving you.
Blane starts to raise his hands in a striking manor, turns around and starts to breath slowly and tries to calm down. Blane turns back around to Tommy and looks him dead in the eye.
Blane: Honestly, if you were anyone else you would be staring at the ceiling because I would have floored you. Consider that your warning.
Evan turns back to Grimjack and calmly goes to speak to him in a nicer and calmer tone.
Blane: Yeah Grim, you were on the phone with someone but Unknown Ninja showed up in the crowd spouting some conspiracy theory shit about Starr being alive and paying off Cass and Michael. I have no actual idea on whats going on.
Grim jacks eyes get wide.
Grimjack: Unknown Ninja? THE Unknown Ninja? You’re kidding right?
Blane: Nope. It was Ninja. I went to Florida to go recruit him and Maxem off'ed him. I saw them drag his body out of a swamp. I don't understand it.
Grimjack: How did they identify him? He always wore a ninja mask. I worked with him for years but I never who his real identity was. In fact I’d never have known if it was one guy if not for the fact that he always fought with the same unique style. Unpredictable, random. It’s what made him so dangerous. What was he saying? Did he say anything that proved what he was saying was true?
Blane: He said he had video of Mark Crow dropping money off to Cass and Michael. That's all he had on video. Outside that he's got nothing substantial. It bothers me. Erin are you sure there was no information to this? I mean there had to be some form of chatter.
Erin: There have been propaganda sites popping up on the internet like DSLives.com and a few others. But nothing I would call credible information.
Tommy looks to Grim
Tommy: He floored two security guards as quickly as they got to him. Kicked one of em right in the head.(edited)
Grimjack nods his head knowingly.
Grimjack: That checks out. A roundhouse kick is one of his patented moves. I saw the chatter online about Starr being alive too and there’s a lot of evidence. It makes sense. Rich add jokes always fake their deaths in prison. Epstein. Madoff. Kenny boy Lay. Is Ninja still there or did he leave? We need to know what else he knows. Maybe now he’s the Known Ninja. You said he had footage of the Diamond estate? That might be where Starr is hiding out. I have been wanting to question Diamond about what he knows about Conner but he’s impossible to get a hold of. That estate has armed guards. It’d make sense. A 3 dimensional star looked at from the side looks like a 2 dimensional diamond. Just like how a cube transposes a hexagon. This is finally starting to make sense.
Blane just looks at Grimjack astonished.
Blane: I have always been just amazed how your brain works sometimes. I know Cass and Michael, they aren't involved. In fact they would probably want nothing to do with Danny after the events of ONS. Michael would probably wants to get his hands on him, just as much as I do.(edited)
Erins phone rings and she hands Raine off to Tommy who awkwardly takes the child holding him almost as you would carry a football. Erin picks up her phone and begins to walk away.
Erin: Sasha? Hey, yeah everything is fine. I think if anywhere is safe it’s with the people on that stage hahaha.
Tommy: Yeah you think that Evan but then again you’ve changed after last year. How do we know they don’t have their own thing going on. Yeah he was your friend but they were family.
In addition to that if you two knew the half of what taking down the High Society let loose on the world you would both be shitting your pants. Ask Shawn he’s seen it all first hand.
If Danny was alive I’d sure as hell like to speak to him and ask him what the fuck he woulda done about the Left Hand
Grimjack: Tommy, a year ago you told me you and Erin set Danny up and tricked him into showing up and exposing himself at One Night Stand. How did you know he was behind all of the killings? Why was he killing Conner and the rest? You said you were an informant for the CIA and told them to show up to arrest Starr. It was Erin wasn't it? She wrote a report on Starr and she was the one that theorized he was still alive. Who called her just now? Why did she walk away after I said what I said? That was a dangerous game setting up One Night Stand. We all almost died. I'm not looking to let Starr finish the job here. I want the cards on the table. If I shuld be shitting my pants let me shit my pants. At least then I'll have the stink at my back. You informed the CIA, well speaking of the Left Hand they killed a CIA agent. They killed a bunch of Starr's old henchmen that we fought at One Night Stand. Yeah I know all about that.
Tommy: Sasha is Erins assistant. Grim we didn’t know Danny was going to start having people killed when we decided to try and draw him out. Nor did we have proof it was him having the HWA superstars killed at the time. What we had was an encrypted flash drive that Kevin acquired....
Tommy stops mid sentence.
Grim what do you know about the Left Hand?(edited)
Grimjack thinks for a second.
Grimjack: The CIA had come around asking questions. A guy named Oliver Danielson. He was clueless. I told him to talk to you, not sure if he ever did. He said someone was killing danny Starr's associates and he was investigating it. I told him I didn't know anything. This was a few months ago. Then just recently I googled his name and it turns out he's dead. Allegedly a suicide. But the news article said he had narrowed down the killer to be William Keen, also known as Baphomet, and he was active in the XWF, you were there right? Did you know the guy? He worked for the Left Hand right?
Tommy: Yeah I worked with Oliver. He wasn’t as clueless as you may think. I was there the night he arrested the Baphomet. The Left Hand is old Grim we’re talking Knights Templar old. They are incredibly dangerous but as far is I can tell they’ve been wiped off the face of the earth.
Tommy shudders thinking about the last two months of his life and looks down at the child in his arms.
Tommy: You poor guy. If you only knew what kinda world you’ve been born into.
Blane, who is leaning against a wall listening to everything being said just shakes his head.
Blane: I just don't understand it. Knights Templar? Left Hand? I thought they were just a faction. Didn't think they were attached to anything big.
Grimjack frowns.
Grimjack: Well the article also said William Keen was released from prison. He’s still out there so how is that “wiped from the face of the earth”? And he obviously killed Danielson. Or maybe they were in on it together and he faked his suicide just like Starr. It’d make sense for the CIA to help cover shit up. They torture, the commit coups. If the Left Hand is a Knights Templar kind of thing it’d make sense that the CIA was involved with them. Just look at their logo. It’s a red star. Why were you trusting them anyway? What was on that flash drive that Conner had? Did you just give it to the CIA?
Tommy: The flash drive was given to the FBI Grim and it contained the information that put the members of the high society in prison. William Keen was released from prison and then subsequently shot.
Erin then reinserts herself into the conversation having hung up and heard the end of Grimjacks barrage of questions.
Erin: “That red star theory is just ridiculous. Your taking things that have nothing to do with each other and trying to make associations that are completely illogical. “She says as she takes Raine back from Tommy. “I told you to stop holding him like this I’ve showed you several times how to hold a baby damnit.”
Blane chuckles to himself, shaking his head.
Blane: The one thing I can say about this is there is never a dull moment when Daniel Starr is involved. He maybe be "dead" but he will always find a way to fuck shit up. Metaphorically and physically.
Grimjack: I need to go see what Ron thinks about this... excuse me...]]>
Ninja: A vicious cycle, isn't it? I had spent the last 20 years of my career figuring out who I really am. Things are hidden in plain sight. Dead? No. Very much alive.
Ron Royalty: but the car in the river... They confirmed you were in the car... It was all over the news.
Ninja: Did...anyone confirm it was me? DNA? Fingerprint? Biometrics?
Ron Royalty: I mean... You weren't the only one. I can't say I saw an autopsy but I imagine it being confirmed made logical sense...
Royalty tries to lighten the conversation by reaching for ninjas wrist in a friendly manner.
Ron Royalty: maybe it was your clone!
Royalty begins to chuckle and realizes the man once known as Unknown Ninja isnt laughing with him.
Ninja: ... I appreciate that this is a joke to you.
Ninja scowls.
Ron Royalty: My apologies, it's just... we lost so many at the hands of that monster... I mean, how did you manage to escape what looked like certain death?
Ninja: 20 years ago I had the unfortunate pleasure of running into a group of mobsters who thought it would be a good idea to clone me.
He opens a folder containing information regarding DNA strands, cloning, and a project related to cloning HWA Wrestlers.
Ninja: ...
He pauses once more.
Ninja: Obviously whoever did this wanted to replace us. Figuring them starting with me would easily replace the others....I was smarter than them.
He flips through the pages.
Ninja: These mobsters weren't behind this, not at all.
Ron Royalty takes the folder and it's contents into his own hand as he looks it over, he looks back up to Ninja.
Ron Royalty: If you showed me this back then, I would have thought you were crazy but... after last year, nothing surprises me.. but I'll tell you one thing, Ninja... that video that you sent everyone.... the video you showed me. Whatever it is... there is a reasonable explanation. There is no way Michael Diamond and Cassandra Diamond would betray us... not after One Night Stand... and what were you doing there to begin with?
Ninja shakes his head. He takes his mask out from his back pocket and looks at it.
Ninja: ... that is my business Ron. For now. I knew both of them, very well. I did not want to believe it either at first, but here we are.
Ron Royalty: I don't know what to believe anymore. Everything I thought was true is being challenged. Not to mention these nutcases out there spreading conspiracy theories that Starr is still out there somewhere and if that wasn't enough, they are on his side! After all of the horrible actions, some crazies are out there wanting to continue his war. Strange times. And then here you are... back from the dead.
Ninja smirks.
Ninja: Being back from the dead implies I was dead to begin with. If Starr is actually out there.....
Ninja sighs. He takes back the folder from Ron and flips through the pages. Various pictures of possible Starr sightings, work ups, and other things are in there.
Ninja: Believe me, I tried.
Ron Royalty: Hypothetically... If Starr were still alive... if I know Michael Diamond and Cassandra... there's absolutely no way they'd harbor him after what he had done to our fellow HWA family. They had to sell Starr Enterprises to escape the association! It just doesn't make sense...
Ninja: And with that, I am as in the dark as you are...
Ron Royalty: I will talk to Michael and Cass... but what will you do?
Ninja looks at Ron and then walk away, leaving the folder on a table. He stops and turns back to Ron.
Ninja: ... what I do best.
Ron Royalty: Now, you listen closely. We go back... but we have this event coming up, I am begging you not to fan the flames... not with these fanatics running around... I can't risk another ONS... especially over a video that could be taken out of context... All right?
Royalty turns to see Grimjack in the doorway, but when he turns back around, Ninja is gone.]]>
Royalty: Right! Let's go out there and make the building shake!
The HWA survivors, filled with comraderie, excitedly ready themselves to enter the electrifying environment awaiting them. Starting with the HWA Owner/President, the HWA survivors file into the room with an ovation so intense, the building literally shakes as predicted.
They walk in a line to their designated seating arrangements at a large table in front of the roaring audience and press, camera's flash, camera's record for live television, and fans go wild for their favorite superstars.
They wave and laugh at some signs being hoisted up in the crowd until Ron Royalty leans down to the microphone. When he begins to speak, the audience immedietely tampers down to listen.
Ron Royalty: Thank you all for being here today. First and foremost we want to say congratulations to Erin Wallace and join in welcoming her new baby boy...
Erin stands up and waves to everyone , baby Raine on her hip. Tommy remains seated an anxious smile on his face, this being his first time in public in months, his gaze fixed on Erin and the child.
Ron Royalty: Many of you remember Erin as an interviewer from the old HWA days but now she is a freelance journalist and administrative assistant for our own Romeo Management Inc. And in that same vein, if any good has come from the tragedy and bloody horrorshow that was One Night Stand... it has brought all of us together to be less of a roster and more like a family.
The HWA survivors and audience roar in ovation.
Ron Royalty: And even though our event traumatized us, it seems to have sparked a revival of sorts for professional wrestling as a whole! Which is another positive thing.
Once again, cheering and clapping shake the conference.
Ron Royalty: With that said... I want to thank everyone for being here beside me... and most importantly, we want to thank YOU, the people who wanted the HWA Reunion, for making this all possible. Without the fans, we would just be some geriatric blokes running around in spandex so I thank you.
"Speak for yourself, Ron!" a weathered Jack Metal cuffs his hands as he jokingly shouts from the audience over their clapping.
Ron Royalty: Fair enough! Now, without any further ado, Let's introduce the HWA SURVIVORS!!!!!!!
(Thunderous applause as Royalty turn his attention to the person sitting at the furthest position to his right.)
Ron Royalty: Without this man, we might not have had the energy we needed to win back the HWA... Everyone, returning for this year's annual... "The Deadly One" Dan Sawyer!!!
Dan Sawyer stands up and waves with a nervous smile before sitting back down. The audience loves Dan and most stand up to applaud him for his efforts at ONS.
Ron Royalty: Next to Sawyer, we have "The Chos..." I'm sorry... "The Ultimate" Tommy Romeo!!!
Tommy scowls at Ron and swallows hard, then stuffs some sort of wrapper in his pocket and stands up and waving to the audience a smile the size of Texas on his face.
He then leans down into the table and softly speaks into the microphone set in front of him. “Thanks you all for your continued support. I’m Very glad to be here today with everyone after last year. Who knows maybe I’ll actually get to participate in a match this year.”
Tommy nods at Ron and sits back down, sliding his hand into his pocket as he does and stealthily pulling out another single Reese’s cup then stuffing it into his mouth. He looks away from Ron and back over to Erin. She shakes her head and frowns at him as he begins to chew.(edited)
Ron Royalty: Oh you best believe, Mr. Romeo. But we'll get to that in a few minutes. Next to Romeo here is members of his management agency starting with "the real FN deal... Evan Blane!!!"
Evan stands and smiles and waves a hand at the fans, then reaches down and grabs a microphone off the table
Evan Blane: Hello Ron. Good to see everyone again, oh and Ron, its "The Revenant" now. The Real Deal died that night when the event ended. And to the fans...... Thanks for the love!
Blane raises his hand and waves again and places the mic down on the table and sits.
Ron Royalty: Very good! The Revenant. I like it. Alright, thanks for making it Mr. Blane... And the other member of R.M.I. next to the revenant... HWA legend... GRIMJACK!!!
Grimjack reaches across the table and grabs the mic that Evan Blane had set down. He taps it a few times making sure it’s still on. The fans start cheering and chanting “GRIMJACK”.
Grimjack: Thanks, thanks. You know, I’d like to thank you fans first of all. This is great. It’s been too long hasn’t it?
The fans start chanting “YOU STILL GOT IT” clearly as a joke. Grimjack starts cracking up.
Grimjack: I’m feeling the love. It’s great that you all still support us. What was it, 2005? I got fired by HWA for losing a loser leaves town match to Peter Octavian. Probably my lowest moment. Then last year we got back together and it wasn’t under the best of circumstances. My good friends were getting killed and I’m glad I helped put a stop to it. Well I won’t mention who was at fault there, this is supposed to be a positive day. But suffice to say I’m glad to be back here and commiserating with the fans! Thank you, thank you. It’s also been a tough year but when Ron Royalty reached out to me about getting back together for this event I didn’t even have to think about it. Instant yes. Maybe it’s just nostalgia. We’re back in style 15 years later. It’s going on a lot lately. We got Cobra Kai. We got Mighty Ducks Gamechangers. The Friends Reunion. What’s old is new again. Last year we had One Night Stand but it’s not just one night. We’re back baby! I have unfinished business. You may have heard, I’m fighting robots these days. Yeah it’s wild. And weed is legal now! So despite it all it’s a great time to be alive. I’m proud to be working with my colleagues Evan and Tommy here. Tommy, yeah I hope you do compete this year! If you’re feeling up to it. But I know you’re a great manager now, thanks for the help getting back into wrestling. Alright, I’ve been droning on long enough. I’ll shut up now.
The crowd cheers at Grimjack’s self deprecating humor. Grimjack rolls the mic back down across the table toward Ron.
Ron Royalty: Did he say fighting robots? Anyway, before we move on... I want to say that Tristan Wolfe should be up here with the rest of our HWA family but will not be returning this year. But he's healing up and back on his feet... And will certainly be supporting his significant other who is our next to introduce... SYREN!!!
Syren rises to her feet, flashing a smile towards Tristan, who was in the crowd watching with their newest addition, another daughter, cradled in his arms. Niahm, by his side, waved excitedly.
“Last year, tragedy brought us all back together in the most unexpected ways. This year, we join once more, but under much better circumstances. There have been a lot of ups and downs between now and then, but the moment I heard Ron’s voice on the phone, there was no doubt in my mind what I was going to say. I for one, cannot wait to step foot in the ring once more. I think we have all proven, without a shadow of a doubt, that no matter what happens, the bonds of HWA will live on forever.”
She slips back into her seat, tossing her hair over her shoulder.
The crowd nearly explodes in ovation, even with hoots and hollers as Ron Royalty swells with pride.
Ron Royalty: Syren, I believe everyone in attendance as well as those sitting on either side of myself shares the exact same sentiment.
Now, the last HWA superstar to introduce from this side of the table being Syren, I now switch to the opposite side to introduce a man who needs no introduction... Mr. Damien Michaels... The CHOSEN ONEEEE!!!!!!
Damien Michaels stands up from his chair and takes in the crowd. A “tee-see-OHHH” chant starts, and Damien responds with a smile and a wave back to the crowd. Buttoning his suit jacket, he takes a moment to shake his tablemates’ hands and slaps Ron Royalty on the back as he walks to the podium. Stopping for a moment again, he shakes his head and laughs.
TCO: You know, standing in front of this crowd here today makes me feel about 20 years younger! The HWA has always had the best fans in the wrestling business, second to NONE.
The crowd roars it approval back to Damien, who knows he’s feeding them exactly what they want to hear!
TCO: The last 18 months of our lives have been one hell of a roller coaster. You’ve got a global pandemic, political infighting, social justice movements, a wrestling event featuring paramilitary operators…but at the end of it, what did we wind up with?
TCO gestures to his panel mates and the crowd.
TCO: Community. THIS community. Friendships made, relationships once broken put back together, friendships maybe forgotten - remembered. In a time of struggle ranging from global to personal, the survivors of the HWA and every one of you have banded together to move past the nonsense holding all of us back to build something we can all be proud of. We’ve all lost something and maybe someone, and this is our place and time to celebrate…life. Competition and performance at the highest levels to honor those we hold dear.
TCO reaches under the table and pulls out a bottle of whiskey and a glass. He pours a generous helping, and holds the glass high.
TCO: To my friends, to my family, to our FANS, and to those we have loved and lost…here’s to you. Long live the HWA!
Ron Royalty: I'll toast to that!
Ron grabs his bottle of water and holds it up, first to the left, then to his right, lingering on TCOs gaze a bit longer...
Ron Royalty: but it'll have to be a H20 for me.
He turns his bottle and attention to the crowd...
Ron Royalty: To the HWA! ...and to 14 months sober!
Ron Royalty swigs the bottle of water as the entire rooms applauds the HWA and his being back on the wagon.
Ron Royalty: Many memories with that man- with all of you, actually... And here's to many more. Now, I am very pleased to now introduce... HWA legend... And a long time personal friend as well... Please welcome SETT!!!!
Sett remains seated, grinning and looking out to the crowd. He begins to lift a single fist into the sky, reminiscent of his old in-ring taunt, but cancels halfway into a gratuitous wave as his grin widens into a full-blown smile. His other arm reaches for the microphone in front of him, pulling it from its stand and speaking into it.
Sett:
He pauses, screwing up his face and looking at the mic. He frowns and taps it a few times, speaking into it again with no luck. He checks the stem of the device again, presumably looking for an 'on' switch. Finally, with a shrug, he gestures over to the person next to him before reaching out and grabbing and testing their mic instead. Finding it online, he nods, pumping his fist in a pantomime of victory. It gets him a cheap pop as he gives his words another shot.
Sett: You know, I think somebody might've done that to me on purpose.
He laughs, pulling the mic away as he does so to keep the levels steady.
Sett: I feel like most everything worth saying has been said by people much more eloquent then I'll ever be. That being said, I'd be lying if it didn't sound like a great time to get back into the ring with the rest of these old heads, and for a good cause, too. We've all been busy adjusting to new lives recently, so I think a little bit of the good ol' days will be just what everyone needs. Don't y'all?
The gathered crowd cheers at the prospect.
Sett: We couldn't do any of it without support from all of you, either. Thanks for being there for us through it all!
He hands the microphone back and offers another wave before leaning back in his chair once more.(edited)
Ron Royalty: and last but certainly not least... Another one of our HWA power couples... "Your Heroes" Michael And Cassandra Diamond!!!
Michael Diamond took an exasperated sigh as he rose to his feet, looking out at the crowd gathered before him. The cheers were overwhelming for “Your Hero” as he seemed a bit off-put by it all, almost nervous even, as he answered them with a slight wave at the crowd and a forced smile. Michael took the microphone in hand and waited for the fans to quiet down before he finally spoke to the masses.
“Thank you Ron,” Diamond began, looking over to the HWA Owner. “And – of course – thank you to all of our loyal and amazing fans. Without all of you, we wouldn’t be here today…”
Again, another deep breath as his smile seemed to fade.
“For many of us, “Michael dared a look around at the fellow competitors seated up on stage with him. “The HWA was a place that we called ‘home’. Some of us found ourselves in different organizations at one time or another, but it seemed like no matter where we went… or how long we were gone for… we always came back here.”
Michael searched for the words to say as he tried to keep his emotions in check.
“Last year, at One Night Stand,” Diamond began, feeling the uneasiness shift within the auditorium. “I don’t think any of us knew just what, exactly, we were walking into. Regardless, with the existence of the HWA facing extinction, the men and women that you see up here today put it all on the line to preserve the legacy – OUR legacy. Now I know that our victory did not come without great cost; to ourselves, to our brothers-in-arms no longer with us, to even those caught in the crossfire. That is why this ReUnion show is of personal importance to me; for the money that we raise through it will go to help those afflicted by the aftermath of One Night Stand.”
Michael handed the microphone to his wife as he sat back down.
Cassandra smiled at her husband, as she took the mic.
“Thank you Michael” she said looking out at the crowd.
“As Michael said, we are grateful to be sitting here with our fellow HWA teammates as the events of One Night stand, caused so much heartache and uncertainty in our community. We certainly owe gratitude to to our fans, as your continued support is what keeps us coming back. Michael, And our two children and myself want to give back as much as we can to those so tragically taken from us. “
The crowds silence, changed to to booing of Cassandra, yelling “Danny Starr is a traitor” Cassandra looking nervously at her husband as the voices increased. She looked back at the crowd, irritated by the interruption
She looked back at Ron, with a half smile
“Thank you Ron, and for the record it’s Cassandra Starr-Diamond”(edited)
Ron Royalty: Right! Now, let's get on with what we're all gathered here for... THE BLOODY CARD FOR THE 2021 HWA REUNION SHOW!!!
The audience erupts with excitement!
Ron Royalty: Our first friendly wrestling match will be... "The Revenant" Evan Blane... vs. "The Deadly One" Dan Sawyer.... VS... Grimjack!!! In a THREE... WAY... DANCE!!!!!
Evan Blane and Grimjack grab each other's shoulders in a playful struggle before Dan Sawyer meets both of them each, grabbing each of their heads and pretending to bang them together. The audience just loves it.
Ron Royalty: Our second match... our lovely Syren... against Cassanda Sta..... Cassandra Starr-Diamond! Sorry about that...
Another positive reaction from the audience as both women playfully point at each other, smiling as they jokingly threaten one another from a distance. Michael joins in pretending to struggle as he holds Casssandra back.
Ron Royalty: Should be a fun one. Next up, The latter's husband, Michael Diamond... Vs. "The Ultimate" Tommy Romeo!(edited)
Another excited reaction from the crowd prompts both men to react as well. Romeo flexing his arms and Michael running a finger across his own throat.
Ron Royalty: And as for our main event, well.. this doesn't leave much to the imagination but, The Chosen One... Vs. Sett! Two great legends, a lot of great match-ups scheduled for this charity event, and an what an amazing show it will be on America's Independance Day!!
The audience explodes as Ron struggles to be heard over their HWA chants.
Ron Royalty: Now, we would hate to hold you up any longer, but... there is, I believe, a microphone stand set up...
Royalty squints as he looks from side to side in search of the microphone in question before spotting it near the back of the room.
Ron Royalty: Ah, there it is... yes, so anyone who has a question for our HWA about the show or just anything on their minds, please don't hesitate to jump on there and uhh, we'll do our best to give it a go. Everyone okay with that?
The HWA superstars nod and smile in their own unique styles before the first person stands up to ask a question.
A young woman comes to the microphone and nervously leans in before speaking.
"Um, this question is for Ron Royalty. Long time fan."
Ron Royalty: I'm sorry, your name?
"Oh, um, Kerry..." the young girl responds.
Kerry: I would like to ask you why not Tommy Romeo and Damian Michaels. "There can only be one Chosen One match!" You know... for the rights to the moniker! Whoo!!!
The audience laughs and Royalty grinds his teeth as he peers side to side.
Ron Royalty: Well, Kerry... I will say this. I love to give the fans what they want, but in this special case, the card is set as is! As far as the TCO moniker being on the line, well, I'll let TCO himself answer that one!
TCO laughs and looks over at Romeo.
TCO: Truth is…I had better lawyers!
There’s a mixture of boos and laughs from the crowd.
TCO: In all honesty, you learn a lot about someone when you hold them hostage in an interrogation room while trying to figure out the machinations of a madman who may want to kill you and your family.
The crowd responds with muffled laughs and gasps.
TCO: And while I’m just as excited about “The Ultimate” Tommy Romeo as much as you all are - after the events of the last year and the journey this man went through, there’s not a person on this stage I would rather have passed on or shared the “The Chosen One” mantle with than one Tommy Romeo.
With that, TCO stands up and starts clapping for Tommy Romeo.
Ron Royalty joins in as well as everyone else. Tommy nods, swelling with pride with a gaze to Erin Wallace, but her face remains indifferent as everyone claps around her.
Ron Royalty: This is what I love... the 'community'. Very good! Oh... Hello... What's your name and who is your question for?
A man with glasses stands up to replace Kerry.
"My name is Jason and my question is for Sett..."
Sett tapes his microphone to see if it has come alive and asks to borrow Thomas' when he realize it doesn't.
"What's the question...?" Sett asks.
Jason: Well, I am here on behalf of the CW network and we have been trying to get a hold of you for a long time regarding a potential reality based television show that would follow Sett around as he kicks ass around the border of Texas and finally we-
Sett's head falls to hide his face in frustration.
Sett: Look, man, I...
Sett trails off, composing himself as his head remains cradled in one hand. The other hand still holds the microphone near his mouth until he figures out what he wants to say.
Sett: It's true that I do a lot of, uh, humanitarian work at the border, and my status, and stature, does mean that I sort of stand out among some of my peers in that regard.
He lifts his head up, finally, taking a breath and sitting up straight to address Jason with a bit more confidence.
Sett: But that said, it's very delicate work. There are lots of moving parts, and more importantly, lots of moving people, many of whom won't or can't have their faces or voices or even likenesses displayed on television for a number of reasons. And look - I'm pretty sure there was a clause in the Q&A submission about no advertising disguised as a question, and this is cutting it close enough that I could have your ass kicked out for it if I wanted to.
He pauses, leveling a cold gaze at Jason.
Sett: But I know Turner wants a piece of that pie too, and none of his guys had the sack to come into a press conference Q&A to hound me for it, though, so let me just leave you with this - movie magic aside, the bulk of my work is pretty boring. The 'ass kicking' is only ever about five percent of what we're doing in any given month. I suggest finding a better avenue. I do hope you find one!
Sett provides a big smile to Jason, and it looks only a little fake.
Ron Royalty: Thank you, Jason... um, Hello miss. Who is your question for?
"My name is Susan, my question is for Syren, actually... I was just wondering if you had the option... would you still be wrestling professionally full time or is the annual more your pace these days?
Syren looks thoughtful for a long moment as she brings together her train of thought.
“As much as I want to leap in and say that I’d love to be doing this full time, because I would, I think realistically, doing these annual events are best for me with everything going on. With the ranch, my newest daughter, and my wrestling school starting to thrive, I have my hands full. I would hate to sacrifice any one of those to go back to being a pro. Getting to do this, even on a smaller scale satisfies the urge, and is a win win since I don’t have to give up time for anything else I love to do. I am more than happy to leave the heavier ring work to my students.”
Ron Royalty: believe me... After last year's event, there's a reason I'm not joining in the fun! I'm truly surprised any of you returned for more punishment! I would have said bullocks and hung up on myself so... Thanks again! Who's up next... Ah, yes sir.. you have a question?
"Yeah... Tom. Hi. My question is for Blane... Um. Why "the revenant"?
Evan Blane leans back in his chair, and looks down at the floor for a bit.
Blane: There is a significance to the new moniker. Which a lot of the panel doesn't really know about. After the events of One Night Stand I have been "haunted" by the images of the paramilitary personnel that were in and around the ring.
Blane slowly looks back up towards the crowd and there is a bit of fire in his eyes
Blane: Along with the soldiers I have had nightmares of Mr. Starr, whom I had close relationship with. To have him be apart of these attacks on people who we worked with closely and to have him do them on loved ones and close friends, made me swear some form of retribution against him personally. Unfortunately, his personal guilt led him to taking his own life, so I won't be able to get my hands on him and delivering my personal vengeance. But that pain will haunt me for the rest of my life. Daniel Starr created me. "The Revenant" was born.
Blane places the microphone back on the table and starts to look back down towards the floor.
There's a long pause after Evan concludes his answer. A feeling of sadness enters the atmosphere for a lot of the HWA members. Some sad for the loss of life prior to the event... some sad for the circumstances surrounding the event... some close enough to Danny Starr, that the revelation of his involvement left a scar as it clearly did for Evan Blane. Royalty sighs.
Ron Royalty: I suppose I was naive to assume the elephant in the room could be overlooked, but let me just say this... Danny Starr's actions were clearly horrendous beyond compare, and nothing will undo what was done by he and those involved with his decisions... but he is no longer with us, and so, we would like to move on... Evan... you answered the question, but going forward, I would politely request that we try to focus more on the present... and the future. Does anyone have any other questions? Oh, Hello there! A fellow friend from across the pond? I see the Argentina football jersey...
"Yes, Mr. Royalty! Big fan. My name is Enrique and my question is for Mr. Romeo. First of all congratulations on your new baby boy and my question is... are you adjusting well to being a new father? Thank you!"
Tommy stands up with his microphone.
“Thanks for the question Enrique, In all honesty with everything that’s gone on in the last year I haven’t really settled in to the role quite yet. I’ve been on the road with the clients of the RMI. The management agency that Erin and I created. I’ve spent a lot of time in Europe recently with one of my clients Shawn Wylde and only quite recently returned home. I will tell you that I look foreword to spending time with Erin and Raine and falling into my role as a dad.”
Tommy looks directly at Erin and smiles and waves. Erin however ignores Tommy her attention on the baby. Tommy returns to his seat his brows furrowed. He thumps down into his chair and rests his head on his fist as he slumps onto the table.
Ron Royalty: A lot of babies! Next up? Hello there...
"Hi, my name is Tina. My question is for Grimjack. What are some key differences between wrestling for the HWA and wrestling for the SWC?"
Grimjack gets up and goes over to the podium.
Grimjack: I guess I should stand and answer huh? Sorry guys, it’s been awhile. Uh, well it’s a little tough to say. I haven’t been in the SWC that long yet. I’ve had one match in the SWC so far and I had hundreds in the HWA. I’m a totally different person now than I was fifteen years ago as well. A little older and banged up but also a little more experienced. I was a young kid back then in HWA really, thrust into the championship spotlight, thrust into the president role. It was a lot of responsibility and I didn’t always rise to the occasion. Now, I’m taking things seriously and professionally. I’m not looking to pop in and pop out here. I’m looking to keep it real. And I’ll keep it real with you as fans. I’m going to keep it real with Cyrus Vogel, the owner of the SWC. At least, I think he’s the owner. It’s all a little nebulous. The pay is a lot less than what I was making in the HWA. That’s just keeping it real. I won my first match against a robot and it was a lot of fun. But I’m going to renegotiate this deal. I’m an independent contractor so they can let me go if they want any time and I can also request more money to stay longer. $15,000 a match is great but let’s be honest I’m worth more. They gave me a $1,000 bonus for winning but come on now. Let’s add some commas and some zeroes to these numbers. Remember us wrestlers put our bodies on the line and our lives as well. That’s something I’d like to talk to my manager here Tommy Romeo about as well. We’ll get to that in due time. Pretty soon I’ll -
Grimjack stops talking for a moment. He pulls out his phone which is buzzing. He looks at who is calling and his eyebrows raise.
Grimjack: I’m sorry but I’m going to have to excuse myself. I’ll . . . um yeah. Sorry I’d like to take some more questions but I need to take this call. Sorry!
Grimjack walks off the stage as the room has gotten a little awkward and the fans are murmuring amongst themselves about it.
Ron Royalty: Well, Okay then, and you know, for the record... if the SWC owner is watching, you're going to want to keep Grimjack around! He was an asset in the HWA back then and even until this day, so, make sure you give the man what he wants! Consider that a letter of recommendation, oh, he's gone? Okay well... moving on... yes... miss?
"Hi, my question is... for you Ron."
Ron Royalty: Right! Finally some action. Oh, what's your name?
"Gabby"
Ron Royalty: Gabby! Hello Gabby, what's your question?
Gabby: Did you forget my number?
Ron Royalty pauses.
Ron Royalty: I'm sorry... um. What did you say your name was?
Gabby: You forgot my name already? I mean, 20 years go by, but, I suppose you remembered all of these people.
Ron Royalty chuckles in embarressment.
Ron Royalty: I'm sorry it's just... Gabby. Gabby.
Gabby: Why don't we try Gabriella instead.
The audience is in disbelief just as the HWA members come to the same realization.
Ron Royalty: Gabriella! My god... I do apologize! I actually had to take most of these people's numbers last year after the event but right! Everyone, please give it up for Gabriella!
The audience begins to clap and her serious face can't help but weaken as a huge smile appears on it.
Ron Royalty: You are here.. are you... are you still active in the ring?
Gabriella: I want to be!
Ron Royalty: If you want to join us it's not too late!
Ron Royalty looks around, back and forth, as he scrambles to figure out where she is to be placed.
Ron Royalty: You know what, um. How about this! Let's make Syren vs. Cass Starr-Diamond a 3-way dance as well! Well, does that sound okay to you both?
Royalty looks to Cassandra first... awaiting for approval...
Cassandra shrugs looking at Syren and smirks.
Cassandra:” The more the merrier”
Syren studies Gabriella with some curiosity in her expression. She cuts her eyes over to Cass, giving a delicate shrug of one shoulder to show her indifference.
"Its alright with me, makes it more interesting for sure!"
She flashes a grin.
Ron Royalty: Gabby... welcome back to the HWA family. Come on up here!
The HWA members stand up to clap for her return, some remember her, others pretend to, but Gabby herself is joyously skipping from the audience and onto the platform with her brothers and sisters. They each greet her in their own way as she quietly mingles with Syren and Cassandra equally.
Ron Royalty: Amazing! Well, that just about covers it! I better get out of here before that first fan asks for the TCO vs. TCO match again! Anyway, thank you all for being here and we look forward to entertaining you once again come July 4th for HWA REUNION!!!
"I have a question." a voice struggles to be heard over the audience's cheering.
"I HAVE A QUESTION!!!" a man's voice now overpowers the entire audience from the microphone in the back of the room.
Ron Royalty hears the fan and decides to accommodate him.
Ron Royalty: Right! Sorry about that! We must have ended things prematurely, what is your name and who is your question for?
"I have two questions..." the man begins, "and they are both for Michael and Cassandra Starr."
Cassandra is taken aback as she regains her composure from laughing at a comment Gabby had made, turning to the fan, and then to Michael.
"My first question is... How do you sleep at night?"
The room falls silent as it contemplates the nature of the question.
Ron Royalty: I'm sorry to interject, friend. What was your name?
"How... do you both sleep at night?" the man repeats.
Cassandra looks again at her husband with a puzzled expression before leaning towards her microphone.
Cassandra: ”excuse me, I am not understanding the question” she laughed nervously
Cassandra:”Can you please elaborate?”
"It's simple... watching you sit there surrounded by the people who trust you... how can you both sit there? keeping your secrets... How can either of you sleep at night?"
Cassandra looks again to Michael as Michael is puzzled as much as she is. Suddenly, starting with Erin Wallace's, each individual directly involved with the HWA's phones begin to ring or vibrate simultaneously.
Cass doesn't seem to let the distraction stop her from speaking back to the man.
"Excuse me..." Dan Sawyer interjects without regret, "Why are you being hostile to Thee Cassandra Starr-Diamond? And Michael Diamond... those guys were FOS... they're damn legends so who the fuck are you?"
Ron Royalty: That's quite enough, Mr. Sawyer. That won't be necessary this fan is... clearly... uh, well, why don't we move on to your second question?"
"Who's house is this?" Romeo lifts up his head to see if anyone has an answer.
"That was my second question." The man admits, "It's Cassandra and Michael Diamond's house. That man on the video is throwing a duffle bag full of money into their yard. A man named Mark Crow, a former butler of Cassandra's brother, and in the bag was millions upon millions of Danny Starr's blood money."
The room look straight at the Diamonds as an explanation is requested.
"As Dan Sawyer said... 'these guys were FOS. Maybe they still are. Explain YOURSELF!"
Before Michael or Cassandra could utter a word to say, Ron Royalty intercepts.
Ron Royalty: Whoa, hold on... WAIT just a minute. That is bonkers. How dare you come into here and antagonize these people. These people have been through enough. Please escort him out of here...
Two of Royalty's personal security approach the man, but without warning, the man roundhouse kicks one, and throws the back of his hand against the other one's head; knocking them both down.
"If you didn't realize who I am, I am a master of subversion and deception... trying to kill someone who obviously wasn't me in a car accident in a river? Maybe I'm more Unknown than I thought." the man stands tall, a stance that startles the HWA members.
"Impossible..." Royalty utters, "He's dead."
"Impossible..." The man mocks, "He's standing in front of you... and has sent the evidence of Michael and Cassandra's conspiratorial secrets to every phone that has been betrayed."
"We are not going to entertain this disrespectful show of nonsense." Royalty shuts down the press conference, asking the rest of the HWA members to take their leave. The audience starts filing out, and inside the nervous mutterings, a single audience member shouts "DANNY STARR TRUTH.COM" and then again as he exits.
Unknown Ninja and Royalty are all that's left.
Ron Royalty: Show me this video...
Unknown Ninja: I suggest you sit while watching.]]>
A few days after One Night Stand Grimjack had met up with Tommy Romeo at his bar, Pleasant Jack’s. He mentioned what had happened to Tommy.
Grimjack: Did you talk to the cops? The CIA came around asking questions. Starr was involved in some shit I guess. I didn’t tell them anything but that’s only because I don’t actually know anything. Just that someone was targeting my friends so we had to take them down.
Tommy: It’s fine to talk to the police and the CIA. I’m the one who arranged for them to show up. Erin and I knew all along Danny Starr was behind this, we set him up. We just had to smoke him out, get him to make a wrong move and expose himself. He could have just kept assassinating us but instead we got his sense of superiority to set up a pay per view event where we were able to fight him on a level playing field. Well, somewhat level.
Grimjack: Level enough. Well you sure thought of everything. So what are you going to do next?
Grimjack didn’t think about it at the time, but a few months later he started thinking about what Tommy had said. He’d said that he and Erin had knew all along Starr was behind this. What did it mean to say, “all along”. How long had Tommy and Erin known about Starr? The CIA agent had said he didn’t know Starr was alive, which meant he thought he was dead. And it was true. Grimjack hadn’t kept up with his old “friend” Starr, but reading news articles about the event, Grimjack learned that he had been missing for ten years. People started to think he was dead just because he had been this rich, famous guy who just disappeared. He had somehow impersonated Eric Rayne and no one had been the wiser. Now no one knew where Rayne was, it was probably him who was dead all these years.
So Grimjack curiously looked up Tommy Romeo on Facebook. There he saw he had a new girlfriend, who looked familiar. Grimjack Realized it was Erin Wallace, the old HWA interviewer. He hadn’t thought of her for years. She used to go out with Kevin Conner. Grimjack remembered he had always had a crush on her, she was so nice. He googled her name and he learned she had become an investigative journalist after the HWA folded, and her most famous articles were investigations into Danny Starr. It all made sense, she had inside knowledge about Starr from working for HWA all those years. It was her that had known all about Starr. She had the theory that he was still alive. But why did Danny disappear? Apparently he had been involved in multiple murders. He must have decided to go into hiding to avoid jail time. This all just made Grimjack more nervous.
It had seemed like Danny Starr was just randomly killing ex HWA wrestlers. But maybe there was a method to it. Maybe those guys all had been organized against Danny, and were specifically targeted for that reason. Erin had been antagonizing Starr by reporting on his whereabouts and crimes. Tommy knew all those guys that got killed. And now they were going out.
But Grimjack had nothing to do with it. He hadn’t seen Erin in years and he never really knew Tommy. Grimjack had learned his old friend Kevin conner was dead from a youtube video, and then found other old HWA wrestlers were being killed, and then he just assumed he must be next. But what if Starr never cared about him, and was going to leave him alone? It wouldn’t matter, Grimjack was glad to help get revenge for the death of his friend. Hell, he might have joined that anti-Starr organization if he was asked. But then he might have been killed along with them. Starr must not have been able to find Erin or Tommy, or the rest like Diamond, Trystan and Syren. Or Danny’s own sister, Cassandra Starr.
JANUARY 2021
Months later, Grimjack was at home at Pleasant Jack’s smoking a blunt and listening to music when he again heard a knock at the door. Annoyed, he snuffed it out in the ashtray and went to the door to peak thru the peephole. A man in a suit and tie stood there. Situations like this were always sketchy and he thought for a moment about trying to disguise the weed smell but then he remembered it was legal now. He did decide to turn down the loud music he had playing so he could hear what this guy had to say. He opened the door.
Grimjack: Hello?
The man pulled his wallet out and opened it revealing an ID card that said CIA on it.
Man: Hello, are you Marion Smith?
Grimjack: Yeah I am. Who is asking?
Man: Hi, my name is Oliver Danielson, CIA.
Grimjack: Oh again eh? I was wondering when I’d hear from you guys again.
Danielson: Yes, my records showed you spoke with my fellow agent Frank Davidson before, is that correct?
Grimjack: Yeah it is. Where is he?
Danielson: Your case has been transferred to me. It’s a common thing.
Grimjack: My case?
Danielson: Sorry, I misspoke. Not your case. You have nothing to be worried about. I’m investigating a string of murders.
Grimjack: Murders? Well you got your man didn’t you? Danny Starr was arrested. You're welcome by the way, I helped take him down.
Danielson: No, not Starr. Someone’s been murdering his associates.
Grimjack: What?
Danielson: You haven’t heard? The High Society, which is what Starr called his henchmen. Corwin Havens, Jonathon Keeper, killed in jail. Tony Gold-
Grimjack: Wait what?
Danielson: Yeah, Tony Gold. You knew him didn’t you? Fought a wrestling match with him this past summer?
Grimjack stopped and thought about it. Gold seemed like an asshole but it seemed like he was tricked by Starr into getting in the ring with Grimjack. Like he didn’t really want to be there. Like he was being blackmailed or something. His heart wasn’t into it, so Grimjack felt bad ripping his arm out of the socket. But he was a criminal and it was either him or Grimjack. It wasn’t personal, Grimjack just had to defend himself.
Grimjack: Tony Gold is dead?
Danielson: Yes. Did he say anything to you? Any idea who might want him dead?
Grimjack: I didn’t know the guy. That’s a shame though. But do you think it’s connected to the HWA guys that got killed? Kevin Conner? Unknown Ninja? Fudge?
Danielson: I don’t know, that’s what I’m trying to find out.
Grimjack: Well Danny Starr probably knows. This was all his doing. Those were his guys but maybe he is taking them out because they knew too much. Maybe he had other hitmen working for him. Maybe members of that Storm Corps. Just because he’s in jail it doesn’t mean he can’t be behind this.
Danielson. Like I said, that’s what I want to find out so if you have any information it would be much appreciated.
Grimjack: I don’t have any information! But come on man, you have all these people getting killed, what if I’m next? Maybe I shouldn’t even be talking to you. I was living my life and then I got mixed up in all of this and I had nothing to do with it. I don’t know why any of these people had to die. It’s your job to find the scumbags doing this.
Danielson: Sir. Mr. Smith, I’m sorry but I’m just trying to do my job. Please try to stay calm.
Grimjack: I’m calm but you have to realize how fucked up this shit is.
Danielson: I do.
Grimjack: Well I don’t know anything and it doesn’t seem you do either. Makes me feel real safe you know? You’ve talked to Tommy Romeo right? And Erin Wallace? They probably know more about what’s going on.
Danielson: Tommy what? Who?
Grimjack: You don’t know who they are? Jesus man he said he already talked to you. He gave you the information on Starr in the first place so you guys would know Starr was at the Staples Center. Didn’t Davidson tell you any of this?
Danielson: The CIA is compartmentalized. But thank you. This is good information.
Oliver Danielson starts writing down some notes on a notepad. Grimjack looks bewildered.
Grimjack: No wonder the US is so fucked up. You CIA guys are incompetent. You killed JFK and fucked up the coverup. You did 9/11 and your WMDs were fake. It fooled no one. I bet Starr was CIA and you’re just covering up a fuckup again!
Danielson: Sir, please calm down. I can assure you-
Grimjack: I’ve told you all I know. Now please, can we wrap this up, I have things to do.
Danielson: Ok, well here, take my card. If you think of anything else please give me a call. I know it might not seem like it but I’m trying to protect you and get to the bottom of all this.
Grimjack: Yeah sure, thanks.
Grimjack took the card and put it in his wallet next to the one he got from Frank Davidson. He knew he’d never call this idiot back. He watched as Danielson drove away into the hot LA night. Grimjack had lost his cool which had harshed his mellow. He hated when that happened but the incompetent agent had brought back some brutal memories. There wasn’t much he could do about what had happened at One Night Stand. People were dead and not coming back. Grimjack wanted to move forward in his life but he kept getting reminded of death. His mind went back to Kevin Conner, who had been killed by Ryan Maxem while hanging out with Zack Tyler. That made no sense because Tyler was a scumbag. Why would Conner have been hanging out with him? That might have been the key to this riddle. Maybe he should have mentioned that to the CIA agent. The CIA seemed to be like chickens with their heads caught off. You’d think they would have already gone over that crime scene and looked into the backgrounds of everyone that died that day but who knows. There was still someone out there killing people connected to Starr. Could that mean they would still come for HWA members? Was Grimjack’s life still in jeopardy?
PRESENT DAY
Months later Grimjack had tried to put it out of his mind. He’d gotten a new gig working for the SWC, fighting robots. He’d had a good first match. Cyrus Vogel was a smart guy, just like Grimjack hoped, he had programmed his robot to tap out to the Six Second Magic so Grimjack was not forced to damage the expensive robot beyond all repair. And the check for $15,000 had been deposited into Grimjack’s account. He immediately transferred it into his mortgage payment account as he was in arrears. Real Estate was not cheap in LA and he still owed a lot more on the mortgage and back taxes. But at least he had a steady job for now. He couldn’t worry too much about the past. Things were looking up. He wasn’t having any more Nostradamus delusions and Ron Royalty had gotten in touch with him about having an HWA reunion where the money would go to charity to support people hurt by Starr. Seemed like a great idea. He’d talked with Tommy Romeo about joining his RMI company which would help promote him and gain business opportunities since Grimjack was back in the news. It made perfect sense to bank on nostalgia and make maximum profits while his name was trending. Grimjack thought about asking Tommy about what he knew about Starr but then decided it was a sore subject so maybe he’d better not. Surely Tommy had that under control. Apparently Starr had killed himself. That seemed a little fishy, like with Epstein. But what did they expect? Someone had been killing Starr’s henchmen so it was only a matter of time before they took out Starr himself. That was seemingly the end of it. Or was it?
It still didn’t make much sense. Why did they want to kill Starr?
Grimjack liked looking himself up online. He’d google himself, check his twitter, check his Instagram, and see what people were saying. It was a bit narcissistic, no doubt, but he had a healthy self image and it was all mostly positive stuff. After being depressed from struggling financially for years and losing his close friends, this was akin to therapy for him. One night he was getting off work from tending bar and he sat in his back room with his laptop checking out the latest news. People were talking about the announced HWA reunion and he saw some trolls were talking about conspiracy theories about Starr. Some were saying he faked his death. Then he saw someone mention Oliver Danielson. Grimjack remembered that name, it was the CIA agent he talked to. They said the same guy that killed Starr killed Danielson. What?
Grimjack googled Oliver Danielson and came up with a news story in the NY Times.
WASHINGTON D.C. - A prominent CIA agent was found dead in his Washington D.C. home this past week. Oliver Danielson, 29, originally of Omaha, Nebraska, was found by a former colleague who was reported to have been conducting a well-being check after Danielson failed to respond to several phone calls. No cause of death has currently been revealed though sources report that the death is being viewed as “suspicious”.
Danielson had become surprisingly well-known in recent months for a CIA employee. Having helped orchestrate the arrest of William Keen - known to the wider public as The Baphomet - on multiple counts of murder following a professional wrestling event held by the Xtreme Wrestling Federation, Danielson made a series of public statements regarding the Keen investigation that were branded by many in the media to be erratic and potentially compromising towards the case.
Following these events, many in the intelligence community were surprised that Danielson was able to retain his job, particularly as the federal administration changed. Rumors continue to circulate amongst Capitol insiders around how this happened, with growing voices indicating even greater concern regarding corruption throughout the intelligence community. These voices have only increased since William Keen was released from prison. Though Keen’s associate, Andrew Logan, has taken full responsibility for all murders and is currently imprisoned, Danielson’s death has led to further speculation that the investigation should continue, with one source stating that they believe “100% Keen is guilty, and now he’s gotten away with it again.”
As of publication, the CIA has not responded to requests for further details.
Grimjack: Jesus.
Who was this William Keen? Oliver Danielson had gone to the XWF to investigate him? Grimjack had always had a feeling that the XWF was cursed and so it was a good thing he followed his instincts. He’d known Tommy Romeo and Evan Blane had gone to work there and he’d done a little research on it and saw a guy get his hand burnt on live TV, that was when Grimjack had noped out of joining it. He remembered it was a guy named Baphomet who had done that, apparently William Keen was his real name. It all made sense now. Keen worked for Starr and he must have gotten him out of prison. They must have used a body double like they did with JFK. Otherwise why kill Danielson, who was investigating all of this? Grimjack started googling around about Danny Starr. There were tons of conspiracy theories that Danny Starr was still alive. It made perfect sense. It wasn’t going to be that easy. Just put him in jail? Rich people never went to jail. Starr disappeared and faked his death before and hid for ten plus years. He was just going back to his old playbook. Fucking bastard. People like Kevin Conner really were dead though. Starr thought he was going to get away with it? Grimjack got more and more angry as he scrolled through the different subreddits and youtube channels. People were making memes, which Grimjack knew was the best way of disseminating the truth. And people seemed to be getting too close to the truth!
![[Image: redstarrbanner.png]](https://www.sinwrestling.com/HWA/infinity/redstarrbanner.png)
![[Image: proof.png]](https://www.sinwrestling.com/HWA/infinity/proof.png)
![[Image: proof2.png]](https://www.sinwrestling.com/HWA/infinity/proof2.png)
![[Image: redstarrbanner1.png]](https://www.sinwrestling.com/HWA/infinity/redstarrbanner1.png)
![[Image: redstarrbanner2.png]](https://www.sinwrestling.com/HWA/infinity/redstarrbanner2.png)
![[Image: redstarrbanner3.png]](https://www.sinwrestling.com/HWA/infinity/redstarrbanner3.png)
A long post read:
There you have it! The evidence is clear. There is a day of reckoning to be had. He is alive and somewhere close, you can feel it. He is plotting his next moves and he needs your help! Help Danny Starr clean up the corruption that exists in the HWA. The people will not be fooled! Ask yourselves HOW the HWA ended up in the hands of Eric Rayne. Oh, you don’t know who Eric Rayne is? He’s the billionaire shadowy elitist that ran an evil club called The High Society. The truth is being exposed but Danny Starr was so close to exposing it, so they wanted him dead! That’s why he had to fake his death and go into hiding, but now, it’s up to us! He did the hard work of exposing this underworld of corruption, it’s our job now to finish it! Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell your co-workers, tell your kids! We can’t let Danny Starr’s sacrifice go unheard, and we MUST ACT NOW!!! Join the Red Starrs. We are the foundation… we are the sensation… we all are… Danny Starr.
-Red Starr
-Red Starr
Someone was getting too close to the truth. Damn it! He should have realized. Nostradamus had tried to warn him a year ago. Starr faked his death February 22nd, that had to be significant. Numerology was at play here. Nostradamus had ten letters in his name. Danny Starr was ten letters. February 22 had ten characters. Grimjack dusted off his book of Nostradamus prophecies. According to the tenth quatrain of Nostradamus:
X.
Serpens transmis en la cage de fer,
Ou les enfans septains du Roy sont pris:
Les vieux & peres sortirons bas de l'enfer,
Ains mourir voir de fruict mort & cris.
A coffin is put into the vault of iron,
where seven children of the king are held.
The ancestors and forebears will come forth from the depths of hell,
lamenting to see thus dead the fruit of their line.
It was almost time for the HWA reunion press conference. Grimjack would head over there now and bring this up to Romeo and Blane.
![[Image: grim.gif]](https://www.sinwrestling.com/HWA/HWA3k/grim.gif)
]]>“Danny Starr.....”
Abrianna’s head jerks around towards the television in the common room. It was if they had conjured her thoughts right out of her head and put it on the evening news. She rises from her seat and approaches, to get a better look.
“.... the man who had fallen from grace in the wrestling business, and was serving time in prison for his actions such as....”
CLICK
“Hey! I was watching that! Put it back!”
The heavyset woman sneers at her, letting her eyes roam from her toes to her head. “Oh? Or else what?”
Abrianna leans in slow, her eyes narrowing in anger. “Or else I will slit your throat in your sleep, puta... eviscerate you and use your intestines to jump rope, you understand?”
Grudgingly, under the heat of her stare, the other woman complies. Grumbling about the spanish twat.
“.... found dead in his cell. It was officially classified as a suicide. There are no further investigations pending on this matter.”
Abrianna cannot help the massive smile that crosses her face. It remains in place as they are all ushered to their cell for the night. As the doors are locked for the night. As she sits on her bed and the lights are dimmed.
Danny Starr was dead. It almost made all this worth it. He had gotten his comeuppance and her only regret was that it had not come at her hands. Let him fucking rot was all she could say. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. She is about to settle in for the night when the soft clank of keys draws her attention. She isn't too concerned until they rattle in her door.
“Ay, what's this? Girl can't even get her sleep now?”
The guard doesn’t answer, opening the door and stepping back. A man steps through, and Abrianna slowly rises, recognition flashing across her face, although she doesn’t say a word. She keeps her gaze locked in place and waits.
"Don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you..." the man in the shadow laughs to himself, "I'm sorry, it's just... everyone always thinks I'm going to hurt em'"
“A man with your reputation, I wonder why mijo.” sarcasm drips heavily off of her words, as she looks him over, her body not relaxing for an instant. Abrianna was not a fool. She had been bitten in the ass far too many times by better men than this one.
"Aren't you at least a little curious as to how it is I am in your cell so freely, let alone in your prison?"(edited)
“You think I’m fool enough to not know you have your ways? Nothing surprises me anymore.” she throws at him, taking a few steps to the side, so her back is closer to the wall. “Besides, I'm sure you are more than willing to tell me the story, eh?”
"Actually, no." the man surprises her, "I'm here to take you with me. Get what you need, let's go."
“You... what?” Abrianna gives a quick shake of her head, blinking, not thinking she heard him correctly. “What do you mean with you?”
Her eyes narrow with suspicion, but she doesn’t move a muscle. Go with him? What did he take her for?
“And why would I do that? Why would I be allowed to just walk from these walls?”
The man figured she would be resistant. He smiles, walking around her, his hand over her trembling shoulder as she attempts to remain firm and seem unafraid.
"My associate tells me you are still employed... even if you thought otherwise."
Her muscles twitch and jump, her body growing cold even as the warmth of his hand permeates her jumpsuit. His fingers press in, and she resists the urge to flee, regretting her earlier bravado, but finding it too late to back down now. “Employed? I don’t see how that is possible given... events.”
She dares turn her head, looking up into his chilling eyes.
"I wouldn't obsess over the small details. I will say it's much easier to come with me... otherwise, I might have to satisfy your... initial expectations."
An unfamiliar skitter of fear scrambles up her spine. She was tempting fate, dancing too close to that edge and she knew it. She inclines her head, pretending to concede with a grace and aplomb that she certainly did not feel.
“Very well then.”
She slowly walks forward, feeling his hand drop away. Her skin crawls as she slowly packs, feeling his eyes on her back, expecting a blade to descend at any moment. She doesn’t give him the satisfaction of looking over her shoulder, until she has gathered her meager belongings.
“Lead the way.”]]>
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Bay Valley Hospital evacuated it's occupants just moments before a set of explosives went off around 4:25 PM. There is no telling if anyone remained in the building and will take some time before investigators and rescue can get through what's left of the eight story complex. No further details available at this time.
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