Ignition Episode #11: ReVengeance, Live From The Sold-Out Sakurai Event Center!!! By Ewen "Blackbird" Cluney INT. EXTREME CD VISION KENJI and NAOKI are behind the counter, both lazily leaning on it. It's clear that there's a tense silence between them. Naoki glances at Kenji then looks away. Kenji gives Naoki his usual half-lidded glare and raises one eyebrow. KENJI What? NAOKI Nothing. KENJI (2 beats) Don't say "nothing" when there's something. I hate it when people do that. Naoki straightens, takes a deep breath, and turns to face Kenji. NAOKI All I want from you... is to know what the hell is going on. Kenji regards Naoki silently for two beats. NAOKI (CONT'D) Don't give me that! I've been hearing all kinds of crazy stuff from Mimi, and you've got these tweaky girls following you around all the time too! KENJI (sigh) You really want to know? Fine. WIPE RIGHT TO: INT. EXTREME CD VISION - LATER Naoki looks at Kenji with an expression of abject shock. NAOKI So... you mean you'd just point it at something and it just turns into a cute girl by magic? KENJI Basically. NAOKI (sigh) Naturally *you* had to be the one to find something like that. I could've put it to much better use, you know. KENJI (rolls eyes) Like what? NAOKI Well... For one I'd use it on the cat. Kenji looks at Naoki for a long moment. DISSOLVE TO: INT. IMAGINARY SEQUENCE The background is of the inside of a house, drawn in crayon. A Super-Deformed Naoki points a car remote at a HOUSECAT. The cat glows red and reforms into a Super-Deformed CATGIRL, who promptly lounges on the couch. NAOKI (excited) All RIGHT! My very own girlfriend! CATGIRL (annoyed) Hey you! NAOKI What? CATGIRL Pet me. NOW! Naoki starts reaching for her back and she smacks his hand away. CATGIRL (CONT'D) NOT like that! On my HEAD! NAOKI (sigh) Fine. CATGIRL Know what? Never mind. FEED ME. NOW!!! NAOKI But-- CATGIRL NOW! HISSSS!!! DISSOLVE TO: INT. EXTREME CD VISION KENJI Somehow I suspect that might not be a good idea. NAOKI You might have a point. KENJI Besides, as far as I know it only works on inanimate objects. Not only that, but I think it occasionally makes a guy instead. NAOKI Really? KENJI That dorky jerk who's actually a dresser? But then he seems really accident-prone too; if he isn't stuck in the hospital he's probably got so many casts on that it doesn't matter anyway. NAOKI (sigh) So... that incredibly hot woman in white who was asking for you the other day...? KENJI A Corvette. NAOKI Is she still around? KENJI Yeah, but that street racing punk beat you to the punch on that one. Naoki grabs Kenji's collar and shakes him. NAOKI Damnit! KENJI Don't worry; she's pretty screwed up. NAOKI So?! I can live with that! (pleading/embarrassed) Is there any chance you could... you know... make one for me? Kenji rolls his eyes and pushes Naoki away. He picks up a box of CDs and starts sorting them. KENJI As usual, you're only hearing the parts you want to hear. The gem was shattered when the dresser-guy tried to take it from me. NAOKI (angrily) If I find that guy... KENJI Don't bother -- he can hurt himself much more effectively than you ever could. NAOKI That bad? KENJI He wasn't turned into a person so much as a very tall lemming. NAOKI Okay, okay... What about the ones you already have? Knowing you, you're not going to be dating any; can I just, you know... talk to some of them, see if any wanna go out for lunch or something? Kenji frowns at Naoki for a long moment, then lets out a sigh. NAOKI (CONT'D) What, are they all hopelessly in love with you or something? KENJI No, thankfully. I think I've figured it out finally; what d'you think an inanimate object wants out of life? NAOKI (sweat drop) Is this some kind of Zen koan or something? 'Cuz I'm not very good at that kind of thing. KENJI (rolls eyes) They were made by humans for a particular purpose. They want to be useful and fulfill that purpose. NAOKI So... Your toaster-girl always wants to make toast kind of thing? KENJI Yeah. NAOKI (smiles) That's not all *that* different from a normal person, you know. The door opens and NOKIA walks into the store, carrying a small bento. NOKIA (smiles) Hello Kenji. NAOKI The... cell phone girl? KENJI Hey. Did Dreamy make me lunch _again_? NOKIA No, she's been training for Sunday, so I decided to try; I hope you like it. She hands the bento to Kenji, who reluctantly takes it. KENJI This... isn't really like you, you know... Nokia shrugs, then pulls out a cell phone antenna -- the one that used to be mounted behind her ear. KENJI (CONT'D) That's... NAOKI It's one of those antennas you get on cell phones sometimes. NOKIA It seems Civiko isn't the only one who's becoming human. NAOKI Woah! What? KENJI (to Naoki) Since the gem was broken it seems like they've all been slowly changing into normal humans. NOKIA In the order we were created. KENJI So Toasty's next. NOKIA It would seem so. I'm sorry Kenji, but it looks like you're going to have to buy a new cell phone. NAOKI Um... Nokia? NOKIA Hm? NAOKI (blushing) I... um... well... Er... KENJI (irritated; rolls eyes) He wants to know if you want to eat lunch with him. Nokia blinks and looks at Naoki for a beat. She starts to blush, and finally nods. NOKIA (to Kenji) Y-you don't mind? KENJI (annoyed) If you're human then I don't own you anymore. NOKIA (apprehensive) But... I don't know if-- KENJI Too bad. Being human means you have both freedom and responsibility. You have to make your own decisions and live with the consequences. NOKIA But I mean, you don't mind? KENJI (getting more annoyed) It doesn't matter what I think. But if it makes you feel better to hear me say it, no, I don't mind. NOKIA (to Naoki) Okay; I'd love to join you for lunch. When and where? Naoki glances between Kenji and Nokia, tears of joy flowing down his face. KENJI (sigh) He takes his lunch break around one o'clock; he'll be at the burger place around the corner. (under his breath) Even if I have to drag him there. NOKIA (to Naoki) All right; I'll see you then. Nokia leaves, humming to herself along the way. Naoki clenches his fist and makes incoherent sounds of joy. NAOKI Kenji, I take back every bad thing I ever said about you! You are the greatest friend a guy could *ever* have! KENJI That's lovely. Now get back to work. And keep in mind that if you mistreat Nokia I *will* have to kick you. Hard. NAOKI Don't worry! I'll be a perfect gentleman! KENJI (rolls eyes) No you wont -- I know you better than that. I'm just telling you not to mistreat her. NAOKI R- right. INT. AYAKO'S ROOM AYAKO opens the door to the room and steps in, holding a large shopping bag. AYAKO (to someone outside) Thank you mama! AYAKO'S MOTHER (O.S.) You're welcome, Ayako-chan! I have some errands to run, so you go and play, alright? AYAKO Okay mama. ^_^ Ayako closes the door and waits quietly for three beats, schooling her features to stillness. She then pulls out a box containing a Panther^2 game console out of the bag. This is followed by an extra controller, a memory card, and a stack of a dozen or so games. Ayako pulls the console out of its box; it's a sleek black color, with red trim, and "P2" emblazoned on one side in vibrant red. Ayako opens her desk drawer and pulls out her Valkyrie Stone. She points it at the console, which begins to glow red. EXT. STREET - DAY KIMIKO is walking with SAYUKI, a friend of hers. Sayuki is of average height, with straight, shoulder-length hair. SAYUKI Wow! You sure have an interesting family... I don't even have any brothers or sisters. KIMIKO (shrugs) Brothers are handy when you need 'em, but they can be a real pain when you don't. Mine are *never* boring, though. Kimiko stops short when she sees a flier stapled to a telephone pole. KIMIKO (CONT'D) What the?! SAYUKI What is it? Kimiko grabs the flier and looks at it more carefully. It has pictures of Dreamy and Chastity. KIMIKO (reading aloud) Sakurai Unified Championship Wresting... presents a special match between two dangerous and beautiful women?! SAYUKI Oh... That's one of those pro-wrestling things, isn't it? KIMIKO (pointing at Dreamy's picture) And one of the participants in the main event *tonight* is a girl who's rooming at my house! SAYUKI Wow... KIMIKO I've gotta find out what the hell's going on here. INT. KENJI'S HOUSE PINKY is lounging on the couch, watching TV, and her CAT friend is sleeping contentedly next to her. Kimiko strides into the room, with Sayuki following. PINKY (to Sayuki) Meow! SAYUKI Um... hi... PINKY That too! ^_^ KIMIKO Never mind her. PINKY Yeah, don't worry about me 'cuz I'm an idiot! SAYUKI What? PINKY Are you an idiot too? I haven't met any others yet; Kenji says Naoki is an idiot sometimes, but I don't think he's a *real* idiot like me. KIMIKO Pinky, where's Dreamy? PINKY Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... KIMIKO Never mind. (to Sayuki) Come on. Kimiko takes hold of Sayuki's arm and strides out of the room. EXT. KENJI'S HOUSE, BACK YARD DREAMY stands in front of an old washing machine with a look of determination. DREAMY ORAAAAAAAA! Dreamy charges the washing machine, puts her arms around it, and suplexes it! Kimiko and Sayuki look on in awe, until Kimiko recovers. KIMIKO (holding up the flier) Dreamy! Do you know anything about this? DREAMY (blinks) WHAT?! KIMIKO I said-- DREAMY WHAT?! KIMIKO Don't. Dreamy pauses and shakes her head for a moment. DREAMY Sorry. I can't help it. (looks at the flier) What's that? KIMIKO That's what I want to know; I found it on a telephone pole downtown, and I saw plenty of others like it along the way. Dreamy takes the flier and examines it. DREAMY Ah... I was wondering where we were going to have our match. KIMIKO You... challenged her to a match without knowing where or when it was going to be? DREAMY (sigh) The game took over because I'd just put it in -- I just acted like a pro-wrestler would. KIMIKO (rolls eyes) Hence the machismo. DREAMY (nods) Chastity must've organized this... SAYUKI Know what? I don't even want to know what's going on. KIMIKO (shrug) That's probably for the best. (to Dreamy) So you're really going through with this? Dreamy glances back at the washing machine and nods. DREAMY Otherwise that girl will come after Kenji. Someone will have to put her in her place. KIMIKO (groans) Jeez. Just be careful, okay? "Chastity" doesn't sound like the type to play fair. DREAMY Don't worry; if I need to I can be... HARDCORE! KIMIKO (blink) Oh... kay... INT. KENJI'S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM PINKY Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm... CAT Meow? PINKY Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... CAT Meow! Kimiko and Sayuki walk into the room. PINKY Oh, that's *right*! KIMIKO What? PINKY Dreamy's in the back yard! ^_^ SAYUKI It took you that long to remember? PINKY Yup! I told you I'm an idiot! ^_^ SAYUKI ... PINKY Say, do you like erasing things? SAYUKI ... PINKY I do! It's my favoritest thing to do in the whole world! ^_^ SAYUKI That's... nice... KIMIKO Come on; she can go on like that all day. INT. EXTREME CD VISION - LATE AFTERNOON Naoki is going over the floor with a carpet sweeper, and Kenji is standing behind the counter and stretching. NAOKI Almost quitting time. KENJI Yep. Suddenly the door opens and Civiko walks in; she's wearing a navy blue jumpsuit, however, and is a bit dirty. KENJI (CONT'D) Um... CIVIKO Hi Kenji! I've got great news! KENJI Oh? CIVIKO I got a job! NAOKI Cool! Where? CIVIKO Over at the auto shop; it's only a couple blocks away so I can visit you at lunch time! ^_^ KENJI You like it? CIVIKO (nods) Yeah... I'm not a car anymore, but it's like... I can still understand cars like before. Suddenly, Kimiko bustles into the shop, with Sayuki in tow. KIMIKO (waving the flier) Kenji! Did you know about this?! KENJI I don't know. You're waving it around too much. Kimiko frowns and thrusts the flier in his face. KENJI (CONT'D) (reading aloud) ReVengeance... Sakurai Unified Championship Wrestling. KIMIKO Tonight! We'd better head over there, like NOW! Kenji looks at her for a beat and rolls his eyes. WIPE LEFT TO: EXT. EVENT CENTER PARKING LOT A moderate-sized crowd is filing into the event center. Kenji, Civiko, Kimiko, Sayuki, Naoki, Nokia, TOASTY, KYOSUKE, and Pinky are all there, standing in line. NAOKI Have any of you been to one of these things before? KENJI ... NAOKI Don't punctuate at me like that dude. Have you? KENJI Once. NAOKI And? KIMIKO It's all stupid. KENJI It's entertainment. KIMIKO But it's _fake_! KENJI So's most everything else on TV. KIMIKO But it's _stupid_ too! KENJI (rolls eyes) Most of the other stuff on TV isn't exactly aimed at rocket scientists either. WIPE RIGHT TO: INT. EVENT CENTER, FRONT ROW Kenji & co. are seated in the front row, close to the ring. The crowd is fairly large and pretty lively. CIVIKO There sure are a lot of people here. NAOKI Looks like they filled this place up. It's a good thing Dreamy was able to convince them to get us tickets. CIVIKO Um... Who were you again? NAOKI (depressed, sighs) Naoki. Kenji's co-worker and former classmate back in high school. Nokia smiles and takes hold of Naoki's hand; he turns bright red. PINKY What're we doing again? SAYUKI (sigh) How long until it starts? I don't even know why I'm here. KYOSUKE A mere five minutes until the intense action and drama begins! INT. DRESSING ROOM Dreamy sits on a stool, looking at herself in the mirror. There's a knock at the door. DREAMY Come in. The door opens and REIKA steps in; she's a very tall, well toned schoolgirl with short blue hair. She wears a sailor fuku and clutches a plush dog in one hand. REIKA Hey there. DREAMY Who...? REIKA (smiles) Reika. Or Reika the Deadly if you prefer. DREAMY You're... a wrestler? REIKA Two-time women's champion, soon to be Hardcore Champion. DREAMY Wow... REIKA In case you're wondering, I just wanted to meet the new girl. I've got a match before you, so the crowd should be good and ready for your big entrance. Care to join me after the show? DREAMY I... I don't know if I'll have time. REIKA (shrug) Up to you. Well, I have to get ready; good luck. DREAMY Thanks. INT. EVENT CENTER, ANNOUNCE TABLE Two commentators, JOHNNY OSAKA and HIRO YAMAZAKI, face the camera. JOHNNY Welcome everyone 'ta Sakurai Unified Championship Wrestling's special ReVengeance event! HIRO We're here live from the sold out Sakurai Event Center with a capacity crowd of 4,000 people! JOHNNY And what a show we've got for y'all tonight! Reika the Deadly makes her triumphant return to face Chris Vermillion for the Hardcore title! HIRO And for our main event, a grudge match that you won't want to miss! Chastity against Dreamy, one on one! JOHNNY But first we have Vigilante Valdez facing Smahser Joe! INT. AYAKO'S ROOM The room is mostly dark; we can see Ayako by the light of the street lamps outside. She holds up a CD wallet and hands it to a mysterious FIGURE. AYAKO You know what to do. INT. EVENT CENTER, FRONT ROW Kenji's group sits mostly quietly, except for Kimiko, who is on her feet and yelling. KIMIKO No! Not like that! Pound him! Yeah! Right in the *face*! Woooo! Woah! What was THAT?! Kenji glances at her and smirks just a little, then shakes his head. CIVIKO Kenji, do you think Dreamy will be okay? KENJI (sigh) Probably. If not... that's why we're all here. CIVIKO Chastity sounds kind of dangerous... KENJI We'll see. The bell rings. INT. EVENT CENTER, ANNOUNCE TABLE JOHNNY Can ya' believe it!? Smasher Joe was brought down by the Super Columbian Coffee Grinder! HIRO He thought he was tough, but it turned out he was Yet Another Victim of Vigilante Valdez. Up next is a match a lot of people have been looking forward to, and I think-- INT. EVENT CENTER "Cautionary Warning" by Jon Sykes plays and the lights dim as a "waterfall" of multicolored pyrotechnics rains down in front of the ramp that leads down to the ring. A cheer rises up from the crowd as Reika steps out with her plush dog in hand. She walks towards the ring with slow deliberation. The sparks of the pyros bounce off of her as she walks through them, but she doesn't bat an eye. RING ANNOUNCER The following hardcore contest is for one fall and is for the Hardcore Title! Now entering the ring, from Tokyo, weighting in at forty-three kilograms is the challenger, Reika The DEADLY! When she gets to the ring she slides in under the bottom rope, climbs up on one of the turnbuckles, and waits for the right moment in the music before raising her plush dog proudly into the air with one hand. For a moment the air is filled with countless camera flashes and the cheers of the crowd rise even higher. From the look on her face it's clear that she can barely contain her excitement and adrenaline. She goes to the opposite turnbuckle to hold her plushie up yet again, eliciting even more flash photography. JOHNNY (V.O.) As always, Reika comes out and everyone goes NUTS! But who wouldn't when we've got such a cutie who can whup so much ass?! HIRO (V.O.) You've got that right; we've never seen anything quite like the Instigator before, but her opponent is going to be a tough one. The lights change to a blood-red color and the arena is filled with a misty haze. "Desire to Fire" by Machine Head begins to play, and plumes of crimson fire shoot up along the sides of the ramp as CHRIS VERMILLION strides out. He's tall and slender, dressed from head to toe in red, including a blank red mask and spiky red hair. He boldly strides down the ramp; as he walks, three times he gestures to one of the plumes of flame and it jumps to three times its original height. RING ANNOUNCER Now entering the ring from Manitoba Canada, the Hardcore champion, CHRIS VERMILLION! Finally, Vermillion reaches the base of the ramp clenches his fists, raises them high, and brings them down -- all of the flames along the ramp leap high then die down. JOHNNY (V.O.) He has to be the most mean, paranoid, *evil* hardcore champ we've ever had. HIRO (V.O.) (bitterly) You've got that right. JOHNNY (V.O.) (enthusiastic) Of course, that's what makes him perfect for it! INT. EVENT CENTER, FRONT ROW TOASTY How long until Dreamy's match? KYOSUKE According to the program it's the next one. KIMIKO Woah! She's smothering him with her toy dog!!! INT. EVENT CENTER, ANNOUNCE TABLE HIRO I tell you, Reika may be at a disadvantage in terms of weight and strength, but she's more than making up for it with sheer viciousness! Pinky walks into and out of the frame behind Johnny and Hiro. JOHNNY Oh my _god_! Did you see that!? HIRO I sure did! He took a shot from a flaming baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire and it didn't even faze him! Reika could be in for a much tougher battle than any of us expected! Pinky walks back into the frame and looks towards the camera and smiles. JOHNNY CODE RED! Vermillion used the Code Red! It's over! Chris Vermission has defended the--!!! HIRO No wait! Reika just *barely* gets the shoulder up!!! PINKY Hey, what's going on? JOHNNY Who the hell're you?! PINKY I'm... um... Oh! I'm Pinky! JOHNNY Well tell 'ya what cutie-pie, why don't you have a seat next to Johnny Osaka! HIRO (annoyed) What're you _doing_? PINKY Who's Johnny Osaka? JOHNNY Me! PINKY Ohhh! Okay! ^_^ Pinky sits on the announce table next to Johnny. HIRO OH MY GOD!!! JOHNNY What? What happened?! PINKY I dunno... HIRO Chris Vermillion just took a power bomb off the turnbuckle onto a flaming table, and _now_ Reika's setting up for a suicide run with her Deadly Bomber!!! PINKY Huh? JOHNNY (awe) Daaaaamn!!! HIRO One! Two! Three! It's over!!! We have a new Hardcore Champion and the first woman in the history of Sakurai Unified to hold the Hardcore title!!! The crowd goes wild. INT. EVENT CENTER, FRONT ROW KIMIKO Woo! Yeah!!! KENJI (rolls eyes) She's _actually_ embarrassing me. KIMIKO (startled) H-huh?! KENJI (flat stare) Nothing. Meanwhile Toasty is standing up and facing the crowd behind her. TOASTY Free toast! She starts throwing toast into the crowd. CROWD (chanting) Toast! Toast! Toast! INT. EVENT CENTER, ANNOUNCE TABLE JOHNNY Well, all that's left now is the main event! HIRO You've got that right! And what a main event it is! PINKY I dunno. JOHNNY Two mysterious and beautiful challengers in a dangerous grudge match! Get ready! INT. EVENT CENTER CHASTITY steps out as "Rollin' (Air Vehicle)" by Limp Bizkit begins to play. The lighting on the ramp changes so that there's only yellow stripes along the middle. Chastity boldly strides down the ramp, and sparks shoot up along the sides of the ramp as she passes. When the comes to the ring the steps up onto the apron she faces towards the crowd, holding onto the top rope, and then flips backwards, landing inside the ring. RING ANNOUNCER The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Now entering the ring from Tokyo... CHASTITY! Chastity strides over to one turnbuckle, climbs up on top of it, and flips off the audience. Suddenly the lights dim. JOHNNY (V.O.) Yeah! That's what I'm talking about! Come to Papa Osaka! There is a sound of a video-game type bleeping noise, and then some overhead lights turn on, filling the arena with a faint blue haze. The sound system suddenly starts blasting "Play the Game" by Motorhead, and we can see Dreamy standing at the top of the ramp. The CD tray in her forehead closes; she lifts her head and her eyes snap open. She strides towards the ring at a slow, deliberate pace as spotlights chase each other all around the arena. Upon reaching the ring, Dreamy slides under the bottom rope, and shoves Chastity out of the way as she climbs one of the turnbuckles. RING ANNOUNCER Now entering the ring from Tokyo... DREAMY! Dreamy raises both fists high, and then brings them down to point at her head with her thumbs. Camera flashes fill the arena and Dreamy repeats the gesture on the opposite turnbuckle. The bell rings, and Dreamy and Chastity begin to circle each other warily. Chastity pulls out a microphone. CHASTITY I bet you don't even know why I'm doing this, do you? Dreamy looks around and finds the ring announcer is handing her a mic. She takes it and faces Chastity. DREAMY All I know is, you said you were going to beat up Kenji-sama, and that I _won't_ forgive! CHASTITY You really think you have what it takes to take on *me*?! DREAMY Oh, I *know* I have what it takes. Dreamy doesn't back down from a challenge, especially a challenge from a ho-bag like you! JOHNNY (V.O.) Hey! You really should call her names like that! PINKY (V.O.) Yeah! Her name's Chastity, not ho-bag! CHASTITY You've got one hell of a mouth, (pokes one finger at Dreamy's shoulder) but I wonder if you've got the guts to back it up? DREAMY (shoving Chastity away) Woah woah woah _woah_! The skank called Chastity wants to know if Dreamy has the *guts* to whup your CANDY ASS all over this very ring to keep you from beating on an innocent victim?! If actions speak louder than words, then my big boot is going to have a *lot* to say to your fat ass tonight! Dreamy drops the mic and opens up on Chastity with right hand strikes. HIRO And now this match is under way! Chastity manages to catch Dreamy's hand and counter with a knee to Dreamy's stomach. Dreamy staggers back a step but Chastity keeps her hold on Dreamy's wrist and whips her into the ropes. Dreamy bounces off and finds herself flying towards Chastity. INT. EVENT CENTER, ANNOUNCE TABLE Pinky is sitting on Johnny's lap -- he seems elated. HIRO This is turning into an all-out brawl! These two ladies are-- Oh! A missile drop kick by Dreamy leaves Chastity down on the mat! She could have it but... Chastity kicks out of the pin! JOHNNY I tell ya', this is turning out to be one exciting match! PINKY What, where? HIRO Dreamy's going up top, going to try a high-risk maneuver. INT. EVENT CENTER, RING Dreamy is on the turnbuckle; Chastity gets up strides over to Dreamy, stands on the bottom rope and starts punching at Dreamy's gut. Chastity then takes hold of Dreamy and does a suplex, leaving both of them lying on the mat. Dreamy manages to get up first, and starts stomping on Chastity. INT. EVENT CENTER, FRONT ROW KIMIKO Yeah! Get her! Come ON! CIVIKO (to Kenji) Is she doing okay? KENJI She's thinking like a pro-wrestler -- she's trying to put on a show. INT. EVENT CENTER, ANNOUNCE TABLE JOHNNY Wow! Did you see that! Four german suplexes in a row, and Dreamy's going for another one! HIRO But it looks like Chastity is battling her way out with those elbows, and... what's this?! INT. EVENT CENTER, RING Chastity's four THUGS climb up on the ring apron; one of them slugs the ref in the face. HIRO (V.O.) Four guys are coming down to the ring-- Hey! One of them just knocked out the ref! JOHNNY (V.O.) Oh my god! Dreamy's outnumbered five to one!!! Dreamy looks a bit worried as she looks around at the five that are closing in on her. INT. EVENT CENTER, FRONT ROW Kenji frowns, gets up out of his seat, and starts climbing over the barricade. CIVIKO Kenji! What're you doing?! KENJI I'm going to lend a helping chair. CIVIKO Huh? Kenji smiles just slightly as he lands on the other side of the barricade. He grabs an unoccupied folding chair, folds it up, and slides it into the ring so that it winds up sitting at Dreamy's feet. She regards him for a moment and he gives her a thumbs up. INT. EVENT CENTER, RING Dreamy picks up the folding chair. JOHNNY (V.O.) What's this?! Someone passed Dreamy a steel chair! HIRO (V.O.) With the ref down and four extra guys bearing down on her, that could be just what she needs. JOHNNY (V.O.) But that's a foreign object! It's illegal! HIRO (V.O.) (annoyed) So is having four friends help you out in a singles match! Dreamy suddenly grins; she swings the chair and smacks one thug in the head, knocking him down. HIRO (V.O.) (CONT'D) Ooh! What a shot to the head!!! PINKY (V.O.) Wow! She hit him with a... um... what's it called? As the others come at her, Dreamy smacks each in turn, knocking them down. One of them stirs and he gets a chair to the back. Suddenly Chastity is on her own. JOHNNY (V.O.) Looks like Chastity got more than she bargained for! HIRO (V.O.) You can say that again! Chastity grins, however, and picks up a lead pipe that one of her thugs was clutching. JOHNNY (V.O.) Uh oh! The stakes just went up! Chastity's got a lead pipe! The ref stirs a little and starts to pick himself up. Chastity doesn't notice, however, and makes her move; she runs forward, drops to the ground, and rolls sideways, bringing the lead pipe into Dreamy's knee. Dreamy is on her knees as the referee motions to someone at ringside and the bell is rung repeatedly. RING ANNOUNCER Here is your winner by disqualification, DREAMY! HIRO (V.O.) That's it! This match is over, but can you see the look in Chastity's eyes?! The match may be over, this fight, this *battle*, this street _brawl_ is just beginning! As Chastity stands up, Dreamy slowly picks herself up, limping, and steps forward; she swings her chair in a wide arc and knocks the lead pipe out of Chastity's hand and clear out of the ring, then tosses the chair out of the ring too. JOHNNY (V.O.) Looks like they're both disarmed now, but do you really think Dreamy can hold her own with that injured knee?! HIRO (V.O.) I don't know, but I'll tell you this -- she isn't going to give up just yet! Chastity steps forwards; she kicks Dreamy, then does an Irish whip into the turnbuckle; Dreamy seems dazed. Chastity lines herself up at the turnbuckle diagonally opposite. HIRO (V.O.) (CONT'D) It looks like Chastity is setting up for something, and Dreamy is in a bad way here. JOHNNY (V.O.) Man oh man! Chastity charges full speed! She dives head-first, ramming her shoulder into Dreamy's gut. Dreamy falls down onto the mat. HIRO (V.O.) Oh my god! Chastity did her... JOHNNY (V.O.) It's the Highway to Hell! I don't know if Dreamy can get up after this one! Dreamy stirs a little. She opens her eyes and looks up at where Chastity is looming over her. Dreamy suddenly lunges up and forward and tackles Chastity to the ground. Dreamy flips Chastity over; she sits on one of Chastity's legs, making it fold until the foot is touching the back, puts one arm around Chastity's neck, and then uses her remaining hand to apply pressure to Chastity's scalp. JOHNNY (V.O.) (CONT'D) The pressure is on! Dreamy's using some kind of submission move -- it's like a sleeper hold and then some! HIRO (V.O.) Sweet Dreams! It's the Sweet Dreams! If Dreamy has enough strength left, then Chastity might not be able to get out of this one! Dreamy grins as she keeps applying the pressure. Chastity seems to be losing strength, but tries to keep fighting all the same. The ref crawls over and picks up Chastity's arm then lets go; the arm falls limply to the mat. He repeats this again. As he's holding the arm up a third time the lights start to dim. "Exciter" (the Dead or Alive 2 opening theme) starts to play as the arena starts to fill with a faint fog. Red lasers swirl and spin around the ramp as PANTHER II stands at the top of the ramp. She wears a dress made of black plastic with bits of red trim, which covers her torso and arms completely, save for a CD-door and two controller ports in her belly. Her hair is red, with sideburns that extend into two "claws" and a sprig of hair from her forehead forms a third claw. She also wears a pair of form-fitting thigh-high boots that match her dress. Panther grins an evil grin and her eyes light up with an inner red light. JOHNNY (V.O.) Who the hell is this?! HIRO (V.O.) I don't know! All I can tell you is she's not someone I'd like to meet in a dark alley! Panther strides down the ramp. When she gets to the ring she steps in between the top and middle ropes, then stands on the turnbuckle. She crosses both hands in front of her chest, then swings them out to her sides, clenching them into fists as she does so. Lightning seems to crackle overhead, striking the four ring posts. When Panther turns her attention to the ring, Chastity and Dreamy are each slowly picking themselves up. CHASTITY Who the hell're you? PANTHER II (picking up a mic) I was sent by our mistress. CHASTITY (taking a mic from the mat) You're... here to help me? PANTHER II No. She has decided you are unworthy of avenging Kyoko-sama. INT. EVENT CENTER, FRONT ROW Kenji looks up at the ring, shocked and unsure. KENJI Kyoko...? CHASTITY (O.S.) Is that so? INT. EVENT CENTER, RING HIRO (V.O.) A dangerous situation here tonight; this newcomer looks about ready to open up a can of whup-ass on both sides of this battle! Panther drops the mic and delivers a vicious knee to Chastity's stomach. With Chastity dazed, Panther adds a falling neckbreaker, then lifts Chastity to her feet and whips her clear out of the ring. Panther then turns to face Dreamy, who is on her feet but a little shaky. PANTHER II And as for you... You're an inferior machine and I'll _destroy_ you. DREAMY What makes you so sure I'm inferior? PANTHER II I can process nearly ten times the number of polygons per second! DREAMY Then why do you only have two controller ports? PANTHER II That's all I need. I also use high density DVD-ROM media! My games have more data per disc and my graphics and sound are superior! I _will_ defeat you. JOHNNY (V.O.) I don't even know what they're saying, but something's about to explode! HIRO (V.O.) But it looks like you're gonna have to tune in next week for the continuation on the next episode of Ignition!!! PINKY (V.O.) Are Ignitions good to eat? IRIS OUT. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Ewen "Blackbird" Cluney blackbird@blackbird.nu Blackbird's Domain http://www.blackbird.nu/ The Official Thrash Home Page http://thrash.blackbird.nu/ Knight Kevlar of the Immortal Frog Silver Knight of Mihoshi "Be nice to me; I might just develop psychokinetic powers and destroy Tokyo!" ------------------------------------------------------------------