Vanguard #29 (11/08/23)

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No sooner does the show go live and the montage finish than do the fans get bombarded by the heavy guitars and drums of Metallica’s “Hardwired”, heralding the arrival of Forge! Dressed all in black, the man known as the Martyr Machine stops at the top of the ramp, glaring out over the arena before him as the Austin chapter of the HYBRID Nation cheer what’s certain to be a fiery address! As if to emphasize this, Forge slams his right fist into his left palm before raising it into the air, prompting a burst of fire to shoot into the air from the boundaries of the stage!

Spirit Montego: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Interim CEO and CSO of HYBRID… the Martyr Machine… FORGE!

Forge starts making his way down the ramp as the cameras swing over towards the commentary booth at ringside!

Bernadette Olson: Welcome, HYBRID Nation, to the 29th episode of Vanguard, kicking off Season Six for HYBRID rEvolution! I am, as always, Bernadette Olson, here in the best seat in the house alongside my broadcast colleague, the verbose Jacob Frankel! And if there’s a better way to start off Vanguard, Jakey, then I can’t think of it at the moment!

Jacob Frankel: So is that because you’re swooning over the Interim CEO of HYBRID, Bernie, or because you, like the rest of us, are still trying to get your senses back after that pyro!

Bernadette Olson: Watch it, kid! I’m twice your age but I can still kick your ass! But it’s a little of both! And you didn’t mishear anything there, fans…

Jacob Frankel: Nope. But if you DID miss Fall of Man three weeks ago, here’s a recap:

The view turns to the HYBRID-Tron, and the images playing out fill the screens of those fans watching from home!


Forge: Cut that shit! Right fucking now!

The replay ends abruptly and Forge, who had made his way to the ring during the replay, stands dead-center. The already-imposing figure looks even more so. Anger seeps out of every pore and his stare could stop a charging rhino in its tracks. There’s a murmur in the crowd, but no more than that; one would swear that his demand of the production truck was directed at them, too, and had scared them into listening!

Jacob Frankel: Oh, crap… dad’s mad!

Bernadette Olson: You would be too if you were in his position, Jacob! Mr. Vance got hurt on his watch!

Jacob Frankel: Well, the guy can’t be everywhere at once, can he?!

Sucking in a breath, Forge lowers his voice a little, but it still rumbles like the footsteps of an army of demons!

Forge: Unlike most people in this business, I don’t have a penchant for running my fucking mouth, so I’m gonna keep this as short as fucking possible:

The camera locks in on Forge, who stares right at it.

Forge: Someone attacked Mr. Vance at Fall of Man. Bad enough that I let this happen right under my damn nose, but there ain’t a lot of motherfuckers I care enough about to call friend. Aloysius is on that short list.

He allows those words to sink in for a moment.

Forge: He’s got a concussion, among other things, and isn’t expected to be back for several months. Which means my ass is in charge.

While AMV is obviously pretty well-liked as far as authority figures go, the fans are digging the idea of Forge being on top as evidenced by their reaction, something which he seems momentarily unsure of how to handle.

Bernadette Olson: ”Among other things” and “several months”. Whoever attacked him did it with intent in my mind based on those descriptors.

Jacob Frankel: Sounds like it, Bernadette. And I can think of a few folks who might. But man, that’s a short list. AMV doesn’t mess with anyone and he runs a tight, fair ship. Who would have reason to attack him?

Bernadette Olson: That’s what you, me, the fans, and Forge wants to know.

Jacob Frankel: We were out here all night!

Giving it a moment, Forge continues.

Forge: If you were in the building at Fall of Man, we’re going to have words. No one is exempt. I don’t care who you are, where you came from, or what our relationship is. SOMEONE attacked Aloysius and I’m not resting until I find them and deal with them! PERSONALLY!

Another loud cheer from the fans!

Forge: That said, Becca Maguire is officially in charge of security while I sit in the big chair. Anyone getting stupid-ass notions of acting up because it ain’t me? Don’t. That woman knows less mercy than I do. As to the other? Interrogations start tonight. If I call your name, I expect to see you in front of me in short order. If you don’t show up?

A brief pause…

Forge: I’ll drag you in by your goddamn tongue. The entire locker room, front office, and everywhere else that has HYBRID people in it is on notice. Now let’s get on with the fucking show.

“Hardwired” hits again as Forge leaves the ring, heading up the ramp and to the backstage area. Cameras cut back to the announce table.

Bernadette Olson: Someone better speak up on this, and they’d better do it fast. I’d say the longer he has to look for the perpetrator, the harder things are gonna be around here!

Jacob Frankel: It’s not exactly PC, but… I’m with him. Figure out who did it, deal with them, and get back to the business of wrestling, which is what we do best!

And with that, Spirit Montego enters the ring, ready to announce the participants of the first match.



HYBRID Vanguard returns after a short commercial break, the immediate focus not on the ring. It’s pretty much the same scene you’d find in some cop drama or detective movie: a basic table with a few chairs around it, a powerful light overhead, and a butt-load of foreboding. Seated on one side of the table are GoGo and Rain of Natural Resources, awaiting the entrance of another. Despite the situation, both women seem quite pleasant and positive as far as mood goes. But off-camera, the sight of someone entering gets their attention and puts the faintest bit of damper on their spirits. Forge, the Interim CEO of HYBRID, flanked by the always-imposing Becca Maguire and two well-dressed detectives, enters the room. Shutting the door behind himself, he walks directly to the table and has a seat facing the two young women.

Forge’s intensity is well-known from the get, but right now it’s on a new level, sprinkled liberally with stress, anger, and dare we say it, tension. In his capacity as the man-in-charge during AMV’s absence, he unfortunately has to go a bit more formal than usual, but in Forge’s case that just means a button-down black shirt over black jeans. Not gonna find this man in a suit unless someone died… and maybe not even then.

Forge: Rain, GoGo. I appreciate you showing up without making a scene, like some people have tried to do.

Somehow he keeps his tone even, but there’s some frustration there. The detectives look briefly ill-at-ease, but Becca smirks and cracks her neck and knuckles. One gets the feeling that she had a good time dealing with the people who tried to get salty.

Forge: I got questions for you both. Answer them honestly. That’s all you gotta do. Are we clear?

Rain nods as if she’s been in this situation a thousand times before. When she speaks, it’s with a slow even tone.

Rain: Yes sir. Ain’t no problem at all.

GoGo sits bolt upright, looks straight ahead at him and nods stiffly, nervously.

GoGo: YES SIR, MISTER FORGE, SIR!

Rain can’t help but smile slightly.

Rain: Y’all remindin’ her of the Colonel.

It catches Forge off-guard for half a second. Then it dawns on him.

Forge: Her old man is military?

When Rain nods in agreement, Forge lets out a measured breath and turns his full attention on GoGo.

Forge: You mind if I call you Kendra, GoGo?

GoGo does not move, just keeps staring straight ahead at him.

GoGo: SIR, NO SIR!

Forge: First of all, Kendra, calm down. You don’t have to be formal like that with me. The only thing you got to worry for is if you had some part in this shit. I’m questioning everyone, whether I think they did it or not, because I’m not takin’ chances. Someone hurt a man I call friend on my watch and that shit ain’t gonna slide. So take a breath, kid. You’re not in trouble yet.

It’s really the best he can do to be reassuring at this point. He shoots a look at Rain as though to wordlessly ask her to give him a hand getting GoGo to chill.

Rain: It’s alright, Goldi. You ain’t gotta address him like he’s a Five Star General come to inspect before the damn President is visitin’. It’s Mister Forge, everything’s cool.

GoGo nods slightly, seemingly loosening up but still maintaining eye contact with him the whole time. It’s good enough for the Martyr Machine, so he nods and gets on with it.

Forge: Both of y’all were at Fall of Man for your match, which you won. Congrats on that. What did you do between your match and the end of the show?

As he asks this, the detectives turn on their voice recorders and Becca starts paying close attention. She’s not smiling anymore, looking more interested than intimidating.

Rain: We did what we always do: watch the rest of the show, especially the other two tag team matches. Then we waited to see how Miss Chi Chi and Miss Risa were doin’ after their match cause they was FUCKED up.

Forge: Ain’t THAT the fuckin’ truth…

GoGo nods.

GoGo: The other teams are all so awesome, we always gotta watch to see if we can learn anything from them and to be ready when we get to wrestle them sometime down the line!

Forge: And you did all this from the locker room? Or did you go somewhere else to watch?

Things have gotten a bit calmer, and even Forge is being, well, a touch gentler. But this is still business…

Rain: Yeah, we just watched on the monitors back there until we went to check on Miss Chi Chi and Miss Risa in that room before they had to go to the hospital.

Forge: And after that?

GoGo: We waited til we got the all clear and went back to the hotel where we waited to hear from Miss Jane or HayJo about Miss Chi Chi and Miss Risa.

Turning to look over his shoulder, Forge gets a nod from Becca, a silent affirmation of something. Turning back to the ladies, Forge folds his hands in front of him.

Forge: During that time, did you see or hear anything that didn’t sound right to you? Someone talking about doing something nefarious, for instance?

Becca barely hides a snicker at Forge using a word like “nefarious”, while the expression of the man himself twitches slightly, as if he knows what his partner is thinking.

Forge: Remember that ain’t nothin’ inconsequential here, ladies. If it don’t fit, I wanna know about it.

He gives them the time they need to consider. Then… the two women shake their heads.

GoGo: Not really, Sir.

Rain: Not really, I mean, Miss Jane was in a hurry because of Miss Chi Chi and Mister Ollie was a little twitchier than normal but that seems to happen with him on big show days.

His expression tenses a little bit. Again, Forge turns to Becca and the detectives. They nod, indicating that they understand. With that, Forge turns back to GoGo and Rain with a nod.

Forge: Alright. You two can go. But stick around tonight. There’s gonna be an announcement you’re gonna wanna hear.

GoGo smiles brightly.

GoGo: We always watch the shows! They’re so COOL!

Rain: Like Goldi said, not a problem, Mister Forge, we was gonna stay til the end of the show anyway.

The two stand up and do as they’re told, leaving the room in a quick and orderly fashion. Forge is left smiling a little because… not even he’s immune to GoGo’s sweetness and enthusiasm. Once the door closes behind them, though, he rises to his feet and turns to the rest of the group.

Forge: Becca, you heard?

Becca Maguire: Yeah. What’s the move?

Forge: I want words with the twitchy boy. Go deliver the message. Take backup if you think you need it.

Without a word, Becca nods firmly and takes her leave. Forge now addresses the detectives.

Forge: Take five. When the next session is set up, I’ll let you know. Go grab some coffee or food if it suits you.

The detectives then leave, and Forge is alone in the room. His expression becomes very severe as the cameras cut away.

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We come back to the ringside area in the Moody Center, as “HYPE ZOMBIES” by PVRIS begins to play on the arena’s speaker. Out from the curtain comes the Path of Destiny Tournament winner Jessi Ozborne to a massive ovation from the Austin fans! With the Queens of Chaos having once dug their roots in the heart of Texas, it’s no surprise that the Lonestar State is on their feet for Ozborne. But it was about more than that. Ever since her victory over Matt Knox at Fall of Man, the HYBRID faithful have been treating Ozborne a lot more favorably than they had in recent times.

Jessi finally enters the ring, with her music fading as she picks up a microphone.

Jessi Ozborne: Well shit…haven’t heard that in a long ass time. Alright then, let’s roll with it. Because with this big of a reaction, it feels damn good to say…Hello Austin!


Jessi Ozborne: Nah nah nah, we can do much better than that! I said HELLO AUSTIN!


Jessi Ozborne: You’re goddamn right she is and she’s got a lot of talk about so let’s get down to business!

The crowd gives an overwhelming reaction as Ozborne dances around a bit.

Jessi Ozborne: So what is “business”? Well, “business” is currently very good! We just came off of Fall of Man, probably one of the biggest shows Hybrid has had to date. Blood was shed, a new champion was crowned, everyone showed up and showed out for that one, including and especially all of you! So let’s hear it for ya!

The crowd pops again, this time giving themselves the ovation.

Jessi Ozborne: But in the middle of all that, came probably one of the most pivotal matches of my career so far. I came into the Path of Destiny tournament not knowing at all what to expect. Eight of the best that Hybrid had to offer were handpicked for this thing, and to be considered one of those eight was…well let’s face it, it wasn’t much of a surprise, but the acknowledgement was still nice.

Jessi laughs to herself a bit.

Jessi Ozborne: I showed up all the way to the finals, against one of these few people I was convinced I couldn’t beat on my own. Losing to Knox wasn’t an option for me, but I knew damn well it could’ve been a reality. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from not only my career, but from my life, it’s that reality can act is quick and simple “fuck you” to all your hopes and ambitions. So to stand here tonight with the ability to say that I’m the one who made it the furthest down the Path of Destiny is a hell of an honour.


Jessi Ozborne: But I want you all to note something: I said I made it the furthest down the path, but I never said that I completed it. The journey, realistically, isn’t complete yet. It won’t be until Best Served Cold. See I’ve got a one ticket to Destiny, and the ride is gonna drop me off in front of one of three people on January 17th. Which means one of those three people are on borrowed time. I came too damn far for my one shot to miss, so whoever I take on in San Francisco is fucking done for in San Francisco.

Jessi thinks hard on what she says next, leaving the crowd waiting in anticipation.

Jessi Ozborne: As far as who that person is…I think I’ma just keep ‘em guessing.

The crowd starts to give Jessi a slight boo, obviously not pleased with her teasing them this way.

Jessi Ozborne: Oh come on, cut me some slack, yeah? A good strategist never gives away her next move early. I still got a little bit of time before I have to make a decision. Time that I’m looking to spend keeping every single champion here on their toes and on notice. So if you gotta belt, kiss it goodbye, take your last pictures with it, and shine it up real nice for me. Because in two months, rent’s due, and I’m coming to collect. That’s not a threat, that’s a promise. And when the Queen promises, she damn well delivers….

Jessi raises her microphone, letting the finish off her signature catchphrase for her.


Jessi Ozborne: Damn right they are, and so you are Austin. Cut the check.

Jessi quickly drops her microphone, before leaving the ring to the applause of the crowd.

Bernadette Olson: An emphatic statement made by the Path of Destiny Tournament Winner! Whichever champion she chooses to go after might have their hands quite full!

Jacob Frankel: But the question still remains as to who that champion will be, and judging by her tone, it seems like no one in the world knows who Jessi Ozborne is targeting but Jessi Ozborne herself!

Jessi poses at the top of the stage as we fade.

---

It’s absolutely no secret at all that Cordelia Clark is not in a good mood. Considering the vents of Fall of Man, any emotions going through her are definitely going to be negative. She looks like she’s in a bit of a confused state of mind, not knowing what to think really. She’s doing everything that she can to stay composed even if she finds that her former championship is currently difficult to forget at the moment.

Cordelia Clark: I’m going to be as candid and as honest as I can be about Fall of Man. It’s a match I want to forget. It’s a match I’m TRYING very hard to forget. Losing the Vanguard Championship the first time sucked, but I managed to win it back. This time, it hurts even more. On a stage like that? If I’m going to reach the level I know I can get to, that I know I am not too “young and inexperienced” for, then I’ve got to win matches like that.

The fact that Griffin Hawkins won and not me…

I admit it, I was heartbroken. I hate to admit that I cried after the fact, but I did. I’m well beyond the point where as a professional wrestler, that youthful exuberance dominates me and has me ‘happy to be there’. No, I’m no longer that ‘happy to be there’ girl. I know what I can do! I know what I am capable of! I’m someone that’s wrestling with EXPECTATIONS now and I’m done being naive and stupid. I’m at that stage of my career where I HAVE to pull through and HAVE to win those matches to rise up the ladder. It’s nothing against the guy at all, but the fact that it was Griffin and not me makes me absolutely sick to my stomach.

Cordelia takes a bit of a pause for a moment, reflecting on her words, before she continues on.

Cordelia Clark: Going through those feelings suck… and I don’t want to hear any excuses. I’m not going to go as far as saying “if it was one on one, it’d be different” because we don’t know that. I don’t want to hear the “you’re only about to turn 25, you have plenty of time” preaching… because you never know when you step in that ring. One moment, you’re on top of the world… and the next you’re being carried out on a stretcher with a broken neck and unable to wrestle again no matter what age you are. Something horrible can happen to me in that ring tonight where i’m paralyzed from the waist down and can’t walk again. That’s the risk we all take… so don’t give me that “you’re still young” crap!

My first instinct, knowing that I was at the same cross roads before, was to go after Griffin one on one and make it three Vanguard Championship reigns. I was JUST about to present that to the powers that be around here…

Only to find out that the path was chosen for me…

Cordelia pauses and sighs to let off some steam.

Cordelia Clark: Really, I’m not going to argue with it. I recently won a main event against the Iron Heart champion and hell, I want to think that I’ve been getting a reputation around here for growing an iron heart as of late. Last time, I chose to regain what was lost. But this time, as much as it hurt to come to this realization, moving on from the Vanguard title and starting new is the way to go and Charles Morgan, I am going to have a hell of a lot of bad feelings to unleash on you. What happened at Fall of man… CANNOT… WILL NOT happen again!

I’m not going to be the pushover to someone else’s triumph!

I’m not going to be just another name some legendary wrestler added to their list of accolades.

I’m not going to be someone that they can run up the score on with their three belt celebration tweets.

To hell with that!

I’m coming into this match pissed, Charles. I want you to know that. I WANT that Iron Heart title because I see that title and I see something that I know in my heart was made for me. You’re darn right I am coming into this thing fired up and I’m going to make sure that when it’s all sai and done, I make my new path a successful one! Because what happened to me at Fall of Man?

I’m driven as hell to make sure of two things: that it doesn’t happen again… and that next time that Pay-Per-View comes out, I DO win on that stage and get that bitter taste out of my mouth that is going to be there for a good while!

Get ready to taste that same bitterness, Charles…

Cordelia makes her exit at this point, her fire and determination especially prevalent, as the scene fades out.



A bit later in the show, it’s the same room as before… same Becca Maguire, same detectives… same Forge.

He’s still calm on the outside, but the rage and chaos in him is ever-present. This time, there’s only one chair on the other end of the table, and in it is Ollie Maverick. Ollie was in street clothes and had his ‘manager’ present in a small pet carrier. His face was visible to everyone in the room but everyone watching at home would only see a digital blur.

Assessing the situation and the other man for a moment, Forge decides to simply dive in and get this over with.

Forge: You were in attendance backstage at Fall of Man, Ollie. What were you doing that evening?

Ollie scratches his head.

Ollie Maverick: Oh, I was beating up a dude… but that was on camera so… ya know. Different dude. I certainly wasn’t wrestling. I just come here for the catering now. Did you see they have tamales? Love a good tamale. Didn’t used to but then I found out you aren’t supposed to eat the corn husk. Found that out the hard way. Hey! Is this a spinny chair?

Ollie begins spinning in the office chair he’s seated in. Clearly this was going to be a… frustrating discussion. Becca flexes a muscle or seven, giving a bit of a glare towards Ollie but remaining silent. Forge, sitting back in his chair, steeples his fingers in front of himself. It’s hard to tell exactly what he’s thinking.

Forge: Live and learn. Perhaps it’s lucky for you that Dixon is no longer a part of HYBRID. You don’t have to suffer comeuppance for what you did.

He lets that sink in for a moment. Then…

Forge: You showed up. Beat someone up. Celebrated with free food. Then what?

Ollie Maverick: Yeah, no, it’s definitely super cool and chill that the singular focus of my revenge fantasies for over a year is no longer around. Very rad and not all the worst.

Only Forge and Becca see Ollie roll his eyes.

Ollie Maverick: Anywho. I loaded up like six zip-loc bags of catering food and took it to my van and popped it in the fridge. Then I parked my van in a Wal-Mart parking lot, took my meds, and slept. Anything after that… probably isn’t terribly relevant. SPIN!

Ollie resumes spinning in his chair. Forge, without turning around, gives a gesture to Becca. She nods and leaves the room while the detectives remain. The antics don’t seem to be getting to Forge, though, almost imperceptibly, his jaw tightens.

Forge: And did you see anything strange during the show, specifically near the end?

Ollie, seemingly not realizing or caring that this might cause a stir, pulls his utility knife from his pocket and uses it to start picking at his nails. Some of HYBRID’s security, perhaps watching from a monitor or the like, bust into the room. The detectives, too, move their hands into their coats but Forge just holds up a hand. They look amongst themselves, then stand down… though security remains just inside the door.

Ollie Maverick: Some weirdo talking to a raccoon. That’s really why I’m here, right? Easy to pin this on the wildcard? The guy who the awful security let concuss some tea-sucker? Real failure on their part.

Ollie stares Forge down a little bit but eventually he breaks into a little chuckle.

Ollie Maverick: Sorry, sorry, sorry, was just seeing if I could get ANY reaction from you, big guy. Nah, I didn’t stick around for too much. Wasn’t booked. Did what I came to do.

Forge: Someone will check up on this. I’ll be in touch.

Seeing that there’s not much fun to be had, and no more questions, Ollie languidly rises and pockets the utility knife, moving to leave. When he’s near enough to Forge, the big man rises and takes hold of the Maverick’s shoulder.

Forge: Don’t get cute with me again, Ollie. The security didn’t bust in to help me; they came in to save you.

A cursory glance is given towards the aforementioned security, who de-tense and leave the room. The detectives check their recorders, but pay Ollie no further mind. Forge lets go of Ollie, who laughs and shrugs before continuing to make his exit carrying his pet carrier, the raccoon peering at Forge from behind the cage door before Ollie is gone. Forge, perturbed at this point, takes his seat again, staring contemplatively at the blank wall in front of him.

---

We open up in the parking lot of The Moody Center earlier in the day where we hear a large group of people all clamoring and getting loud as we turn the corner and see a familiar RV in the middle of the parking lot, door open and we see Jane Harper standing on the bottom step, holding what looks like a t-shirt in hand and on it, looks to be a picture.

Jane Harper: That’s right folks, for the low, low price of Fourty-nine ninety-nine, you can have one of these limited time, one printing only, this Hybrid Exclusive, Empires of Pain t-shirt! Designed by the beautiful and wild Chiaki Sanada.


An arm shoots out over Jane’s shoulder from behind and lets loose on an air horn. The people gathered around grab their ears as Chi Chi hops up onto Jane’s back, piggyback style.

Chiaki Sanada: YOU BUY! BUY ONE GET SECOND TREE FIDDY!!!

The design on the shirt was comical, because anything involving these two, they went above and beyond on it. The shirt itself was plain white, but the design was more anime styled, but badly drawn and badly photoshopped with the bodies of the and the heads clearly not matching one bit.

Jane Harper: That’s right, folks, get em before they’re gone because after tonight, the Hybrid faithful won’t even know who The Empires of Pain are! One night and one night only will you get to see these two compete against the best tag team this company has to offer before we send them packin for good!

Amongst the crowd, one person steps forward.

Man 1: Wait a minute, wait a minute. If nobody knows or care who these two are, why are we paying fifty bucks for their shirt? Shouldn’t you two be hocking your own merch if you’re really “the best tag team in this company?”

Chiaki stares at the man, perplexed. She turns quizzically to Jane. She turns back to the man and raises the air horn right up in his face and blows it again with a mash of the button. The man comically jerks back and stumbles out of frame.

Chiaki Sanada: AYY FAKKU, DUMB DUMB! YOU HOLD UP LINE!!

Jane looks out at the crowd, the shirt still in the air.

Jane Harper: Who wouldn’t want a shirt that after tonight, could be worth double in price?! This here is a collector’s item for the biggest nerds in the world to say they one the rarest piece of merchandise ever produced! It’s every wrestling superfan’s wet dream!

Just then, another man, this one a little heavier, wearing glasses approaches the two of them.

Man 2: Ummmm…are these made from organic materials or from a sweatshop that uses kids to slave away?

Jane Harper: They were made in the basement of our damn house you fuckin jabroni. They’re made right here in the USA!

The man huffs, looking redder in the face than he already is and fixes his glasses.

Man 2: Well maybe when you work on your customer service skills, I’ll think about coming back!

He storms off and the rest of the crowd starts to slowly follow suit, muttering amongst themselves about what a ripoff this is. Chi Chi throws up her hands, looks at Jane, then back at the crowd.

Chiaki Sanada: Ayy whassuh!! Come back!!

Just then, Dennis Folsom, HYBRID interviewer steps into the frame as Chi Chi snatches the shirt out of Jane’s hand and before he can get a word out, she goes running off after the people. Dennis watches Chi Chi take off, perplexed then turns back to Jane.

Dennis Folsom: Uhh, hi Jane. Hope this isn’t a bad time. I thought I’d come get a few words about 2 Broke Chickz match against the Empire Of Pain tonight.

Jane rolls her eyes, waving, trying to grab Chi Chi’s attention, but the camera pans over to see her still chasing down the crowd of people who are starting to disperse. She lets out a sigh as the camera turns back to the her and Dennis.

Jane Harper: These two jabronis don’t know what the fuck pain even means. They be soft as fuck if you askin me. You got a couple of fatass Japanese CAWs you’d see in some wrestlin video game. We ain’t worried about these two. What I am worried about is the health of Cheech. It ain’t been that long since she went to hell with Risa and I know she ain’t fully healed up yet.

Dennis nods, pausing to look back over his shoulder. The camera does a quick pan to and fro but the crowd and Chi Chi are nowhere to be seen.

Dennis Folsom: Well, that’s something else I wanted to ask. You two have faced them before and it only ended after a disqualification, granted in your favor. One would have to expect that the Empire of Pain feel the need for a bit of payback. Do you expect them to come into this match with more aggression than last time? After all, your last meeting was in the Path of Destiny Tag Team Tournament. It goes without saying, whoever wins this may be one step closer to a shot at one of those tag team championships.

As Dennis and Jane are interviewing, a tattooed hand in a black and blue compression sleeve sloooooowly comes in from behind Dennis and the thumb and index finger reach into his back pocket, oh so carefully, lifting his wallet out before disappearing. Neither Dennis nor Jane seem to notice at all.

Jane Harper: Honestly, I expect them to try and come out swingin for the fences and I know they probably gonna be goin after that injured arm of Cheech, but when we talkin about gold and gettin a shot at it, there isn’t a chance in hell these two are gonna even be sniffin that air. See, I’ve been itchin, needin to feel gold around this sexy ass waist again. It’s been too long since me and Cheech had some gold and I miss those celebration nights with her.

Jane gives Dennis a wink and lightly nudges him.

Jane Harper: But I do expect them to try and give us a fight, but unlike last time, we gonna finish them off and send them packin with their tails tucked between their legs back to Fat Burger where they belong.

Dennis’ face turns red at the suggestive hints and the man swallows deep.

Dennis Folsom: Right! Well, you seem pretty confident. Last question, what percentage would you say Chiaki is at after Fall of Man? Do you two have a strategy or is tonight a night where we see The Hammer do most of the heavy lifting?

Jane Harper: Honestly, I’d say she’s about seventy-five percent, but she’s one tough little girl. We been through hell like she went through before, we done our share of deathmatches together as a team and we always find a way to adapt to the situation. If I gotta carry the team tonight, so be it. Hell, I know she’ll be ready to fight though because her and me, we always ready, Dennis. And after tonight, we comin for those titles and there ain’t a damn team that’s gonna be stoppin us, not the Queens of Chaos, not Daughters of Darkness, not even The Freakshow can get between Cheech and me and that gold.

Dennis nods and turns to the camera directly.

Dennis Folsom: Well there you have it, folks. 2 Broke Chickz are ready to throw down with the Empire of Pain tonight. That’s coming up shortly. Don’t miss it! Thanks Jane.

He turns around and almost bumps right into Chi Chi who’s standing right there.

Dennis Folsom: Agh! Oh. Chi Chi, hi!

The little Japanese woman gives a tiny wave and holds up a wallet in her other hand.

Chiaki Sanada: Drop wallet.

Dennis pats his back pocket and his eyes go wide as he takes it from her.

Dennis Folsom: Oh wow! Thanks so much! Hey, good luck out there. Both of you!

Chiaki Sanada: Sankyu desu!

Chi Chi smiles as Dennis steps past her and leaves them for their final preparations. Chi Chi slowly turns to watch him go, waving bye bye to him with a big smile on her face. Once it’s apparent that he’s gone, her smile drops and she lifts her other hand, passing Jane a wad of cash and a couple of plastic cards over her shoulder. Jane grins, taking the cash and cards, slipping down her shirt and then pats the smaller woman on the top of the head.

Jane Harper: Good job, Cheech, I’m proud of ya.

She grabs Jane by the hand and she leads her back in the RV as the door shuts behind them and the camera fades out.

---

The sounds of "Separate Ways" by Journey rings through the air. The crowd is on their feet knowing this could only mean they are being joined by the new Vanguard Champion. Grififn Hawkins emerges from behind the curtain with the Vanguard title around his waist, basking in his spotlight as the crowd becomes unglued. A smile comes across his face as he enjoys the good reaction he's getitng from the people. He waits for his music to come to an end.

Griffin Hawkins: Austin, Texas... Welcome to Jukebox Country!

The crowd is going wild at his first official words as the new Champion.

Griffin Hawkins: Now... I hate to be the kinda guy to say I told you so... but I'm gonna be that kinda guy and say I told you so! When I came back to HYBRID earlier this Summer, I said that I was going to pick up where I left off. And I have indeed kept my promise. At Fall Of Man, I went toe-to-toe with two of the best in HYBRID today and I am officially your NEW Vanguard Champion!

He takes off the belt and raises it in the air. A "You Deserve It" clapping chant breaks out. He places it over his shoulder as he continues on.

Griffin Hawkins: Now... I realize what this means for me. Now that I got one of the most important titles in HYBRID, I'm a marked man. And I'm not talking about just Tiffany Lynn Page or Aleki Kekoa stalking me... I'm taking about everyone on the roster who I've shook hands with on my first night back. Some old friends, some new ones... those same guys and gals are going to be gunning for me. Jessi Ozborne, Gigi Nova, Alan Envy, Damian Simmons... hell, Cordelia Clark might want a rematch for this title for all I know. Everyone's gonna want to strip me of this title... I'm officially a walking target. But am I scared? Hell no. I know staying on top is harder than getting there, and I am willing to take on any and all comers who want a shot at the Jukebox Hero.

He readjusts the title before continuing on.

Griffin Hawkins: Which leads me to tonight. Tiffany Lynn Page and Aleki Kekoa are in the main event. Course we all know you can't have a main event without old Griff... but I'm not going to be competing in it, oh no. I am smack dab in the middle of it as the special referee. And I'm sure everyone here in the arena and the millions watching at home right now are wondering... who do I favor? Am I going to be a fair and unbiased referee? Am I going to screw anyone over? I'll just say this... the only side I'm on when it comes to this title is my own. I got no bias towards Tifanny or Aleki as both want to take my gold. But I look very forward to scouting my competition. All they have to do is get one another on the mat and I'll count the one two three... or call for the match to end if one of them taps out. However... if any of them even thinks that they can intimidate me in any way possible... somebody's gonna get rocked!

"Separate Ways" kicks back in as he makes his way backstage.



Sparing any needless description, the same crew is back in the interrogation room, except this time Samantha Tolson is the one in the hot seat. Forge doesn’t waste any time here, as his patience is already lacking. But at the very least he keeps his cool.

For now.

Forge: Straight to the point, Sam: you were at Fall of Man. Aside from what went down at the end, where were you and what were you doing?

Either Tolson understands the pressure that Forge is under or she doesn’t. Rather than getting stiff verbally with the Interim CEO, though, she speaks calmly and clearly without her usual edge.

Samantha Tolson: I took in the atmosphere. Stopped by catering, chatted with some old friends… nothing special. And you already know what happened at the end, so to speak.

Forge: Yeah. Briefcases cancelled each other out. It was a shit deal, but there’ll be a bright side sooner or later.

A brow lifts on Sam’s forehead at this but Forge does not elaborate. Instead, he moves on to the next question.

Forge: During the main event I saw you lurking around the area of Gorilla. You weren’t nowhere near the scene of the attack. And when the match was over, you made your move. So based on that-

Samantha Tolson: -you already know I couldn’t have done it. And even if someone decided to accuse me, Gigi could vouch for me since I was with her most of the evening.

Turning to look over at Becca, Forge gets a nod of acceptance about this. His second-in-command confirmed without a word the veracity of Samantha’s answer. Shrugging, he re-centers on Tolson.

Forge: And did you see or hear anything that might be linked to the attack? Remember, there ain’t nothing inconsequential. If you heard anything… someone talking shit, ruckus in the bathroom, a fly scratching it’s fucking ass… I want to know about it.

Samantha found it hard for a moment to stifle a chuckle; Forge might not have meant that part of his question to sound funny, but it DID make for an amusing visual briefly. Regaining her composure, Samantha thinks hard, then shrugs and shakes her head.

Samantha Tolson: Nothing out of the ordinary. Someone is always talking shit, Forge. You know that. But none of it that I heard sounded related to AMV. There was some talk of someone getting what they wanted most taken away from them, but that might as well have been me after the show, eh? There’s always someone wanting retribution. Mr. Vance was not referred to directly or mentioned by name.

Forge’s jaw looks painfully set, and it’s a small wonder we can’t hear teeth grinding. He pauses, taking a sip from a nearby mug, then sets it down.

Forge: Fine. You’re good to go for now, Samantha. But we need to have a talk in two weeks about… something unrelated.

With a polite nod, Samantha rises and turns to go. One of the detectives opens the door for her, following her out along with his partner, leaving Becca and Forge in the room alone for a few moments. Becca wastes no time speaking up.

Becca Maguire: Three interrogations down. What do you think, boss?

Tapping a finger on the desk surface for a few moments, staring at something only he could see, Forge finally breaks his silence.

Forge: I believe GoGo and Rain. Ollie… he gets on my nerves and he was for damn sure twitchy… but I have no concrete reason to consider him guilty. Sam was Sam. Personally, I don’t think she’d have done it. Professionaly… same thing.

Becca Maguire: So no suspects yet, huh? That sucks.

He almost chuckles a little at Becca’s candor.

Forge: Don’t go saying that. I got a couple people who I suspect. But I’m gonna fuckin’ do this right. No more questions today, though. We got other shit to do.

And with that, Forge rises and leaves the room with Becca in his wake.

---

We cut to the parking lot, where Gigi Nova sits on the hood of her rental car, her face hidden behind a curtain of blonde hair as she stares at the pavement. Already in her ring gear, she sits in silence for a moment, not even acknowledging the camera.

Gigi Nova: They say that once you get your first taste of championship gold, you’ll jump at any opportunity to get your hands on more. When I held that Global Tag Team Championship belt in my hands for the first time…

She chuckles softly.

Gigi Nova: The only concern I had was wondering if I really had it in me to fight alongside Samantha Tolson and defend it. I'd like to think we did a good job as champions.

She sighs.

Gigi Nova: But no champion reigns forever, I suppose.

Gigi scoffs, tossing a previously-concealed pebble onto the ground. It bounces off of the pavement a couple of times before rolling to a stop.

Gigi Nova: Now, under normal circumstances, I’d prefer to face the previous championship, but alas, that can’t be helped. The man that previously held the Iron Heart Championship… well, all I can say is that one moment he was here…

She snaps her fingers.

Gigi Nova: And then one day… he was gone. I don’t pretend to know why, because in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t change anything. But that does leave one little bit of unfinished business…

Gigi throws her hair back, finally turning to face the camera. Her gaze is like stone, but a hint of self-doubt dulls the usual spark in her eyes.

Gigi Nova: The Iron Heart Championship.

She hops down from the hood of the car, pausing only long enough to dust the resulting footprint off of the bumper.

Gigi Nova: Nothing against you, Ayane, but if there’s anyone that’s got something to prove tonight, it’s me. When the only championship you’ve ever held is a tag team championship, it calls into question whether you can truly stand on your own. Am I worthy to call myself a champion, or was Samantha truly the one that carried the team? Am I worth the paper my contract was printed on, or am I just some rookie riding a veteran’s coattails.

She stands with her hands on her hips, looking at her waist and shaking her head before looking back at the camera.

Gigi Nova: They were right… I DO want more. There’s a vacancy around this waist where a championship belt used to be, and a vacant championship in need of a new home. Tonight…

A determined smile slowly creeps onto Gigi’s face as she gestures with her hands across her waist.

Gigi Nova: I intend to show the world that I CAN hold my own as a champion, and what better way to do that than to reach out and grab the proverbial brass ring?

Any doubts about her own ability seem to leave as she takes a deep breath.

Voice (off-screen): There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you!

A startled Gigi turns to see her agent, Lorenzo Merrick walking from the building toward her. She breathes a sigh of relief as she realizes it’s him, then smiles.

Lorenzo Merrick: What the hell are you doing standing around out here? There’s a championship belt with your name on it waiting for you to claim it.

Gigi begins to walk in his direction.

Gigi Nova: I know… I just needed a minute to gather my thoughts.

Lorenzo Merrick: Okay, but…

Gigi doesn’t even let him finish his sentence as she grabs him by the face and plants a quick kiss on his cheek before running off at full sprint toward the building, leaving Lorenzo standing there under a lamppost, completely bewildered. Slack-jawed and frozen in shock, he stares at her vanishing figure as the scene fades out.

---

After Vanguard returns, the cameras are on the announcers’ table where Bernadette and Jacob are standing by.

Bernadette Olson: Before we get back to the show, fans, we’ve got a couple announcements from the office of the CEO!

Jacob somehow avoids making an expression or comment to let on what he’s thinking about Bernadette’s tone there. Instead he sticks to the information in front of him.

Jacob Frankel: As stated at Fall of Man, there has been some… distaste… with how the Unity Champions, the Royal Couple, have handled business. So, at Vanguard #30 in Tuscon in two weeks, the champions will defend against Natural Resources!

Bernadette Olson: Big news right there! And while I’m sure Bianca Davis will find a reason to complain about that, I’d say she’d be better served preparing to face GoGo and Rain!

Jacob Frankel: Couldn’t agree more!

There’s a brief pause to go over the rest, and then…

Jacob Frankel: And, two weeks later at Vanguard #31, The Calinauts will defend their Global Tag Team Titles in a rematch against the Daughters of Darkness!

Bernadette Olson: That one’s gonna get rough for sure. But the Calinauts have beaten them before…

Jacob Frankel: Still, it’s Jamie Emmerson and Lana Corvin. They’re even intense while they’re sleeping and they’re super-hungry for HYBRID gold.

Bernadette Olson: Two big matches worth watching, folks, so don’t miss out!

And with that, it’s time to head up to the ring for the night’s next contest!



The HYBRID-Tron comes to life and we’re shown a real-time shot inside of a museum of Károly Patkó’s famous painting of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.


The camera backs away slightly as we hear the sounds of high-heeled footsteps approaching the painting. A tall statuesque brunette beauty in a white blouse and black leather leggings steps into the camera shot. The beautiful mystery woman briefly looks at the painting before facing the camera and breaking her silence.


Mystery Woman: She was the mother of all humanity. Her name literally means “life.” But somewhere over the last several millennia, Eve has become infamous for allegedly causing the mortality of all people. For the last 2,000 years, Eve has become the icon for fallen humanity. She’s been demonized in art and theology for society’s descent into depravity.

The woman shakes her head in disgust.

Mystery Woman: Until recently, Eve was largely blamed for everything from the sin of lust to the corruption of the church to the seemingly eternal battle of the sexes. But what if I told you that the world has gotten the Adam and Eve story wrong? What if I told you that the actual hero of the story was in fact Eve?

The woman gives the camera a devilishly smile.

Mystery Woman: The act of eating the forbidden fruit, and later convincing Adam to do so, can be seen as a terrible mistake, or it can be seen as necessary and freeing; the first act of human free-will. Eve can be seen as the morally deficient perpetrator of original sin, the one who doomed all of humanity to live a life distanced from God; or she can be seen as a liberator, the woman who brought humanity true free will and the ability to better appreciate God and the beauty of life, through the perspective that comes with the suffering humanity was doomed to as punishment for Eve’s sin. Eve represents a very specific type of hero, the “fallen hero,” who makes a difficult decision, and often sacrifices their own well being, in order to bring about a necessary conclusion. The Greek Prometheus, who was punished by the gods for giving humanity fire, provides an excellent parallel to Eve. Once people understand that both Prometheus’s fire and Eve’s forbidden fruit serve as the metaphor for divine knowledge, it becomes apparent that both characters defied the gods and ended up placing divine knowledge into the hands of humanity. This divine knowledge has the potential to transform humans into gods.

The woman smirks as she begins to walk towards the camera with the shot moving back with her.

Mystery Woman: My name is Dr. Alyssa Knight, D.O. I am a rising star in the field of sports medicine and I have dedicated my life’s work to returning injured athletes to pre-injury status and beyond. I have worked with superstar athletes from the NBA, the NFL, boxers, and mixed martial artists. But earlier this year, I was given the opportunity to work with a rising star in professional wrestling who was on the brink of retirement due to two career-threatening injuries… one of them occurring in HYBRID rEvolution. A fallen champion on the cusp of wrestling godhood nearly cut short.

The beautiful physician exits the museum and walks down the front steps to an awaiting executive vehicle. Once inside the vehicle, the beautiful dark-haired physician continues her promotional statement as the vehicle heads to some unknown destination.

Dr. Alyssa Knight: Like mother Eve and Prometheus, I have defied the gods of human limitation and given this former champion the physical restoration and the divine knowledge necessary for him to embrace his wrestling divinity.

The car reaches its destination in front of a beautiful beach house. The driver opens the black vehicle’s back passenger door for the doctor. She enters the house and walks past an exquisite display of superb interior decoration. Dr. Knight walks through the living room to the outdoor patio overlooking the ocean where a tall tattooed muscle-bound male with long black hair and beard awaits her. It’s Aleki Kekoa, the former Vanguard Champion. The crowd watching the HYBRIDtron goes apeshit! Dr. Knight stands next to him, fawning over her creation.

Dr. Alyssa Knight: It’s poetic justice that my god among men made his return to HYBRID rEvolution at Fall of Man. Aleki’s loss of the HYBRID rEvolution Vanguard Championship was his fall of man. But much like the fallen heroine Eve, I have raised him up, no longer just a man but a god. He is no longer the Samoan War Machine. He is reborn as the Samoan God of War. And tonight at Vanguard 29: Out For Blood, he demonstrates his wrestling divinity against Tiffany Lynn Page on his way to reclaiming the Vanguard Championship. Behold his glory.

Aleki turns around to face the camera. The eyes of the Samoan God of War seem to sear through the camera into the audience. When he speaks Aleki’s voice is cold.

Aleki Kekoa: Tiffany Lynn Page… I know you’re taking me lightly. I know you think I am just an insignificant pebble on your road to the Vanguard Championship. But one person’s tripping hazard is another person’s immovable object. Tonight, I will show you and the rest of HYBRID Nation how I have ascended into wrestling divinity. I am not the man I once was. I have embraced who I was born to be as a member of the Kekoa clan. I am the Samoan God of War. I am Wrestling Divinity. I am War Incarnate. Whether you or Griffin Hawkins like it or not, the Vanguard Championship will soon be mine once again. For this is my will… and MY WILL BE DONE!

The camera backs away from the former Vanguard Champion with his female companion grinning with confidence. Aleki just glares at the camera before it slowly fades to black.

---

Grace Savoy is standing in the Gorilla Position as “Too Sexy” Tiffany Lynn Page ominously walks up to Grace.

Grace Savoy: I am obviously here with “Too Sexy” Tiffany Lynn Page as she heads into her match up in tonight’s main event against Aleki…

Tiffany Lynn Page: Koka.

Grace Savoy: It is actually Kekoa.

Tiffany Lynn Page: With the amount of audacity this man has I would have thought he was on drugs but you are telling me that isn’t the case, Grace?

Grace Savoy: I mean I haven’t heard any evidence that would substantiate such an allegation.

Tiffany Lynn Page: Allegation? By me? I would never do such a thing, Grace. Just look at what this man has done recently though. He showed up just after Griff won the Vanguard Championship at Fall of Man. A match that I wasn’t even involved in by the way. Aleki chose to attempt to steal the spotlight from not only the loser, Cordelia but the new champion and worst of all attempting to steal my spotlight. That is something you just don’t do, big man. Does anyone actually think that is wise?

Grace Savoy: I mean he is in this match up with you tonight in the main event. Can we honestly say it is a bad idea on his part?

Tiffany Lynn Page: Maybe not but he chose to stick his nose in my business. Which means he also chose to stick his huge and ugly nose in the business of the Global Heavyweight Champion. Which is bad for you because between Duke, Alan, Bianca and I we will be on top of HYBRID soon enough. It continues tonight when I beat you Aleki then I continue on to get a one on one shot against Griffin for the Vanguard Championship because it is all meant to be.

Grace Savoy: Speaking of tonight’s match and the new Vanguard Champion. Griffin Hawkins will be the special guest referee. What are your thoughts on him being the ref of tonight’s match?

Tiffany Lynn Page: Griffin and I may never be best friends but I do have a good amount of respect for him despite his differences with Duke. And I know he holds himself to a high standard of honesty so I don’t expect him to compromise his values or beliefs to be unbiased. He’ll be there to count to three and enforce the rules of the ring.

Grace Savoy: You are surprisingly calm about Griffin being the ref.

Tiffany Lynn Page: I know, right? It is highly uncharacteristic of me but here we are. I hope you recognize Aleki that I am not focused on any outside garbage. I am here to beat you, I am here to solidify all my grand boisterous talking, and to get one step closer to getting a one on one shot for the championship that should and will be mine. So at the end of the day that Duke and I are not only the it couple but the golden couple of HYBRID Wrestling and wrestling as a whole.

Tiffany walks away.