time: wednesday, late night

day: april ninth

place: bailey's bay, bermuda; engel residence.

(Mia and Alexia have gone to bed. I'm sitting in the family room, trying to catch up on Sportscenter. Nothing major really happening, just some baseball and basketball scores that I was interested. I put the videocamera on the coffee table in front of me. I hit record.)
VIRUS: Well, Frost, I'm glad that I've put a halt to violence's hand for the time being. I'd hate to have any of that inflicted upon me. I like to go into wrestling matches, do my thing, and walk out unscathed. That's my MO, that's what I do best.

No... and no.

Did you not catch my match with Corey last week? Do you even think you can bring that kind of violence and willpower into the ring? The last time we squared off, you walked out on Doomsday and left me and Kyle to destroy him. If I were your partners, I would be preparing for a handicap tag match, seeing as how you're the best at leaving people when they need you the most.

I hope that strikes you on so many levels.

I don't need you to quit, Deacon. I've been wanting you to step up and take pride in being a wrestler and bring something to table. Anything, anything at all. But a loss to Lex Demise won't be cutting it.

Face it, you're a has-been teamed up with a lackey and a never-was.

But, I'm teamed up with a drama queen and a girl who just doesn't fucking care anymore.

So I guess we're even.

(I shake my head.)

VIRUS: I don't know what I'm going to do with you, Circa. I don't know whether I should just leave you be and feed you to the lions, or take you out myself. I mean, seriously, you bring NOTHING to this match, and my brother was giving you a chance to shine. Not only are you disrespecting him and the PWA by saying absolutely nothing, but you're indirectly disrespecting me. I won't tolerate it, Circa. So you bring something to this match. You show people why my brother thinks you're a top female talent, or you're going to fade away.

It's your choice. I just hope you make the right one.

As for my other partner, she can hold her own. I've seen it happen many times, and her and I have teamed together before. We're actually undefeated when we're on the same team, go figure. But, Riona? Stick to the facts. Stick to what you're good at. Go after people's weaknesses, and don't fall into their trap. You're just making it easy for Trevor, I'm afraid.

I didn't exactly reject your plea for help, but I didn't agree to it. You're asking me to support you when you've betrayed my sister's trust. You're putting me a bind, and I simply didn't give you an answer.

I do apologize, but that night I had a lot more important things to worry about. I didn't concern myself with you and my sister's drama, and guess what? I was right. I ended up beating Corey Lazarus, something I needed to do.

So yeah, I looked out for me that night. It paid off. But that shouldn't concern you now. Here I am, on your team, and I'm going to have to pull everyone's weight to get this done. Do you honestly think I feel like losing to Trevor, again? Do you honestly think I want to fall to somebody like Frost, or Nightmare? You better bring your fucking A-game, girl, because I swear to God if you don't, you're going to pay.

That's not a threat. That's a promise. You pour your heart and soul into this match, and you and I are going to be just fine.

That's all I have to say to you.

(I remove my cold eyes from the camera.)

VIRUS: Now, Frost, whatever would give you the idea what I wouldn't want to be in this match? I'm not the one trashing it, like your partner Nightmare is. I'm not the one who has appeared to talk about this match, but never did, like your partner Trevor. So, between them, and me, you think I'm the one not wanting to be in this match?

See... I honor my brother. Him and I might not see eye to eye on certain things, but I have great respect for him, so I don't question his decisions as a businessman. I don't. He put me in this match, and I'm going to do my best to win, like I always do.

And believe me, I am focused. I am focused on destroying one of your partners. You and Nightmare are just there for the ride, and if I happen to get ahold of one of you and pummel the shit out of you, so be it. That's a bonus for me. I'm looking for the win, but also the kill. Trevor won't be walking out of that match without a few broken bones, that I can assure you.

I'm going to soften him up as much as I can for Revolutions Per Minute, and then I'm going to finish him off. I'm going to end this Masters of Armageddon threat, and do what everyone else thinks they can do or claimed to. I'm going to send the MoA out of here, their tail between their legs, and their prime talent a bloodied mess.

You're not the way of the future.

I am.

(Right after those words, I return my eyes to the camera. Cold and unstable, they reflect exactly what's going on inside me right now.)

VIRUS: I'm glad you want me to get my shit straight, Deacon. Believe me, it's straightened out, but what I don't get is somebody like you who thinks they even have a chance in this match. Let's look at your track record, once again.

You didn't show up for a match.

You walked out on a match.

You lost a match.

If you're looking for a pattern, you would think a draw or win would be the next step here. I'm all about breaking out of the mold, and defying patterns. I'm all about bashing your face with my hands, or whatever else I can find. I'm going to put one of you down for the one, two, three. Who will it be? Only time will tell. Circa's gonna sit back and watch while a real man and somebody with real talent takes control of this match and dominates. Riona's going to sit back and realize just why I'm a fucking Engel to begin with.

This match is mine, ladies and gentlemen, and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it.

I do not forgive.

I do not forget.

I command you to rise.

(fade.)