It was late in the week, now. Stein had spent almost three weeks in Cedar Rapids with Gemma, and Patrick, and Chance Ryan and Chris Sydal, helping clean up after the floods.

The street lights were still out.

The buildings still empty

The streets still cluttered with sandbags and debris from both the river, the inside of the buildings and the collapsed homes.

Stein sat in his home just on the outskirts of Cedar Rapids, lucky to not have been hit by the disaster, but still feeling the affects. He watched the news as people returned to homes with ribbons of different colors, those of whom returning to purple placards crumble just as fast as the houses do, falling to their knees in tears.

Stein shook his head, as Gemma walked into the room with a tray of lemonade for the four men. She sat it down on the table, and the three other men reached out for a glass, wiping their foreheads with dirty hands and arms. Stein remained fixed on the television screen, never turning away.

Chance Ryan: “Man... this is going to take months to rebuild.”

Stein nodded, as he wiped under his eye.

Dan Stein: “Yeah, it's definitely not an overnight recovery process.”

Gemma put her hand on his shoulder as she sat on the arm of the chair, putting her legs over Dan's lap.

Dan Stein: “I mean... I want to stay here and all... ”

Chris Sydal: “We know, Dude. But, really? You've done more than anyone would expect of you. You've done more than a lot of people would expect of us.”

Gemma: “We all have.”

Stein looked at her. He looked at her brother, who was sipping on the lemonade; and he looked at Chance and Chris.

Dan Stein: “Yeah. I have to go, at least to give the city some sort of... normalcy.”

Stein looked at Chance and Chris again.

Dan Stein: “You know you guys are welcome in my house, whenever. Just because I'm leaving, doesn't mean you have to. You can stay around here as long as you want, Dudes.”

Chance and Chris look to each other.

Chance Ryan: “Yeah, we'll probably stay for a couple more weeks. Just for... our consciences sakes.”

Chris Sydal: “And we'll take pictures, Dude, of everything.”

Stein nodded, and tossed two keys onto the table. One was a house key, one was to the rent-a-car in the drive way.

Dan Stein: “Well, I guess you'd better give us a ride to the airport, then.”

Stein stood, and looked back at the TV to listen to the KCRG TV 9 anchorman.

Bruce Aune: “The cities of Cedar Rapids, Waterloo and Iowa City were all devastated by this horrendous flood, but with your support, courage and help, we can rebuild on the memories of the past, and create a better future for the city, and our children.”

Stein cocked a half-smile, and sighed, almost relieved.

* * *

THE LIGHTS: “See, Eli, that's what I like to see. That's the fire I like to hear, and that's what I asked to get from you before. But you must have missed that when you kept telling me that 'if I wanted what you were' and what not, like you didn't even pay attention to what I was saying.

Eli, I don't want to degrade you. I don't want to cut you down. I don't even want to make you think your breath stinks. What I want, Eli, is the best 'Storm' I could possibly get – regardless of monikers and nicknames and... whatever nonsense you think made you degrade the SHOOT Project World Heavyweight Championship.”

Stein sighed for a second.

THE LIGHTS: “What I'm trying to say, Eli, is stop hiding behind that shit, and realize that it was YOU that made a mockery out of being a champion. Not some dumb moniker. It was Eli Storm.

You don't have split personalities. You're not psychotic. You're not a sociopath. But you are hiding behind a name to make yourself feel better about... yourself.”

Stein walked forward, towards the camera.

THE LIGHTS: “When I use the moniker, 'The Lights', it is not because I feel like I need something to shield me from the fans. It's not something that I use to prop myself up when I do something horrible. I RECEIVED the moniker 'The Lights' by being one of the most electric men in wrestling; by putting the fans in the seats and making sure that shows kept running. I made sure that there were lights in the arena, that bills were paid, that fans were proud to call themselves fans. That's how I got my nickname.

In SHOOT Project, of course I'm not the one that pays the bills, and I'm not the one that keeps shows running – there are many MANY other talented, energetic people on the SHOOT Project roster.

But fans still come to see me. Fans still carry Dan Stein posters. They still carry 'The Lights' posters. They still know me as Dan 'The Lights' Stein, Former Iron Fist champion. Just like the fans know you as 'Incredible' Eli Storm. You ARE Incredible, Eli, you will always BE Incredible. Stop running away from that, and realize that being INCREDIBLE got you to where you are.”

Stein stepped back and paused.

THE LIGHTS: “It's no secret that my hometown was all but DESTROYED by the floods earlier in the month, Eli. Just like your career was destroyed by your own actions. And just like my hometown, you're trying to rebuild your career from the foundation, and you're trying to get back the glory that you USED to have, and make it BETTER. THAN. EVER... just like my hometown.

That foundation, Eli? That foundation that made you what you were? That was Incredible.

Yes, Eli, maybe that 'Incredible' moniker made you try just that much harder, yes it might have made people stop and take a look – that's EXACTLY the reason why it is your careers foundation.”

Stein ran his hands through his hair.

THE LIGHTS: “Don't run away from the past. Don't toss a nickname aside, and think everything is going to be fine, like it didn't happen.

It did happen, Eli. You DID disgrace the SHOOT Project World Heavyweight Championship, Jason Johnson and every man in the locker room. You did QUIT after you lost to Michael Collins, as 'Incredible' Eli Storm.

But you did WIN the SHOOT Project World Heavyweight Championship as 'Incredible' Eli Storm. Your defining career moment came as 'Incredible' Eli Storm.

That is who you are, Eli. That is what you are trying to rebuild. 'Incredible'.”

Stein paused, again.

THE LIGHTS: “But you can't rebuild a career in a night. Look at New Orleans. Look at New York City from 9/11. Look at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. What you did, sure, it's not as bad as a disaster as those things. But in terms of your career? Catastrophic.

You beat Roland Caldwell, congratulations. You did something I could not do in my first match back in SHOOT Project. You took the first step forward, in beating a former World Heavyweight Champion, like yourself. And yes, this match could cement you on your way back to the top – thank you for saying that about me, Eli Storm.

But I'm prepared for the best, Eli. I am ready to help you rebuild 'Incredible' Eli Storm. I'm ready for whatever you have to bring to the table, and I'll be there to meet you in the center of the ring. 'Incredible' Eli Storm, or not...

But you're still getting The Lights, you're still getting me AT MY BEST, Eli. And if you don't come with your best? If you don't come as 'Incredible' Eli Storm? I move on to the second round of the Master of the Mat, one step closer to getting the SHOOT Project World Heavyweight Championship. But you? Heh.”

Stein smirked, and shook his head before turning around and whispering over his shoulder.

THE LIGHTS: “Lights Out.”