Jobbers in Paradise.

[cman]

The following cast was recorded 1 day after the Gordon G. Smack/Super Duck Boy match.

Generic rock music plays as various clips of Gordons matches hit the screen. In an update clips of his latest match vs Super Duck Boy are shown. Cut to Gordon sitting at his desk with a very upset look on his face.

GS: "Really Cephus, you had to put in clips of that match? I am soooo glad you find it funny! Oh we are on the air? Well welcome to Smack Talk people, I am your ever so injured host Gordon G. Smack, and happily there will be no guest tonight. I want to talk about the crap that went down a day ago. My match against Duck Boy did not go as planned. It didnt help that I went in an injured man after getting the holy crap stomped out of me by....Commander Ender. Now I will be the first to admit my mouth does get me in trouble sometimes, but there was no excuse for what Ender did to me."

GS: "Anyway, after limping out to the ring realizing I was hurt, I still went on with the match if only to show Duck Boy that he was going to get the Smack beat out of him. Unfortunately I didnt do as well as I should have, again because I was injured. And I am still picking feathers out of my mouth and other places that I will not name. I just have no words to describe how hurt both physically and mentally I am, and that I lost to that...that Quack! There I said it! Duck Boy did things to me I didnt think were possible for a Boy of his status. I was totally thrown off my game while Super Duck Boy flapped and quacked his way to victory. I am ashamed to call myself a man, so ashamed that I cant even find one funny, smart ass witty retort for what happened."

GS: "However I do have one thing to say. Duck Boy, we will meet again in that ring, and I will be 100%, and bring the Smack attack to the quack! Then when I am done with the Duck, Commander Ender I will come for you! Because of our conversation at the time I let the beating slide, but that ended after the match. I am nobodies punching bag, so when we meet I will end you! Now sorry this cast is so short, but I am in pain, and need my meds, so that is all for tonight. Keep on Smacking people!"

The music hits and off mic Gordon has something to say. "Cephus! Where are those moon pies you promised?!"

[Shane Sullivan]

LOL!! Brilliant.

[TTX]

Nice to see Gordon doing his thing.

[Shane Sullivan]

Chapter 24: Crybabies and schemes

Massif is gnawing on an ear of corn and pointing at the vid screen.

Genghis Kahn comes off the ropes with his patented twin thrust finisher in to the throat of the big man Psycho. The big man falls back grabbing his throat as Khan goes for the pin, the ref counts the three count and the Mongol warrior stands triumphant.

“Wow! That match was super quick. Wonder if Psycho took him lightly thinking since Khan was still hurting from the beat down CPC gave him.”

Cosmos is shadow boxing and not paying any attention.

“Hey Cosmos you hear me?”

Cosmos stops boxing and looks at Massif slightly annoyed.

“I don’t care.”

Massif looks over his shoulder at Cosmos.

“You doing ok? Ever since that toolbox CPC showed up you have been out of sorts.”

“Just thinking, my life has been a train wreck for so long, it was…terrible or awesome to see what I was supposed to be or could have been. I don’t know if I’m pissed off, inspired or terrified. What did you think about what we saw? I mean besides your short shorts?”

Massif puts the husk down on the table and stands up.

“I think that CPC will do anything to get into your head. He thought you were a has-been, but you are very talented. I think you put a wrench in his plans. So what we saw? So what. I live here in the now. You want to be this Thantos guy? Go ahead, do what you want to. But I think you should go out there beat the holy hell out of Astro Turk and then beat the crap out of every guy that stands in your way. Hold up that belt and then for gawd sakes, take me with your winnings to get some ribs. I can really go for some ribs. If I see another hot dog or ear of corn I’m going to flip out. That, that is what I think you should do. But that’s just me. I’m not a brooding mess of a human being.”

Cosmos smiles just a little then looks down.

“Can’t be too sick of corn.” Cosmos points at a bowl of ears of corn sticking out.

“When in Rome buddy. When in Rome.”

“Seriously, I will think about what you said. Just a lot to take in is all. But I am really going to kick the hell out of Astro Turk.”

“Of course you are.”

On the Holo-screen Sectarian is seen walking down the ramp with Beast Rider and Creeper. We head to the ring side curtain. Bart and Astro Turk are watching the triad of Jungle fever walk to the ring.

“Ok, Bart. My main man, man with the plan, superhuman amongst men, I want you to go in there and really hammer the point home you are the man. I want you to do things to that gorilla that haven’t been done in the annals of history. ARE YOU READY?!”

Turk grabs Bart by the shoulders and shakes him. “ARE YOU READY!!?”

Bart is beet red and shaking. “I’m gonna kilt him!!”

“THAT’S RIGHT!! NOW GET OUT THERE!!”

Bart runs through the curtain, the page starts yelling.

“WAIT! Your music….nevermind.”

Bart’s music finally hits as he slow slides into the ring. He slowly gets up and yells his rage. The ref quickly pushes the announcer from the ring and rings the bell. Sectarian looks over at the raging, seething Black Hole Bart and starts laughing. Bart rushes across the ring.

At the ringside announcer table, Sin and Salvation take their seats.

“Holy moley is Bart angry!”

“That’s right Sal, I haven’t seen him this mad since his last match.”

“I know. Sectarian may have to weather a storm to survive this.”

Bart catches Sectarian in the corner with a Bart’s smash.

Bart grabs Sectarian and slings him to the mat. He climbs the turnbuckle slowly. As he gets to the top rope he looks nervous then goes back down to the second rope. He slowly turns around and smiles at Sectarian who is staring back at him from the mat.

“You stay there you monkey.” Bart jumps off and misses Sectarian by three feet, who never moved.

Bart rolls over holding his ample stomach in pain.

Sect goes for the pin but Bart powers out at two. The Neptunian simian start laying down huge double axe handle blows on Bart, Bart is screaming in pain and yelling for the ref to get him off. The ref pulls Sect off and pushes him back. Bart slowly gets up and looks to be crying a little.

Astro Turk is watching the match on the back Vid-screen and shaking his head.

“Trouble in paradise Turk?”

Astro Turk looks over Commander Ender who walks in all smiles.

“Hey Ender, nah, think Bart is gonna lose. Again.”

“Lucky for him he has you.”

“Yeah. Lucky for him.”

“You were going to head out there?”

“In a minute, sometimes he gets real mad and then I don’t have too.”

“Well if we have a minute, you have a plan for young Cosmos?”

“Yeah. I’m going to break his face or chew it off. Not sure which yet.”

“You do know who this kid was supposed to be right?”

“Believe it or not Ender, I’m not stupid. I’m not going to take him lightly. I am very aware of who he is and what he could have been. His career ends with me. I guarantee it.”

“Humm. Well, good luck. Oh look at your boy now.”

Astro Turk looks back at the screen where Sin is yelling in commentary.

“Now he did it! Bart is crying like a baby and fully enraged.”

“That’s right the Rage of Bart is in full effect.”

Bart is swinging for the fences and connecting on a few blows. Sectarian is dazed and trying to escape. Bart finally grabs Sectarian and slams him with the Black Hole Slam. A three count later, the ref pulls Bart off and raises his hand. He is sniffling and wiping snot from his nose.

“I did it! I did it Turk!”

At the curtain Astro Turk smiles at his buddy on the screen.

“See, sometimes he goes all Bart.”

Silence greets his words. He looks around and notices Ender is gone.

“Sometimes you go all Ender.” He laughs.

We leave one half of the tag team champions as Bart comes through the curtain crying tears of joy and head to the hallway.

Cephus is strolling out with Sadie on his arm; he is smiling a big smile as Pollux the Powerful comes out from his locker room. He looks at his adversary and quickly stops smiling and points menacingly at his foe.

“You ready punk? You ready for the beat down of beatdowns?”

Pollux looks confused.

“I thought…”

“Acting! Geez. Put on a show for the fans. Come on do I have to do everything?”

“Oh, right. …ummm. You’re a big stupid head! And er…I’m going to pound you!!”

“That’s the spirit.”

Both men approach the curtain, each to one side. The page looks at both men.

“Thanks for being on time.”

Sadie smiles at the page like it was her idea.

“Ok, Pollux you go out first. Wait for your music.”

“Got it.”

Pollux’s music hits and he starts out of the curtain. Sadie fluffs Cephus’s hair and sprays him with a spray bottle.

“How do I look love?”

“Like a million credits.”

“Hell yeah, I do. You look amazing yourself hotness.”

Sadie looks embarrassed and gives him “oh you hands”.

The page points at Cephus. “You’re up in a second.”

Cephus’s music hits and fans start booing loudly.

“My fans love me.”

He heads out of the curtain and to the ring.

Pollux watches Cephus enter the ring, he’s trying to remember what he’s supposed to do. The Announcer, announces both men and few seconds later the ref calls for the bell.

Cephus flexes for the crowd and they boo mightily at him.

Pollux and Cephus tie up and dance around for way too long. The crowd begins to boo the boring match. Cephus sends Pollux into the ropes and does the worst missed clothesline ever. He turns and takes the worst punch ever by Pollux. Pollux holds Cephus in a headlock and Cephus screams like Pollux is killing him.

After a minute Pollux let’s Cephus go,rolls him over and pins him. The ref counts to three and the crowd knowing the fix was in goes ballistic. Debris is thrown in the ring and both men are booed out of the ring.

As they head to the back, turns to Pollux;

“That was perfect! Great job.”

“That was crap, a travesty. I’m completely embarrassed that even happened.”

“Ah you are a glass have empty guy.”

A loud bellow comes from the hallway.

“Where are those two!?”

Cephus and Pollux both look at the hallway as CPC comes around the corner. He is not happy.

“YOU TWO! What the hell was that?! CPC is not amused.”

Cephus starts coughing.

“..not feeling so hot boss. Think I have *cough* the typhoid.”

CPC stares at both men then directly at Cephus.

“Who are you? And how did you get in CPC’s tournament? CPC doesn’t remember putting you on the board. Explain!”

Sadie walks up to CPC and looks him up and down.

“First off, you talk to me. I’m Cephus’s manager. You want to know something you ask me.”

CPC’s eyes go wide in anger.

“CPC wants you two out of his arena, Now! You’re both fired!”

Sadie grabs CPC in a bear hug and starts to cry. “NO! Please! We’ll be good!”

CPC peels Sadie off of him and yells for security. Two security guards come out and grab her.

Cephus starts to come forward to attack when Pollux pops him in the head and then grabs him. Slinging Cephus into the brick wall, the hairy man's lights go out and he falls to the ground unconscious. Sadie is crying as another set of guards pull Cephus up and takes both of them out of the arena.

CPC looks back at Pollux.

“CPC expects better of you Pollux. You ever do that again and CPC sends you back to where you came from.”

Pollux salutes CPC.

“Yes sir, never happen again sir.”

CPC sniffs then heads back down the hallway.

We head outside the arena where Cephus wakes up in Sadie’s lap.

“Am I in heaven?”

“No. Cetus Arena parking lot.”

“Hummm….well, did it work?”

Sadie holds up the time travel wand of CPC.

“Think this is what Solaris was looking for?”

Cephus reaches up and pulls Sadie head down to his and kisses her.

“I think my angel, we are in business.”

[TTX]

Glad to see it back in action.

[Shane Sullivan]

Chapter 25: All the world’s a…..

The crowd is still booing and throwing stuff into the ring. CPC’s voice comes over the arena’s sound system.

“Folks! Please. No one is angrier than CPC himself. That last match was a travesty. CPC promises you that nothing like that will ever happen again. Cephus O’Reilly has been terminated from CPC and will never wrestle here again. Folks we have the last match of the first round and a small break in the action. Then you will see the returning Wind Riders taking on CrossCurrent for a shot at the tag team titles next month. In the meantime, CPC will have ushers come around to offer complimentary beverages, so please enjoy and don’t let this last match define who CPC wrestling is. CPC guarantees the next match will be something special. CPC will make this next match a no DQ match. Winner will go on last in the second round. Enjoy.”

The crowd buzzes then a “Thank You CPC” Chant breaks out. Loud cheers in sections where beverage vendors start coming out radiate throughout the arena.

Massif and Cosmos are behind the curtain waiting for the page to direct them.

“Told ya, CPC wants to do everything he can to stop you. Go out there and crush this fool.” Massif slaps Cosmos hard on the back causing him to almost fall forward to the ground.

“Damn it man. Don’t break me before the match.”

“I can’t help that you’re fragile.”

“I’m not fragile, you’re just…dude...” Cosmos laughs a little then looks out at the page wondering what is taking so long.

“Sorry sir, we are awaiting your opponent.”

Cosmos just smirks and jumps up and down to stay loose. We leave these two and head to Astro Turk’s locker room.

“You are the man! Be the ball! Only you can prevent forest fires!” Bart screams this into Astro Turk’s face trying to fire him up.

“Bart, buddy I got this. I’m good. Can you hand me my teeth?”

Bart lets go of his buddy’s shoulders and looks around for the jar with Astro Turk’s metal teeth.

“Yeah, Yeah sure Turk, just wanted you to be ready. Hey I found your teeth.”

Bart grabs the jar and hands it to Turk, who pulls the teeth from the jar and puts them in his mouth. He smiles a jagged, metal smile.

“Man you look really creepy with those. I ever tell you that Turk?”

“Only eberytime you see me put dem in.” Astro says with slurred speech due to the mouth piece.

“Yeah, yeah. I forget.”

“It’s ok bub, goob job in your match tonight.”

“Thanks Turk.”

A loud banging on the door interrupts the two men. CPC sticks his head into the doorway.

“Let’s go! You were due at the curtain five minutes ago!”

“Yes sir. Bart, my hab.”

Bart grabs the hat Jack Hood wore and hands it to Turk. He puts it on his head and heads out the door behind CPC.

“Like CPC told you before Turk, do not lose this match, lose and CPC’s taking everything CPC build for you and taking it away.”

“Calm downg bossp, I gop dis.”

“You had better. This day is going to hell.”

CPC turns left and heads down a hall leaving Turk and Bart to head up the elevator. He heads back to the floor of his suite, where Cassandra is visiting Ms. Liberty.

“Are you supposed to be heading out to the ring with Astro Turk?” Ms. Liberty points at the ring in the arena.

“Screw those guys. I can’t hear the incessant rambling of those two morons for one more second. Plus, I put in the call to the girl I was telling you about and she is super excited about coming in for a tryout.”

“Oh, that’s great. I really want to meet her. I was looking at some other girls from earth and Titan; I think we can get a well-rounded rost…..”

The door to the suite flies open and CPC rushes in angrily. Both women are startled by the entrance. Ms. Liberty stands up to greet her husband, but he pushes her to the side and heads to the opening in the suite that overlooks the ring.

Ms. Liberty walks over to him timidly and puts a hand on his arm.

“Carson? You ok?”

He ignores her; he pulls on the left side of his mustache in annoyance as he peers at the curtain awaiting the entrance of Cosmos.

“Carson?”

He quickly spins around to face his wife, anger clouding his face.

“WOMAN! Leave me be!”

Ms. Liberty takes a step back and puts her hand to her mouth in shock.

“Carson…what has come over you?”

CPC tries to compose himself; he takes a deep breath then looks at his wife.

“Wife, I need you to leave me be for a while, I have many things to think about and cannot be bothered right now with your...prattle.”

Ms. Liberty takes another step back like she was slapped.

“..I…”

CPC sees Cassandra for the first time.

“What is she doing here!?”

Ms. Liberty tries to compose herself but is deeply shaken.

“We…I…were…”

“Spit it out woman!”

Cassandra sets forward in front of Ms. Liberty; she is also angry and ready to fight.

“We were discussing the women’s division you ass.”

CPC smiles at this but his eyes betray any humor.

“There will be no women’s division. Women do not wrestle. Get out of my sight and down to that ring, or you will be fired. Am I clear Cassandra?”

Cassandra points her finger in the face of CPC who bats it away angrily. She again points it at his face.

“I can kick your ass, jerk. Try me old man. You can fire me you asshole, but this isn’t over. Not by a long shot.” She turns to leave.

“You should be very careful woman how you speak to me, you are addressing royalty. I have the means to make you disappear, or to never be born.”

“Carson!” Ms. Liberty shouts and gets between Cassandra and CPC. “Stop! Why are you acting like this?”

CPC reaches into his front pocket, looks to rummage around for a second, then panic sets in. He checks all his pockets, finally looking at Ms. Liberty with panic in his eyes. His mouth drops open and his color pallor changes to white.

“That bitch.”

“What?” Ms. Liberty is very confused and scared. Cassandra has her fist balled up and is ready to fight.

CPC stands up straight and takes a look at the arena, Cosmos’s music hits and he walks through the curtain to loud applause. He looks back at the two women then starts to leave.

“Carson!” Ms. Liberty tries to get his attention.

“You were a distraction for him, nothing more. Now leave my presence woman. This vessel has more pressing thing to worry about than two females and their stupid division. Everything is at stake now. You worms would not understand.”

Ms. Liberty smacks CPC so hard it spins him around. Cassandra runs and drop kicks him straight to the floor. Both women stand in unity and both are ready to fight CPC.

He looks up at the two women, eyes wide.

“Where am I?”

Ms. Liberty resolve weakens at this question and goes to her husband. She gets down on a knee and puts her hand on his shoulder. He reaches up and cat quick, his demeanor changes to something much darker than anyone could know, his arm shoots around the back of her head and he has her in a guillotine choke with one arm, she tries to fight it, but she is lifted as CPC stands up, Cassandra runs in only to be met with a punch to the side of the head from his free arm that sends her to the floor out cold. Ms. Liberty finally goes limp and CPC drops her to the ground unconscious.

“Foolish women, there is no defense against the entity Maramus...Doomsayer, take this vessel and retrieve my time travel device. We have much work to do to repair this timeline for my arrival. Now go.”

CPC stands up and looks at the carnage of the room. He sees his wife and Cassandra lying in heaps on the floor. He mourns for his old life and wife, but understands the mission of his master. Taking a deep breath he heads out his suite door as Astro Turk’s music plays in the background.

End Chapter 25

[Shane Sullivan]

Chapter 26: The bloodbath and Two Angry Women

CPC comes out of the suite and runs into the head of security, the former GalactiCop known only as GP.

“Everything ok sir?” The huge man says without emotion.

“Yes GP everything is fine. Thank you.”

GP looks over his shoulder at the closed door.

“Everything ok…in there sir?” GP points at the door.

“Domestic quarrel; seems CPC has ordered dinner at the wrong restaurant. Women, what can you do?”

GP looks on stoically, nods his head slowly.

“I see sir.”

“Thanks for coming up, carry on GP.”

"One of the other suites heard a ruckus, called us to investigate."

"Nothing a few dozen flowers and a box of candies won't fix."

"I see sir. I will be off then, there has been complaints of GWF ruffans in the audience, I will go and handle that."

GP salutes CPC and turns to go.

“GP, have you seen that woman Cephus is with?”

“Sir, You had us throw them from the arena.”

“Could you…find them, mostly her and bring either or both to my office downstairs? Please be discrete.”

“Yes sir.”

GP pulls his radio from his belt and starts asking his men to locate Cephus and Sadie.

CPC waits for the big man to leave then turns and locks the door to the suite with small device.

“That should keep them out of harms way till I can figure out what to do with them.” He says softly to himself. He takes a deep breath and looks down, centering himself. Finally nodding to himself he heads towards the elevator lobby.

As he enters the elevator, we head to the ring.

Final match round one: Cosmos (#16) vs. Astro Turk (#1)

“Ok, bud this is it. You win this and people won’t cheer you as the underdog, they will cheer you as the one to win this tournament. Remember, he’s a cheater and will use all means necessary to win. I’ll keep Bart off you, but let’s win this fast, it’s a long tournament and all.” Massif says, taking Cosmos’s jacket.

“You’re probably just hungry. You don’t care about me.” Cosmos says with a half smile.

“This is true. So, don’t lollygag. Just do the thing you do when you’re all mad, before you have to get mad to do it.”

“That makes no sense.”

“Or get mad now, I’m easy. Just go kick his ass or something.”

“Yeah I got it.”

The announcer announces Astro Turk and all his accomplishments. Turk raises his left arm and screams. He points at Cosmos and then throat slashes. Cosmos flips him the bird.

“Poor that, You die!” Astro Turk slurs out.

“Your stupid face is already killing me. Stop talking and fight.”

The ref stops the announcer and hurries him from the ring he raises his hand and the time keeper rings the bell.

Both men charge at each other, they tie up each other with one hand and both fire rights into the face of their opponent. After seven or eight punches Cosmos takes a shot on his nose and spins out.

Turk jumps on his back and bites his trapezes with his metal teeth. The crowd is booing the infraction but this is a no disqualification match, the referee just watches the action.

Cosmos’s eyes are wide on pain. He tries to flip Turk over his back but the smaller man has a death bite on the trapezes. In a act of desperation, Cosmos dives through the ropes, the top rope catches Turk in the face, causing him to lose his bite and he falls back into the ring, as Cosmos tumbles to the floor.

Cosmos quickly gets up and is screaming in rage at the gash on his trapezes. He tries to wipe the blood from his arm and chest to no avail, so he starts looking around for some type of weapon.

Bart attacks him from behind with a clothesline. Cosmos goes down in heap and is very dazed.

Bart looks down at Cosmos with a huge smile; Massif levels him with a clothesline from behind of his own. The fat man flies into the commentary booth, scattering Sin and Salvation. Massif jumps on him and start hitting him with punches.

Astro Turk is climbing to the top rope and grins his metal grin to the crowd. Cosmos slowly gets to his feet and looks around, he sees Astro Turk just as he jumps off, Turk flips in the air hitting Cosmos with his back as the momentum of the jump knocks them both to the ground.

Turk get up holding his lower back and moves away from the prone Cosmos, looking for a folding chair.

Massif looks up and sees on the other side of the ring Astro Turk grabbing a chair; he punches the dazed Black Hole Bart once more for good measure and gets up running towards Turk.

Turk hefts the chair and makes his way back to Cosmos who is slowly getting back to his feet.

Turk yells something at Cosmos, who looks around to see a chair coming at his head, he is just able to put up his hands, but he still takes the chair full flush on the hands and top of the head. Cosmos fall to his knees in a daze. Turk winds up the chair like a baseball bat, he points at the fans in the top of the arena seats and yells “Four!”

As he swings the chair, it is pulled from his hands with such force, Turk falls on his butt. He is so surprised; he looks at his hands like they made the chair disappear.

Massif tosses the chair away and goes to pull up Cosmos.

“Come on kid, you need to wake the hell up.”

“Where am I?”

“In the fight of your life, you available or should I tell them you’re busy?”

Cosmos pushes Massif away with a scowl and jump in the ring. Turk gets up slowly, smiling and brushes his pants off. He smiles at Massif and points at him with malice.

“You’re next fat guy.”

Massif yells back. “Five percent body fat jerkface!”

“More to eat.” Astro Turk chomps his metal teeth together.

“Dude…that’s just...gross.” Massif says disgusted.

Turk laughs then looks up into the ring just as Cosmos hits him with a Suicide Dive, knocking him to the floor.

Cosmos pops up and then starts kicking Turk in the head with bad intentions. He grabs Turk up and slings him forward, slamming the small man into the ring post. He is immediately busted open, blood pouring down his face onto his shirt.

Not stopping his assault, Cosmos grabs the ringside railing and pulls it apart; he goes back to his opponent and lifts him up dropping him throat first on the railing. Turk writhes on the ground in pain.

Cosmos jumps up and lands both knees on the midsection of Turk. Rolling off, he sees the folding chair on the ground and runs to get it.

As he arrives Bart steps on it and pushes Cosmos to the floor with a shove. Massif runs to attack Bart again and the two huge men fight into a ringside Holocamera booth nook.

Cosmos gets up to his feet and sees Astro Turk crawling partially under the ring apron. Grabbing his feet, Cosmos pulls Turk out, Turk is holding a pipe with a wrapped handle. He swings it up and catches Cosmos in the shoulder just below the bite he put there earlier. Yelling in rage and pain, Cosmos backs off allowing Turk to get to his feet.

The smaller man clacks his teeth over and over, swinging the pipe back and forth. Cosmos quickly slides into the ring, closely followed by Turk. Cosmos jumps up and runs to the ropes, he comes back at Turk who tries to bring up the pipe to hit him, but the velocity is too much, Cosmos ducks under the swing and catches Turk in a perfect Spear. Air wooshes out of Turk and he drops the pipe to the mat.

Cosmos picks it up and slams the pipe into Turks left leg three times before tossing it out to the ringside area. Turk is grabbing his leg and howling.

To the left outside the ring, Massif and Bart knock down the camera tower and cause all kinds of panic in the audience as the tower falls into a section of quickly abandoned seats.

Cosmos pulls Turk’s legs and drags the man to the center of the ring. He spits some blood at Turk and locks in the Masterlock. Astro Turk screams in pain and looks to be about ready to tap when a voice from the front row roars its disapproval. Turk looks over in excruciating pain and sees Jack Hood sitting in the front row. He shakes his head no.

Turk’s eyes are watering in pain, but he doesn’t tap. He pulls with all his might to try and turn Cosmos, but Cosmos is not having it. Turk tries to pull Cosmos, but Cosmos has him by forty pounds he can’t pull him.

Desperation is in his eyes, he knows his knee is going to pop any second, Astro Turk takes out his metal teeth and throws them with all his might into the face of his adversary. The thrown teeth hit Cosmos square in the face. The sharp teeth poke small holes, grabbing his face his concentration wavers and Turk turns him over in one smooth motion, reversing the hold. Cosmos forgets about his face as his knee screams in pain. He quickly pulls the lighter man to the ropes and outside of the ring. Both men fall in a tangle to the floor.

Turk pulls himself away from Cosmos and hops around the ring away from the man. Cosmos wipes his face from the rivulets of blood and looks for Turk. Seeing his prey hopping around Cosmos takes a step and he too starts limping after him.

Massif and Bart are fighting into the crowd and the Cetus crowd loves it.

Turk finds his pipe and picks it up just as Cosmos grabs up the folding chair. Both men eye each other with contempt, then they limp with purpose at each other.

As they meet Turk decides to swing for Cosmos’s legs, Cosmos goes high swinging for Turk’s head. They both connect and both men go down in pain.

Both wrestlers are bleeding from various cuts, Turk’s face a crimson mask. Cosmos has blood all over his chest from the bite on his trapezes.

The crowd is cheering like crazy at the carnage.

Another roar from the crowd as Massif gorilla presses Bart and tosses him over two rows of chairs clearing out another section of fans. Massif takes a knee after that move and grabs his lower back. Neither man really moving after the spectacle of strength.

Turk stumbles to his feet looking for any weapon he can find. Seeing his teeth in the ring, he slides in and puts them in his mouth. He looks at his mentor and trainer Jack Hood and salutes, clicking his teeth like a madman.

Cosmos finally gets to his feet and sees Turk in the ring. Taking a breath he one legged jumps into the ring under the bottom rope. He uses the ropes to get to his feet. Turk turns around and smiles his metal grin. He wipes the blood from his eyes and charges Cosmos. Cosmos, watches Turk coming for him.

At the last second he sidesteps and Turk hits the ropes chest first, he slings back and stumbles over his feet, lands on his butt.

Cosmos kicks him as hard as he can in the face, the metal teeth fly out of Turk’s mouth along with some of his own pearly whites. Turk’s eyes roll to the back of head, he very unconscious.

Cosmos grabs his knee after the brutal kick and falls the ground in pain, after a few seconds of agony he quickly rolls over and jumps on Turk for the pin, the ref slowly counts to three.

The crowd erupts and screams of joy and admiration are heard from three hundred thousand fans in attendance who just witnessed a huge upset in the tournament.

The ref helps Cosmos’s up and raises his hand. The crowd is chanting his name, over and over. Massif works his way through the crowd and jumps over the ring side railing, still clutching his lower back. He helps Cosmos out of the ring and both men hobble to the back curtain.

Emergency medical Techs come out to help Bart and Turk to the back.

Up in CPC’s suite, Ms. Liberty is sitting on her legs helping Cassandra up to a seated position.

“You ok Cass?”

“I’m going to Fu…I’m killing him. You know this right?”

“He’s never acted like that before. I don’t even know how to begin to say how sorry....”

“For what, marrying a jackass? Well, apology accepted.”

“What now?”

“I’m going to find that asshole then kick his ass.”

“I’m going to take half of everything he owns.” Ms. Liberty laughs through a few tears.

“That’s the spirit Sweets.”

Ms. Liberty gets to her feet and helps Cassandra up. Both women head for the door and find it locked.

“Son of a..” Cassandra kicks the door. “That Asshole locked us in.”

“Let’s climb out the window.”

“Sixty foot drop, no thanks?”

“No silly, we climb over to the suite next to us. It’s empty and there is a ledge that leads right to it.”

“Yes! Let’s do this.”

Both women climb over the railing to the suite and slowly make their way to the suite next door. A small ledge leads the way. CrossCurrants Music begins, signifying the beginning of the tag match.

“Hey Sweets, I have an idea.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. How about when we get out of here, we go down there and kick CrossCurrent and the Wind Riders asses? Bet you your ex-husband to be will come running out all macho and crap. Then I can kick his ass. You in?”

Ms. Liberty climbs in to the suite adjoining and holds out her hand to help Cassandra over the lip of the suite wall.

“But they're guys, how can we win?”

“We are smarter, by a mile, we are quicker for sure. We have been training hard. I think we go down there and do what we do, kick ass and move fast. This is the twenty second century, women have been kicking men’s asses for a while now. Let’s just do it here in CPC, home to the no women wrestle here club. He won’t give us a division? We will just take his.”

Ms. Liberty looks at Cassandra for a few seconds, then smiles.

“Yeah, let’s do it Cass. I’m feeling mighty angry and kicking those has-been’s butts will be really great.”

“You can say asses.”

“No, I’m the good girl, you’re the potty mouth bad girl.”

Cassandra laughs as she open the suite door to the hallway leading to the elevators.

“Coast is clear. Let’s go beat up some boys.”

"Yeah, let's go kick their asses." Ms. Liberty giggles.

"That's my girl."

End Chapter 26.

[TTX]

Some fun stuff as always. Really enjoy the work you've put into this.

[Shane Sullivan]

Chapter 27: Aftermath and Moonpies.

Southwest and Maggie meet Cosmos and Massif behind the curtain, they see the pain written on the faces of their friends and help them get to their dressing room.

“Mah gawd jimmy, ye dae ken ye hae anither match efter this richt?” Maggie says holding up Cosmos and trying to open the dressing room door.

“Just get me inside Maggie.” Cosmos says between clenched teeth.

The door opens and all four men enter. An arena nurse comes in right after them with clean up supplies and a small medical bag.

“Put him over there.” She points to Cosmos and a simple wooden chair against a wall.

“What about me?” Massif asks in pain.

“I need to stop his bleeding then I’ll get to you. Try laying on the floor, take the pressure off your lower back.”

Southwest helps the big man to the ground, as the nurse starts cleaning the wound on the trapezes of Cosmos.

“This is bad. I can get the bleeding to stop, mostly. But you’ll need stitches, if not surgery.”

“That’s not happening. I have another match in probably an hour, use duct tape or glue.”

The nurse smirks in annoyance.

“I think not. Be still.”

Cosmos looks at Southwest who looks mildly amused at the goings on.

“Find this funny?”

“Not in a ha ha way, more in a..ah who am I kidding, yeah this is pretty funny.”

“Screw you jerk.”

Southwest chuckles then pats Massif on the shoulder as he stands up.

“Take care big man, I cannot believe you gorilla pressed that fat bastard.”

“Physics alone shuid hae made that marvel o' braun an impossibility.” Maggie says with a laugh.

“It was like throwing a huge bag of water. No wonder my back went out.”

“It’s because you’re out of shape.” Cosmos says with a laugh then a caught breath of air as the nurse pokes his wound with an alcohol swab.

“Because I have to train your fat ass, it’s causing me lose focus on what is important, namely me.”

Cosmos laughs then everyone joins in. The tension in the room slowly leaves as the men bond with a bit of laughter.

“Someone should try and find Solaris.” Cosmos says interrupting the revelry.

“Yeah, you don’t find Solaris, he finds you.” Massif says from the ground.

A knock on the door causes everyone to look at it. A few seconds later, the door opens and a female page sticks her head in.

“Mr. Cosmos?”

Cosmos lifts his good arm and waves at the woman.

“After CPC’s retirement speech you’re back in the ring.”

Everyone yells “What?”

“I thought I went on last in the next round! What the hell?! That CPC is a liar!”

“Just passing on the information sir, comes from CPC himself.” She quickly closes the door.

“That son of a farnuthan blood hound!” Cosmos yells. “He wants me to lose.”

“And now he finally gets it.” Massif says from the ground.

“Sir, with this wound, I’m advising you to withdraw and fight another day. I can’t completely stop the bleeding without stitching it up.”

“So stitch it up.” Cosmos says with anger slowly rising inside him.

“I don’t have the proper equipment here.”

“What do you need?” Southwest says behind her.

“I need a sterilization and stitching kit. They have them in the med bay.”

“Let’s go there then.”

“Can’t it’s filled with the walking wounded from this tournament. It usually only fits four there are ten men in there now. That’s why I am here and not taking you there.”

“I’ll be back.” Southwest heads to the door.

“They won’t just give you the supplies; you need a badge and a medical card.”

“Wanna bet?” He smiles without humor and heads out the door.

“Dinna fash yirsel lassie, he haes a wey wi' fowk, he'll hae thaim eating oot o' his haun in na time. Dinnae ye worry ye'll hae yer supplies soon.” Maggie says with a smile.

“Yeah, that’s what worries me.”

We leave the walking and laying wounded and head outside the arena to the Pancake house across from the arena.

“MORE PANCAKES!!” Cephus yells holding up a fork with pancake dripping off.

“That is your seventh helping my love.” Sadie says with an exasperated half smile.

“I’m a going boy.”

“You’re no boy.”

“Damn skippy.” Cephus winks at Sadie as the hurried waitress comes up to the table with another plate of pancakes.

“Just getting started darlin’ it would behoove you to have the chef of these magnificent circles of ooey gooey awesomeness make many, many more of these. For the Cephus is starved he just had a big match you know.”

“We have two cooks making them as fast as we can sir.”

Cephus harrumphs and takes a bite from his pancakes. Sadie pours syrup on the newly arrived stack so her man can dig in when ready.

“You know, I was thinking.” Cephus says after swallowing a huge fork full of pancake.

“About what dear?”

“This dobber had you have in your purse. It’s a time travelly thing right?”

“From what I gathered from the two headed lady and Solaris, yes.”

“Cool. You know we could use that deally bobber and really make some money. We could go back in time and put like fifty bucks in a bank account then withdraw the interest in like a year, be like free money, we would be rich.”

Sadie stares at her man for a second, realizes he’s serious then smiles the your cute smile at him.

“Or…we could give it to Solaris and get a huge box of Moon Pies and two free tickets back home.”

Cephus looks at the ceiling in rapture.

“I do love me some moon pies.”

At the word Moon Pie, Gordon G. Smack and Duck Boy walk in the diner. Gordon spots Cephus and makes a beeline towards him.

“O’Reilly!”

Cephus jumps up startled and lands in a karate kid crane pose, ready to do battle.

“Ahhhh!!” he yells as Gordon stops and puts out a hand to stop Duck boy.

“What the hell are you doing Cephus?”

“Always ready for battle. You here to fight or eat pancakes? I’m a master of both, you make the call.”

Gordon looks at the table then at Cephus. He smiles then looks serious. “Pancakes of course.”

Cephus smiles and puts his hands and foot down.

“Good man. Take a seat you two and regal the Cephus with tales of why you are here.”

Cephus takes a seat next to Sadie and pulls his new stack of pancakes towards him. Duck Boy and all his feather slides in first into the booth followed by Gordon.

“Cephus.”

“What?” He takes a bite of pancake.

“Everyone is looking for you in the arena. What did you do?”

“Nuffin’.” Cephus begins to look around paranoid at the people in the diner.

“Really? I hear it you threw your match to Pollux and CPC thinks you have something of his.

“How did you find this out?” Sadie interjects.

“The head of security for this event couldn’t keep his mouth closed about it, told everyone that CPC wants you and…” Gordon points at Sadie. “You. Specifically you.”

Cephus puts down his fork.
“First off, everyone wants Sadie, she is super hot and I didn’t throw my match, I let him win.”

“Same thing.” Duck boy says with a quack.

“Shut up!” Both Cephus and Gordon yell at Duck Boy.

“Continue” Gordon waves his hand at Cephus.

“As…I was..SAYING!...We didn’t steal a time travel device. We don…”

“Cephus!” Sadie smacks him in the shoulder.

“What?” Cephus rubs his shoulder in pain.

“You two have his time travels devise?” Gordon says with excitement.

“No.” Cephus says looking at Sadie warily.

Sadie whispers low. “We do. But don’t tell anyone.”

“Do you two know what we could do with this power?” Gordon says smiling maniacally.

“Get crackers?” Duck boy says.

“SHUT UP! Cephus and Gordon yell at him.

“Seriously, we could go back in time and put like fifty bucks in a bank, travel back forward in time and collect the interest. We would be rich!” Gordon says triumphantly.

Cephus put out his hand pointing at Gordon while looking at Sadie with his mouth open.

“See!”

Sadie puts her head in her hand and shakes in disappointment and annoyance.

“You two….no, we are giving it back to Solaris for a big box of Moon Pies and a trip back home.”

Gordon looks up at the ceiling.

“I do love moon pies.”

“What’s a moon pie?” Duck boy says genuinely interested.

“What’s a…” Cephus says flustered.

“This is why I need to be your manager Duck Boy, the nuances of life are beyond you. With my brain and your ability, we will win this tournament. Stick with me kid.”

“He’s never had a moon pie?” Cephus says with a tear in his eye.

“No, I don’t think he has.”

“This generation….” Cephus puts his forehead to the table and sobs. “…So lost.”

“I have one in my purse, love. He can try this one.” Sadie pulls out a Moon Pie and goes to hand it to Duck Boy. Cephus quickly snatches it from her hand in desperation.

“Woman! What are you doing?!”

“Giving the poor boy his first moon pie.”

“Without the ceremony, are you daft?”

“There’s a ceremony, to eat a moon pie?” Duck boy says surprised.

“Of course.” Both Gordon and Cephus say in unison.

“Well, ok. I guess.”

“Then it’s settled, tonight Duck Boy is devirginized in the way of the Moon Pie.” Cephus says pointing at the waitress and then at his empty plate.

“This is going to be great.” Gordon says with a smile.

“Can’t I just have it now, or before my next match?”

“No!” Gordon and Cephus both yell at Duck Boy.

We leave the diner and head back to the arena, specifically the medical room. Southwest walks in and sees the walking wounded everywhere. He spots a doctor putting things away from a box into a shelving unit.

“Doc.”

The doctor turns around and is startled at the scarred visage of Southwest.

“Oh my…”

“I need a stitching kit.”

"What happened to your face?"

"Water Balloon accident, the kit?"

“I..well, I can’t just give you that.”

“Why not?”

“You’re not a nurse or doctor for one and you probably shouldn’t even be here for another.”

“I’m a wrestler.”

“Are you hurt?”

“No, my friend Cosmos is. He has a nurse in his room and she needs a kit.”

“I see, I don’t have the author….”

Southwest picks up the doctor by the front of his smock and lifts him off the floor.

“I’ll say please.”

“Ok..ok! Put me down.”

Southwest puts the doctor down and smooths his smock. “Again, please.”

The doctor walks over shaking and opens a drawer. He pulls out a package and hands it Southwest. “Here. Please leave.”

“Thanks Doc.” Southwest takes the package and turns to leave. Pit Viper and Pulsar are standing in the doorway.

“I don’t recognize you bud.” Pulsar says with a sneer.

“Get out of my way or I Cheetoh you both right here, right now.”

Pit Viper takes a step back and pulls Pulsar with him.

“Crap man, I didn’t recognize you without your mask.”

“It happens.”

Southwest walks past the two and heads back to the dressing room. Pit Viper looks at Pulsar.

“Now I know why he wears that mask.”

“Yeah, that was downright frightening, what did that guy go through?”

“I don’t know, but I’m kind of glad I didn’t have to fight that guy.”

“Speak for yourself.”

“oh…yeah, sorry man.”

Pulsar and Pit Viper head back into the medical room.

End of Chapter 27

[cman]

LOL, woohoo the moon pie ceremony is about to take place! Oh Duck Boy is in for an experience. The story just gets better and better.