Jobbers in Paradise.

[Shane Sullivan]

Thanks buddy. But I believe Doomsayer was sent to nothingness, not never to be heard from again. But what do I know, i'm just watching and reporting bud.

[TTX]

Glad to see it back in action.

[Shane Sullivan]

Chapter 31: Hall of Fame Ceremony and some bad news.

The huge holovision screen begins showing the CPC career retrospective. It’s starts with his first match against Mimic, continues with his Impossible tournament win over Omega for the GWF belt, The crowd cheers as he is shown changing the name of GWF to CPC wrestling. It concludes with his last win over Genghis Khan.

Elsewhere in the back, Ender has asked the reporters to break it up and take their seats but he herds Cass and Ms. Liberty to a side room.

“What the hell Ender, I wanted to see that piece of crap CPC before he did his speech.”

“I know. But there has been a change in ownership.”

“What?” Ms. Liberty says surprised.

“Well, I think CPC is possessed by something.”

“Yeah he’s possessed by an asshol…” Cass yells angrily.

“No. I think it’s more than that. Something is really wrong with him. I have made some calls. For the mean time, I think it would be wise for you two to stay low.”

“No chance, I’m kicking his ass.” Cass yells and starts for the door.

“I stabbed him.”

Both women look at him and wait for the next words. “I stabbed him in the arm and nothing happened. He brushed it off like a punch from an Aethran. When he pulled the knife out of his arm, he didn’t bleed or anything. I’m telling you, he’s possessed by something.”

“So what do we do?” Ms. Liberty says slightly afraid.

“You, you do nothing. Stay low. Wait for me to come get you. I put out a call, I’m expecting a guy that I think can help us. I hope.”

“You hope? Seriously? I’m out of here, I’m kicking his ass.”

“I asked Mesmer to come.”

“You what?!” Ms. Liberty yells. “No way! That guy is no good.”

“Who’s Mesmer?” Cass asked confused.

“Master of the Mystic Arts, he can unpossess CPC, I think.”

“At what cost a virgin, a small child?”

“Does it matter? If we don’t stop him something really bad is going to happen, I know it.”

Ms. Liberty sits down and looks very depressed. “This is so not good.”

“You’re telling me.” Ender looks at both women then smiles. “But either way should be exciting.”

“We are doomed.” Ms. Liberty sighs.

"What the hell is mystic arts, like karate or something?" Cass says confused.

"Something like that." Ender says with a smile.

"Nothing like that." Sweets says with a shudder.

We leave these three and head to the big stage in the arena.

“And what you have all been waiting for our big cheese, the main man, the one with all the power. CPC!!” The ring announcer yells.

The crowd comes unglued and starts chanting CPC over and over as the man walks out on the stage and to the podium. He starts speaking but no one can hear him. A man runs out and fiddles with CPC’s belt, CPC swats him away in anger. The man is telling him something; finally CPC lifts his head up in annoyance to the celling and waves the man closer. The man fumbles with the switch to the head mic and finally sound crackles through the speakers. The crowd again cheers loudly.

“Away fool!” CPC pushes the man away from him and grabs the podium.

“People of the galaxy, it has been a privilege to perform in front of you and be your champion. As you all know, CPC has chosen to retire.”

The crowd boos loudly at the news. CPC holds up his hand to silence the crowd.

“CPC….” The crowd is so loud with boos CPC can barely be heard.

“My friends….” Still unable to continue he smiles at the crowd in appreciation. He waits almost a minute before continuing.

“CPC thanks you. Although CPC is retiring, he is not going away. CPC will still run CPC, but today CPC announces his candidacy for the president of the United Federation of Stars and Planets. It has come to CPC’s attention that many atrocities are happening throughout the galaxy and that our current President, President Sam is unable to fix, cure or change the current situations we all find ourselves in. If you feel that CPC could change the galaxy as he has changed the wrestling, please join CPC in his candidacy.”

There is a pause in the crowd as every one assimilates what was just said. Then the crowd explodes in cheers and a chant CPC for President rings out. CPC basks in the adoration; he finally lifts up his hands to silence the crowd. As the crowds cheers abate, CPC once again speaks.

“CPC is overjoyed at your response. CPC will lay out his plan soon, but in the meantime we have a tournament to continue. The last three hours have seen amazing matches; even CPC’s own wife has come out to give us all a few surprises. In just a few moments the second round of the tournament will begin. Cosmos one of the surprises of the tournament will continue his Cinderella run when he faces off with the Unflappable, the always dangerous Vanity. Followed by Dark Star Creature vs. Marcel DeSade. We will continue the matchups till we have our third round contenders. A brief nutrition break will follow the second round then we will continue the…….”

CPC sees in the very top row a bright light then a small glowing figure looking down on him.

Solaris stands overlooking the crowd. He has his arms crossed just staring at CPC.

CPC smiles a devious smile, he twists his mustache and continues.

“….tournament. You know CPC appreciates you all so much.” The crowd cheers loudly at this. “CPC wants to spice up the tournament a bit, in the next match; CPC wants it to be an I Quit match. That’s right. Cosmos vs. Vanity in an, I Quit Match. No Disqualification of course.” The crowd erupts at the news and chants of CPC begin.

CPC looks at Solaris and his eyes turn black for a second then return to normal. He waves at the crowd, takes his Hall of Fame trophy and holds it up to the roar of the crowd. Finally he points at Solaris then takes his leave off stage.

The ring lights up as the ring crew set about clearing the area, getting it ready for the first match. We leave the crew and head to Cosmos’s locker room.

Cosmos is pacing and cursing under his breath. Massif is staring at the holovision still processing what he just heard.

“I hate that guy.” Massif says to no one.

Southwest stands up and grabs Maggie.

“Well, looks like you need to get ready. That really sucks. Mags, what can you tell Cosmos about Vanity.”

“Weel he is a bufty bit an' a' he is gey limber, haes ne'er tapped oot tae a submission. His chin is a "skinny malinky longlegs, big banana feet, went tae the piktures and fell throo the seat", bit he haes guid defense. Whiles he gets pure gallus whilk leaves him open tae quick dealg attempts. Ye'r quicker 'n' mibbie stronger.”

Massif turns to look at Maggie in total confusion. Cosmos stops pacing and stares at Maggie.

“…what?”

“Yeah, what the heck did he just say?” Massif asks genuinely confused.

Southwest sighs. “He said he’s limber, hasn’t been tapped out in a match, susceptible to quick pins and is a cocky jerk.”

“Exactly, 'n' he's a bufty bit.” Maggie says smiling his wisdom.

Cosmos just shakes his head and continues to pace.

“Ok, well we are off. Good luck out there.” Southwest heads with Maggie to the door and let themselves out.

“This sucks.” Massif says swiping a sandwich from a bowl and chews it angrily.

“Whatever. I’m still going to win.”

“Not with that shoulder you’re not.”

“Bullcrap.” Cosmos grabs his robe and puts it on slowly, still in pain from his wound.

There is a knock at the door.

“What?!” Massif yells.

The door opens and a female runner opens the door.

“Cosmos you’re on in three minutes.”

“Fine.”

She closes the door. As both men turn back the see Solaris sitting in a chair.

“Where the hell have you been?” Cosmos asks anger rising in his words.

“The stakes have changed. The real evil has revealed himself.”

“Don’t care. Heal me.”

“No. Unfortunately the game has changed. CPC cannot be defeated by you. I came here to convince you to stand down. Once we have….”

“Are you frazikin kidding me right now?”

“Cosmos, please listen…..”

“Shut up. You old, stupid bastard, I should have known you would have screwed me over eventually. You never thought I could win this tournament. I’ve always been some damn pawn in your stupid game. Well let me tell you something you piece of crap, I’m going to go out there and beat Vanity, then I’ll beat up the next guy, finally crushing your golden boy and I will be the tournament champion. You think you can stop me? Do it.”

Solaris stands up from his chair to leave; Cosmos pushes him hard back into it. He points his finger at Solaris but is so angry he doesn’t speak, he quickly turns and opens the door and heads to the hallway.

“Dude. What the hell was that?” Massif says looking down at Solaris.

“I am sorry. Things have changed. You should be with him, he will need you before this is all over.”

“Solaris, this was so not cool. I don’t know exactly what you’re playing at, but that kid fully trusted you and you basically just crapped on him. You should have just healed him and let him think he had a chance. You should have just helped him out man.”

“I couldn’t I’m going to need all my power for Maramus.”

“Maramus? Dude, I don’t care. You didn’t handle this right….I got to go.”

Massif looks at his friend in disappointment then runs out to catch up to Cosmos.

Solaris sighs his frustration then blinks out leaving an empty chair.

End Chapter 31

[TTX]

CPC....CPC...CPC......fun chapter.

[Shane Sullivan]

Chapter 32: Cosmos vs Vanity and Things are getting interesting.

Bounty Hunter sits in a wooden rocking chair on board her cruiser. She stares at the mangy haired man sitting at a table in front of her eating bread, gravy and bacon like he had never eaten before.

“Take you didn't get this kind of culinary spread back on the ship?”

Wolf looks up and smiles his broken teeth smile. He wipes his mouth of gravy and takes a breath.

“You’re funny.”

“Thanks, I try. We have to stop off to see someone on Titan, then I’m supposed to take you to Ceres.”

Wolf continues to shovel food in his mouth at an astonishing rate.

“Just want Ender. When can I get to him?”

“Couple hours I imagine. Don’t you want to know who sent me to get you out of the prison?”

He looks up at her and shovels another handful of bacon in his mouth, then shrugs his shoulders.

“Some guy named Proteus. Said you two go way back.”

“Neva’ heard of him.” Wolf says between chews.

“Well, ain’t my business, I just get paid to do the job.”

Wolf sniffs and then drinks from a large mug washing down his fifth plate of food.

“More?”

“You are cutting way into my profits with all that eatin’”

“Haven’t eatin' in months.”

Bounty Hunter looks over at the cook who is already plating more food for Wolf and heading over.

“Eat as much as you want, I’ll just bill your friend.”

Wolf smiles again and grabs the plate from the cook. Digging in, he snarls in satisfaction.

She looks down at her holopad at a picture of King Nexus and wonders exactly what this new adventure will bring.

We leave the three on the cruiser and head back to Commander Ender’s dressing Room.

“What do you mean got away?”

The man on the personal holo screen looks at Ender with shame in his eyes.

“Just that sir, we went to check on the prisoner and he was gone. Three guards were unconscious when we arrived. There are no records of anyone coming into the room and the camera caught nothing. They still show images of Wolf in his cell. Sir I don’t know what happened.”

Ender taps his finger on the table in annoyance, but he smiles at his officer.

“Well. That is annoying, I got to ask, how far along was he in his treatment?”

“He needed two more doses Sir. Dr. Kallo thinks the formula will still take hold; but it may just take a bit longer than planned.”

“I see. I want you to check travel logs for any ship heading to Ceres. Also, I need you to break away from your current assignment and head back to Ceres. I have other issues I may need the crew to address. “

“Yes sir.”

“Ender Out.”

Commander Ender sits in the darkness of his room and stares at nothing.

“This is getting more interesting by the moment. What are you doing Wolf?”

Ender sits and contemplates this new development we head to the curtain at the top of the ramp and begin the second round of the Impossible Tournament.

Vanity (3) vs. Cosmos (16) I Quit Match.

Cosmos stands ready to go out, the page is watching his monitor. Vanity on the other side of the aisle is whistling a tune, it sounds like an ancient Neptunian war dirge.

“….Hey Cosmos.”

Cosmos looks over at Vanity who is smiling a warm smile.

“Good luck.”

“I’m going to beat your ass, keep your luck.”

Vanity looks hurt by the comments and flips his hair back.

“I was going to take it easy on you since I know you're hurt. But now….I think I’m going to really hurt you.”

“Hey, why don’t you spin around there princess, before I come over there and bash your head in.” Massif growls.

“No fighting in the cue. Any altercation will be reported and you will be disqualified from the tournament.” The page says looking serious.

“Lucky for me I don’t work here.” Massif says still staring at the smiling Vanity.

“Lucky you.” Vanity gives him the finger.

“..and you will be removed from the premises.” The page adds.

“Knock it off Massif, I’m going to make quick work of this punk.” Cosmos says looking at his friend.

“You better, I hate this guy.”

The page snaps his fingers and watches the monitor intently.

“Ok, on my mark Cosmos you go.”

Cosmos waits until the page points at him and he hears his music play. He rushes through the curtain and the crowd goes crazy for the underdog.

“Really, I wasn’t going to go after his injury. Now I am going to do just that. It’s your fault what I’m going to do to him out there.” Vanity says to Massif as he follows Cosmos to the ring.

“Ok, Vanity on my mark.”

Cosmos hops into the ring and does some stretches. Massif helps him with his robe, when Vanity’s Holier than Thou music comes over the loudSpeakers. The Neptunian comes out to half the crowd cheering and the other booing. Vanity swirls around and touches hands of some of the women at ringside. He is smiling and enjoying the crowd.

Massif standing next to Cosmos starts laughing when Vanity is hugged by a huge woman and can’t escape. Vanity starts to panic as the woman crushes Vanity’s head against her chest. Finally some security guards are able to pry Vanity from the woman who is ecstatic at having hugged her hero. Vanity red faced and embarrassed tries to laugh off the experience but Massif continues to laugh and point at him as he enters the ring.

“You better shut up!” Vanity yells at Massif.

“You better shut up.” Massif says laughing.

“I’m warning you!” Vanity points and jump up and down in anger.

“I’m warning you..” Massif goes to a knee laughing.

The referee ushers Massif out and tells both men to get to their corners.

Vanity is hopping mad. Cosmos is calm awaiting the sound of the bell.

“I’m going to make you scream you fat piece of crap!” Vanity yells at Cosmos.

Cosmos begins to circle around the ring keeping his hurt shoulder away from Vanity. "I'm not fat."

"No, you're fat." Massif yells.

"Shut up." Cosmos yells over his shoulder, keeping an eye on Vanity.

Vanity feints a punch, Cosmos flinches back and Vanity kicks him in the gut dropping him to his knees.

Vanity yells and drives a knee into Cosmos’s face. Cosmos falls back loopy, he tries to roll under the ropes but Vanity grabs him by his hair and drives a forearm into the side of his head. Vanity drapes Cosmos neck over the bottom rope and then pulls in the rope while sitting on his back.

“Ask him!” Vanity yells at the referee.

The referee bends down to the gasping Cosmos.

“Do you quit?” He asks.

Cosmos’s eyes are bugging out of his head and he can’t seem to get purchase with his feet to lift Vanity. Massif comes over and begins to yell at Cosmos to get up. Getting light headed he’s able to get one hand up on the rope and then pulls Vanity’s hand off. Slipping his head to the side he takes a deep breath and reaches his hand to Massif. Massif grabs his hand and pulls Cosmos clear of Vanity who tries holding Cosmos’s legs. Lifting Cosmos up he quickly put his friend on his feet.

“Bud you need to wake up and kick his ass.”

Cosmos pushes Massif away and circles around the ringside area looking at Vanity who is strutting around the ring playing to the crowd.

Cosmos’ slides in the ring and Vanity rushes over and put the boot to him. Vanity picks up and hits Cosmos with a German Suplex. Flipping over Vanity jumps up and hits a falling elbow drop. Vanity smiles down at the Cosmos then grabs his hair pulling up a bit. He then slides around and puts Cosmos in a sleeper hold, grabbing the wound on his trapezes and rips open the stitches.

Cosmos screams in pain and tries to pull Vanity’s hand out of his wound.

“Ask him!” Vanity again yells at the Referee.

“NO!!” Cosmos screams before the referee even bends down.

Blood is pouring out of the wound and onto the canvas.

“I’m going to rip….!”

Cosmos pulls his head forward, drives Vanity’s elbow down and drives the back of his head into the face of Vanity. Vanity screams, and lets go of the sleeper hold.

Cosmos twists around and drives an elbow into Vanity’s face. He slides back swivels his hips and slaps on the Masterlock. Vanity screams and hits Cosmos’s legs trying to break the hold. Massif is cheering loudly as Vanity is trying to escape but he is too far from the ropes.

“Ask him!” Cosmos yells.

The referee bends down to ask Vanity who stops screaming and then looks at the referee really serious. “No chance.”
Vanity looks at Cosmos, he is huffing and puffing in pain, but he is handling it. He starts rolling from one side to the other, trying to turn Cosmos over to reverse the hold.

Instead Cosmos releases the Masterlock and jumps up, grabbing Vanity by the hair; he lifts the Neptunian and hits him with a short-arm clothesline. Vanity tries to hobble away on his hands and knees but Cosmos kicks him through the ropes to the floor.

Massif picks up Vanity and rolls him back into the ring. Cosmos drops a knee on the back of Vanity’s head. Holding his bloody arm, he starts to stomp on Vanity. Vanity rolls back outside the ring. Massif again picks him up, but Vanity punches him in the balls, dropping the big man to his knees then on to his side.

Vanity hobbles over to the ring announcer and pushes him out of his chair. Picking it up he heads up the ringside steps. Cosmos runs over but Vanity swings the chair backing him up. He steps inside and lifts the chair. Cosmos hits the opposite ropes and comes at Vanity looking to spear him, but he just crashes into the chair. Dropping like a rock, Cosmos lays on the mat completely out of it.

Vanity begins to hit him with the chair over and over. One hit catches Cosmos across the face. After ten hits with the chair, Vanity yells. “Ask him!”

The referee goes down to a knee and looks at Cosmos. Cosmos looks at the referee.

“Do you quit Cosmos?”

Cosmos smiles a bloody smile then starts to get to his hands and knees.

Vanity winds up to hit him again with the chair, but as he approaches, Cosmos fires a mule kick to his knees. The left one buckles, and Vanity grabs it like he was shot.

Cosmos stagers to his feet and grabs the top rope to maintain his balance. Looking down at Vanity he stagers over and grabs the left leg, Vanity is screaming in pain and begging Cosmos to stop.

Cosmos swings around and puts the Masterlock on Vanity again. This time he arches his back and really puts pressure on the hurt knee locked in his move. Vanity’s eyes bug out of his head and tries to rock back and forth, but his leg is too damaged.

“Ask him.” Cosmos says mushed mouthed from his broken jaw.

The referee looks down at Vanity. “Do you quit?”

“KILL ME!”

“I don’t get paid to do that, do you quit?”

“Please!! Make it stop…..”

“Do you quit Vanity?”

Vanity slaps his hands on the mat and then cries out. “I quit!!”

The ref rings the bell and Cosmos goes limp, breaking the hold.

Both men lay in the ring exhausted and in pain. Massif slides in and pulls Cosmos to his feet. He raises his hand as the crowd cheers his name. Massif looks at Cosmos whose jaw is obviously broken and quickly ushers him from the ring.

We leave the ring and head to Southwest’s dressing room.

Southwest is looking at Solaris and two big men in white toga’s stand behind him.

“You understand what you have to do?” the bigger of the two says.

“Yeah, I understand. You think I can do this alone huh?”

“No. My brother from another mother has made arrangements to bring you a partner.”

“I have a partner.”

“Aye, a'm his bidie in.” Maggie says getting upset.

“What Actagon is saying my friend is a partner that can fight and watch your back.”

“Ah kin rammy. Juist dinnae wanna.” Maggie says putting his head down.

“Who is this partner?”

“His name is Wolf and he’s awesome.”

“The Aethran traitor? Wow, really scraping the side of the bowl huh?.”

"I assure you, you will need him."

"Right. I have a bad feeling about this." Southwest says shaking his head.

“Remember you have to win at all costs. We will have Wolf here soon. Be careful and avoid CPC as much as you can, till I give you the word.” Solaris says standing up.

“Yeah, about that. I kinda wanna kick his ass, don't think that quite falls into my long term plans.” Southwest picks up his Cheetoh mask.

"You must trust Proteus and Actagon, what they say will happen will happen, don't lose trust in me when we are so close Southwest." Solaris says seriously.

"I don't trust you. But for now I will go along with this mad plan of yours."

"That is all I can ask, we will be in touch soon. Good luck in your next match. Win."

“See ye Greek God's 'n' shiny jimmy.”

“See you friend Magnus.” The bigger one says.

Solaris waves his hands and all three men disappear.

Southwest puts on his mask, and looks at Maggie.

“This whole thing just gets weirder and weirder.”

“Yep, lik' a circus ainlie wey mair fin 'n' na damn clowns.”

“Yeah, there is that. I hate clowns, they give me the willies.”

End Chapter 32