OMEGA 2119 (POW/MMA fed)

[Trent Lawless]

I'm fascinated by how you're writing characters differently than I ever would have thought to. I mean that in a good way. It's nice to see where others like you go when you get these guys inside your own head.

Nice dialogue!

[antimony]

Thanks, Mark! (You guys are right--it is cool to have the creator of something comment on how you use it.)

I don't know how or why the guys are evolving the way they are--it's all just sort of flowed naturally. To be fair, the dialogue is pretty easy, since I just assign each character to a different voice in my head...

[antimony]

OMEGA VI: Shut Up!
06.06.2119 from Titan Memorial Athletic Complex


- Opening Ceremony -
So shut up, shut up, shut up
Don't wanna hear it
Get out, get out, get out
Get out of my way
Step up, step up, step up
You'll never stop me

The energetic sounds of Simple Plan, spokesband for teen angst everywhere, opened OMEGA's last live show from "The MAC." The crowd was even more raucous than usual, owing to the unexpected arrival of OMEGA President Niles Kavanagh, who made his way to the hexagon while the opening theme echoed from the sound system. It took several announcements--and the example of Niles himself, who bowed his head respectfully--to calm the crowd for the traditional moment of silence. Even so, once the moment had passed, an impromptu chant started up and soon spread throughout the stadium.

Crowd: "Please don't go! Please don't go! Please don't go! Please don't go!"

Kavanagh: "Wow, I'm... Wow. Thank you. Honestly, when we started this thing, we were hoping to get some people excited. But you guys here on Titan, you've made us feel like this is our home."

Crowd: "Please don't go! Please don't go! Please don't go!"

Kavanagh: "I'm not much for making idle promises, and I hope you've come to see that. So I'll tell you this right now. You people have been so great, and you've meant so much to us... You keep on coming to the fights, and watching our cybernet broadcasts, and I promise--we'll be back here before you even know we're gone!"

The crowd went wild, cheering for Kavanagh himself, but mostly cheering for the prospect of another live show at The MAC. The President let them cheer for a moment, then lifted the microphone. "I'm not much of a public face, I know it. I'm a little rough around the edges, and I'm not much of a showman--and I love seeing the boys throw down and kick ass as much as the rest of you. Maybe that makes me a bad spokesperson, whatever. After tonight, that's not my problem."

The crowd's cheers grew in volume, then transformed into gasps of surprise and a smattering of boos as music that hadn't been heard since the GWF closed its doors blasted from the speakers.

Here comes the money...
Money talks!
Here comes the money...

Kavanagh: "Ladies and gentlemen! OMEGA's new Commissioner: Jack Cardashian!"

Sure enough...the man who once wrestled as "Jack of Diamonds" emerged from the back, his black hair showing the first hints of grey and pulled back in a ponytail. He carried a thin, steel briefcase (the sort that would hold diamonds if he were a jewel thief instead of an ex-pro wrestler)...and wore a GWF tee-shirt. The crowd turned hostile immediately, and Jack paused after taking a few steps, looking around in confusion. A look of exaggerated comprehension spread across his face, and he reached up with his free hand to tear the offending shirt away to reveal the "OMEGA Rules" shirt worn beneath. The crowd's anger turned to cheers immediately, and the cheers grew louder as Commissioner Cardashian balled the shirt up, used it to wipe his backside, then threw it on the ground.

President Kavanagh waited in the hexagon, smiling appreciatively as Jack played to the crowd and clapping politely. Cardashian finally made his way through the ropes to shake the president's hand, then Kavanagh took his leave to let the commissioner have his moment in the spotlight.

Cardashian : "So. I'm sitting home with my feet up, doing absolutely nothing. And my wife comes into the room and says 'Jack, you've got a voice wave from OMEGA.' And I put down my lemonade and look at her, and I say, 'Damn, woman! I thought sure he was dead!'"

The crowd erupted into laughter and cheers, until Jack held up a hand.

Cardashian : "I don't want to take up too much of your time, because we've got five great fights lined up for you. But I've got one little piece of business. You're probably wondering what's in the case. Well, it's not a new OMEGA superstar--it's much too small. It's not Epoch's talent--it's WAY too big."

The crowd laughed and fell into a haphazard "Epoch sucks!" chant as Cardashian opened the case and removed a black velvet bag. He loosened the drawstrings and withdrew a championship belt! Three large X's were engraved into the gold faceplate, mounted on a supple black leather backing. He let the bag and the attaché case fall to the canvas, and hoisted the belt up for all to see.

Cardashian : "This is the OMEGA Triple-X Championship belt. Why three X's? Are they for 'Extreme?' Are they for the 'X-Factor' that inspires a fighter to victory? Are there three X's for three weight classes? The answer to all these questions is...yes!

"After the fights tonight, President Kavanagh and I will be sitting down to determine the top eight fighters in OMEGA who don't currently hold, or will soon challenge for, a title. We're going to put those eight men in a randomly-seeded tournament--because the 'X' is for the unknown, the variable of luck, too--and these guys will start fighting each other next month, with the two survivors meeting at OMEGA IX: Fight. The winner will be crowned the first Triple-X Champion...and we hope to see each and every one of you there!"

The crowd went absolutely wild at the announcement of a third, open-weight title, and Jack's music started up again. "Enjoy the fights, ladies and gentlemen--all five fought under...OMEGA RULES!"

Gordo vs. Romulus
Romulus defeated Gordo with a knee bar submission at 7:39
Match Rating: 1.50
Match Notes: Despite the vast differences between the two competitors--Romulus being small and athletic and coming out to a techno dance mix, while Gordo is barely in fighting condition and uses a redneck fight song for his theme music--their match began with a handshake, and they showed great respect for each other as they circled, looking for an advantage. Romulus showed the first flurry of offense, dancing in and throwing some quick jabs, one of which caught Gordo by surprise and sent him to the mat. Romulus dropped with him and tried to secure an arm bar, but Gordo reached the ropes and forced the break.

On their feet again, Gordo and Romulus continued to circle, throwing an occasional punch to try and catch the other napping. Romulus ducked in and tied Gordo up, throwing a series of punches into the larger man's ample midsection, but Gordo was able to absorb them. Romulus tried to muscle Gordo over--which was, of course, a mistake; Gordo reversed the takedown and put Romulus on the canvas.

The big redneck tried to lock in a knee bar, but Romulus was too agile and too quick. He managed to free one of his legs, twisting until he was on his back and could drive his foot into Gordo's face. The big man fell backwards, and Romulus worked his way into a knee bar of his own. Gordo made one desperate attempt to power out, but realized it was hopeless and promptly submitted.


- Inside the Hexagon -
After Gordo submitted, Romulus helped him to his feet and shook his hand again. The referee and a medical assistant helped the big man out of the hexagon while Roe Jogan slipped in to have a word with the victor.

Jogan: "Rom! You got it! You got him! What's next for you here in OMEGA?"

Romulus: "Well--"

Jogan: "That's it, we're outta time. Let's go to the nex--EEP!"

Jogan may have thought he was being funny, but Romulus didn't share his opinion--and Jogan lacked the credibility of Cruiserweight Champion (and Romulus' fellow Punk) Taurine that would have allowed him to play that particular game. Romulus grabbed Jogan by his shirt front and shook him fiercely, snarling several threats into the announcer's face. Vito Torre was quick to lead his security team out, and they flooded into the hexagon to pull Romulus away from Jogan, presumably saving the announcer's life.

Dar Gova vs. Puma “the Alpha Male”
Dar Gova defeated Puma “the Alpha Male” with a knockout at 6:43
Match Rating: 1.00
Match Notes: The crowd showed Dar Gova just enough appreciation to be polite while the Imperial March heralded his arrival, as they still weren't sure what to make of the quiet man from Janus. They knew exactly what to make of Puma, however, and the fans leapt to their feet and cheered as "Natural Born Killaz" blasted from the sound system and the Kilrathi warrior came running up the aisle and slid into the hexagon. The fighters made their way in to hear the referee's instructions, then returned to their respective corners to await the opening bell.

Gova came out swinging immediately, keeping Puma off guard with a nice mix of punches until he was able to move in and connect with a solid uppercut that sent Puma down hard. Gova charged forward, slid on his knees, and gained the mount, dropping fist after fist towards Puma's head. The powerful Kilrathi was able to cover up and avoid most of them, though he took a couple good shots as he finally wrenched his way onto his side to reach the ropes, forcing the break.

Puma climbed to his feet first, but he was clearly in trouble. Gova closed, throwing more punches, and the Kilrathi tied him up in a clinch to try and catch his breath. Just as the referee was about to order a break, the "Alpha Male" went for a takedown. Gova was able to outmaneuver him, however, and scored with a takedown of his own, immediately rolling into position for a neck crank.

Puma turned with the move, kicking his feet in desperation until he was finally able to hook them onto the bottom rope. Gova released the hold and popped up immediately, crouching into an offensive stance and waiting for Puma to rise. Once the Kilrathi was on his feet, Gova waded in and unloaded another fierce uppercut. Puma's head snapped back and he tumbled to the mat for the last time.

Quetzal vs. Raze
Raze defeated Quetzal with a knockout at 0:48
Match Rating: 0.00
Match Notes: Raze took this opportunity to remind everyone that the oddsmakers tend to know what they're talking about. While he displayed his usual wide-eyed, panicked demeanor as his horror movie theme music ushered him out to the hexagon, the moment the bell sounded, he was a man possessed. He charged his opponent, unloaded with three heavy punches, then finished Quetzal off with a quick kick that put him down for the count.

Hadrian vs. Indigo
Indigo defeated Hadrian with a submission (rear naked choke) at 1:08
Match Rating: 0.00
Match Notes: Dr. Moreau cast a hateful look at Dr. Sememe as he passed by the physician's traditional place beside the timekeeper. An equally fierce glare was directed at Indigo, already in the hexagon, as Moreau took his place in Hadrian's corner and the ape-man slithered in beneath the top rope. Indigo paid his usual polite attention to the referee during pre-match instructions, but Hadrian refused to take his eyes off Indigo, shifting from foot to foot and snorting in apparent rage.

As soon as the bell rang, Hadrian charged--and ran directly into a series of punches that snapped his head back and finally sent him crashing to the mat. Indigo prepared to press forward, but Moreau pounded on the mat to capture his charge's attention. Hadrian rolled towards the sound, and reached the safety of the ropes.

The furry underdog pulled himself to his feet, turned, and charged towards Indigo again. Indigo sidestepped the charge and brought it up short with a high kick. The Delta shot in, hooked one of Hadrian's legs and twisted him to the mat. Momentum carried Hadrian all the way onto his stomach, allowing Indigo to drop down and clamp on a rear naked choke with seeming ease. Hadrian tapped out almost immediately--simultaneously, as it turned out, with Dr. Moreau's toss of a white towel over the top rope to stop the match.

Shylock vs. Gunnar
for the OMEGA Heavyweight Championship
Shylock defeated Gunnar with a knockout at 3:59
Match Rating: 1.50
Match Notes: It's the final countdown!

Despite his cocky demeanor, the crowd was definitely behind Shylock, especially going up against the mostly-clueless Gunnar. They cheered wildly as he and Splatter made their way to the hexagon, and when Shylock opened his robe, removed his title belt, and thrust it skyward on Joey Tempest's lyrical cue, the crowd chanted along. Neither man paid much attention to the referee during pre-match instructions--Gunnar shuffled from foot to foot, punching in the air, while Shylock stood calmly, watching Gunnar with a relaxed smile. When the bell finally sounded, Shylock extended a fist to Gunnar. They touched knuckles, then began circling, looking for an opening.

Gunnar was the first to strike, but just barely. Each man threw several hard punches and kicks, most of which were blocked, with the rest scoring glancing blows at best. Hoping to catch Gunnar by surprise, Shylock shot in and planted the challenger with a huge takedown. Gunnar was winded, but immediately rolled to the ropes and pulled himself to his feet.

Gunnar shook his head in a desperate effort to clear the cobwebs, and ate a stiff overhand right for his troubles. He dropped down immediately and Shylock threw his arms in the air, thinking he had won. Gunnar was able to bounce back almost immediately, however, and while he was clearly weakened, he wasn't out yet.

Shylock measured him with a series of punches, forcing Gunnar to go to the clinch and catch his breath. This was exactly what Shylock wanted, however. He caught Gunnar in an immediate waistlock, lifted him up, and slammed him to the canvas with crushing force. Gunnar's head bounced off the canvas and Shylock prepared to finish him off with punches, but the challenger was already out cold and the referee waved him off.

[Trent Lawless]

Too bad you didn't get any matches above 1.50 this time, but that comes with the territory, I guess. I like the visuals with Jack's entrance!

[aquinas]

That Shylock....what a beast.

And I agree with Mark about the Jack stuff.

The Triple X tournament and championship ought to be really interesting. I've found that the weight difference penalties aren't insurmountable, but do make a real difference.

[Avarice]

Excellent work yet again, 'ro. You bring a whole new life to the POW. As I always have, I love your writing...keep the suspense and drama coming.

-Eek