"Well this will serve as my first promotional video directed towards the illustrious, highly celebrated and well known, animated marvel - Game Girl. Our match is due to take place on Savage Saturday Night, in two days and the stipulation that has been set for the fight is 'No Powers Barred'. Personally, I'm highly intrigued about the prospect of this brawl, it's not everyday someone gets to take part in a real life tussle with a video game character. Yet, I'm willing to wager she can say that she's battled it out with guys that can transform into pure electricity in the past, seems like a common power to have in the world of two bit-graphics, the ethereal, transcendental atmosphere of video games and all that fun stuff."


"Admittedly there's a bit more to my abilities than simply shifting into electricity. I could stand here and list them all off for you right now but I think it's better if I wait and reveal them during the match. Assuming that I even manage to manifest or commit to using all of my powers in the span of a single match. Which I doubt. That's not a slam either, I am merely being realistic. Still this way they come as more of a surprise, there's a build-up and anticipation to it. Plus... on top of that, I'm not much of an egotistical braggart. Being a glorified, self-entitled, trumpeter is really more of Donovan's thing. He likes the shine of the spotlight, everyone must hang onto each and every word and all eyes need to be on him, while he makes a big speech and huge production of things, whereas I'm perfectly fine with my actions speaking for themselves. Why boast and be a big-mouth, blowhard? There will be plenty of time in the match to actually physically show what I can do. I'm also fairly certain that when Donovan sees this footage, he'll have something to say about it. Sigh. A whole lotta somethings. Oh well... too late to do anything about it now."


"With that being said, I'm going to digress like my name was Peter Gilmour and get back to talking about my opponent and our upcoming fight."


"Despite my forthcoming adversary, Game Girl being a wrestler that took part in bouts of combat before my time, I am aware of her career and list of accomplishments. She was quite the force to be reckoned with and far from being a push over or an easily achieved victory. A challenge by definition and a true warrior. Some might even claim her as an established veteran. So this battle is one that I'm looking forward to participating in. Even though, I haven't wrestled that often, I believe I'll deliver some decent competition when I'm in the ring. I know my record isn't that impressive but I really think everyone is entitled to turn things around and change aspects to their favor. That is the mentality I'll carry with me when I meet Game Girl in the squared circle. The future is unwritten and nothing is set in stone. Getting the opportunity to face someone with an impressive history and a strategic sense of battle, that's an incredible gift. To receive such a thing by the vote of that wrestler is an amazing honor. I know, I seem to be laying on the compliments pretty thick but rest assured, they're only stated out of respect. Honor amongst wrestlers. Nothing more, nothing less."


"Best of all, I can use my powers in the match. My opponent isn't just some human. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I purely find it refreshing that I don't have to restrict myself or curb away from using my abilities."


"Fun Fact: Sometimes there are private meetings held to discuss the impending matches and what exactly will be allowed. I know it's happened with Donovan more than once but my father Azrael, also had to go through similar appointments and debates. Mostly because the opponent tends to be human and it's done as a safety precaution. Not every fight can involve chair tornadoes. Mind you, there are times when it is decided that abilities can be used, with certain restraint. I imagine Raphael will have to agree to something similar, since he can turn into solid steel and murder isn't a viable outcome. Giving his opponents severe concussions and causing internal bleeding isn't an option either. That's just bad for business and Vinnie Lane would be bankrupt before he knew it, shelling out cash for all those hospital fees and payments towards the cost of punitive damages. Shane would probably have to sell his potato/asparagus farm. Maybe even get rid of a horse or two. Out of consideration and a decent sense of regard for management and the company, those of us that can control our abilities and not fly into a zombie induced rage, opt to do that as a means of leveling the playing field. Luckily, I don't need to worry about that though and neither does Game Girl, which I'm sure she appreciates."


"Anyway, I think I spoke on the matter enough, for now and I look forward to hearing from Game Girl. Whenever she decides to take a moment to record her thoughts. I'm sure she's doing something important that can't be avoided and will get around to shooting a promo soon."

---

It's been awhile since Ezra Blackwater dated anyone. He simply didn't possess the same luck as his brothers seemed to have, when it came to matters of the heart or even random hook-ups. He was awkward and sort of shy, not to mention the fact that he tended to take on the life of a hermit. Working from home as a computer programmer, software engineer/analyst and graphic designer, he spent a huge chunk of his life in seclusion. Keeping to himself. Always at his desk, attention usually directed towards one of three different computer screens as he typed away and took care of his work related tasks.


If he wasn't occupied with that he was expanding his horizons, broadening his already immense insight and devouring other types of information, like it was nourishment. The very substance that sustained him. No amount of knowledge was too odd or obscure, in fact sometimes those were the options that intrigued him the most. For these were tidbits of wisdom that he could pull out and use to divert attention from his awkward behavior and peculiar quirks, when he deemed it necessary. Balanced in unison with his dry wit and sarcasm, both diversions were also accompanied by sporadic acts of randomness. For instance, pulling out a yo-yo, juggling or shuffling a deck of cards, that would eventually lead to some sort of trick being performed mid-conversation, are only a few examples. These were all tactics, meant to draw one's focus from gestures, habits and eccentric mannerisms that Ezra had developed.


While these efforts were additional, idiosyncratic, atypical behavior, control was an easier concept over them, opposed to other aspects that would tend to make an appearance out of the blue. With that being the case, he needed a certain type of fail-safe or distraction set in place. Still even with such a necessity, he was rather accustom to his solitary existence. Not quite "fitting in" never really bothered him, per se. Regardless of the antics that he formulated and put together in order to otherwise, draw attention away from certain traits that one might view as unusual or off. He was used to being the lone weirdo. Stuck in his own little world. Away from society. That's until one faithful day arrived, when he found himself doing laundry, in the basement of his apartment building and fate intervened. The day he met... Ivan Vaust. And everything changed.





Ivan Vaust was the perfect amount of wild, spirited, off the wall and silly, mixed with an intense steadfast and serious side, that would happen to pop up precisely when it needed to show itself. Clever and confident, it seemed that he wasn't ever conflicted with worry or unease. He was just cool and quite the opposite of Ezra in most ways. An aspiring actor, writer and musician. He took an immediate interest in Ezra, a revelation that Ivan readily admitted, without a second thought, edgewise. Much to Ezra's surprise and delight.


The two would eventually make plans to see each other. An arrangement that was laced with heavy intentions that this was; in fact, a romantic rendezvous and not simply two guys hanging out. Yet the closer that the date and time drew near for their set social commitment, the more on edge and anxious Ezra became. He didn't know why such a straightforward, facile, incomplex idea caused him to become so nervous and fidgety... but it did and far more than usual; however, a funny thing happened when the actual moment of truth arrived. When Ezra opened the front door and caught initial sight of Ivan, all those butterflies flew off and every doubt vanished from his mind. For the first time, Ezra felt instantaneously calm and relaxed. Nary a single doubt dwell within him, if anything there was only validation and a firm reassurance. So this is what conviction and certainty felt like, thought Ezra, hand still grasped onto the doorknob. He lowered it without delay.


"Are you ready to have your mind blown?"


The question drew a chuckle from Ezra as he took a step back and allowed Ivan to enter the apartment.


"Yes?"


"You know, since it's your first time seeing Ichi the Killer. "


A grin spread on Ivan's face as he held up the dvd.


"Right. Yeah, I knew what you meant."


"Uh-huh."


Shaking his head, Ivan continued to remain amused, while he walked further into Ezra's abode.


"I did."


"And I believe you. Did you order the food?"


"Was I supposed to do that?"


A smirk.


"Yes. I hope Xander's pizza is fine."


"As long as it's not vegan."


"No, I eat meat."


"Good to know."


Eyebrow raise to end all eyebrow raises. Ezra laughed and walked to his fridge, reaching inside he grabbed two beers and set one on the kitchen counter, near Ivan and then opened his own, taking a generous swallow. This reaction brought a grin to Ivan's face as he followed suit. Resting the dvd on the island divider, he took a drink.


"So you know... um, I almost never hang out with someone that I just met. Especially after a random encounter while doing laundry. In fact, I've never met anyone while taking care of laundry, this is definitely a first for me. If you wind up being a serial killer, I'll be majorly pissed. Not that, that would be an actual thing, I would even consider being a reality. Merely making the mistake of tossing it out there cause it sounded funnier in my head than it did when I spoke the words out loud."


Pause.


"Anyway I didn't know if my candor and sense of humor might've given a certain assumption or perception about tonight."


Hah! The tables seemed to be turned, for once someone else was nervous. To think, Ezra assumed he was the only one inflicted by such a thing. This wasn't a factor that made him gloat though. Rather he gave an expression that featured empathy.


"I figured we'd eat pizza and watch a movie, play it by ear. Other than that I didn't assume anything."


Just a slight alteration of the truth. There was a glimmer of hope that was present and Ezra would be only internally lying to himself if he thought anything otherwise. However that was blamed solely on wishful thinking, over expectation or hypothesis. It had been awhile, after all.


"Okay. Cool."


Ivan sipped his beer and cast his eyes to the living room.


"Should we get to it then?"


Tilting his head, when he caught sight of Ezra's workstation, Ivan chuckled. Eyes momentarily glued to the three computer screens. Not what he expected to see and that was apparent.


"Whoa. You're even more of a nerd than I realized."


"Heh. Yep. I'm a software engineer/analyst, computer programmer and graphic designer. Freelance."


"Sweet deal. That seems like you'd be able to set your own hours."


"Yes. Still doesn't stop me from working almost all of the time. Plus, I'm a part time wrestler for the XWF but that's more of a rare, once every blue moon, type of scenario."


"Huh? No shit. I would have never anticipated that you wrestled for the XWF. Not even in a super, part time sense. No offence."


"None taken."


"I work for Martin's"


"The diner? On Maple?"


"Correct. Part time. It's a job while I'm in school. Pays the rent... puts food on the table. All that good stuff."


"Nothing wrong with that."


Suddenly, the doorbell sounded, drawing Ezra's focus to it.


"Speaking of food."


His finger on the button, Ezra buzzed the person; who clearly must have been there to deliver the pizza, into the building. Never was such a normal activity so ill advised. For after several minutes passed, when Ezra opened the door, he was not greeted by the arrival of the pizza delivery man. Instead, a very large fellow, dressed all in black, finished off with a ski mask, wielding a pistol approached with terrible intent. At first glance, Ezra couldn't believe what his eyes perceived. He spent years living in the city, never before did he need to take caution, when allowing someone into the building. Unfortunately these were dark days, lawless times, now that the spaceman was gone. Trapped inside the mind of a girl named Rocket, awaiting release. This clearly was a repercussion of some sort. Criminals took note of Azrael's absence and now, this was their obvious reaction. Proverbial open season. It had to be that, there wasn't another explanation that made sense.


Except Abigail did get attacked in the subterranean parking structure, below the local gym and when she gave a description of the man, it was extremely close to the guy standing in front of Ezra. Minus the gun. Then there was the combined efforts of the gas station employee and the supposed robber. Was there a connection between all this? Or were these mere coincidences? Curious.


"Something tells me you don't have a pizza."


"Your assessment is accurate."


Ezra turned his eyes briefly to Ivan and then snapped his attention sharply back to the man in the mask.


"I surmise you had better rethink your plans, you're seriously robbing the wrong guy."


"Oh I doubt that's a valid prediction."


"Trust me. This command is given in your best interest. Walk away and save yourself the trouble. By trouble I mean the injuries that you'll suffer in direct retaliation to your actions, should you not heed my words. You won't enjoy the pain that you will incur. This I promise you."


"I've been given a pretty hefty sum of cash to send you and your brothers a message. The way I see it. I'll take my chances."


"Idiot."


Through clenched teeth, Ezra muttered his words. Okay so this was a jackass that made an incredibly poor decision, taking on some kind of job. The goal was to send a message to The Brothers Blackwater. There was only one, gigantic fucking asshole, that could be guilty of giving this sort of assignment to some low life, scumbag. Clearly the objective was to garner the brothers' attention. That must mean Maxwell Maximus was to blame. Never a man to get his hands dirty, he would most assuredly hire a common street criminal to do his dirty work. With zero fucks given towards what might happen to the "gun for hire". Max more than likely opted for employing the stupidest motherfucker he could find. While some might see this choice as ignorant, Maxwell knew that the weakest, most pathetic, desperate criminal would never be seen as being attached to him. Not in a believable sense. No. Not in any real capacity whatsoever as far as law enforcement would be concerned. Nothing that could be proven or end with Max being found guilty of any crime anyway.


This understanding didn't come without questions. Why was Max doing this? What was his play here? His game plan? Perhaps, after some thought, he ultimately came to the conclusion that his scheme to eliminate Azrael, went over without a hitch and that victory was too easy for the maniacal tyrant. Way easier than it should have gone, he was left unsatisfied and started pondering the reasons surrounding that so-called "win". Maxwell realized his foe should have been far too clever for that plan to work properly and decided that he needed to shake the hypothetical tree and see what fell forth. Gain Az's attention through his son's misfortune. It could have been that Max was feeling regret and this was a desperate attempt at discovering if his endeavor had been a real success, in the vain hopes that it wasn't. Or maybe he was bored and this was his way of simply saying... hello. Who's to say? Really?


Ezra wasn't a mind reader. No, he was not. On the other hand, he could control, conduct, manipulate and transform into electricity. Bad News Bears for the asshole in a ski mask. Nevertheless, why did this have to go down, during his date with Ivan? On the plus side, maybe he could get some answers. On the negative... this caused Ezra to reveal his abilities, allowing Ivan to know that he was a freak. Ugh. Why couldn't this have happened on any other night? Before Ezra could even attempt to do anything, take any means of prevention or safety precaution, Ivan appeared next to him at the door. Ezra heard the mockery and laughter in the scumbag clad in a ski mask's voice and then everything seemed to happen all at once.


"Perfection."


The word had scarcely escaped the masked man's throat, when he pulled the trigger. An immediate creation of instant injury. Round into chamber and speeding bullet projected outward in the air. Metal and gunpowder, meets flesh. Ezra couldn't stop it. Somewhere the sound of breaking glass registered with his ears. The noise of a beer bottle smashed against the floor. This crash was disregarded, Ezra dropped to his knees, his hand placed on the wound that had formed on Ivan's chest. He couldn't speak, think or even breathe. Yet nothing came as more of a shock, than what happened next. Ivan seemed annoyed. Disgruntled. Slightly pissed. Not at all frightened or like someone that got shot.


"Really? Of all the things that had to happen, it had to be this..."


Rolling his eyes, Ivan directed his gaze toward the man in black. Eyes narrowed as he pushed himself up from the floor.


"Thanks a lot asshole. No really, thanks sooooo much for this shitty interruption, to what was supposed to be a fun night. Who the fuck robs people in a ski mask anymore? Like some sort of second-rate villain on the streets of Gotham. Little did you know, that's the biggest mistake you'd ever make."


In a flash, Ivan transformed, his black hair changed to blue, skin appeared to become akin to ice and eyes gleamed with a cold, cyan glow. A glow that gave off a sparkling hint of frost. No longer did Ivan convey the impression of being human, rather he seemed to resemble a man made of ice.


"Home invasion when an Ice Deity is on the property. Real smart."


From there Ivan raised his hand and sent an ice burst at the unknown attacker. A blast of solid ice shot straight out from Ivan's hand. Knocking the masked man backwards, he slammed into the wall. Where he created a crater and toppled to the floor. A cascade of plaster, paint and bits of wall, raining down onto him. The fragments and particles, leaving him covered in debris and dusted in white. After which Ivan appeared to receive the full awareness of what occurred... what he did. Quickly transitioning his form from ice to flesh, he looked at Ezra, eyes filled with panic and alarm. His wound completely healed.


"I... I can explain."


"You're not human, are you?"


"No. Not even a little bit. I lived on Earth all my life though."


"You don't say..."