The coordinates that were given to me, led me to an abandon warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Nothing but open land, an old shipping yard and a few other random factories; scattered about, exist in this vicinity. It is close to 2am when I reach my destination, with nothing but dread and a sinking suspicion that this is some kind of trap, residing in me. If this was a trap, then I was freely walking right into it but what choice did I have? The crazy bitch had my wife and son. I had to do this. For them. In a way, it was my fault, that this was even happening. If I had been home instead of scouring the city, looking for the demented lunatic that I call mom, maybe I could have prevented this shit. Can't really do anything about that now though. The damage was already done and now, I had to do whatever it took to save my family. Even if it meant walking straight into certain doom.


As I exit my automobile, I send a text stating that I have arrived. Then, I start my trek across the grey, barren, nothingness that is the landscape that surrounds the factory. The area is so dark, dreary and desolate, it looks like the world came to an end and there's zero survivors. If an alien space craft crashed here, they would assume the planet was uninhabited. Strolling right on through it, as I make my way to an abandon building, doesn't do anything to help my increasing unease. In fact, I'm fairly certain, serial killers have either used or strongly considered, using this location as a kill site. Yet, with eyes trained forward, I continue onward.


When I near the front entrance, the door suddenly swings open. The act is so abrupt and violent, it causes me to jump back a bit. Heart racing, pounding a mile a minute, I cast my gaze into the shadowy space that dwells past the open door but see, nothing. Glancing briefly about my surrounding area, I gradually take a few steps forward. Making sure to throw up a forcefield as I venture forth. A precaution, in case this is a trick and someone attempts to blindside me. Even though I am aware of my surroundings and on my guard, it's always good to have a failsafe. I might be skilled in combat but this type of situation isn't one that I'm used to, where heightened senses and a total awareness of everything, would be essential. In other words, I'm no Griffin MacAlister.


"Hello?"


Right as I say this, my phone goes off, indicating that I have received a text message and it nearly makes me leap outta my skin. Not my greatest performance in attempting to put on a brave front. Shaking my head and internally referencing myself, to a slew of derogatory, very unmasculine terms, I retrieve my phone. The text tells me that I should go inside.


"This is a bad idea."


I remind myself, stuffing my phone back into my pocket as I progress forward, anyway. What? It's not like I was going to turn back. With a sigh, I enter the factory, crossing over the threshold of the doorway and into the darkness of the unknown. Once inside, the door slams shut behind me. It happens so swift and unexpectedly, I find myself jumping at its occurrence. I am now standing in a pitch black, abandon warehouse, all by myself and I really wish that this was the part where I open my eyes and wake up. Unfortunately, that's all that it is... wishful thinking. Taking my cell out, I switch on the flash light and shine it around. It appears this used to be some sort of old meat packing factory.


"Well, I'm going to die today."


No sooner do I speak those words aloud... does a single, solitary light, above a door, all the way on the other end of the factory - activate.


"Subtle. I guess that's where I'm going."


Walking briskly, I head for that door and when I reach it, I'm prepared. I know the drill by now, its going to open, by itself and I'm set. This shit isn't going to startle me this time. Except it doesn't open this time and when I try the handle, it's locked. Looking around, I am overcome by exasperation and I really don't want to play Nancy Drew and The Secret of the Old Factory, anymore. After several seconds of nothing happening, I go to use my phone to send a text to the crazy bitch and wouldn't you know it, the door fucking swings open and I lose my shit. Again. When this is all over and done with, my nerves are going to be so totally shot, I'm going to need to be locked away in a sanitarium. Good thing I plan on giving the title to Lux, can't exactly defend a belt from the fucking psych ward.


Deep breath.


Beyond the doorway in front of me there's a long corridor, that's surprisingly, lit up.


"Way to go with being consistent."


My phone returns to my pocket and I march onward, proceeding into the corridor. There are multiple doors, lined up in a row, on either side of the hallway but all of them are locked. At the end of the hall, there's a single door and when I get to it, I find that it's open. Swinging it open, reveals a staircase, leading up several feet. The staircase is also illuminated. So up I go, rushing as fast as I can and taking two steps at a time. I am growing very weary of this bullshit. When I hit the top of the stairs, there's a door to my left and a ladder that's directly in front of me, leading up to a hatch. Naturally the door is locked. Zero hesitation after that discovery, I climb up the ladder and open the hatch. Hoisting myself, up and onto the roof, I gasp... just about as soon as I rise up into a standing position.


In the center of the roof, I see Abigail in shackles. A metal collar with a blinking red light sits around her neck. Arkin is standing next to her but he seems to be unrestricted and doesn't have any sort of device attached to him. Which is comforting in a way but he's three and we're very high up from the ground. I'm just happy that I got here when I did because three year olds, don't have the best judgment. He shares my dna, which I in turn share with Azrael but I would never take the gamble, that he would survive a fall off of the roof. Instinct drives me towards them but as soon as I start moving, I hear a familiar voice.


"Easy lover. They're fine. The little one isn't going to run head first off of the roof. I mean, if he hasn't done it already, why would he do it now? Now that he sees that you're here. Why don't you turn around? Lets you and me, have a little chat. Hmmm... whaddya say?"


I'm torn. I don't know what to do. Everything in my body screams at me to run to my family and ignore the bitch. Another part of me tells me to use my powers and send her careening off of the roof. Then I remember the collar with the blinking red light, encircling my wife's throat and with a defeated sigh, I turn around.

---

"Lux!"


"Finally caught your second promo. I am glad that we're on the same page. You see, without even witnessing your second promo, I already knew that you would be a great Saturday Night Savage Stepford Wife. Seeing you admit it. Well, it kinda makes me wanna do a little happy dance because... I was right! Much like every time I predict something. It's glorious really. Having that gift. It's not even one of my powers, it is simply something that I picked up, from observing people. Most people are very predictable and it seems, so are some otherworldly beings. You're welcome for the title in advance, darling. You have fun mixing those cocktails and waiting on 'hubby'."


"Maybe, I'll get Ezra or Raphael to drop by... you know, one of my supporting brothers and they can have a spot on your dance card. Geez. Raphael loves the idea of wrestling and respects everything about it, so much that he'd be honored to have a chance at maybe getting a shot at the title. Throw him in a contendership match and he'd be thrilled. Over the moon. It would give him a reason to train and work out, even more than usual. If he heard me talking about giving the title away, dare I say he might disown me. So be a dear, if you two ever wind up meeting in combat, keep that part out of your words with him. Okay? Call it a favor in return, after I granted the generous gift of my title to you. Sound good, dollface?"


"Anyway, enough on that, I'd like to discuss your fun little opinions of me. Once again... in bullet points! I wonder how many I'll knock out this time? Hmmm... lets find out, shall we?"


• "Not a Demi-God. You're thinking of Dillinger D'Marco."
• "Devilishly handsome. I like that."
• "You're right, I am a dick and not the least bit sorry about it."
• "I'm sure you think that you're proving some kind of point by saying that I COULD have been a 'malevolent world destroying force' but honey, here's the thing. Those are the types that I fight too. For instance when I aided my father in saving the world from an evil alien hoard."
• "Sure, I'm privileged but I earned everything I've got, including the right to have only the best. I'm not first class, I'm elite class."
• "Not Xanax... space or any kind. Weed. I like to smoke pot."
• "I was born and raised on Earth. I live in Brooklyn, New York. In an apartment, with my wife and son. I've never been to space."
• "You're right, I don't give a shit about the history... of any title. From The Universal all the way down to the Heavy Metal Weight. I don't give a good god damn, who the fuck held it and for how long. If it doesn't involve me, it doesn't matter. Do you think the other wrestlers will form a lynch mob now? Will you give me sanctuary, since I let you have the title?"


"Awwww... boo! Only eight this time. Well, whatever, at least I got all that out of the way. See how easy that was, instead of going on and on, endlessly. I have been known to go on a good tangent myself, but when you talk I feel like... hmmm, how can I put this delica... killing myself. I feel like fucking killing myself. Like I want to walk outside and use my powers to drive myself, right down into the Earth, through all the layers, till I hit the core and burn to a crisp. It's like listening to Push The Little Daisies by Ween, on repeat for seven hours straight and you haven't even been talking for nearly that long."


"I really think it's your voice. Not to mention that self righteous, holier-than-thou attitude. No wonder Corey doesn't love you. Fuck. He seemed sad when he said that but that's only because he can't get away from you. He's stuck. That's the real reason he wanted to fade away. The boy needed some peace and quiet. I mean, damn... think about it, woman. You're constantly yammering away at the poor guy. Always talking about whatever craziness that you're on for the day. He can't even get five minutes to himself. God forbid if he wants to pull one off cause who knows when fucking Lux is going to show up, if you even go away. Or however that works. Turn yourself off? Go into sleep mode? Anyhow, the point is, you've got the dude so messed up and discombobulated. He couldn't even say that he only loved you, like a friend."


"Nah."


"He had to say straight up, I don't love you. You're lucky he told you about knowing how to fade away, at all and didn't simply do it. That's what I would have done. I woulda been like... peace, I'm out and then - poof! Gone. Oh no. Where did Donovan go? He seems to have vanished. At least Corey's still around. Keep it up though and you and Engy, are going to have to go back to that pet store and pick you up some cats. Speaking of Engy can you maybe invite him back to do your next promo for you, if Corey isn't available cause I think if I have to listen to you again. I really will fucking kill myself."


"Oh yeah, and once again, any info on how to get my father out of Rocket's brain would be awesome. Er... except, have Corey relay it, 'kay? Or text Engy and then, he can text me. I can decipher his stuff pretty good by now. Wait. Even easier. I'll send one of my supporting brothers by to talk to you. Ezra likes everyone, you two will get along famously, I'm sure. Alright. I think that about wraps things up. Before I go though, one more thing."


"Lux..."


"I don't love you."

Donovan Blackwater
Former 1x...