LH Harrison is walking into the locker room and takes off his wristtape when he notices Knight enter the locker room. LH Harrison smiles and extends his hand.

"Great match out there Knight. You really took me to my limits and I appreciated a good, honorable fight out there."

Johnathan Heartsford just stares at his hand for a second before looking back at him.

"Are you planning on humiliating me even more after that failed pin on you?"

Humiliate you? Knight, I think you have me misunderstood. We had a good, clean fight and I came up the victor. It just have easily could have been you, Mr. Heartsford.

LH looks at his hand before he withdraws it.The knight raises his eyebrows, impressed with Harrison's attitude.

That we did. Glad to see that you didn't let your grief overbear you in our match.

LH smiles but reveals a hint of sadness behind his eyes. He looks down for a minute and clears his throat. His vision moves back up to the eyes of the Knight.

"To be honest, I felt it a little as the match began. Walking out onto that stage knowing that my mother wasn't watching at home with my father, well that was a little disheartening. But I swore to myself that I would give it my all as a tribute to her. I think she is smiling down on me after that clinic we just performed. So thank you for that."

"Not a problem, Sir Harrison. I'm glad to see that you have the confidence of a true knight, one that can keep on fighting, regardless of the problems at home."

There is a brief pause, but Johnathan has an idea in his head that he feels like getting out.

"Say, since you seem to be in some deep water at the moment with whatever's going on at home, how about I make you a little proposition?"

"Yeah, sure. What do you have in mind?"

Johnathan chuckles a bit.

"I want you to team up with me."

LH eyes him as if sizing him up. He then crosses his arms and says in a serious tone.

"How can I partner with someone who won't even shake my hand?"

LH smirks and extends his hand again.

"Well, for one, you have to let me finish my sentences."

Johnathan lets out a smile before placing his hands on his hips.

"For another reason, I think that you might need more financial support than I do in this situation, what with you living in an old house and having to feed your biggest fan."

"Viktor is more than just a fan, Knight. He's a follower. A true believer in the way of The Inspiration. He saw it first hand. As for finances, I think I'm doing fine. I did take home the winner's money prize tonight, didn't I? However if you wish to have a slumber party, I'll bring the marshmallows."

LH laughs and rubs his neck with the extended hand.

"Now, since you want to form this coalition of sorts, what else do you wish to accomplish? Surely there's more in this for you than just helping me out financially. A donation would've done just the same thing if that were the case."

Well, the financial support wasn't just for you, after all. It was for your grieving wife, children, and father. I'm sure all of them are still reeling. That way, we can provide for them together and get you a phone that works.

He laughs a bit.

"Besides, with us teaming together, I'm sure that we can reach new heights that men like us can only dream of reaching. Further than the tag team championships; we'll be the team that helps inspire future knights around the world to fight for all that is good and right in this world."

LH strokes his chin and runs a hand through his hair.

"You have an excellent point there, Sir Knight. The team of Hope and Honor could reach nations and teach the children how to respect and learn from the world around them. I feel as though we could do great things a force not only to be reckoned with, but a force to be honored. But you say we'll reach heights we've only dreamed of, but Sir Heartsford... I dream pretty big so you better lace those boots up tight if you want to hang with me for this journey."

Johnathan smiles.

"I am willing to shake your hand now, Sir Harrison."

He then holds out his hand for LH to shake. LH looks at the hand and shakes it firmly. LH sighs.

"It's about time SOMEONE shook my hand around here."

LH looks at the clock behind him.

"Didn't you have a plane to catch tonight?"

Johnathan looks at the clock as well. Frustration sets over him.

"That's right, Woe wanted me to meet him at Sydney for our Tag match...look, I'll catch you later, alright?"

With that, Johnathan takes off, leaving Harrison at the locker room to take care of whatever he needs to do.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


The next morning comes and slowly transpires as Sir Johnathan Heartsford takes an express flight to Sydney, Australia. Sir Johnathan gets off the plane and stretches trying to get some of the numbness of the overcrowded flight out of body. He walks around the corner and sees a man raising a sign that reads "Aerial Knightypoo."

"Well, it looks like that sign is meant for me."

Johnathan walks over towards the rook holding the sign and the rook lowers his arms and takes a deep breath. It appears that he has been there awhile. The rook begins walking and beckons Heartsford to follow along behind him.

Heartsford follows along behind the rook cautiously looking around every bend as if expecting Woe to come out of any corner. They get to the front of the airport and the rook has a car waiting for him. The rook opens the backdoor for Sir Heartsford and awaits his entry.

"Really? You sure that no one's going to pop out of the car and beat me to a bloody pulp? Alright then, I trust you guys, but I don't trust the man you're working for."

With that, Johnathan gets inside the surprisingly spacious car. The rooks close the door and jump in the front seats. The rook that lead him to the car turns around and waves idiotically at the Knight. They drive for what feels like ten minutes before they pull over to a place called The One-Legged Koala. They jump out of the car and open the door for Mr. Heartsford. Upon further inspection, this is most certainly a hole-in-the-wall bar.

"You know, with all of the secret laboratories and drug packs that he carries around, I'd think that he'd go somewhere other than a dirt cheap business."

Before entering the building, he turns towards one of the rooks with a raised eyebrow.

"Does your boss always hang around in places like these? Or did they take a large cut of his paycheck again?"

The two look at each other before turning into a huge pantomime scene. One nods and then illustrates something that looks like a bomb. They begin breathing hard after explaining everything through movement. Heartsford looks at them as if not understanding a bit of what just transpired.

"Don't answer me then; I'll be more than willing to take silence as an answer."

They indicate for the Knight to enter the location and insist he hurry with their motions. He does so, but not in a hurry. He enters the bar and sees a scene that looks like this:


He looks around finally notices the monstrous frame of Woe sitting at the bar with a glass in his hand. Woe downs the entire thing and demands another one.

"Woah, slow down there! I'm sure that you'll down a horse at the rate you're drinking!"

Woe turns and looks at the Knight before grunting and ordering another round for himself and the Knight.

WOE: Thank you for meeting me here, Knight. However, I see you didn't bring the beer I requested.

"You're kidding, right? After what happened at Gator's party, I swore that I would never touch another bottle of alcohol again. I swear that I only ordered a Coke."

Johnathan moves the glass aside, away from arms length. Woe shrugs and reaches over and pulls his drink in. Woe downs one glass and looks at Knight.

WOE: Now Knightypoo, are you ready for a confrontation like no other. We've been tasked to take down the New Universal Champion. Feeling up to it, punto? Or should you check to ensure you still have your cajones?

Johnathan scoffs, amused by the challenge of manhood that Woe just issued.

"You know, I'm sure we have to worry about his partner too. Then again, the only thing that I've seen him do is throw a tantrum at a food mart."

Woe looks forward and smashes the glass that had been Heartford's. Glass and beer goes everywhere. Woe seems to be trembling with fury.

WOE: Don't you worry your pretty little head about Mr. Gunner. I plan to rip him apart limb by limb and kick his fat carcass out of my ring. The only place I call home that remains...

Woe's trembling continues. It seems to be uncontrollable now. Johnathan watches as Woe begins to tremble, wondering if any kinds of alcohol tampers with his Toxin-7 pack enough to fuck with his inhibitions.

"Erm...You okay there, Sir Woe? You're starting to not make sense."

WOE: That... that fucker... he got rid of the most precious thing to me... don't you understand... Knight? He... burned it all! I... I...

Woe's trembling continues until he is holding onto the bar just to hold himself up. A loud country song comes on the old-fashioned jukebox in the corner and blares through the room. A few people cheer and begin dancing. Woe clutches at his ears and looks at the bartender.

WOE: Turn that... shit off... now.

The bartender looks at him and shakes his head. Woe begins seething in his seat. He grabs the bartender by the shirt and moves within a inch from his face.

WOE: I... said... NOW!

The entire crowd is staring at them now, and the bartender motions for someone to pull the plug on the jukebox. Woe doesn't release his hold on the bartender however.

"Woe! Woe! Calm down! The jukebox is going to be unplugged! Let go of the bartender and head on outside with me, alright? There's no need to cause a scene here."

Woe does not release his grip on the bartender.

"Trust me; no one here wants to see you beat up a man because he said no to you."

Woe looks at Knight and pulls up his mask to expose his mouth with one hand. He spits in the face of the bartender and releases him. Woe turns around in his chair and stands up just as two bouncers run up. They look at Woe's stature and decide a peaceful expulsion is the best form of action. Woe walks past them shaking and seemingly daring any one of the two men to touch him. Woe walks outside to where the two rooks are standing. Johnathan follows him outside where the rooks try to calm down the giant of a man.

"Has he recently been like this? Or does he have some sort of tragic past that I need to know about? In fact, are any of you going to speak to me at all?"

Woe is still seething and trembling. He pulls his mask back down over his mouth and turns to Knight.

WOE: You want to know about my fucking history? No way Jose. Here's all you fucking need to know. That fucker, Luke Gunner said he was going to... cut off my distributer and... watch what happens. That shithead didn't know I don't have a distributer because I am the distributer. Then my lab and... and... home go up in an inferno of catastrophic proportions.

Woe stops and looks at the rooks. His trembling fists clench even tighter at his sides.

WOE: I... I hadn't had a home in a long time... and that fucking numbskull just sent it up in flames for an experiment. To see how... I'd react to being cut off from Toxin-7. Safe... to say I'm not taking it well. These meager quivers are a direct ramification of not having a source. The alcohol... makes the quivering not as noticable, but it fades abruptly. As for those two? They don't speak.

Johnathan is silenced, amazed that one man could burn down an enitre labratory and take out the security guards on camera.

"Well, to say that surprises me is an understatement."

He sighs and places his hands on his hips.

"Shit...look, it's clear to me that there is no way you're going to be able to fight anyone for long, unless adrenaline is a better substitute for Toxin-7. Just let me do most of the fighting, alright? When you think that you'll be able to take on Luke or Shades, feel free to request me to tag out; otherwise don't bother. I'm not calling you weak, alright? I'm doing it for your own safety. You'll be able to relocate your lab somewhere in a more rural area shortly, but for now, let's just go over our gameplan."

Woe looks at Knight and smiles. Woe halts quivering. He stands up straight and begins laughing at Knight. The two 'mute' rooks begin laughly audibly as well.

WOE: The look on your face! You actually bought that shit! 'Oh no! Woe can't fight just let me take up the slack. I'm not calling you weak, don't hurt me!'

Woe falls back into the wall laughing at his own prank. He slowly stops laughing at Knight who looks enraged by the prank. He straightens up and leans off the wall.

WOE: Look, I'm sorry Knightypoo. I thought it would be a nice way to relieve some tension going into this monumental match. If you makes you feel better, what I said about that asshole burning down my lab... and home was absolutely true. I never would settle down in places because I was constantly on the move, but I finally did and some asshole burns it to the ground. To say I'm mad would be an understatement. However, the lack of Toxin-7 is something I've trained myself for. I'm not your typical junkie as that Gunfuck says that I am. It takes weeks and months for that to actually wear off to the point where I need more. I just like being stronger all the time so I take hits more often.

"...Let me guess, those two aren't actually mute?"

Before Woe can answer, Johnathan stops him by raising his hand in front of Woe's face.

"Yeah, I don't care about an answer. What I want to know is if you're willing to take on Gunnar and Angelus with me in a tag match without turning on me. I saw what you did with Manu. Fucker hasn't been around ever since then."

Woe smiles (at least his mask moves like he smiled) and laughs mysteriously.

WOE: And so he hasn't. As for me turning on you, you have my word that I will not lay one harmful hand on you during the match. The week after our match... eh. I can't speak for that. But during our match, I have a bigger beef to settle with that Gunfuck and Slim Shadesy.

Johnathan smiles at Woe's remark.

"Glad to see that you're focused on making the cowardly champion and the insane arsonist suffer in our match. Tell you what, how about we shake hands and see each other in that ring later; that way we'll be ready to take them out once they underestimate us."

Johnathan extends his hand towards Woe.

"Truce?"

Woe looks at the hand and back at Heartsford. He smirks under the mask.

WOE: Sure thing Heartsford.

Woe shakes his hand giving his hand a powerful squeeze. The knight tries not to grimace as Woe seemingly crushes his hand. Knight walks away from Woe trying to hide himself flexing his hand trying to get feeling back into his fingers. Woe looks at him leaving and smirks again.

WOE: I won't lay a hand on you during the match, Sir Knight. Not a solitary hand.

Woe laughs mischievously as he walks hops in the vehicle with the rooks. The scene fades to black.