"Don't tap!" Theo's voice called out as his hands slap the outside apron. "Untie your boot!" He calls out as Jason Cashe was inside the ring getting his ankle twisted by a Submission 'Specialist' that Theo brought in for training. Cashe was clawing, dragging towards the ropes, punching into the canvas and growling.

The 'Specialist' drops the Ankle Lock and dives onto Cashe's back, locking in a Camel Clutch as Cashe was within reach of the ropes and yet wasn't reaching for them. "Grab the Ropes!" Theo scoffs as if he had money on the line or something. "He's gonna go to sleep.." Shaking his head. "YOU GOTTA FIGH–!"

Cashe dozed off.

.

..

…

"I'ma be honest.. I know how to properly execute like 3 Submissions.

My question is, who was it that booked this shit? Who is it that is looking to place every disadvantage against me? Who wants me to fail? Never in any sport has it been the biggest playbook that wins the contest. Sometimes you can call your shot, tell them what you are doing and still execute because they just can't stop it! 

I don't need submissions if you get knocked the fuck out. You want to tap, snap or nap.. I just need to be good enough at one of those and I'll put you to sleep without a submission. Speaking of sleep.. 

I think I'm waking up.."

.

..

…

Theo was frozen. I gave it a minute but he wasn't moving. Still on the outside of the ring, his mouth was open like he was yelling but I heard nothing. He was stiff.

"Ummm.. Theo?" I tried to get his attention but got nothing in response. Letting out a single laugh, I wasn't sure what was happening. The last thing I remember was being choked out. Turning, I see it wasn't just Theo in a frozen state. "Hold up!" 

My knees fold as I drop to the canvas next to myself. How is this possible? "That's me.." I whisper as I reach and touch my own face but I couldn't feel me touching myself. "What's going on?" It was very out of body.

"Fight!" 

"Say huh?" I spun around looking for the source of the voice. It almost sounded like my 'I'm Batman' voice but it wasn't me. Did that 'me' say it? Nope, that me was frozen in a Camel Clutch. My peripheral vision turns my head as I see movement. My OWN Shadow was waving at me. "Did Theo roofie me?"

Stretched along the wall, enlarged enough to spread into the ring, the shadow, MY shadow was attached to me at my feet. I move around trying to get it to mimic my movements. It didn't.

"Stop waving!"

"Fight or you will lose it forever.."

That voice whispered out again. I looked around but the voice I heard came in the direction of the shadow. "Is my shadow talking to me now?"

"Fight like it matters.." 

I gasped not just from the response of the shadow but because the shadow stopped waving. Now, it was pointing at me 

"Fight. 

FIGHT!!"

I was punched. I was hit so hard that my feet shot out from under me. I flew back even as everything else stayed frozen. As I landed, my eyes collapsed shut. 

.

..

…

"This match? Not us being in the ring with other folks but you versus I? That shit been overdue. You have been Anarchy Champion. You have been Xtreme Champion. You have taken a bullet train in XWF while I have rode the bus. Luckily for me, I enjoy the sights. I like to slow things down and take the competition as it stands before me. That fourway? That had too much focus on others being involved.

We both lost that match and if you had that Xtreme Title still? You would have lost it to an Undercover Super Villain.

Losses don't change me. It does not prevent me from doing what I need to do to rise like cream or climb out of holes. Right now, I'm climbing and you are a branch that will help lift me higher. You have everything in your favor with this match. It was booked with your hand being raised in mind. You win and you'll probably get another Title shot. If I win, I'll get Oswald in a Body Slam Challenge..

We are not the same

Maybe it's karma

Maybe you are just THAT good! Nickles was. TK was. Vita was. Moments that each of them had and most of them don't place any thought to those wins but for me? Those are late night film studies. Those were Courses being taken to get my GED.. 

You are one of two things to me, Machina.. You are either another film to study or you are those past lessons being used to pass the test you present in this match that has been gift wrapped for you. I don't plan to lose, I have to reach and grab the Ro–"

.

..

…

"Ropes! Grab the ROPES!" Theo was again slapping the outside ring apron, shouting at Cashe as he was still secured in a Camel Clutch. Reaching out, his fingers grip the bottom rope. "ROPE BREAK!!"

The Specialist spins off the Clutch, snatching Cashe's ankle again, dragging him to the center of the ring. Cashe rolls to his back and kicks up with his free foot, kicking the Specialist right in the balls. 

Training was over. 

"Jason? You know you can't kick LSM like that during the match right?" Theo sighed. Cashe still dazed had the sense to respond accordingly. 

"Why, because she's a girl?" Scoffing at the notion. "I'll put some swell to that bitch's clam chowder.."

"What? No.." His head shakes as Theo adds. "It's illegal in most matches."

Wiggling off the last of his clouded state. Cashe sits up and watches the Specialist hold himself and groan on the canvas. "So don't let the ref see? Noted."