Post by Pantheon on May 31, 2012 10:00:37 GMT -5
"We need a name... it should be something colorful or dramatic, like... the Avengers, or..." "'or' nothing! That's it! The Avengers!!" - Avengers, Vol. 1 #1
"When professional wrestling finds itself full of angry loners, trash-talking near-heels and legit mass murderers... though it may appear grim, all is not lost. Wrestling *always* finds a way." - Kid Phantasm, Unstable Elements #1
[Sometimes the world gets changed. Sometimes one man or woman has an idea that they share with another man or woman which grows into... a religion. A doctrine. A movement. A nation. Sometimes this is for the worse... and by sometimes I mean far too often. Which is why it's so interesting when it's for the better... after all, when the bad guys get together that's life. But when the good guys get together... that's when shit gets interesting.]
[Of course... who's to say who the good and the bad are? After all, WCF is the kind of place where words fly around almost as often as punches... and the men and woman we'll be speaking of are certainly guilty of saying some terrible things. Well, not to get caught up in aphorisms here... but when it comes to these guys, actions speak louder than words. They're a bunch of crazy cats that got together and decided they'd change the world... or at least their world. They're not superhuman though they wear costumes... they're not sinister even though they're a conspiracy. They're all pretty damn good at what they do, but they're still just people... though the name they chose for themselves might indicate that they were more. Say what you will about the name of this group, this faction... 'Pantheon' does have a nice ring to it.]
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PANTHEON #1: "Anatomy of a Wresting Stable"
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[Scene: Laurie's Bar (Reading, Pennsylvania)... April 1, 2012. The bar is fairly quiet on a Sunday night... other than one couple at the bar and a few drunks sitting in the corner arguing about baseball, the bar's empty. Well, except for three familiar faces... at the bar, still in their wrestling attire, are the newly announced Trios Cup team of Jonny Fly and the Unstable Elements.]
Phantasm: So you had a clause put in your contract so you wouldn't have to work XIII?
Fly: Yeah, that was the sweetest plum. When I signed I had Seth put that in there so Corey Black couldn't fuck with me... of course, he's still trying. That's jealousy for you...
Nightmare: I'd take the match. Jay Price isn't anything too scary... you could take him, Fly.
Fly: Of course I could!
Phantasm: I was gonna say...
Fly: Part of being the best in the business is being able to pick your spots. I'm not letting any IWF chump tell me when and where I defend my title.
[Fly finishes his beer, and as he puts the bottle down the bartender pops another one for him. She gives him a look as she puts the drink down... a look that says she's wondering what sort of tip she'll be getting, and if it'll be when they leave or when she gets to Fly's house.]
Bartender: Anything else I can do for you tonight?
[Nightmare laughs.]
Nightmare: Can you do subtle?
[The bartender turns to Nightmare and responds with a bitchy look.]
Fly: I'll let you know, girl. Don't you worry.
[The bartender gives him a smirk and wanders off.]
Phantasm: Man... this tournament's gonna be fun.
Nightmare: Ready to kick some ass.
Fly: We'll win it easy. Who's gonna stop us, Odin and the Ladykillerz? Please.
Phantasm: It's still early... there might be a team out there better than us that hasn't even announced yet.
Fly: We can take whoever they throw at us.
Nightmare: I hate to agree with Fly, but...
Fly: What'd I do?
Nightmare: ...you're kind of a creep, Fly.
Fly: You know who you remind me of?
Phantasm: Oh, fuck... don't start, you two. Please?
Fly: Nah, you're not as fuckable as Twilight. My mistake.
Nightmare: You mean I'm not as whorish, or not as easy?
Phantasm: My point is that even if you're right and we can win this thing easy...
Fly: It'll be a walk.
Phantasm: ...maybe we should just make our little unit official, then.
Nightmare: You mean like a stable?
Fly: Ha! That'd make the whole 'fed shit themselves... the three of us would run this town.
[The bartender comes back down and stops in front of Fly.]
Bartender: I'm closing up in a few...
Fly: Oh no you're not, baby. I'm gonna keep you open all night... just as soon as we leave this bar.
[The bartender turns her head and yells.]
Bartender: LAST CALL!
[Fly turns to Kid and Nighty and whispers to them...]
Fly (whispered): I gotta beat this chick to my house and make sure the girl I had over last night isn't still there... you two need a ride?
[The Unstable Elements look to each other, then shrug.]
Phantasm: I think we're good.
Nightmare: Yeah... it's like eight blocks back to the house.
[Fly laughs.]
Fly: Fuck a stable... first thing we gotta do is get you two out of that 'apartment' of yours. I don't team with people who are in the closet... not to disrespect anyone's lifestyle choices or anything.
[Fly heads through the bar's front door as the Phantasm laughs.]
Nightmare: We're just fine where we are.
Phantasm: Come on, baby... that was a pretty good joke.
[She shakes her head.]
Nightmare: I still don't know what you see in that guy.
Phantasm: You will. And I don't expect you to... he doesn't even see it yet.
[The bartender turns off a neon sign in the window.]
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[Scene: Polar Base, later that same night. By the dim light of Iceberg-Six we can see Nightmare and Kid Phantasm wrapped up in their bed-nest. Phantasm seems wide awake... in fact, we can see his eyes are open and looking about thoughtfully.]
Phantasm: Hmm...
[He moves a bit, and Nightmare suddenly snaps awake.]
Nightmare: You are killing me. Seriously, I can hear your brain whirring in your head. What?
Phantasm: I'm still thinking about earlier.
Nightmare: What, that bartender? She wasn't that hot, and I doubt you'd even want to go where Fly's been...
Phantasm: No, the stable idea...
[She laughs.]
Nightmare: I thought you were kidding about that... seriously? Us and Fly?
Phantasm: Baby, you should know by now - even when I'm kidding I'm half-serious. And who says I was thinking it'd be just us and Fly? Somewhere out there there's the fourth dimension, and I'm going to find it.
[He gets off of the bed-nest, leaving Nightmare to wallow in their air mattress/blanket pile by her lonesome.]
Nightmare: Well think quieter so I can sleep. Ok?
[He says nothing.]
Nightmare (whispered): Thank you baby.
[With a few silent clicks, Phantasm jumps right into Iceberg-Six' database... over his shoulder, we can see what he's looking at. While Nightmare slept, Kid Phantasm sat up that night and scouted the entire WCF roster.]
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[Scene: the hallway leading to the performer's entrance, Wells Fargo Arena (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)... April 29, 2012. About thirty feet down the hall from here it is WCF Aftermath... the arena is packed and the fans are anxiously awaiting the beginning of the show. Two men, each about to have the fight of their lives, stand silently leaned up against a wall... both seem focused, though one seems a bit angrier than the other. One of these men will later win his first WCF title, but will watch one of his friends blow himself to bits in the process. One of these men will later regain a WCF title that he lost in a match he never wanted to be in at a show he never wanted to be on. Though both would soon be champions, at this moment they're just two guys waiting to get into a fight.]
Fly: Jay Fucking Price.
Phantasm: You've got this, man. Twilight or no Twilight, you can take this guy. You can get that belt back.
Fly: You think I don't know that?
[Phantasm looks away as if upset.]
Fly: ...sorry, Kid. I didn't mean it like that... I'm just still pissed I have to fight either of these jobbers.
Phantasm: At least you know you can win your match... I'm fighting against the god of wrestling chaos himself. I got no shot.
Fly: Switches?! Dude's a drugged out clown. You can totally take that guy. You're Kid Phantasm, man. You think I'd hang out with you if you weren't champion material?
Phantasm: ...you think?
Fly: What have I been telling you all week? You've got this in the bag.
[They get quiet for a second.]
Fly: Ugh. Jay Fucking Price.
Phantasm: ...hey, you remember a couple weeks ago, when we were talking in that bar after Slam...?
Fly: ...you're gonna have to be more specific.
Phantasm: You went home with the bartender that night.
[Fly seems as if he's still at a loss (a position he rarely finds himself in).]
Phantasm: I said if you thought our Trios team was so good we might as well form a stable.
Fly: Oh yeah! Yeah, I thought it was a pretty good idea. I was just kinda busy at the moment...
Phantasm: Yeah, how'd that go?
Fly: I forgot about it, so what does that tell you?
Phantasm: Heard that.
Fly: So who would it be then, me and you and your chick? Who else would be awesome enough to hang with us?
[Phantasm digs into his pants]
Phantasm: Well... I've done a fair bit of research, and I've got a short list.
[He pulls out a piece of paper and hands it to Fly, who looks at it speculatively before taking it. Fly looks the list over...]
Fly: No... hell no...
Phantasm: Why not?
Fly: One's got too much history, one's got too much baggage and neither have enough talent. The last guy, though... serious maybe.
Phantasm: Purse, right? Yeah... he'd have been the first name on the list if he wasn't maybe about to go become Tag Champs with Night Rider. I checked him out though; talent-wise, he's legit. And Lucien vetted him out for me... dude's got a good head for it. He's a little quirky, but...
Fly: Yeah, he'd make a decent fourth... if we did start a crew, that is. And if he wasn't stuck with Night Rider.
[The speakers in the auditorium begin to blast "Little Talks" by Of Monsters And Men. The crowd goes crazy... the PPV feed goes live. Kid and Fly can feel the walls vibrating around them.]
Fly: We'll talk about this more later...
[The two begin to head up the hall towards the entrance]
Phantasm: Oh, hey - if we did start a crew up, I think I got a name for it.
Fly: Yeah?
Phantasm: What about 'Pantheon'?
Fly: ...damn. Not bad, Kid. Shit, that's almost too good.
Phantasm: Yeah?
Fly: Yeah. Don't forget that... after I get my belt back from these two jobbers we're talking about that shit.
[Fly and Phantasm walk out of scene.]
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[Scene: Seth Lerch's office, WCF Corporate Headquarters (Oley, Pennsylvania). Sitting behind Seth Lerch's desk we see none other than Bobby Cairo, acting president and chief operating officer of WCF during Seth's unfortunate prison stay. There is the buzz of an intercom... Cairo smiles and pushes the button.]
Cairo: You ready for me again already, girl?
[From the speaker, the uneasy voice of a young secretary quakes forth.]
Secretary: Um... uh... Jonny Fly is here to see you, uh, Mr. Cairo...
Cairo: Fly? Yeah, send him in.
[The door opens and WCF World Champion Jonny Fly comes in wearing a black button-up shirt and slacks... on his feet are what appear to be Italian leather dress shoes. He's wearing gigantic diamond-studded cufflinks and a silk necktie. Say what you will about Jonny Fly... the man cleans up pretty good.]
Cairo: Nice outfit! What's the occasion?
Fly: I figured if I was coming to the corporate office I should dress professional... and since I was coming to see you I figured I should do it up right.
Cairo: Dressed like that... shit. Give me a few minutes to change and we can hit executive happy hour. I'm buying... I owe you a few at least! If it weren't for you fucking Seth over like you did I wouldn't be in charge around here. This job is swank.
Fly: Actually... uh... I've been working with Kid Phantasm and Nightmare on a plan to get Seth out. I'm trying to clean up my act a little bit... trying to undo some mistakes, you know? That was a pretty big 'mistake'.
[Cairo sneers]
Cairo: You fucking serious?
Fly: As a heart attack.
Cairo: Damnit, Fly... wait, you're gonna 'get' him out?
Fly: Phantasm's got a plan to bust him out, actually.
Cairo: ...holy shit. Alright, that is kind of badass. Busting Seth out of prison? Hell, even if it loses me this job I think I'd pay to see that.
Fly: Yeah... the plan sounds kinda shaky, but I wouldn't put it past Phantasm to pull it off.
Cairo: That team... you and the Elements. You guys coulda won the Trios Cup tournament, you know... if you'd have had the right backing.
Fly: That's actually what I came to talk to you about... so to speak. There's a new crew forming up... a crew that'll keep the Team of Treachery at bay for good and keep order in the 'fed long after Seth's out of jail. My question is... you want in?
[From behind Seth Lerch's desk, Bobby Cairo just smiles.]
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[Scene: one of many hallways in the WCF Arena (Reading, Pennsylvania)... later that same day. Jeff Purse and his lady Kari are heading down the hallway towards us as a somewhat familiar door opens... and out come Kid Phantasm and Nightmare.]
Nightmare: I'm telling you, Fly's not always right. Like in this case... it's not illegal to watch Glee. That's bullshit.
Phantasm: But he's a lawyer, right? Those dudes know their shit.
[The Unstable Elements literally bump into Jeff and Kari.]
Kari: Oh... oh, hey!
Nightmare: Kari, right? I'm... Nightmare. (whispered) You can just call me Crystal. But try not to spread that around... I kinda like scaring people.
Purse: Hey, Kid Phantasm! What's up, man?
Phantasm: We were just going out to grab a late dinner. What y'all doin' here?
Purse: Had some business in the office upstairs... I had to go find out what was up with Night Rider getting let go.
Kari: He wanted to make sure he still had a job. I told you they'd have called you at least...
Purse: Sometimes it's best to check.
Phantasm: Nah, he's got a point... can't be too careful around here.
Purse: Oh hey man, congrats on the People's Title and all... but sorry about Switches. He was... he was an original, that much I know. One of a kind.
Nightmare: As far as lunatics go, he was one of the good ones.
Phantasm: Hey, thanks... I'm still not used to him being gone OR having the belt, honestly.
[Suddenly, Phantasm seems to have a thought...]
Phantasm: Oh, hey... so what are you going to be doing now that Night Rider's gone?
Purse: I just found out he was gone like two days ago... at this point, I'm not sure what's next for 'The Future'.
[Phantasm laughs.]
Nightmare: Well, we've been talking to Fly a lot lately...
Purse: Yeah, you guys had a pretty mean Trios Cup team going.
Phantasm: ...more specifically, we've been talking to Fly a lot lately about forming a stable.
[Jeff looks to Kari, whose eyes have grown a bit wider.]
Kari: Fly and the Unstable Elements... and us?
Purse: That WOULD be pretty sick.
Phantasm: Fly and I had decided weeks ago that you'd be the fourth man for our crew if there was gonna be one, but... at the time, you were tagging with 'Rider, and the logistics weren't right yet, so...
[Nightmare suddenly jumps back into the conversation with a bit of force.]
Nightmare: Look, Purse... you're too good to let yourself slip into obscurity. Now that you're not stuck with a partner you should join up with us and help us save professional wrestling.
[She catches herself getting a bit zealous, and suddenly stops and gives an awkward smile.]
Nightmare: Just an idea.
[She looks at the Kid, who's got a big smile on his face.]
Phantasm: ...what she said.
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[Scene: The living room of Fly Manor (New York, New York)... May 23, 2012. Four days before Asesinato De Mayo, Kid Phantasm and Jonny Fly sit before a grand fireplace in gigantic plush lounge chairs. Phantasm sips brandy from a snifter... Jonny Fly appears to be drinking from a large German beer stein. This would be their first 'team' discussion in this room, but would not be their last... though they haven't put a name on it yet, not even a week later this building will become 'Pantheon East Coast Headquarters.']
Phantasm: It was perfect. We're just shooting the shit and then Nightmare just blurts out 'now that you're not stuck with a partner you should join us and save professional wrestling!'
Fly: ...yeah, that sounds like your old lady. How'd Purse react?
Phantasm: Oh, he's down. I saw his girl's face - she wasn't letting him pass that shit up. Nah, he's in for the long haul. Purse is good to go.
Fly: Awesome. So we've got our fourth... good timing, too. I already recruited us a 'fifth', and I ain't talking about scotch.
Phantasm: Wait, what? Who?
Fly: I got us a manager.
Phantasm: Please tell me you didn't pick up some girl to be your valet.
Fly: Not no but fuck no! Not even close, Kid. When we debut the crew... we're coming out with Bobby Cairo.
[Kid Phantasm's face drops in shock.]
Phantasm: Bobby... Cairo... holy shit, Fly... you know he's like, one of the greatest ever...
Fly: Yeah, and he's actually a pretty cool guy once you get to know him.
Phantasm: I don't even know what I'd say to... fuck, Bobby Cairo!
[The doorbell rings. While Phantasm is marking out over Bobby Cairo, Fly heads over to the intercom on the wall. He pushes the button...]
Fly: If you're selling something, we've already got one. If you're who I think you are, come on in.
Phantasm: You got a lady coming through or something? 'Cause I can make myself scarce if it's like that...
[The living room doors swing open and in comes Bobby Cairo himself with not one but TWO ladies... as an excellent house-guest, Cairo brought a spare lady for his host.]
Cairo: Oh, Phantasm... I'd have brought a girl for you, but I was kind of hoping you'd have brought your own.
[Cairo winks at the Kid as he shakes his hand.]
Phantasm: Holy shit, Bobby Cairo... you really going to team with us?
Cairo: Why the hell not? There hasn't been a team like Fly and the Unstable Elements in WCF before...
Fly: We've got Jeff Purse joining us, too.
Cairo: ...that's even better. With me behind you four the sky's the limit.
Phantasm: So you're going to manage us, then?
Cairo: I've done everything I've ever wanted to do in the ring... but one thing I've always wanted to do outside of it was be the man behind the scenes... the man pulling the strings and calling the shots. Thanks to you guys Seth's out of prison, so I can't run the company anymore...
Phantasm: Sorry about that, I guess...
[Cairo puts a hand on Kid's shoulder.]
Cairo: Kid... it's alright. Let Seth run the company... I've got a crop of impressive mentees to handle.
[Kid just stammers. Cairo looks around...]
Cairo: Is Purse here? Shit... we're gonna need more hookers. Oh, wait... he's got an old lady, doesn't he? Mmm. Ooh. Yes he does. Uncle Bobby like.
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[Scene: a small dingy cantina in Mexico City... May 27, 2012. It's the afternoon before Asesinato De Mayo, WCF's Mexican adventure... for one group of people, it's the day the first shot will be fired in their war. Sitting around a table in the back of the bar near the bathrooms, we see Jonny Fly, Bobby Cairo, Kid Phantasm, Jeff Purse and Nightmare... on the table in front of them is Kid Phantasm's netbook computer, Iceberg-Six. Most everyone in the bar stares at the crew of wrestlers holed up at the back of the room... many of them are staring at Nightmare, but a few are eyeing up Kid's computer like they've never seen such a thing before.]
Fly: So today's the day, then.
Cairo: Say, Purse, where's your lady at?
Purse: She's back at the hotel... I didn't want to bring her out here just in case there was trouble. I couldn't deal if she got snatched off the streets or something... that sort of stuff happens in Mexico all the time.
[Nightmare laughs.]
Nightmare: ...sorry. Sometimes I wish someone would try and kidnap me. I'll teach her a few moves if you want, Purse... when I'm done with her, nobody's putting a hand on her without losing it.
Purse: Other than me, right?
[Before Nightmare can respond, Kid Phantasm cuts her off by turning Iceberg-Six towards the group and beginning his speech.]
Phantasm: So this is how we do it... tonight the world expects to get a World Title match between Jonny Fly and Logan.
Fly: But we're giving them something else.
Phantasm: Fly covered the costs and I covered the schematics...we've had the biggest coffee cake in the world made for tonight's show. The biggest trojan coffee cake, that is. The cake is big enough on the inside to hold Nightmare and I for... well, a decent amount of time, I guess.
Nightmare: That's gonna suck. No offense, sweetie.
[Purse laughs a bit]
Purse: Hope neither of you are claustrophobic.
Fly: How about you, Purse? You ready to declare your allegiance out there with the rest of us?
Purse: I'm ready... I'm more than ready. I'll even have the US Title on me when I do it.
[Fly smiles.]
Fly: That's what I'm talking about.
Cairo: If we're all standing in the ring at the end of the show over a laid-out Team of Treachery wearing half the company's gold it'll make the biggest splash in WCF history.
Fly: You got this, Jeff.
Phantasm: Absolutely. If you want it, Purse, you can totally take it. Atreyu's beatable.
Purse: I've been waiting for that belt and this group my whole life. Trust me - I'm bringing that gold home for the Pantheon.
[There is a brief pause in conversation... Kid Phantasm looks over the plan one more time.]
Phantasm: Now all I've got to worry about is Nathan von Liebert.
Purse: If he gets through you, Kid... he won't get through me. I've been waiting for a chance to take him down.
Cairo: Just go out there and get that US Title, Jeff. You know you can... so do it. Prove to the whole company what the four of us know.
Nightmare: Go show Ben Atreyu and Hunts For Valentines that you're the baddest mother fucker alive.
Cairo: Then you'll all have gold. Uh, except for you, Nightmare...
Nightmare: ...stop. I don't care how legendary you are. If you make a 'Women's Title' crack I'm vivisecting your testicles.
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[Scene: Atizapan Airport (Mexico City, Mexico)... it's the early morning of May 28, 2012. The sun is rising over Mexico City and the airport is bustling with people moving here and there, all headed somewhere in a big hurry. All, it would seem, except for five. The Pantheon stride casually through the busy terminal as the crowd gives them a wide berth... the three men walking in the front are covered in so much gold the Mexican citizens probably thought they were Aztec gods. As they go through a large door to the runway and approach a Gulfstream IV with 'Pantheon-One' painted on the tail above its call letters, we hear the voice of the group's manager Bobby Cairo.]
Cairo: Fly's looking to make up for his checkered past. Phantasm and Nightmare are trying to save the company's soul. Purse is on the cusp of becoming main-event talent... and me? I'm just along for the ride... and it's gonna be a hell of a ride. No matter how much turbulence we have, it'll all be first class.
[Cairo winks at cha and stuffs his dick into a Mexican mamacita's backside. End scene.]
[(c) Wrestling Championship Federation 2012.]
"When professional wrestling finds itself full of angry loners, trash-talking near-heels and legit mass murderers... though it may appear grim, all is not lost. Wrestling *always* finds a way." - Kid Phantasm, Unstable Elements #1
[Sometimes the world gets changed. Sometimes one man or woman has an idea that they share with another man or woman which grows into... a religion. A doctrine. A movement. A nation. Sometimes this is for the worse... and by sometimes I mean far too often. Which is why it's so interesting when it's for the better... after all, when the bad guys get together that's life. But when the good guys get together... that's when shit gets interesting.]
[Of course... who's to say who the good and the bad are? After all, WCF is the kind of place where words fly around almost as often as punches... and the men and woman we'll be speaking of are certainly guilty of saying some terrible things. Well, not to get caught up in aphorisms here... but when it comes to these guys, actions speak louder than words. They're a bunch of crazy cats that got together and decided they'd change the world... or at least their world. They're not superhuman though they wear costumes... they're not sinister even though they're a conspiracy. They're all pretty damn good at what they do, but they're still just people... though the name they chose for themselves might indicate that they were more. Say what you will about the name of this group, this faction... 'Pantheon' does have a nice ring to it.]
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PANTHEON #1: "Anatomy of a Wresting Stable"
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[Scene: Laurie's Bar (Reading, Pennsylvania)... April 1, 2012. The bar is fairly quiet on a Sunday night... other than one couple at the bar and a few drunks sitting in the corner arguing about baseball, the bar's empty. Well, except for three familiar faces... at the bar, still in their wrestling attire, are the newly announced Trios Cup team of Jonny Fly and the Unstable Elements.]
Phantasm: So you had a clause put in your contract so you wouldn't have to work XIII?
Fly: Yeah, that was the sweetest plum. When I signed I had Seth put that in there so Corey Black couldn't fuck with me... of course, he's still trying. That's jealousy for you...
Nightmare: I'd take the match. Jay Price isn't anything too scary... you could take him, Fly.
Fly: Of course I could!
Phantasm: I was gonna say...
Fly: Part of being the best in the business is being able to pick your spots. I'm not letting any IWF chump tell me when and where I defend my title.
[Fly finishes his beer, and as he puts the bottle down the bartender pops another one for him. She gives him a look as she puts the drink down... a look that says she's wondering what sort of tip she'll be getting, and if it'll be when they leave or when she gets to Fly's house.]
Bartender: Anything else I can do for you tonight?
[Nightmare laughs.]
Nightmare: Can you do subtle?
[The bartender turns to Nightmare and responds with a bitchy look.]
Fly: I'll let you know, girl. Don't you worry.
[The bartender gives him a smirk and wanders off.]
Phantasm: Man... this tournament's gonna be fun.
Nightmare: Ready to kick some ass.
Fly: We'll win it easy. Who's gonna stop us, Odin and the Ladykillerz? Please.
Phantasm: It's still early... there might be a team out there better than us that hasn't even announced yet.
Fly: We can take whoever they throw at us.
Nightmare: I hate to agree with Fly, but...
Fly: What'd I do?
Nightmare: ...you're kind of a creep, Fly.
Fly: You know who you remind me of?
Phantasm: Oh, fuck... don't start, you two. Please?
Fly: Nah, you're not as fuckable as Twilight. My mistake.
Nightmare: You mean I'm not as whorish, or not as easy?
Phantasm: My point is that even if you're right and we can win this thing easy...
Fly: It'll be a walk.
Phantasm: ...maybe we should just make our little unit official, then.
Nightmare: You mean like a stable?
Fly: Ha! That'd make the whole 'fed shit themselves... the three of us would run this town.
[The bartender comes back down and stops in front of Fly.]
Bartender: I'm closing up in a few...
Fly: Oh no you're not, baby. I'm gonna keep you open all night... just as soon as we leave this bar.
[The bartender turns her head and yells.]
Bartender: LAST CALL!
[Fly turns to Kid and Nighty and whispers to them...]
Fly (whispered): I gotta beat this chick to my house and make sure the girl I had over last night isn't still there... you two need a ride?
[The Unstable Elements look to each other, then shrug.]
Phantasm: I think we're good.
Nightmare: Yeah... it's like eight blocks back to the house.
[Fly laughs.]
Fly: Fuck a stable... first thing we gotta do is get you two out of that 'apartment' of yours. I don't team with people who are in the closet... not to disrespect anyone's lifestyle choices or anything.
[Fly heads through the bar's front door as the Phantasm laughs.]
Nightmare: We're just fine where we are.
Phantasm: Come on, baby... that was a pretty good joke.
[She shakes her head.]
Nightmare: I still don't know what you see in that guy.
Phantasm: You will. And I don't expect you to... he doesn't even see it yet.
[The bartender turns off a neon sign in the window.]
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[Scene: Polar Base, later that same night. By the dim light of Iceberg-Six we can see Nightmare and Kid Phantasm wrapped up in their bed-nest. Phantasm seems wide awake... in fact, we can see his eyes are open and looking about thoughtfully.]
Phantasm: Hmm...
[He moves a bit, and Nightmare suddenly snaps awake.]
Nightmare: You are killing me. Seriously, I can hear your brain whirring in your head. What?
Phantasm: I'm still thinking about earlier.
Nightmare: What, that bartender? She wasn't that hot, and I doubt you'd even want to go where Fly's been...
Phantasm: No, the stable idea...
[She laughs.]
Nightmare: I thought you were kidding about that... seriously? Us and Fly?
Phantasm: Baby, you should know by now - even when I'm kidding I'm half-serious. And who says I was thinking it'd be just us and Fly? Somewhere out there there's the fourth dimension, and I'm going to find it.
[He gets off of the bed-nest, leaving Nightmare to wallow in their air mattress/blanket pile by her lonesome.]
Nightmare: Well think quieter so I can sleep. Ok?
[He says nothing.]
Nightmare (whispered): Thank you baby.
[With a few silent clicks, Phantasm jumps right into Iceberg-Six' database... over his shoulder, we can see what he's looking at. While Nightmare slept, Kid Phantasm sat up that night and scouted the entire WCF roster.]
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[Scene: the hallway leading to the performer's entrance, Wells Fargo Arena (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)... April 29, 2012. About thirty feet down the hall from here it is WCF Aftermath... the arena is packed and the fans are anxiously awaiting the beginning of the show. Two men, each about to have the fight of their lives, stand silently leaned up against a wall... both seem focused, though one seems a bit angrier than the other. One of these men will later win his first WCF title, but will watch one of his friends blow himself to bits in the process. One of these men will later regain a WCF title that he lost in a match he never wanted to be in at a show he never wanted to be on. Though both would soon be champions, at this moment they're just two guys waiting to get into a fight.]
Fly: Jay Fucking Price.
Phantasm: You've got this, man. Twilight or no Twilight, you can take this guy. You can get that belt back.
Fly: You think I don't know that?
[Phantasm looks away as if upset.]
Fly: ...sorry, Kid. I didn't mean it like that... I'm just still pissed I have to fight either of these jobbers.
Phantasm: At least you know you can win your match... I'm fighting against the god of wrestling chaos himself. I got no shot.
Fly: Switches?! Dude's a drugged out clown. You can totally take that guy. You're Kid Phantasm, man. You think I'd hang out with you if you weren't champion material?
Phantasm: ...you think?
Fly: What have I been telling you all week? You've got this in the bag.
[They get quiet for a second.]
Fly: Ugh. Jay Fucking Price.
Phantasm: ...hey, you remember a couple weeks ago, when we were talking in that bar after Slam...?
Fly: ...you're gonna have to be more specific.
Phantasm: You went home with the bartender that night.
[Fly seems as if he's still at a loss (a position he rarely finds himself in).]
Phantasm: I said if you thought our Trios team was so good we might as well form a stable.
Fly: Oh yeah! Yeah, I thought it was a pretty good idea. I was just kinda busy at the moment...
Phantasm: Yeah, how'd that go?
Fly: I forgot about it, so what does that tell you?
Phantasm: Heard that.
Fly: So who would it be then, me and you and your chick? Who else would be awesome enough to hang with us?
[Phantasm digs into his pants]
Phantasm: Well... I've done a fair bit of research, and I've got a short list.
[He pulls out a piece of paper and hands it to Fly, who looks at it speculatively before taking it. Fly looks the list over...]
Fly: No... hell no...
Phantasm: Why not?
Fly: One's got too much history, one's got too much baggage and neither have enough talent. The last guy, though... serious maybe.
Phantasm: Purse, right? Yeah... he'd have been the first name on the list if he wasn't maybe about to go become Tag Champs with Night Rider. I checked him out though; talent-wise, he's legit. And Lucien vetted him out for me... dude's got a good head for it. He's a little quirky, but...
Fly: Yeah, he'd make a decent fourth... if we did start a crew, that is. And if he wasn't stuck with Night Rider.
[The speakers in the auditorium begin to blast "Little Talks" by Of Monsters And Men. The crowd goes crazy... the PPV feed goes live. Kid and Fly can feel the walls vibrating around them.]
Fly: We'll talk about this more later...
[The two begin to head up the hall towards the entrance]
Phantasm: Oh, hey - if we did start a crew up, I think I got a name for it.
Fly: Yeah?
Phantasm: What about 'Pantheon'?
Fly: ...damn. Not bad, Kid. Shit, that's almost too good.
Phantasm: Yeah?
Fly: Yeah. Don't forget that... after I get my belt back from these two jobbers we're talking about that shit.
[Fly and Phantasm walk out of scene.]
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[Scene: Seth Lerch's office, WCF Corporate Headquarters (Oley, Pennsylvania). Sitting behind Seth Lerch's desk we see none other than Bobby Cairo, acting president and chief operating officer of WCF during Seth's unfortunate prison stay. There is the buzz of an intercom... Cairo smiles and pushes the button.]
Cairo: You ready for me again already, girl?
[From the speaker, the uneasy voice of a young secretary quakes forth.]
Secretary: Um... uh... Jonny Fly is here to see you, uh, Mr. Cairo...
Cairo: Fly? Yeah, send him in.
[The door opens and WCF World Champion Jonny Fly comes in wearing a black button-up shirt and slacks... on his feet are what appear to be Italian leather dress shoes. He's wearing gigantic diamond-studded cufflinks and a silk necktie. Say what you will about Jonny Fly... the man cleans up pretty good.]
Cairo: Nice outfit! What's the occasion?
Fly: I figured if I was coming to the corporate office I should dress professional... and since I was coming to see you I figured I should do it up right.
Cairo: Dressed like that... shit. Give me a few minutes to change and we can hit executive happy hour. I'm buying... I owe you a few at least! If it weren't for you fucking Seth over like you did I wouldn't be in charge around here. This job is swank.
Fly: Actually... uh... I've been working with Kid Phantasm and Nightmare on a plan to get Seth out. I'm trying to clean up my act a little bit... trying to undo some mistakes, you know? That was a pretty big 'mistake'.
[Cairo sneers]
Cairo: You fucking serious?
Fly: As a heart attack.
Cairo: Damnit, Fly... wait, you're gonna 'get' him out?
Fly: Phantasm's got a plan to bust him out, actually.
Cairo: ...holy shit. Alright, that is kind of badass. Busting Seth out of prison? Hell, even if it loses me this job I think I'd pay to see that.
Fly: Yeah... the plan sounds kinda shaky, but I wouldn't put it past Phantasm to pull it off.
Cairo: That team... you and the Elements. You guys coulda won the Trios Cup tournament, you know... if you'd have had the right backing.
Fly: That's actually what I came to talk to you about... so to speak. There's a new crew forming up... a crew that'll keep the Team of Treachery at bay for good and keep order in the 'fed long after Seth's out of jail. My question is... you want in?
[From behind Seth Lerch's desk, Bobby Cairo just smiles.]
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[Scene: one of many hallways in the WCF Arena (Reading, Pennsylvania)... later that same day. Jeff Purse and his lady Kari are heading down the hallway towards us as a somewhat familiar door opens... and out come Kid Phantasm and Nightmare.]
Nightmare: I'm telling you, Fly's not always right. Like in this case... it's not illegal to watch Glee. That's bullshit.
Phantasm: But he's a lawyer, right? Those dudes know their shit.
[The Unstable Elements literally bump into Jeff and Kari.]
Kari: Oh... oh, hey!
Nightmare: Kari, right? I'm... Nightmare. (whispered) You can just call me Crystal. But try not to spread that around... I kinda like scaring people.
Purse: Hey, Kid Phantasm! What's up, man?
Phantasm: We were just going out to grab a late dinner. What y'all doin' here?
Purse: Had some business in the office upstairs... I had to go find out what was up with Night Rider getting let go.
Kari: He wanted to make sure he still had a job. I told you they'd have called you at least...
Purse: Sometimes it's best to check.
Phantasm: Nah, he's got a point... can't be too careful around here.
Purse: Oh hey man, congrats on the People's Title and all... but sorry about Switches. He was... he was an original, that much I know. One of a kind.
Nightmare: As far as lunatics go, he was one of the good ones.
Phantasm: Hey, thanks... I'm still not used to him being gone OR having the belt, honestly.
[Suddenly, Phantasm seems to have a thought...]
Phantasm: Oh, hey... so what are you going to be doing now that Night Rider's gone?
Purse: I just found out he was gone like two days ago... at this point, I'm not sure what's next for 'The Future'.
[Phantasm laughs.]
Nightmare: Well, we've been talking to Fly a lot lately...
Purse: Yeah, you guys had a pretty mean Trios Cup team going.
Phantasm: ...more specifically, we've been talking to Fly a lot lately about forming a stable.
[Jeff looks to Kari, whose eyes have grown a bit wider.]
Kari: Fly and the Unstable Elements... and us?
Purse: That WOULD be pretty sick.
Phantasm: Fly and I had decided weeks ago that you'd be the fourth man for our crew if there was gonna be one, but... at the time, you were tagging with 'Rider, and the logistics weren't right yet, so...
[Nightmare suddenly jumps back into the conversation with a bit of force.]
Nightmare: Look, Purse... you're too good to let yourself slip into obscurity. Now that you're not stuck with a partner you should join up with us and help us save professional wrestling.
[She catches herself getting a bit zealous, and suddenly stops and gives an awkward smile.]
Nightmare: Just an idea.
[She looks at the Kid, who's got a big smile on his face.]
Phantasm: ...what she said.
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[Scene: The living room of Fly Manor (New York, New York)... May 23, 2012. Four days before Asesinato De Mayo, Kid Phantasm and Jonny Fly sit before a grand fireplace in gigantic plush lounge chairs. Phantasm sips brandy from a snifter... Jonny Fly appears to be drinking from a large German beer stein. This would be their first 'team' discussion in this room, but would not be their last... though they haven't put a name on it yet, not even a week later this building will become 'Pantheon East Coast Headquarters.']
Phantasm: It was perfect. We're just shooting the shit and then Nightmare just blurts out 'now that you're not stuck with a partner you should join us and save professional wrestling!'
Fly: ...yeah, that sounds like your old lady. How'd Purse react?
Phantasm: Oh, he's down. I saw his girl's face - she wasn't letting him pass that shit up. Nah, he's in for the long haul. Purse is good to go.
Fly: Awesome. So we've got our fourth... good timing, too. I already recruited us a 'fifth', and I ain't talking about scotch.
Phantasm: Wait, what? Who?
Fly: I got us a manager.
Phantasm: Please tell me you didn't pick up some girl to be your valet.
Fly: Not no but fuck no! Not even close, Kid. When we debut the crew... we're coming out with Bobby Cairo.
[Kid Phantasm's face drops in shock.]
Phantasm: Bobby... Cairo... holy shit, Fly... you know he's like, one of the greatest ever...
Fly: Yeah, and he's actually a pretty cool guy once you get to know him.
Phantasm: I don't even know what I'd say to... fuck, Bobby Cairo!
[The doorbell rings. While Phantasm is marking out over Bobby Cairo, Fly heads over to the intercom on the wall. He pushes the button...]
Fly: If you're selling something, we've already got one. If you're who I think you are, come on in.
Phantasm: You got a lady coming through or something? 'Cause I can make myself scarce if it's like that...
[The living room doors swing open and in comes Bobby Cairo himself with not one but TWO ladies... as an excellent house-guest, Cairo brought a spare lady for his host.]
Cairo: Oh, Phantasm... I'd have brought a girl for you, but I was kind of hoping you'd have brought your own.
[Cairo winks at the Kid as he shakes his hand.]
Phantasm: Holy shit, Bobby Cairo... you really going to team with us?
Cairo: Why the hell not? There hasn't been a team like Fly and the Unstable Elements in WCF before...
Fly: We've got Jeff Purse joining us, too.
Cairo: ...that's even better. With me behind you four the sky's the limit.
Phantasm: So you're going to manage us, then?
Cairo: I've done everything I've ever wanted to do in the ring... but one thing I've always wanted to do outside of it was be the man behind the scenes... the man pulling the strings and calling the shots. Thanks to you guys Seth's out of prison, so I can't run the company anymore...
Phantasm: Sorry about that, I guess...
[Cairo puts a hand on Kid's shoulder.]
Cairo: Kid... it's alright. Let Seth run the company... I've got a crop of impressive mentees to handle.
[Kid just stammers. Cairo looks around...]
Cairo: Is Purse here? Shit... we're gonna need more hookers. Oh, wait... he's got an old lady, doesn't he? Mmm. Ooh. Yes he does. Uncle Bobby like.
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[Scene: a small dingy cantina in Mexico City... May 27, 2012. It's the afternoon before Asesinato De Mayo, WCF's Mexican adventure... for one group of people, it's the day the first shot will be fired in their war. Sitting around a table in the back of the bar near the bathrooms, we see Jonny Fly, Bobby Cairo, Kid Phantasm, Jeff Purse and Nightmare... on the table in front of them is Kid Phantasm's netbook computer, Iceberg-Six. Most everyone in the bar stares at the crew of wrestlers holed up at the back of the room... many of them are staring at Nightmare, but a few are eyeing up Kid's computer like they've never seen such a thing before.]
Fly: So today's the day, then.
Cairo: Say, Purse, where's your lady at?
Purse: She's back at the hotel... I didn't want to bring her out here just in case there was trouble. I couldn't deal if she got snatched off the streets or something... that sort of stuff happens in Mexico all the time.
[Nightmare laughs.]
Nightmare: ...sorry. Sometimes I wish someone would try and kidnap me. I'll teach her a few moves if you want, Purse... when I'm done with her, nobody's putting a hand on her without losing it.
Purse: Other than me, right?
[Before Nightmare can respond, Kid Phantasm cuts her off by turning Iceberg-Six towards the group and beginning his speech.]
Phantasm: So this is how we do it... tonight the world expects to get a World Title match between Jonny Fly and Logan.
Fly: But we're giving them something else.
Phantasm: Fly covered the costs and I covered the schematics...we've had the biggest coffee cake in the world made for tonight's show. The biggest trojan coffee cake, that is. The cake is big enough on the inside to hold Nightmare and I for... well, a decent amount of time, I guess.
Nightmare: That's gonna suck. No offense, sweetie.
[Purse laughs a bit]
Purse: Hope neither of you are claustrophobic.
Fly: How about you, Purse? You ready to declare your allegiance out there with the rest of us?
Purse: I'm ready... I'm more than ready. I'll even have the US Title on me when I do it.
[Fly smiles.]
Fly: That's what I'm talking about.
Cairo: If we're all standing in the ring at the end of the show over a laid-out Team of Treachery wearing half the company's gold it'll make the biggest splash in WCF history.
Fly: You got this, Jeff.
Phantasm: Absolutely. If you want it, Purse, you can totally take it. Atreyu's beatable.
Purse: I've been waiting for that belt and this group my whole life. Trust me - I'm bringing that gold home for the Pantheon.
[There is a brief pause in conversation... Kid Phantasm looks over the plan one more time.]
Phantasm: Now all I've got to worry about is Nathan von Liebert.
Purse: If he gets through you, Kid... he won't get through me. I've been waiting for a chance to take him down.
Cairo: Just go out there and get that US Title, Jeff. You know you can... so do it. Prove to the whole company what the four of us know.
Nightmare: Go show Ben Atreyu and Hunts For Valentines that you're the baddest mother fucker alive.
Cairo: Then you'll all have gold. Uh, except for you, Nightmare...
Nightmare: ...stop. I don't care how legendary you are. If you make a 'Women's Title' crack I'm vivisecting your testicles.
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[Scene: Atizapan Airport (Mexico City, Mexico)... it's the early morning of May 28, 2012. The sun is rising over Mexico City and the airport is bustling with people moving here and there, all headed somewhere in a big hurry. All, it would seem, except for five. The Pantheon stride casually through the busy terminal as the crowd gives them a wide berth... the three men walking in the front are covered in so much gold the Mexican citizens probably thought they were Aztec gods. As they go through a large door to the runway and approach a Gulfstream IV with 'Pantheon-One' painted on the tail above its call letters, we hear the voice of the group's manager Bobby Cairo.]
Cairo: Fly's looking to make up for his checkered past. Phantasm and Nightmare are trying to save the company's soul. Purse is on the cusp of becoming main-event talent... and me? I'm just along for the ride... and it's gonna be a hell of a ride. No matter how much turbulence we have, it'll all be first class.
[Cairo winks at cha and stuffs his dick into a Mexican mamacita's backside. End scene.]
[(c) Wrestling Championship Federation 2012.]