WCF Network Exclusive: Backstage Tension within the Sentinel

[Howard Black]

**The Following Occurred During Sunday Night Slam**

The camera cuts to Joey Flash walking through the halls, his gaze cool and steady ahead of him as he marches onward. As he passes a hallway, a man slips behind him, fist cocked and advancing quickly upon Flash. As Howard Black’s finger taps Flash upon the shoulder, Flash turns and finds himself face-to-face with the fist of Black. The punch knocks Flash off his feet and onto his back, and Black is quick to get above him, gripping his shirt with one hand as he raises his fist again.

Howard Black: Let me make something very clear to you, Joe: just because we’re champions doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten about what you did to me.

Howard leans forward, his mouth twisted into a snarl and his voice low and dangerous.

Howard Black: Now you try to step between Dune and I at Fifteen? It ain’t you endin’ me. It’s me endin’ you.

Joey pushes himself onto his haunches and begins to laugh.

Joey Flash: Step between you and Dune? The Sentinels...it’s a fucking joke. You weren’t here when he ‘needed’ you so now you’re trying to make up for all the time away like a delinquent father…so…

He pushes himself back to his feet and takes a step toward Howard.

Joey Flash: There is no saving him. He is a dead man.

Howard’s hands come up into a fighting stance, his body tense and ready.

Howard Black: Only one there ain’t savin’ is you, Joe. I knew you’d still be that rotten bastard.

Joey darts a right hand through the guard of Howard sending him reeling back against the wall.

Joey Flash: You’re goddamn right I am.

Howard pushes off the wall and goes to grapple with Joey before the budding fight is broken up as quickly as it started as Occulo steps between the fellow Trios Champions.

Occulo: STOP THIS.

Joey Flash: Back the fuck off John.

Occulo: I understand that-

Joey Flash: You…

He glances from Occulo to Howard.

Joey Flash: You don’t understand shit. Don’t get in my way with this. There doesn’t need to be any more casualties here. There is no more protecting him.

With that Flash turns and walks down the corridor leaving Occulo and Howard sharing both a concerned, and angered look as we…

[Crow McMorris]

You can't stop Dune. Or kill him.

But you can save him.

That's your only shot. Consider it advice from an old friend.