Betrayed

[Dionysus]

The scene opens to Dion Necurat standing by an airport gate, ready to climb aboard. He has one bag with him, his luggage already nestled in the belly of the plane. He glanced around at the company he was with; Damian Kaine and Psychopomp were seated next to him looking over the itinerary, while Kevin Bishop and Karma sat across from him, whispering and giggling. It was a side Dion had not seen from Kevin before, almost forgetting that the People’s Champion also had a softer side. While lost in thought, he felt his pocket vibrate; someone was attempting to call him. He stood up, pulling out his phone in the process, and walked to a secluded part of the airport where he could hear better. The caller ID listed “Albert Divine.” 

Necurat: 

Albert. 

Divine: 

Mr. Necurat; a pleasure to hear from you. 

Necurat: 

We’re just about to board the plane to Hawaii. How can I help you? 

Divine: 

Just calling with a status update. Your mother appears to be doing just fine, and the gym is running smoothly. How goes your camping? 

Necurat: 

It feels...great. To be able to get away from the cities for a while has done wonders for me. 

Divine: 

So it sounds, you seem rather well-rested. 

Dion was confused; normally Albert was not this chatty. He quickly changed the subject. 

Necurat: 

So really, why are you calling? You know when I’m supposed to board the plane. 

Divine: 

Nothing can get past you, my boy. Well, it appears I have another bit of news for you. 

Necurat: 

Don’t tell me Ironsides had to be put in a home. 

Divine: 

Believe me, nothing of the sort is happening. It seems we have had an interesting visitor come by the gymnasium; a fellow looking to purchase it from you. He wants to convert the site into something...different. 

Necurat: 

...Such as? 

Divine: 

Well he did not say. 

Necurat: 

So you told him no...right? 

Divine: 

See...this is where the problem begins. 

Dion’s heart sank; he was not about to like where the conversation is going to go. 

Divine: 

You see, when I purchased your debt, I also purchased your rights to the gymnasium. As such...I am the owner of the Coliseum Gym. Which means, I have the rights to do with the property as I see fit. 

Necurat: 

...Albert...you didn’t… 

Divine: 

We are simply discussing the matter. However, the offer he gave...why, it may be too good to pass up. 

Dion slammed his arm against a wall, hard. He knew better than to trust a stranger to help him with his finances. 

Necurat: 

I have been giving you as much of my work pay as I can provide, Albert. That was part of the agre- 

Divine: 

Oh I’m aware. However, you have not been paid very well recently...a few more losses to add to your belt? 

Necurat: 

*growling* What do you plan to do, you snake? 

Divine: 

A snake! *laughs* That is certainly a first! 

Necurat: 

You think this is funny?! 

Divine: 

Naturally, no. Not funny for you, anyway. 

Necurat: 

… 

Divine: 

So here is my proposal. I have other methods for you to acquire the funds needed to keep your gym running. For every loss you gain, you will go and fight for me in the pits. Unsanctioned, underground fights. And the entirety of the pot goes towards paying me off. If you win, you give me your earnings, as per our agreement. 

Necurat: 

And if I refuse? 

Divine: 

Need I remind you that your mother relies on your income to pay for her medical expenses? 

Dion leaned against the wall in despair, continuing to listen to this man; a man he thought he could trust. 

Divine: 

Lets also not forget; I have plans of my own with your property. I could just as easily turn it into a magnificent circus grounds...of course, that would also leave you a penniless homeless disappointment. So, you had better start winning, boy...or these next few days will be trying for you. 

*click* 

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The scene changed to the group sitting on the plane, en route to Hawaii. Kevin was in front of Dion, sound asleep with Karma resting her head on his shoulder. Psychopomp was nearby, digging into a tin of cookies. Sitting across the aisle from Dion was Damian, who was trying to look out the plane window. Giving up, Damian turned to Dion.. 

Kaine: 

So...What do you think of our opponents this Sunday? 

Necurat was still deep in thought over the conversation he had just had with Albert Divine. A new-found hatred for the man began to boil up inside him. Kaine clapped him on the shoulder. 

Kaine: 

You alright? 

Necurat: 

*snapping out of it* Oh...sorry, just… 

Kaine: 

Planes, right? You don’t like them? 

Necurat: 

Sure...lets go with that. Anyway, you asked something? 

Kaine: 

I was asking about what you think of Zero Tolerance. We’re competing with them this Sunday, remember? 

Necurat: 

Yeah...I remember. This will be the second time I have competed with Zero Tolerance. 

Kaine: 

And? 

Necurat: 

They’re good. They wouldn’t be a dominant force in WCF if they weren’t, frankly. 

Kaine: 

Wow...you make it sound like there’s no chance for us. 

Necurat: 

Well, there is a chance. If there’s one thing we have that they don’t, it is coordination and loyalty. Remember what happened with Kira? They lost once and dropped the guy like a sack of potatoes. They can also be inconsistent; one day they’ll be on your side, and the next they’re more than willing to rip your throat out. 

Kaine: 

I didn’t even consider that. 

Necurat: 

It just seems too bad that we’re against the scrubs of Zero Tolerance. Crazy J is clearly the talent of the group. He would be much better off on his own, rather than let three deadweights hang on to his coattails. 

Kaine: 

Deadweights? 

Necurat: 

Indeed. Look at who we’re up against, and what they are willing to say about...well, lets say me. Jason Cash, ZT’s resident hillbilly, keeps on jawing about how I haven’t had many wins. Which...well, no, I haven’t. Not many people come into this business with a lot of wins. But because the rest of Zero Tolerance has to carry that redneck cousin-fucker, he thinks he’s hot shit. He wants to think I’m weak. That’s fine. He can keep thinkin’ that, with his elementary school intellect and family reunion sister for a wife of his. It will make it all the sweeter when we do win; he’ll have a heaping of that humble pie. 

Kaine: 

Jesus, Dion. 

Necurat: 

What can I say? Hillbillies like him always talk tough, then turn tail whenever I have to deal with them. The same goes for juggalo wannabes like Shepard. He wants to talk about how Zero Tolerance is a dominant force. We get it; we can all watch what you guys do. How well does that lot do on their own? I’d say their failure at WAR speaks for itself. 

Kaine: 

But...we didn’t win either. 

Necurat: 

Right, but we’re not claiming to be the best. But because this assclown paints his face up real nice and has won a few times, he talks hard as shit. He keeps saying we haven’t done anything meaningful. What if that is because our opportunity is to defeat Zero Tolerance? He will regret those words dearly. Now, I really should go take a rest. 

Kaine: 

Wait...you forgot about Adrian Archer. 

Necurat: 

I did? Huh. Fancy that. Well, wake me up when you think of something meaningful to say about him, would you? 

Kaine: 

*laughs* That’s cold. 

Necurat: 

So is the winter. 

Dion stretched a leg out into the aisle, cramped up from the narrow seats. 

Kaine: 

Do you really think we have a chance at the Trios title? Are they really as bad as you say? 

Necurat: 

Lets not forget, Damian. Zero Tolerance is a dominant faction in WCF. Since day one, they have been able to prove that they are powerful when they are together. Meanwhile, we just got ourselves off the ground. No one really knows what we are capable of. So, all we need to do is get out there and kick their asses into next week. We need to show WCF that we are not a force to be reckoned with. Winning is important, but not as important as having an impressive showing. 

Kaine: 

You’re right...I’m just getting tired of hearing how we’re brainwashed. 

Necurat: 

Eh, I let them talk. I only joined up because I know I can learn something about wrestling from Bishop. Any amount of help will be good. Now I really should get back to this book. 

Dion turned away from Kaine, pulling out a book on greco-roman history. He absent-mindedly flipped through the pages, not really paying attention to what information the pages held. He could not keep focus; what was Albert Divine thinking? Taking away his home, his livelihood? And for what end? 

Dion shook the thought from his mind; right now, all that was important was winning. He needed to win Sunday. That’s all that mattered. His gym, and his mother, hangs in the balance.