The Princess and the Lion

by Jason Spade Sun Nov 13, 2022 3:54 am

Backstage at Shockwave, Ashley Riot stands in the hallway, tapping buttons on a laptop. After a moment, a video call starts up with Shou Rong.

"Hi Ashley."

"Sho... uh, Shou! Did you see? Did you see?? I beat Ashley Rayne!"

Ashley squeals in excitement, clapping her hands and jumping up and down. Shou Rong seems pleased.

"That's great Ashley, well done!"

I'm so excited!!!! I've been looking forward to fighting her for like, ever! Eeee!"

As if a switch has been pressed, Ashley's demeanor changes instantly.

"I'm so irritated though! Violet Evans tried to distract me during the match, that... That... Jerk!"

Ashley shudders, as if she has just uttered a deeply offensive swear word.

"We've gotta get them back, Shou. Not just for distracting me but for what they did to Riley! I'm gonna go straight to Jackson Wright and demand a match with Otranto!"

"Do it. I'll be there when the time comes."

"Thanks Shou! We're gonna get them together! For Riley!"

Ashley blows a kiss at the laptop before reaching over and turning it off. Ashley closes the laptop lid and tucks it under her arm, turning around and walking straight into Leon Garra! Ashley stumbles andc Garra quickly grabs her shoulders, steadying her.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't see you!"

"It's quite alright. Please, excuse me."

Leon nods at the Deathmatch Princess before making his way past her, the camera following him now as he does. He walks for a few moments before being approached by an interviewer.

"Leon? Can I get your thoughts on your performance against Jeremy Barmore tonight?"

"I first met Jeremy Barmore in Australia, many years ago. I am proud of the wrestler he has become, and honored to have faced him in battle tonight. He's a fine competitor... That friend of his though, Hunter Quinn, I have a problem with."

"Really? Why take issue with Hunter Quinn?"

"He runs his mouth; the people in the locker room, they think I don't listen. They think I don't hear the things they say about me. The disrespect. Above all the rabble, I hear Quinn's voice the most. Hunter Quinn looks down on me, sees me as an afterthought beneath his efforts. It's true that I've yet to forge my path in CMV, but I will tolerate the disrespect no longer. What kind of father would I be if I taught my daughter to let the world look down on us?

Hunter Quinn is a strong fighter, his rise in CMV has been nothing short of meteoric, but that kind of rapid success goes to the head of any man and Quinn is no different. I will teach him that actions have consequences... I will teach him the cost of disrespecting the Golden Lion."

Garra walks away, leaving the interviewer alone as the scene fades to black.