A Fallen Empire . . . Of Pain

by **Mr. Dashing** Wed Aug 02, 2017 3:00 pm

Friday night Genesis episode #92 is returning from a quick commercial break about halfway through the show, when the theme song of a superstar the CMV universe hasn't seen in over a month, Duo Maxwell, hits the PA system. It was roughly five weeks ago that The God of Death and his former tag team partner, his former brother, Bison, came to blows in one of the most brutal brawls this company has ever barred witness to, it only coming to an end when both men went flying off of the stage and landed right inside of a spotlight. But something that many fans thought may have been the end of the former CMV World champion's career couldn't even keep him down for two full months, as Duo comes stomping out onto the stage, and although it's obvious there is still some lingering damage present; a limp in his walk, a bandage covering half of his torso and right arm, he is still here, back where he belongs. Maxwell takes his time getting down the ramp and then slowly walks up the steel steps, one can't tell if he is savoring his return or simply HAS to take it easy lest he injure himself further. As he is now center-ring, a microphone in his left hand as provided to him by the kindhearted, Edith, who didn't want him to have to travel all the way to the time-keeper's area, Duo takes a second or two to collect his thoughts before speaking up.

GoD
. . . I-

And then the entire arena is taken off-guard by the loud and aggressive sounds of BISON'S theme music, hammering away at Duo's head with each drop in the beat. The God of Death turns to face the top of the ramp where indeed THE BEAST has made his presence known to the CMV universe and especially to his bitter-rival, the same as Duo, The Barbarian is sporting some signs of perhaps returning a bit too early; his waist heavily taped up and scars from the shattered glass of the spotlight still not fully healed apparent on his chest and arms. The two animals are locked in an intense gaze that's only broken when Bison shoots off down the ramp, sliding under the bottom rope and popping up directly in front of Maxwell, but he doesn't make any further moves, they only stare at one another face to face- or, rather mask to mask. After what seems like an eternity, The God of Death is the first one to break the silence and the tension in the air that is so tough and rugged one has to wonder if you could even cut it with a knife. Duo rips off his bandages, throwing them on the ring's canvas and Bison returns the gesture, tearing off his tape that was protecting his midsection. The crowd is, “lit”, as the kids would say these days, going nuts at the site, are we about to see another wicked battle between these two beasts!? As they both stand firm, ready for whatever is to come in the next few moments, this time it is The Barbarian who brings the standoff to an end, he lifts his right arm up into the air and extends his index finger, Maxwell turns to see that he is pointing at the Ascendance poster . . . The ovation is deafening from the fans at the the thought of another colossal match-up being added to the already stacked showcase of immortals! Duo turns back to his old friend and wastes no time in nodding his head, which immediately triggers Bison to retreat from the ring, backing up the ramp but with his eyes still planted on The God of Death. Bison roars from the ramp, “Count the days, Duo, at Ascendance, I'll end you once and for all!!!” Maxwell bellows back at him, “In nine days, I'm going to make you my bitch!!!” And as The Beast reaches the top of the ramp, the audience in a frenzy and Duo still prepared for a war right here and now, Genesis cuts to the backstage area for an exclusive interview with Mac Thompson . . .