3.27.2010
OUTSIDE THE RESISTOL ARENA
DALLAS, TEXAS
10:32 PM CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME
"Six... Seven... Eight... Nine... Ten"
Terrence Thompson rolled his eyes as he looked out the window of the beat up '82 Gremlin he had purchased from a local junkyard. His wife had been going through her pre-match stretches for the last forty-five minutes, and it was really starting to get on his nerves. He almost snapped at her to knock it off, as she began stretching her.quadracep for what he guessed was the seventh time, but he controlled his temper. It wouldn't do for them to be fighting right before they undertook this operation.
Besides, she was just trying to deal with nerves. He could sympathize with that. He was feeling pretty damn jittery himself. For the past hour, he and Wendy had been waiting out here in the outskirts of the lot dressed in their ring gear, waiting for the signal from Pollaski. With nothing left to do but prepare, and think, the wait had been excruciating, with both Birdz quiet in their own thoughts. He had thought about his daughter, still back in Indianapolis, staying at the ever-gracious Cassie's house (Terrence had told her he and his wife were taking a much needed vacation- Pollaski had insisted even Cassie not know their plans) He honest to God hoped he wasn't making a mistake with this comeback: what would happen to Wendy and Theresa if he was hurt?
Ah, hell, no use worrying about it now... he was here. There wasn't any turning back.
He looked down at his ring attire... the auto racing firesuit.he had worn as his trademark ring gear his entire career. The sleeves had been cut off, to prevent hom from overheating during his matches, but he had grown used to the flame retardant material. His wife had elected to wear similar ring gear to her original outfit as well. A black sleeveless top and a pair of full length black tights with green flames. The only real difference were the fingerless black gloves she now wore, designed to protect her hands in her new striking techniques.
Right now, Wendy was jogging in place, and Terrence finally had enough. But he better be diplomatic about this.
"It's almost time, hon. You don't want to waste your energy."
Wendy didn't stop, but she did look over at her husband. "I'm okay... I just want to be sure I'm warmed up for..."
"Its been forty-five minutes, hon. If you're not ready by now..."
Wendy stopped running, and looked at Terrence. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm just nervous."
"Yeah, join the club. I'm starting to wish we hadn't eaten yet. But we can hardly turn back now."
Wendy nodded. "But what's taking Dan so long? He should have signaled by now, right?"
"I don't know. But it could be any moment, and when he gives it, we're gonna need to be fast. So you should probably get in." Terrence admonished
"I know," Wendy admitted, "but I really don't want to be cooped up in that wreck. Not when..."
"Look, hon. I also need to talk to you, and I'd rather it not be through a window."
Wendy paused, and looked at her husband. She could see something im his face that suggested something was troubling him.
Something serious.
Did he know about Mandrake's threats?
With a nervous gulp (and a silent prayer that this was not the case), Wendy slid in through the window of the car (the doors had been bolted shut.), gracefully alighting rump first in the passenger seat.
"What's up?" she asked.
Terrence paused, looking at her as if he was sizing her up, and Wendy squirmed uncomfortably. Finally, he spoke. "I don't know if this is the best time to bring this up. I probably should have said something sooner, but I didn't. And I can't go in there tonight until we get this settled."
Wendy stared back at her husband, thoroghly confused.
"What is it, Terry?"
Terrence sighed. "You know the Defiance crowd isn't going to be friendly, right?"
Wendy slowly nodded. "That's because Eric Dane's practically brainwashed them. What about it?"
Terrence shrugged. He didn't really care why so many southern wrestling fans adored Dane, he just knew that anyone who came in looking to bring down Dane, or Team Danger, or any other Defiance hack, was not going to receive a warm welcome.
And that included his wife.
"Wendy... I know you." Terrence began. "And I love you. But you take EVERYTHING personally. Especially when it comes to the fans."
"That's not true!" Wendy protested, clearly insulted.
Terrence gave his wife a stern level gaze, and Wendy dropped her head. She knew that, despite her claims otherwise, there was a part of her that couldn't stand to be hated. She didn't mind so much being despised by other wrestlers... she could always shut them up in the ring. But the fans...
The WhirlyBirdz had always enjoyed the status of being fan-favorites most of their careers, so Wendy's issues had fortunately rarely ever surfaced. She didn't mind detractors here and there, nor did she mind the crowd rooting for another wrestler over her. But the few times the crowd had honest to god turned on her...
"I just don't want tonight to be a repeat of CCW," Terrence said gently.
Wendy remembered the night Terrence was referring to well. The Birdz had been members of the CCW roster for four months, but despite winning nearly every match they were put in, management had seemingly no idea what to do with them.
After the CCW went on hiatus, the Birdz took bookings in other regions. After several weeks guest appearing in the BWA, Terrence and Wendy knew that the Bayou would do far more for their careers than Canada could, and the Birdz made the tough decision to transfer their contracts to the BWA.
The fans of Canada viewed it as the ultimate treason.
So when the Birdz went back north to defend their WWA titles (Terrence's Double Crown and Wendy's Cruiserweight), they did not receive a warm reception at all.
Terrence had known it was coming, so the reaction didn't bother him. Wendy, on the other hand, had been devastated. She had managed to keep it together long enough to dispose of Evan Hurley, then fled the arena in tears.
"This is different," Wendy insisted. "What upset me about the CCW is that I knew I deserved it."
"The hell you did!" Terrence shot back, rekindling the ancient argument, but Wendy shook her head.
"Terry, I'm not saying my reasons for leaving weren't valid, but they were selfish reasons. We left the CCW to better our careers, but at the same time, we deserted a region that needed all the talent it could get. They had a right to be angry."
"After we're done with Greer and Lightning, Defiance's fans are gonna be pretty angry too."
"Yes," Wendy nodded. "But we're not just doing this to make a name for ourselves, or to further our careers. We're also here because opposing Eric Dane is the right thing to do."
"I just want to make sure you're prepared, hon." Terrence said. "You're an emotional woman, and you can use that to your advantage in the ring, but it can be used against you-"
"You know me, Terry." Wendy interrupted. "I'll be a wreck before and after my matches. But I don't fall apart in the ring. I still got the job done against Hurley that night. And I will get the job done tonight."
Terrence stared at his wife for a few seconds, smiling as.he saw that spark of determination in her emerald eyes. "No, hon. WE'LL get the job done tonight, and after we've-
*DROP THE CHARGES!!*
Both Birdz jumped as "Not a Crime" by Gogol Bordello began playing, both turning their attention to Terrence's cellphone. As a joke, Twister had made the gypsy punk anthem his ringtone for Pollaski's calls, since it was the portly manager's entrance music.
Wendy gulped, and tried to calm her stomach as Terrence flipped his phone on to speaker.
"Sup?"
Dan Pollaski's voice came in over the phone. "The crocodile is in the river. I repeat... the crocodile is in the river!"
"Thanks, Dan." Terrence said, flipping the phone off. Grinning ear to ear, he turned to his wife.
"Buckle up."
Wendy complied as Terrence started the Gremlin. "Why are we arriving in this clunker, anyways? Why not your Charger?" Wendy asked, beckoning to the muscle car parked in the next space over.
"This sends a message," Terrence replied as he pulled the.car out, and began the drive towards the arena.
Wendy glared at her husband in alarm. "You're not hitting Dane's limo again, right?"
"Don't be silly. Of course I'm not." Terrence smiled as he accelerated, the car heading towards the arena.
"Aren't we going a little fast?" Wendy asked.
"All part of the plan!" Terrence smiled. The Gremlin was past 40, increasing in speed.
"What plan?" Wendy demanded. "You never told me there was a plan!"
Terrence shrugged. "Pollaski told me not to tell you because you'd turn into an infernal harpy and bitch about it. His words." he added off-handedly.
"A HARPY?" Wendy shrieked.
"His words." Terrence repeated with a grin.
Wendy, now rather irritated with her manager, stared forward at the arena, which was growing nearer and nearer. Suddenly, it dawned on her just what the plan was...
"Terry... we're not going through that gate, are we?"
Terrence shrugged. "Why not? Its big enough."
"But there's people in front of it!" Wendy protesed.
Terrence shrugged. "They'll move. Pollaski's over there convincing them to do just that right now."
"And if they don't listen to him?"
Terrence chuckled. "Natural selection"
Wendy folded her arms over her chest. "I do NOT like this plan!"
Terrence nodded. "We figured you wouldn't. See? There they go!"
Sure enough, the guards were scrambling outnof.the way as the Gremlin roared towards the entrance. Breathing a sigh of relief, Wendy smiled at her husband
"Okay, Terry. You can slow down now..."
"Not yet..."
"Terry!" Wendy whimpered as the arena door was now.fifty feet away.
"Wait..."
"TERRY, STOP THE DAMN CAR!"
As the car flew through the service entrance, Terrence slammed on the brakes, expertly keeping control during the rapid deceleration.
Wendy lurched forward, praying all the while that this stunt wouldn't kill her. She was too young to die!
Plus, she hated to think of the eternal consequences if the second to last word she ever uttered was a curse word.
Finally, the car came to a stop, and Terrence looked over.at his now ghostfaced wife. "Please don't scream at me. You don't look so beautiful when you're screaming at me."
"I garantee you I won't look so beautiful wrapped around a concrete pillar, either."
Terrence smirked. "Have some faith in me. I'm trusting you to emotionally hold it together. You should trust me to not get us killed."
"I know... I'm sorry." Wendy apologized.
"As am I for not telling you we were gonna kamikaze the service entrance." Terrence winked. "Now, where was I? Oh, yes..."
Terrence began driving again, albeit slowly. He turned the car down a large corridor, hoping he had guessed right. "This should lead to the arena"
"And if it doesn't?" Wendy asked.
"Then were going to look like idiots being lost in the stadium while we're supposed to be making our big debut." Terrence reasoned.
The car rolled down the wide hallway, and Wendy grinned sheepishly at the astonished backstage workers and wrestlers who watched the car roll by, every single mouth opened in shock. Whether it was the car or the occupants causing the commotion, she could.only guess.
"Terry?" She suddenly asked
"What, hon?" Terrence asked, hoping nobody would be dumb enough to leap in the cars path.
"I just wanted to say, whatever happens out there, I'm glad we're doing this. And I love you."
"I love you, too." Terrence replied. "Ah, here it is!" he exclaimed, spying the entranceway. As Terrence turned in, a stage director made as if to stop him, then decided it would be unwise to argue with a ton of rolling scrap metal.
The car rolled through the curtain, and both Birdz felt their pulses quicken as they saw the entire crowd on its feet.
Showtime.
Terrence parked the Gremlin halfway down the ramp, then shot a glance over at his wife.
"Ready?"
Wendy merely nodded, and together, the Birdz pushed themseleves through the cars windows, alighting expertly on the ramp. Terrence grinned as he looked at the faces of the audience, nearly every one in shock over their witnessing of the WhirlyBirdz return.
"Terry!" Wendy's voice turned his attention to her. "What are THEY doing here!"
Terrence followed her gaze, and discovered, to his surprise, that Hydra wasn't the only ones standing in the ring. The Untouchables were there, as well as The Hardcore Icons. From the looks of things, the fight had already started, but broken apart at the newcomers arrival, and all participants were staring at them.
"Hunh" Terrence said, looking at Umbrage and Valora. "Pollaski was wrong, after all, and they did decide to show up."
"But that defeats our whole purpose for being here!" Wendy protested.
"Oh, well, then we better leave," Terrence said sarcastically. "Shame the whole freaking world's already seen us."
Wendy glared at him. "That's not what I meant..."
"Look, hon, this really changes nothing. Just stick to the plan. It doesn't matter if its us, the Untouchables, or The Hardcore Icons walking out with the belts. So long as Team Idiot doesn't end up with them again..."
"But what if the other's don't see it that way?"
Terrence grinned evilly. "Then sucks to be them."
Wendy thought for just a second. She hadn't imagined walking into a massive brawl, without a clue whether so many would be a friend or foe. But she shouldn't have been surprised. It was an open challenge, after all.
She nodded at Terrence, who grinned. "Now come on! We oughtn't keep everyone waiting. I got Greer!" he called, running at the ring.
Wendy watched him go, a smile of exasperation on her lips. Her husband could be so impulsive. "I got Lightning" she said quietly.
And, with a silent prayer, took off after husband.
3.28.2010
INTERSTATE 30
NEAR MOUNT VERNON, TEXAS
12:55 AM CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME
"Wow," Dan Pollaski observed quietly as he clutched the wheel of Terrence's Dodge Charger. "Did not see that coming."
"Which part?" Terrence Thompson groaned from the car's backseat. "The Untouchables turning on Ronnie Long, the Truly Untouchables taking us all out, or..."
"...Victor Mandrake showing up and saving me from Team Danger." Wendy quietly finished from the front passenger seat, looking out the window.
To say their invasion of Defiance hadn't been entirely up to plan would have been an understatement. Immediately, they had realized that the Untouchables, whatever they had been, were no longer on the Alliance's side, and while they were more than willing to form an unspoken truce with "Umbralora", they had a feeling that was going to end the moment they made a move for the win. Wendy couldn't remember too many more matches out of control than that one... every time it seemed she landed a big move, someone else would get her from behind- she felt like she spent more time on the mat that match than on her feet.
Then Jeff Andrews had caught her with that nasty Superkick, and she had gone down. When she had finally gotten her wits together, four more people were in the ring- a pretty girl stood distracting her husband and the referee, Umbrage was absolutely MURDERED by some big kid, and another woman was choking Valora out.
Then Terrence was Andrews Driver Whatevered off the apron and through a table, and all Wendy could think about was getting to him, and making sure he was okay.
At least until she realized that she was the only one in the ring with four people hell bent on her destruction.
She had to admit it, she was scared the moment she figured out that it was her alone vs. Stephen Greer, Johnny Lightning, Jeff Andrews, and Heidi. But she was angry when they grabbed her, and held her in place. She was furious when Greer and Andrews made their disgusting innuendo filled threats. She was revolted when Heidi (who she had been told was similar to her in mentality- HA!) joined in the verbal torture. And she had been confused when the lights went out.
But she hadn't known pure, abject terror until the lights came back on, and Victor Mandrake was standing over her.
The next thing she knew, she was lying in a concrete hallway outside the arena, a concerned Dan Pollaski kneeling over her. Pollaski had filled her in on the details- the moment she saw Victor, she had fainted dead away (how embarassing is THAT?) Victor then pulled Heidi away from her, absolutely demolished Greer, Lightning, and Andrews in short order, SLAUGHTERED Heidi with a running chokeslam (Wendy had been hit with that move before... she knew it hurt), and then thrown Wendy on top of the other girl. One, two, three, and she and Terrence were new tag team champions.
At least as far as she knew. Didnt Valora and Umbrage's presence make it an official match?
Victor had then carried Wendy to the back, where he encountered Pollaski, who was being subdued by the Defiance security crew (at his callous potshot at Defiance's last security breach, Slater and his men had wasted no time in apprehending the portly manager). The security scattered when Mandrake approached, and Victor dumped the unconscious woman on Pollaski, turned, and then left.
Considering the last time Victor carried her out of the arena, she ended up the guest of honor at Castle Mandrake for a fortnight, she supposed she got off well here.
After rousing the new Tag Champion (she hoped), Pollaski and Briese sought out Terrence in the medical area. He had luckily escaped a concussion, but he was groggy, and had one hell of a killer headache. So Dan had volunteered to drive, and the Birdz got the hell out of Dallas, ready to put this mess of a night behind them.
But not before nabbing three unattended boxes of pizza. Cluster-you-know-whats made one hungry.
"Okay," Pollaski admitted, bringing Wendy back to reality, "maybe we had to deal with a few unplanned circumstances."
"What I wanna know is," Terrence said, his mouth full of a slice of supreme, "Why? Why did the Untouchables betray Ronnie Long and the Alliance? Why did those people show up and take me out? And, most of all... why the FUCK did Victor Mandrake show up and save you?"
Both Dan and Wendy shrugged, a gesture Terrence could barely see in the darkness of the car, but he guessed well enough that his manager and wife hadn't a clue. But he was irritated, dammit. It had been five years since he had felt this much pain, and he hadn't really expected to be this sore. But then again, he had been driven thru a table... that NEVER felt good.
Even so, he found himself smiling. Despite all the unexpected twists, that little clusterfuck had been FUN.
And now he was a three time tag team champion. It was good to be the Twister.
But still, Mandrake's appearance bothered him. Something just wasn't sitting right.
"How in the hell did Mandrake even know we were going to be there?"
"Dunno, dude" Pollaski remarked off-handedly. "All Victor told me in his letter was..." Pollaski immediately stopped himself when he realized what he had just said. "Oops..." he muttered under his breath.
Both Birdz stared at Dan in open mouthed shock, and Terrence found himself at a loss for words.
Unfortunately for Wendy, it was the exact opposite.
"You got a letter, too?!"
Now it was Pollaski's turn to stare at Wendy in shock. Wendy had covered her mouth, as if trying desperately to put the words she had just let out back in. She was thankful the car was dark, lest Dan and Terrence see just how red her face had become.
"Wait..." Dan gaped. "When did YOU get a letter?"
"Back in January, the day after you arrived from the PWX show. Mandrake... d..." Wendy hesitated. The cat was out of the bag, so she better tell everything. "Mandrake delivered the letter to the... to the house."
"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?"
Terrence had found his voice.
"Are you both telling me that you each received a letter from Victor Mandrake two months ago, and neither of you saw fit to fucking tell me about it?"
Wendy gulped as she looked back at her husband. She couldn't remember the last time her husband was this angry. She nodded, feeling a stab of envy for Pollaski, who had to keep his eyes on the road, giving him a convenient excuse to not look at Terrence.
"My God..." Terrence muttered. "Why in the FUCK did you not tell me?"
"I didn't want to-"
"Don't you DARE tell me you didn't want to worry me!" Terrence snarled.
Wendy bowed her head. "I thought you would do something stupid, like run off and try to fight Diablo."
"Well, considering that I actually BEAT the bastard the last time, thanks for your vote of confidence!"
"Terry," Wendy tried desperately to defend herself. "That was before we decided to come back. You weren't in condition to-"
But Terrence wasn't listening. "Anybody else remember five years ago, when that son of a bitch snuck into MY house, accosted MY wife, and looked in MY computer room? And nobody fucking told me about it for THREE WEEKS, when he came BACK with a bloody axe and the severed head of his mother in law? Could we all learn a fucking lesson here?"
"Terry, please..."
"AND WE HAVE A DAUGHTER NOW, GODDAMMIT!" Terrence screamed. "Did you ever fucking think about that?"
Wendy could feel tears trickling down her cheeks.
"Does he know about her?"
Wendy swallowed hard, trying to bring the words to her lips.
"Goddammit, Wendy, does Victor Mandrake know about Theresa?
Wendy nodded.
"MOTHERFUCKER!" Terrence screamed, driving his fist through his window, the glass shattering. Wendy winced as Terrence held his now bloody hand.
"Terry... I'm sor-"
"Give me one fucking reason why I shouldn't call a divorce attorney when we get back to Indianapolis."
Wendy recoiled, her lip quivering. "No, Terry, please.."
"Pull this car off at the next interchange," Terrence commanded Dan. "If I'm around either of you anymore tonight, I'm going to do something I'll regret."
"Are you sure, dude?... it doesn't look like much of a town-"
"PULL THIS CAR OVER, YOU FAT FUCK! I'm not done with you either!"
Pollaski complied silently. Luckily there was a Motel 6, near the interchange, and Pollaski pulled into the parking lot. No sooner had he parked, when Terrence exited, wordlessly slamming the door and storming into the hotel
"Shit..." Pollaski muttered.
"He... he's never talked to me that way before," Wendy croaked, wiping more tears off her face. "Do... do you think he'll calm down?"
Pollaski paused for just a second. "He'll realize tomorrow, that while we're idiots, we meant well. Besides, he ain't going anywhere. I got the car keys" Pollaski gave Wendy a smile, but she didnt return it in the least.
"He's probably done checking in, so I'm gonna go and get us rooms" Dan said. "Don't worry, kid. He'll calm down."
Wendy nodded silently, and Dan exited the car. Only once he was gone did Wendy fully burst into sobs, surrendering control as the emotions of the night overwhelmed her.
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