…Buffering…


The camera follows Sonya to a hall backstage, still nursing her nose. Suddenly, a familiar voice pipes up from just offscreen.

"Well, isn't this a familiar setup?"

Sonya looks over to see Amelia McBride leaning against a wall, her usual confident smile on her face. The crowd gives a LOUD mixed reaction for the hometown girl, but Sonya just raises an eyebrow.

"Yeah...didn't we have this EXACT same setup on Operation W.R.E.S.T.L.E earlier this week?" she asks.

"Blame an uncreative author." Amelia shrugs. "Plus, there is ONE big difference. Namely...THIS."

As she says that, she points to the FUSION Women's Championship around her waist. Sonya, though, doesn't look all too impressed.

"Really? I thought the big difference was THIS." the candy lover fires back, raising her arm and pointing to her new Rookie Revolution armband. Amelia isn't fazed by this.

"That too." she shrugs. "Anyway, I guess I oughta congratulate you for what you did at Pride & Glory."

"Really?"

"Sure. I mean, you did need your teammates to do most of the work...but you also survived an angry ex-ECW girl out for your head, so I guess you deserve some props."

"Thanks...I think." Sonya looks a bit unsure how to react given their past meetings, but decided to reply with more snark. "I suppose I should congratulate you then for winning that belt - even though the main reason you won was because the person who SHOULD be champion right now got taken out of the match by a bunch of jerks."

"Yeah, that DID happen." Amelia admits with a frown. "But I'll deal with that some other time. Today, I'm thinking this belt here needs a friend. And the WND Female's Title seems to me like a pretty good choice for that."

"You still have to get past Dot, you know!" Sonya points out. "And even if you do, you then have to fight me!"

"So?" Amelia retorts with a smirk. "You sure you can beat me?"

"I KNOW I can!"

"Even though while you needed a team to help you win the biggest match of your life, I've been fighting legends in high-profile matches AND becoming a champion all by myself?"

Sonya's face falls for a second at this and the smug look on Amelia's face...before she shakes her head and stares down Amelia with a determined glint in her eyes.

"Yes." she says. "Because it doesn't matter what you've done before, but what you do when the bell rigs that counts. I'm in the RR, remember? I know people who were nobodies against some of the best ever - and ended up making them notches on their belts! If they can do it, so can I! Plus, I'll bet that the WND Female's Title is just a bonus for someone who's already a champion. I've NEVER held a belt - winning that would mean EVERYTHING to me and my career! And guess what happens when two desires like that collide?"

Amelia frowns as Sonya grins confidently, but the smirk is soon back on her face.

"Well...can't say I don't like that attitude of yours. Too bad it doesn't change who the better one of us is. And if it comes down to it, I'll be more than happy to prove it to you."

With that, Amelia heads off for her own match. Sonya stares at her leaving for a bit before continuing on her way as the camera cuts away.


"Well Amelia sure seems sure of herself tonight." Henry muses. "Especially since she isn't even assured of a match with Sonya tonight."

"YET, Henry. Not YET." June corrects. "And that's going to change in roughly...ten or so minutes, because the second semi-final of the Female's Title tournament is just about to start!"

You just gotta make a little place for yourself

You just gotta take a little time for yourself

Here's to the life, that we always never wanted

And somehow we've forgotten the road we've traveled on

Here's to the life

("Here's to the Life" by Mxpx plays)

Loud cheers accompany the start of the music as Dot Warner skips out, rubbing her hands eagerly as she eyes the Female's Title at the bottom of the ramp. She races down the ramp but stops in front of said title, her eyes sparkling as she gazes at her reflection in the metal, before shaking her head rapidly as she remembers she has to actually win the thing first.

"The followin' contest is a WND Female's Championship tournament semi-final match scheduled for one fall!" Finevoice announces. "Introducin' first, from Burbank, California, weighin' 112 pounds, Dot Warner!" (Crowd cheers)

"Well the Warner sister's looking determined tonight!" Henry says. "The former WCW Women's Champion is looking to follow her brothers back into relevance on the Fiction Wrestling scene, and considering she was the one who won that warm-up match a few days ago, she's definitely for a good shot in doing just that!"

Dot jumps onto the apron and slides into the ring under the bottom rope, smirking cheekily at the crowd before kipping up and motioning for the belt. She then goes to a corner and lounges on the top turnbuckle Eddie Guerrerro style to await her opponent.

"Personally, I think this toon's left her best years back with the original WCW." June scoffs. "Her brothers may be turning heads again lately, but as for Dot...I'd personally just write her off now and save time."

"Didn't you have that same thought about Sonya in the last match?" Henry asks slyly, June clamming up rather than answer.

I told 'em all where to stick it

I left town with a dime to my name

I said, I'm done with all of my fake friends

Self-righteous pawns in a losing game

Got my band and a light that won't go out

Been burning since the day I was born

So I cried just a little then I'll dry my eyes

Cause I'm not a little girl no more

("Grow Up" by Paramore plays)

The start of the music prompts a LOUD reaction - mostly positive in nature though a few boos are audible - and the entrance of Amelia McBride, who comes out calmly but with a big smile on her face and her new FUSION Women's Title around her waist. The comic book star spends a bit of time just taking in the atmosphere, taking a deep breath before shouting "LET'S DO THIS!" and flexing her arms in a pose, gold pyro raining around her before throwing her arms down to dispel it. She then heads to the ring, focused, pausing only briefly to look at the title she covets.

"And her opponent, from New York City, now residing in Connerton, Pennsylvania, weighin' 131 pounds, the FUSION Women's Champion, Amelia McBride!" Finevoice announces.

"Now here's a girl who's really been turning heads in the FWM!" June exclaims. "Amelia McBride has been making some big waves on the crossover show FUSION ever since she was first picked to represent us there months ago. Heck, she's the current Women's Champion there! Personally, she's my favourite to win this belt too!"

Amelia hops onto the apron and locks eyes with Dot, who just smirks coyly and waves without moving from her perch. Deciding to ignore her, Amelia leaps into the ring and mimics the HBK pose, saying "I RULE - TONIGHT, I PROVE THAT!"

"No doubt she's on a major high after that title win, but we can't ignore the fact that the match had more than a hint of controversy around it thanks to the actions of Beatrix Kiddo and her allies. Still, can Amelia become one of only a few Fiction Wrestlers around to hold two belts from two different places? Or will the Warner Sister cut off that ambition at the heels?"

Amelia gives her belt to the ref before getting into a stare down with Dot, both girls trash-talking each other off-mic, even as the ref does the pre-match checks. The bell rings to start the match, and Dot breaks the trash-talking to...extend a hand? Amelia looks wary but eventually takes and shakes it...

...and Dot pulls her into a Small Package!

"WOAH!" Henry shouts. "Dot's looking to end this in record time!"

1...

...Amelia quickly kicks out! She looks at Dot in shock, while the Warner Sister just smirks at her.

"But Amelia's too good to fall for a trick like that!" June proclaims.

McBride's eyes narrow as the two start back for the ring's centre, Dot holding her hands out for a Test of Strength. Hesitantly, Amelia raises her own hands to answer...but Dot Dropkicks her in the legs, sending her falling onto her face. Amelia gets to her knees, which Dot takes as a sign to try for an early Cute Cut...but Amelia is able to push her away into a corner. Amelia gets up and charges at Dot, but the Warner sister suddenly holds her hands out in a 'STOP!' manner, before pointing behind Amelia with a cry of "WHAT'S THAT?!" Confused, Amelia looks behind her...

...and Dot capitalizes by giving her a wedgie (yes, really)! Amelia stiffens in shock, and Dot rolls her up while she's stunned!

1...

...Amelia kicks out and scrambles to her feet, more than a little flustered by Dot's odd gameplan!

"Dot catching Amelia off-guard again with some...weird tactics, I have to say." Henry notes.

"The Warners have always been a tricky trio, and Dot's no exception." June muses. "But don't think that doesn't mean she's not serious about this - I know she wants that title badly just like Amelia does."

Amelia and Dot soon get into an argument, mainly brought on by the former yelling at the latter to stop embarrassing her and just wrestle already. There's a few seconds of off-mic arguing before Dot makes an offhand, unflattering comment about Amelia's FUSION record...

...which riles Amelia up enough to land a STIFF Roundhouse Kick to the side of the head!

"Both girls exchanging words now-OH GOOD GRIEF!" Henry winces. "What a kick to the head by Amelia!"

"Dot struck a nerve and Amelia just struck her down for it!" June adds.

Dot drops like a sack of potatoes and Amelia soon follows to deliver an angry series of Forearm Shots to the face as Dot tries to cover up as best she can. The ref eventually manages to pull her off, but Amelia quickly goes back on the attack, pulling Dot up and lifting her up in a Suplex position, before dropping her gut-first onto a top rope. Dot is left writing as Amelia scrambles up a corner...

...and dives off TO HIT A GUILLOTINE LEG DROP TO THE HUNG-UP DOT!

"GOOD GOD! Amelia almost decapitated Dot with that HUGE Leg Drop!" Henry shouts.

Amelia rolls Dot into a pin!

1...

2...

...Dot kicks out!

Amelia pulls Dot up and Irish Whips her into a corner, following her in with a Rolling Wheel Kick. She then backs up as the Animaniacs character stumbles out...

...but Dot ducks the attempted McBride Coaster! Amelia turns around and gets a Spinning Heel Kick to the face! Dot frowns now, muttering "That's how you wanna play it? Alright then...let's get dangerous..." She pulls Amelia up by her hair, then goes on a run, dragging the FUSION regular with her...

...and jumping OUT of the ring, giving Amelia a SERIOUS Hangman!

"And there's a NASTY Hangman, shades of the late great Macho Man!" Henry calls. "And rumour has it that Amelia's been having neck issues as of late, to boot!"

"That looked SICK...can we see that again?!" June exclaims.

Amelia is left stumbling, coughing and holding her neck as Dot climbs a turnbuckle...and gives her a Missile Dropkick to the back! Dot goes for a cover...

1...

2...

...Amelia kicks out! Dot quickly gets up and starts hitting Leg Drops over Amelia's head and neck!

"And now it's Leg Drop after Leg Drop to the ailing neck by Dot!" Henry calls. "I think it's safe to say the Warner sister is DONE playing around!"

"And no wonder!" June adds. "She may act silly, but she wants that gold BAD, just like Amelia does!"

The ref has to physically force Dot to stop attacking, allowing Amelia to use a corner to try and get up. This proves to be a bad idea though, when Dot rushes into said corner for a Double Knee Strike, then turns that into a Monkey Flip that leaves Amelia on her back. dot then climbs the corner as Amelia tries to get up, before diving off for a Hurricanrana.

...but Amelia holds onto her before she completes the move! Dot's eyes widen as she frantically tries to punch her way out...

...

...to no avail as Amelia hits her with a Slingshot Powerbomb! Amelia pins Dot!

1...

2...

...kick out! Amelia groans and holds her neck, the delay allowing Dot to get up using the ropes. Amelia is soon back on the attack though, nailing kick after kick after kick on the veteran before pulling her towards her and hitting a Michinoku Driver! Amelia then drags Dot into position, then climbs a corner before diving off...

...and crushing Dot with a Moonsault! Amelia covers...

1...

2...

...Dot kicks out!

Amelia grunts in frustration as she pulls Dot up - but as she does so, Dot suddenly starts tickling her, causing Amelia to let go! Before Amelia can recover, Dot drops her with a Jumping Sleeper Slam!

Amelia holds her neck in pain as she rises, Dot taking advantage by planting her back down with a Facebuster. She then eyes a corner and grins, picking up Amelia and putting her in a Tree of Woe. After kicking her a couple of times to keep Amelia dazed, the WCW vet jumps onto the top (landing right on Amelia's ankles for good measure), turns around to grin down at her foe...

...and jumps down to SMASH AMELIA WITH A SEATED SENTON!

"Seated Senton down the Tree of Woe!" Henry says. "SMASHING the head and neck of Amelia down to the mat with sheer force of backside!"

"...I sincerely hope no wrestling commentator ever has to say that sentence again." June deadpans.

Amelia crumples to the mat, holding her neck as Dot pulls her to the centre of the ring for a pin!

1...

2...

...

...Amelia kicks out!

"But Amelia once again kicks out!" Henry calls.

Dot mutters "Feisty one, ain't she?" as she pulls Amelia up to her knees. She tries to go for the Cute Cut again...but Amelia pushes her legs out and she falls onto the back of her head! Both girls try to get up, but again Amelia kicks Dot's legs out from under her, and the vet falls flat on her face. As she tries to recover, Amelia runs the ropes behind her...

...

...to DELIVER A SHINING WIZARD TO THE BACK OF DOT'S HEAD! Not satisfied, Amelia stalks Dot as she slowly tries to get up...

...and then NAILS HER WITH THE MCBRIDE COASTER! Amelia hooks a leg for the pin!

1...

2...

...Dot kicks out at 2.5!

Amelia groans loudly upon realising that the match isn't over yet, before standing up and stalking the recovering Dot. As the Warner Sister stumbles to her feet, Amelia jumps for the Meaning of Life...

...which Dot SOMEHOW turns into a Hot Shot, Amelia landing on her neck against the ropes! The comic star stumbles backward, holding her throat...directly into a Back Suplex Neckbreaker from Dot! Amelia tries to roll to her knees, holding her neck yet again...

...

...but gets a Cute Cut for her efforts!

"Third time's the proverbial charm for Dot! Finally connecting with the Cute Cut!" Henry calls.

"And it looks like she's looking for more!" June notes.

Dot rolls out and stands the apron as Amelia is flat on her back, seemingly out of it. An idea slowly comes to her mind as she stares down her fallen opponent and with a loud cry of "PANCAKES!" she jumps onto the ropes...

...

...

...and LANDS A SPRINGBOARD SENTON BOMB TO THE BACK OF AMELIA!

"Springboard Senton Bomb by Dot!" Henry exclaims. "Shades of a certain half-crazed Bandicoot!"

"Oh God...that may mean his madness is contagious!" June panics in a tone that makes it hard to tell if she's joking or not.

Dot rolls Amelia over and hooks a leg!

1...

2...

...

...AMELIA KICKS OUT AT 2.9!

"But just like Crash in a UCA World Title match, that fails to secure the win!" June calls.

"That's a little low, don't you think?" Henry asks.

"Probably." June deadpans unapologetically.

Dot can only facepalm angrily at the match not being over, before pulling Amelia up and putting her in a Front Facelock, before falling backwards...

...BUT AMELIA SLIPS OUT OF THE D.O.T! Dot's eyes widen as she sees Amelia standing above her, holding her legs with a vicious smirk...

...and then Catapulting her into a turnbuckle! Dot stumbles backwards and turns around...

...

...INTO THE MEANING OF LIFE!

Dot is laid out on the mat as Amelia kips up, still holding her neck from the landing but determined to finish things NOW. She starts stomping her feet rhythmically as Dot struggles to her feet, before shuffling forwards...

...

...

...AND TATTOOING DOT IN THE JAW WITH THE GOLDEN RULE!

"BAM!" June exclaims. "Right in the jaw with the Golden Rule! Dot is out like a light!"

Amelia hooks the leg as tightly as she could!

1...

...

2...

...

...3!

"And the self-proclaimed 'Ruler' is moving on!" Henry exclaims.

Some of us have to grow up sometimes

And so, if I have to I'm gonna leave you behind

Some of us have to grow up sometimes

And so, if I have to I'm gonna leave you behind

("Grow Up" by Paramore plays)

"The winner of this match, Amelia McBride!" Finevoice announces.

Amelia rolls off of Dot and pumps a fist with a satisfied smirk, the ref coming over to raise her hand in victory and give back her FUSION Women's Title. She raises her belt in the air proclaiming that she'll have TWO belts by night's end as the crowd gives her the same mixed reaction as before.

"See Henry, what did I tell ya?" June says smugly. "Amelia McBride moves on to the finals of the tournament!"

"That she is." Henry says. "And she's got Sonya waiting for her. If their interactions in recent weeks and tonight are any indication, that one later tonight oughta be fun."

Realising that she still has another match to go, Amelia doesn't celebrate for too long and soon starts heading to the back. On the way, she says to the camera "One down, one to go. This is gonna be MY YEAR."


The camera cuts to backstage and Pollo the robot standing with Rerun van Pelt.

"Greetings." the robot greets in...a British accent? "Pollo here to conduct an interview with...I suppose one half of the Comic Connection." He then turns to the confused Rerun. "First of all..."

"What's with your voice?" Rerun blurted out. "Weren't you talking like a robot last time you were on camera?"

"I've had some modifications done." Pollo shrugs (as far as a robot without shoulders can shrug, anyway). "So, first of all...where's your partner?"

"He's been taking care of some business!" Jason Fox proclaims as he strides into frame, a satisfied grin on his face. "And speaking of business, I've good news for sure: I just talked with Rachel and she agreed to the request! We're in, buddy!"

Rerun smiles at this, while Pollo just seems confused. "I don't quite follow. What on Earth are you talking about?" the robot asks.

"Well, long story short," Jason explains, patting his partner on the back. "Check out Wrestling Next Door's official entrant into the second Best of the Best Tournament at the Fiction Wrestling Awards!"

Rerun beams proudly as the crowd responds with some surprised boos. Pollo too seems pretty surprised by this news. "Well...that's certainly an interesting choice." he notes. "But what's this 'we' business about, then?"

"Simple." Jason smirks. "Rerun's the one repping WND, but he won't be going in alone. I'll be ringside with him the whole time. You know, to make sure the...less savoury competitors in the tournament don't get any ideas."

This statement provokes even more boos from an unconvinced crowd. If Pollo shares their view, he doesn't voice them. "Well, alright then." he says instead. "So, do you two have any words concerning your match tonight?"

"In fact, yes we do." Jason says, before turning to the camera. "Fiction Wrestling Multiverse, Mark this day down, because you're going to want to remember it. You see, this is the official start of what I GUARANTEE will be the GREATEST team of comic strip stars EVER to step into a Fiction Wrestling ring! Better than Garfield! Better than Calvin and Hobbes! Better than..."

At this point, Jason turns to Rerun expectantly. When Rerun smiles and nods, Jason continues.

"Better than the WHOLE of the Peanuts Gang. Tonight, we make history by becoming the first ever WND Tag Team Champions, and as I said at Operation W.R.E.S.T.L.E, we will not be kept from that goal by the RUNTS of the Rookie Revolution litter or a couple of brothers who continually fail in CWF!"

"And once we're done with that," Rerun adds. "I'm going to get myself a nice big briefcase to go along with those titles."

Jason pats Rerun on the back approvingly as the two head off, a confident spring in their steps, leaving Pollo behind.

"Well, good to see that Rerun's inherited his sister's sense of humility." the robot deadpans. "Now, back to-"


...Buffering...


Yeah, the first couple of chapters of my first big show haven't been very...well...big, I know. All part of the plan, folks...or is it? 0_o

Anyway, please read and review!

NEXT TIME: Non-tournament action and...something strange happens.