Requiem for the Wrestling Few
By Son Rhandi
Chapter 12: 'Thank You and Goodbye'
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I'm going home for a while, I can't say for how long. Africa calls, and I'd like to see my friends in Tanzania. Kind of sudden, I know, but where else can I go? I'm no longer part of Muscle League, and dMp isn't even an option. Well, I've got a few things to say, so I'll go ahead through it.
First, to the Gen-EXers and Mantaro:
I'm sorry for lying to you all, but it wasn't your fight. This was all my fault, for the most part, so it was my responsibility to take care of business. Tamerlion is dead, killed by my angry hand. I feel remorse for what I've done, but I can't change the past so I won't dwell on it. And hey, if you went ahead and bought the tickets, I'll pay you back next time we meet.
To Terry the Kid:
You weren't so bad to be around. I enjoyed being on the Earth Team with you and always thought highly of you as a wrestler. As a person, however…. Just kidding.
To Seiuchin:
Words can't express how terrible I feel, Seiuchin, my friend. I'd like to see you a final time. I'd like to know if you can see me. Maybe when I return, I can find out. Thank you for protecting me, and I'm sure Huskitooth would thank you, too. You are what it means to be Seigi Chôjin, you and Kid and Mantaro. You were all always better at that than I was…
Well, that's that. When Japan beckons for me, I'll come and visit you all. Maybe I'll even join Muscle League again, but that's up to ol' Harabote. Put in a good word for me, anyway, okay?
And Jade, no hard feelings.
Love and Peace,
Gazelle Man
And that was that, a letter addressed to them all, folded neatly and sealed away in an envelope, pushed through IWF's mail slot. He'd let Harabote worry about what to do with his stuff. All he needed were the clothes on his back and what was in his satchel: his passport and ID, his credit cards, and photos of the guys, his most important article. He was a little surprised to see that he still had the necklace Tamerlion gave him when they first met, and unsure of what to do with it, took it with him.
At the airport terminal, he stood before a large window, watching the 5:22 to America take off. He wondered if Terry had been at this spot at some point. He traveled back to his Texas regularly, as far as he knew. Gazelle Man rolled the Animus trinket in his fingers, that little monster turtle that appealed to him all those days ago… He held it up to the light, it catching a ray or two and glinting white. Taking its chain in his hands, he held it over his head and breathed:
"Animus is not an option."
With that, he pulled the chain apart, breaking it in two, the turtle pendant falling to the floor.
"Attention: Flight 79 for Arusha, Tanzania will be ready for boarding in 10 minutes. All passengers for Flight 79 please report to Gate F2. Thank you."
Gazelle's ears twitched. The PA applied to his flight, so he'd have to be on his way. He tossed the chain shrapnel to keep the gamera pendant company, wiping the trinket from his memory. The holes Animus drilled in his heart would soon be filled with his love for his home, love for the zebras and the hippos and his lovely gazelles… and perhaps even a little for those troublesome lions...
END