June 30th, 1998

Papillion, Nebraska

"You having fun?" Seth Rollins mom asks as he vomits into the toilet.

"No" Seth moans, leaning over the seat.

"Good, what were you doing drinking whiskey last night? I've told you time and time again those "friends" you spend all day with are nothing but trouble." Mama Rollins says in a sour tone.

"Geez, calm down. You're killing my mood." Rollins mutters.

"Killing your mood? KILLING YOUR MOOD?! Let me tell you what's killing my mood Seth. Working my ass off as a single mom trying to keep a roof over your head. You being arrested last month. You coming home late at night with bruises from doing god knows what. Your room is a mess, you don't respect my property, and you don't give me ANY SUPPORT! THAT'S WHATS KILLING MY MOOD SETH!"

Seth sat against the wall, holding his head. The screams making his hangover feel even worse. He looked up to see his mom crying. Not the first time he's seen her cry, but this is the first time she's done it in front of him.

"Mom, I-I-I'm sorry."

"I've heard that before, and you don't mean it. I didn't want to do this, but I'm sending you off to boarding school." Mama Rollins said, wiping tears from her eyes.

"WHAT! Mom, no please. I really mean it this time. I can make it up to you." Rollins begged.

"Oh you will. You're going to Japan to spend a few years with your uncle who works for the school. He told me they have zero tolerance for disobedience."

She walks off, leaving Seth in the bathroom to his thoughts. A week later, he found himself hopping on a flight to Osaka, Japan. A fourteen year-old moving to another part of the world was huge. Especially without his mother. Meeting up with his uncle Travis, both head out to the school to get Seth enrolled. As they enter, a young American boy about Seth's age wearing a robe greets them. Travis and the boy bow to each other.

"Kenneth, how you doing buddy." Travis asks.

"I'm doing awesome Travis-senpai. I've just finished cleaning the mats, and was going to grab my master some fresh towels." Kenneth replied.

"Great. By the way, this is my nephew Seth. Seth, this is Kenneth Riley."

"Sup." Seth greets, and Kenneth bows back.

"Listen, I gotta do the enrollment paperwork. Kenneth, show Seth around will ya?" Travis asks.

"Absolutely Travis-senpai. Come on Seth, I'll explain everything." Kenneth says running ahead.

Kenneth and Seth tour the school. It was small and quiet. Seeing other students study hard, train harder, and still put in extra work for their masters made for a different vibe. Seth wasn't really feeling it.

"Why would I do all of this? Seth asks crossing his arms.

"Because that's how we do it here. If you're not living for a purpose, then why bother living. I'm here because it made me a better man. Soaking up all the knowledge I can. All the blood, sweat and tears I drop for them is a small step to a greater goal. To be one of the best fighters in the world!" Kenneth explains with a sparkle in his eye.

As stupid as this sounded, Seth liked the enthusiasm.

"I even got a cool name picked out." Kenneth tells him.

"Lemme hear it."

"One day, all shall bow down to the king of fighters, KENNY OMEGA!" Kenneth shouts, pointing in the air.

Seth laughs and Kenneth laughs as well. After that day, the two became best friends. Years went by where they learned, fought and bled together. There were times that Seth wanted to quit, but Kenneth kept him motivated. Constant sparring matches where they would trade wins back and forth. It was grueling, but Seth found his groove and evolved his mind and body. Even told his mom he'll be staying in Japan a while longer because he loved it there so much. She started crying. Tears of joy as she was so proud of her son.

Around 2009, Seth and Kenneth parted ways, as Kenneth wanted to travel the world and learn more fighting styles. He hasn't heard from Kenneth since. Seth spent another year in Japan, before moving back to the states to be near his mother. He eventually took up crossfit, something a little more challenging. After that, getting a job at Buff Body gym, where he was approached for his current job.

"Yeah, I'm having fun. Didn't expect to see you so soon." Seth tells Ruby.

"Of course not, but I wanted to see you." Finishing off her smoke.

Seth leans against the railing, soaking in the beach. A small bonfire burning in the distance. Ruby leans next to him and they chat for a few minutes. Ruby is a drifter who likes to travel the world, seeing the sights and causing trouble wherever she can. An independent anarchist of sorts. The wind picks up and she starts to shiver a little. Seth offers his jacket and she accepts, thanking him. Seth notices a bag she has, but she doesn't say what's inside. Cole comes outside to find Seth, taking his attention away from Ruby.

"Hey man, I been looking all over for you." Says Cole.

"My bad, I was talking to-" Seth turns around to find Ruby gone.

"Come on, we haven't even started drinking yet." Cole says laughing.

Seth looks around confused before joining Cole. They head inside where Shelly and Dana are waiting at the bar. Four shots of a white drink are laid out for them.

"What the hell is this?" Seth asks.

"It's called a Liger Bomb. I had one of these last month and this stuff is Hercules strong!" Cole tells him smiling.

All four knock back the shot. Seth drops to one knee for a second while everyone laughs. They all knock back one more Liger Bomb and hit the dance floor. Daft Punk's "Robot Rock" gets everyone moving. The liquor and music bring Seth and Dana closer together. Close enough where she can whisper in his ear. Both ditch the dance floor and head to the bedroom. Locking the door behind them, they makeout. Starting from the door and moving to the dresser, Seth bends her over the dresser, lifts up her dress, and they have sex.

A few minutes into it, an argument starts in the living room. One of the voices sounding like Cole. Seth and Dana get themselves together and investigate. Cole is arguing with a guy wearing a man bun and a girl who's with him. Cole claiming Man Bun spilled a drink on him. Shelly gets in between trying to break it up.

"Fuck you, I'll stomp your ass out." Man Bun yells while his female companion tries to hold him back.

"Come on dude, I'm right here!" Cole yells back.

"Whoa, lets take it easy here." Says Seth stepping in.

Man Bun stares at Seth for a few seconds. A look of anger appears on his face.

"You're the asshole who rode your bike on my car earlier!" Man Bun shouts gripping Seth by his shirt.

Seth, still feeling wobbly, tries to get free. Cole superkicks Man Bun in the face, knocking him to the floor, and Seth loses his balance.

"ADAM COLE BAY BAY!" Cole yells standing over him.

With everyone else at the party cheering, Man Bun's female friend smacks Cole across the head with her purse and pepper sprays him. Shelly grabs the female by the hair and throws her against the wall. Seth, getting back to his feet, looks over amongst the crowd to the bar where something caught his eye. A watermelon sized firework sits on the bar, lit and ready to blow.

"Dammit woman." Seth thinks before ducking.

The firework goes off, sending a variety of sparks and colors all over the house. Everyone in the party scrambles and tries to find an exit. Among the chaos, Seth loses track of Cole and Shelly. He heads for the balcony, trying to keep his head straight and looks out to the parking lot. Someone beeps a horn and looks down to see Ruby in Man Bun's corvette, with the top down. A large bang from the firework startles Seth and he falls off the balcony, landing on the hood. He rolls over the windshield into the passengers seat. She pulls off with the fireworks still going and people recording the madness.

"Holy shit, you're insane!." Says Seth looking back.

"I know right? That was fucking awesome!" Ruby yells, blasting heavy metal on the radio.

Ruby pulls over to the coast a few miles out. The moon shining bright and reflecting off the ocean.

"Tell your friend I'm sorry about his shirt." Ruby admits.

"That was you? I'm dealing with a professional here." Seth said amused.

"I love causing trouble." Ruby said laughing.

"So, we got disturbing the peace, civilian endangerment, vandalism, possible arson, and grand theft auto. What else can we add the list before the night is over?" Said Seth counting on his fingers.

"What about public indecency?" Ruby suggests before climbing on Seth's lap and removing her shirt.

He wraps his arms around her, resting his head on her chest and embracing her. She pulls the lever dropping the seat, and they have sex. Afterwards, both of them sit back to admire the ocean before police sirens in the distance end the night.

"Well, that's my cue. You better get out of here." Ruby tells him.

Seth gets out and Ruby starts up the car.

"Oh yeah, don't forget this." She says handing Seth his jacket.

"Thanks, am I gonna see you again?" Seth asks.

"Sure, but you'll see me when I want you to. By the way, that number I gave you is a one time use. I can't have people tracking me, so make it count." She says before speeding off.

"Will do." Seth thinks.

He puts his jacket back on, feeling something heavy in the pocket. He pulls out a bottle of Essence sparkling water, berry flavored. He smiles, then frowns realizing she left him three miles out from town.

"FUCK!"