Author's note - I'm really sorry about the ridiculously long break between chapters. I've just been really busy, plus this chapter was really difficult to write. I'm still not sure about it but oh well. Hope you enjoy it. Feedback will be very much appreciated - don't be afraid to be cut-throat. :)

...Ugh.

Phoenix was walking along the corridor leading to the men's changing rooms mentally preparing himself for the match starting in approximately thirty minutes.

…I really think I might vomit.

Of course, mental preparation becomes more of a challenge when you've been drinking all night.

…Stupid Maya…she knows what alcohol does to me…although I suppose I can't talk, I did drink it…

As Phoenix attempted to force himself out of his hangover, he had a brief recall of what had happened in yesterday's match. It was foggy; all he could remember was being troubled by something his opponent had said. He couldn't remember what that was though.

Damn it! Why can't I remember? I know it was important…

In fact, he was so lost in his thoughts that he stopped looking where he was going and walked straight into someone going the opposite way from him.

"Wah! Sorry, I didn't mean to-" Phoenix stopped abruptly half-way through his apology. The person – male he guessed – in front of him was wearing a huge black duffel-coat which covered their entire body, with the collar pulled up and what appeared to be a Stetson pulled over their face. To complete their look, they had sunglasses on.

Could this guy look MORE suspicious? A cowboy; wearing sunglasses and a winter coat on a cloudy summer's day? Who does that!

The cowboy spoke in a deep voice, completely catching Phoenix off-guard.

"You haven't changed at all Wright, have you?" He said in a mocking tone. "Even if you were dressed like the blue badger I'd know it was you from your sheer idiocy."

Phoenix took a step back, more from the insult than the fact that this man somehow knew who he was.

Who does this guy think he is?

"…and you still can't even think of how to respond when someone insults you – priceless!" The man laughed to himself.

"Who the hell are you?" Phoenix asked darkly as he glared daggers at the winter cowboy. The man just barked laughter in response.

"Ha ha! Always good for a laugh, aren't you Phoenix?"

"Just tell me who you are."

The man waved a hand dismissively before replying,

"That doesn't matter."

I officially hate this guy.

"Well then…why are you here? Can you at least tell me that much?" Phoenix inquired, really starting to lose his cool.

"We are impatient, aren't we?" The man replied, clearly revelling in Phoenix's anger. "Won't you wait a bit longer?"

"No."

The man thought upon Phoenix's response for a moment before replying cryptically,

"Ah well. You're going to have to wait to see, whether you like it or not. I can't go giving spoilers out to just anyone. Let me just say though – you're going to have lots of fun over the next few days."

The man walked around Phoenix and began to walk away.

"Hang on…wait!" Phoenix called after him, causing him to stop and slowly turn around. "You think you can just leave after that vague threat?"

"You were, and still are I might add, too busy looking for answers to hold a proper conversation; so I thought I'd leave." the man said nonchalantly.

What do you expect? I know nothing about you! Not to mention you seem to be trying to provoke me – on what level do you believe I'll hold a normal conversation? Under these circumstances this is a normal conversation!

"What do you mean by fun?" Phoenix asked, deciding he would rather this guy just left than not try and find out a little bit about what was going on.

The man exhaled exasperatedly, "Look, I thought I'd already made it abundantly clear that I wasn't going to tell you about your big surprise…"

"Big surprise?" Phoenix interjected quickly, hoping to catch the man off-guard.

"Not so fast spiky, I know what you're up to." The man said smoothly, "That's as much as I'm saying. You'll find out more in good time. Just be a good little boy and wait." The man turned to leave again.

"HOLD IT!" Phoenix shouted. The man sighed theatrically and turned around even slower than before.

Would he get that cocky grin off his face already? Well okay…technically I can't see his face; but I can just tell he's smirking at some secret joke…

"What? I don't have all day, 'Feenie'." The man said mockingly.

"Well I don't think we're done…" Phoenix stopped mid-sentence.

'Feenie'…?

"…Hello? You there? Listen, I'd love to stay and chat…well, stare into space with you, but I've got a previous engagement so…" the man spun round on his heel and strode off as Phoenix stared after him, unable to speak.

"…ick…Nick!" Maya yelled at the frozen figure as she ran towards him. "Hey Nick, the match starts in 20 minutes, why are you just standing here?"

"Nick?"

…

He called me…'Feenie'…