Let Me Be Surprised
A whole year had passed since Kid Muscle had left his adopted planet Earth and headed back home to become King of Muscle Planet. Those friends whom he left behind continued on with their lives but they never forgot their old friend. We'll all accept one of them.
London England, the Mask Estate,10:38 am.
Kevin was laid out on the couch wearing nothing but his mask and sweat pants, a bag of chips in one hand, crumbs on his chest, several empty beer cans around the floor and a half empty one on the table.
Kevin rested his head back as his eyes watched the tv screen.
But then the phone began to ring, taking him out of his program. He expected that in a house of five people someone other than him could get it. But it continued to ring and he let it because he didn't want to be disturbed. So he did the logical thing.
"Mum!" he yelled." Mum phone." Within a few moments his mother Alisa made her way out of one of the side rooms and through the living room, seeing her son laid out on the couch. Then she went into the kitchen to answer the phone.
"Hello." Alisa answered picking it up.
"Hello." Said a thick Texas accent on the other end." Is this the Mask residence?"
"Why yes it is. This is Alisa Mask, who is calling?"
"Ma'am I'm Terry Kenyan, American Choujin."
"Oh your Robin's friend Terryman's son."
"Yes ma'am."
"What can I help you with?"
"Well ma'am I was wondering if your son Kevin was around?"
"Kevin?" she answered confused. Kevin didn't like being around many people, and last she checked the American wasn't one of them. But maybe things changed and her son and made some new friends." Kevin." She called into the other room resting the phone against your shoulder.
"Huh!" Kevin yelled back.
"Phone for you darling." Kevin let out a groan and rolled out of his seat, crumbs falling off him and to the floor. Dragging his feet and slouched over he lumbered into the kitchen to see his smiling mother." Phone for you." She said smiling and handing it off to him.
"Hello." Kevin said into the phone.
"Hey there Kevin." Said a Texas accent that he knew all too quickly." It's Terry The Grand Kenyan, how ya doin buddy?" Kevin raised an eyebrow as he did not know why Kenyan had called him. He let out a groan in response." Well partner I'm just gonna cut right to the chase since I'm being charged for a roaming fee and all. I was wondering if you and Fiona were coming to my wedding?"
"Say again?" said Kevin cocking his head.
"My wedding. I sent out a letter about a month ago." Kevin looked up at the sky and tried to remember and after a second it came to him.
He'd been going through the mail that day and came upon a pink envelope. Wondering what fruitcake had sent it he opened it. When he did he found a card shaped like Texas and on it, it read: "You are cordially invite to the most routeniest, shootenest, wild, wild wedding-" And that's all Kevin read before he tossed the card out.
"Kevin buddy." Said Terry's voice getting his attention." You still there?"
"I'm here." He replied.
"So are you coming to my wedding partner?" Kevin cocked his eyes over to see his mother nearby. He then turned back to the phone.
"Don't ever call this number again." He said and before anymore could be said he hung up the phone.
"What was that about dear?" asked Alisa as Kevin set the phone down.
"Eh." He grumbled as he exited the room.
"What did Terryman's little boy want?" Kevin exited the kitchen and made his way back to the living room.
"He wanted to know how old the queen was." He said as he positioned himself in the exact same pose in the exact same spot he was in before.
Then as he continued to watch TV the front door bursting open got his attention. He looked over to see his wife and father rushing through the door. Fiona dressed in shorts and a tang-top while Robin was in a sweat shirt and pants.
The two walked in through the door, huffing and puffing.
"That was a good run ." she panted.
"Aye, was a good run lass. I've not run that many miles in a long time." Robin panted in reply.
"Oi." Called Kevin." Keep it down will you, I'm trying to watch the telie."
"Kevin is that all you've done today?" asked the father.
"Only been up an hour." Replied the son.
"Leave him alone dear." Said Alisa stepping into the room.
"It's just not right dear." He responded defensively. Fiona walked over and wrapped her arms around Kevin's head.
"Hey." She said after planting a kiss on the side of his mask.
"Hey." He responded with less emotion.
"So I'm gonna go take a shower in our bedroom." She whispered. Kevin didn't appear interested in what she had to say." So say, five minutes." She leaned her head down and next to him, winking at him.
"Yea." He responded quickly, although he only half-heard her. Fiona thought that was strange but just turned and continued on her way upstairs. Robin and his wife watched the two talk and then Fiona walk.
"Let him be love." Said Alisa." He's deserved the rest."
"Aye, rest you say?" He turned from his wife to his son. "So shon." He from across the room." What are you going to do today?"
"Sit here." Responded Kevin." Watch the game, drink." He brought his beer over to his mouth.
"Are you going to train at all? Free weights, running, maybe take the stairs rather than the elevator."
"Nope." Kevin replied with a burp.
"Look at him." Robin pointed it out to his wife." No shirt, covered in crumbs watching tv. That's your shon Alisa." Kevin cocked his head and looked at the clock on the wall, it had been fifteen minutes since he spoke to Fiona so he picked himself, And with beer in his hand he moved up and moving just like before he lumbered up the stairs and to his bedroom.
"He Livesh." Said Robin raising his arms, only for his wife to give him a smack at the back of his helmet.
Kevin lumbered into the bedroom expecting to hear the showering running and his wife to be in it, but instead she was standing before him already half dressed.
"Your late." She said.
"Yea well I like to keep you on your toes." He said taking a step forward and undoing his pants. But Fiona stuck her hand out and stopped him as he stood before her.
"No, no. We can't do it now."
"Why not?"
"I just got out of the shower. I'm all clean now." Kevin cocked his head to his beer can as if a thought had gone through his head. He looked to his beer can and then his wife. Then without a second's delay he swung the can forward, forcing whatever was left in it to fly out of the can and onto her. Fiona closed her eyes as the beverage flew forward and went all over her face.
"Alright now you're dirty." He said." Let's get into the shower." After Fiona finished rubbing her eyes she looked at Kevin with a scowl. Then she pushed him out of the room and looked the door behind him.
"Alright geez." He said on the other end." You try to do anything; you get a mouthful of abuse."
But then he heard the doorbell ring. And like with the telephone he didn't want to get it.
"Mum!" he yelled, his voice echoing around the house." Mum! Doorbell!" But there was no reply from his mother or anyone.
Kevin grumbled as he knew now that he would have to go and answer it. He walked down the stairs and across the hall the bell ringing all the time. He walked up and grabbed the knob and swung the door open he cringed beneath his mask as the person he wanted to see least in the world was there, Jacqueline McMadd.
"Hi Kevin." She said to him in an overly happy voice. Kevin did not reply." I was just in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop by-" She began leaning in towards him and into his house, but Kevin quickly shut the door on her face and walked away shaking his head.
"Who was that dear?" asked Alisa as she walked by him.
"Wrong address." Kevin replied walking past her.
"Kevin." Said Fiona's voice from the top of the stairs." Where's Edward, I thought you were watching him?"
"Warsman's watching after him." Kevin told.
"WHAT!" exclaimed Fiona and Alisa as they turned to Kevin.
"What's wrong with that?" asked Kevin.
"Kevin you left our son in the hands of that dangerous man." Fiona said descending the steps.
"Warsman's not dangerous."
"He's a super computer designed only to fight." Told Fiona." He has 6 inch claws on each hand how is that not dangerous?!"
"Well when you say it like that." Said Kevin.
"Kevin!" called Robin's voice through the halls.
"Oh that can't be good." Commented Alisa. Everyone watched as Warsman holding the wee baby Edward walked into the room.
"Comrades." He said in a whisper." We must be quiet, the little one is asleep." He let a finger to his mouth and let out a 'shh' sound.
"Kevin." Said Robin in a stern voice." We need to talk."
So Kevin found himself sitting on the couch looking up at his scolding father.
"What have you got to shay for yourshelf?" asked Robin.
"I don't know." Responded Kevin in a dull voice." I was irresponsible, selfish." They'd had this conversation before.
"Your damn right you are. You're shirking your parental duties and using my prized student as a Nanny!"
"HaHaHa!" laughed Warsman as he rolled around on the floor. Robin and Kevin both looked over to him" Comrades, comrades look he likes me." He sat himself up as the wee baby Edward crawled around his head.
"All the same Kevin." Said Robin turning back to the matter at hand." You cannot just blow off your responsibility like this. You-" He turned over to see Warsman holding Edward but the baby was dangerous close to Warsman's bear claws." WARSMAN!" he yelled." Don't do that!"
"Yes, sir." He responded quickly removing the claws from the baby's grip. Robin turned back to Kevin.
"Do you see what I'm getting at shon?" asked Robin." You cannot fly through life without any direction." That will just lead you to an empty death."
"Here it comes." Said Kevin under his breath.
"And do you know what that's like Kevin, DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO DIE!" He pointed a finger and raised his voice to startle him but Kevin had heard this speech before.
"No Dad." Kevin responded emotionlessly." What was it like?"
"The firsht time was obviously worse." Robin said crossing his arms." Getting bashed on the head and drowning at the same time, then jushed darkness. The second time was more peaceful, like flyfishing. Do you know what they both had in common Kevin?"
"No dad." Kevin responded." What?"
"When I died, I died for shomething. Not for myself." Kevin just nodded his head as if listening.
"I died two times as well." Added Warsman standing up with Kevin's son in his arms." Trust me comrade, it's not a nice place to be."
"Nobody asked you." Said Kevin standing up and taking his son from Warsman.
"I have upset him." Commented Warsman." I shall combine myself in the freezer until I can compute why." But before he could Robin reached out and stopped him.
"What do you think all that was about?" asked Fiona as she and Alisa watched the whole scene from the kitchen.
"I haven't seen Kevin act like this since, since…."
"Since when?" asked Fiona turning to her mother in law.
"Since when he ran away." Alisa commented with her head bowed. Fiona looked into the other room and saw Kevin leaving his father and teacher to go into his room.
"I'm going to go talk to him." Said Fiona." See if I can understand what's going on in his head." Then she took off and headed up to the bedroom.
Kevin and meanwhile entered the room. He sat down on the side of the bed with his son in his arms. His sons laughing got his attention and he held the baby up so they could look each other eye to eye.
"Look at you." He said." You've no idea what's going on. You just want your bottle and you're good for the day." Edward giggled, bringing on finger up to his mask and tapping on it." But for me, it's not so simple." He cocked his head and looked away. But then he heard the door open and both father and son looked to the door to see Fiona standing there.
She made her way across the room and sat down next to her husband who passed off their son to her. Fiona took him and bounced him on her knee, then resting him in her arms.
"So." She said turning to Kevin." Do you want to talk about what's bothering you?" Keivn turned and made eye contact with his wife.
"Nothing." He answered. Then he got up to his feet and moved over to the window.
"Is it about moving back into your old home after everything that's happened?"
"No." said Kevin with a sigh.
"Is it about our son?" she asked.
"No."
"Then what is it?!" she asked. Kevin rolled his eyes and headed for the door.
"Nothing." He replied as he headed out.
It was now later in the day and the Mask Family were all sitting down to dinner.
Just then the phone rang and Robin, being the closest got up to answer it.
"Hello." He said into it. A voice spoke on the other end." Buffaloman?" Everyone at the table turned and faced him." Calm down, calm down lad. What are you saying? The telie? Oh Aye, I'll check it out. Thank you." Then Robin hung up the phone and walked into the living room.
"What was that about dear?" asked Alisa as Robin walked across the room.
"Buffaloman." He answered." Said there's something on the telie I should look at."
"Darling we're having dinner."
"But it's about work." He responded.
"Work?" said Fiona perking up." What about it?" She turned away from feeding the baby that a spoonful of baby food hit the side of his mask and got all over it.
Robin walked into the next room and turned on the tv. The rest of the family was in the other room still eating but then Robin's booming voice roared in "KEVIN!"
It was such a roar that Alisa and Fiona shook, Edward started crying and Warsman hid under the table.
"We only yells like that when he's real mad." Warsman said shaking under the table.
"Yea, yea." Said Kevin sounding indifferent as he got out of his chair." I know, I know." He walked out of the kitchen and into the next room to see his scolding father.
"What the hell is this!" yelled Robin pointing to the tv. Kevin cocked his head and looked at the tv to see a colorful list of titles. Such as: Sluts outdoors, Topless Summer and the ever so casual Pimp My Wife.
"That's not mine." Said Kevin pointing to the tv.
"You were watching the telie all damn day!"
"What is it?" asked Fiona as she and Alisa appeared in the doorway, Warsman was still cringing under the table.
"Father, I'm sure this isn't what Buffaloman had in mind when he called."
"True, true." Said Robin turning to the tv." But you and I will have this conversation later." He exited the screen and then went on to live tv. And at that time a commercial was playing.
There was Jacqueline McMadd on the screen with a microphone.
"There is only one prize that everyone strives for." She began." The Prize to be the best of the best, and for all others to worship the ground you walk on. Some heroes have already won this glory." Images began playing of battle long past. King Muscle vs. Robin Mask, King Muscle vs. Warsman, Kid Muscle vs. Kevin Mask. "And next week it all happens again." The images on the screen began displaying wild fires and tidal waves. "See all your favorite Wrestlers." She announced." Jeager!" And there was the German surrounded by fire and then swinging at the camera with his Red Rain of Pain, his name appeared next to his image surrounded in fire.." Terry Kenyan." There was the Texas as he rode on a horse, then jumped off doing a back flip and landing on his feet, his name appeared covered in dirt." Checkmate." He stood on a giant chess board, and swung his cape around his back. His name appeared in black and white letters with the 'T' looking like a rook." Mars." And to Kevin's surprise there was his old DMP ally standing on a mountaintop surrounded by thunder and lightning. He smiled an evil smile as the lights flashed around him and his name appeared next to him." And many more." Images flashed of the wrestlers in various fights and fighting poses." All in this year's Choujin Crown!" The commercial came to close with the image of a crown and the various wrestlers grabbing for the crown or charging at each other.
"Well what do you say about that?" said Robin." Has it been five years already?"
"Times truly flies when you're having fun." Said Alisa.
"Speaking of fun." Said Fiona." I've better start training, and then I've got to call a babysitter for Edward."
"No need for that love." Said Alisa." Robin and I can watch after him. It'll save you the trouble."
"Oh would you, that would be-"
"I'll do it." Said Kevin. Everyone turned over to him confused." I'll watch him."
"Kevin do you know what you're saying?" asked Robin.
"He is my son after all. Doesn't it make sense, I watch him."
"Aye it does when you're not competing. But you're gonna have matches to compete in."
"No, I won't."
"What do you mean?" asked Fiona.
"I'm not participating in the tournament." And everyone gasped at his response.
"Shon what are you saying?" asked Robin." Our family has participated in the Choujin Crown since it began. I was the 19th Champion, and the runner up of the 20th. You two were the runner up of the 22nd."
"It's just another stupid tournament for the McMadds to make money." Said Kevin turning his back on them.
"Comrade." Said Warsman walking into the room." Perhaps your circuits are malfunctioning, perhaps some tea will help you think?"
"I don't need to think, my mind is made up."
"Shon." Said Robin putting his hand on Kevin's shoulder." You should take this down a notch. What's troubling you?"
"Nothing." He responded with gritted teeth, getting annoyed that everyone was bothering him." Maybe I just want to be there for my son, unlike how you were there for me!"
Robin stepped back in shock, so then Fiona stepped up.
"Kevin." Said Fiona." I don't know what's been going through your head recently but you haven't been thinking right."
"No." he responded." Perhaps I'm thinking right for the first time in my life."
"Kevin." Pleaded Fiona." Come into the kitchen and we'll talk about this."
" Bah! He responded turning away from them and began walking towards the door." I'm going for a drive."
"Kevin wait!" said Fiona. But he did not stop and the next thing they heard was the revving of his motorcycle. Then Kevin drove out and onto the highway.
Meanwhile over at the Muscle League Head-Quarters. After the announcement Jacqueline headed off the stage and made her way back to her office. But on her way there she was stopped by her brother.
"Excellent Broadcast sister." He said." I'm sure that'll get the attention of our viewers."
"Indeed." She said tossing a hand through her hair.
"But I'm afraid a matter has come up that requires your immediate attention."
"What's that?" she asked. Ikeman turned his sister to the window and pointed out it." Your boyfriend and his friends." She looked out the window to see Jeager and the others prancing back and forth playing 'grab ass'.
"Ah." Said Jacqueline with a wave of her hand." Let them have their fun. I've got other things to deal with."
"Like what?" he asked as she turned and walked away.
"That's between me and Daddy."
Her father was in his office, sitting behind his desk. He was busy with work when suddenly the door was kicked open and his daughter walked in.
"Daddy!" she sang as she walked in." I have some good for you!"
"What is it?" asked Vance." Is it about the commercial? It was colorful but I found it strange. But I'm sure it'll get people's attentions."
"Oh no, daddy. It's much better than the commercial."
"Then what is it?" Jacqueline jumped up in joy and yelled.
"I'm pregnant!" Her father's eyes bugged open and his jaw dropped.
"What did you say?" asked Vance confused.
"You're going to be a grandfather." She said. The old man sat back in his chair.
"And who's the father?" he asked.
"Well shouldn't that be obvious?" she asked. Vance nodded and then headed out of the office.
"I've got to go see about something." he said.
Jeager and the Muscle Leaguers were downstairs eating ice cream.
"What flavor did you get?" asked Terry to Wally.
"Grape, and you?"
"Chocolate."
"Jeager!" called Vance. Everyone turned over to see the little man walking over to them.
"Mr. Chairman." Said the German turning to him." Vhat can I do for you?" Vance reached out and took Jeager's hand.
"Welcome to the family, son." He said shaking it.
"Vhat?" asked Jeager confused. It was at this moment that Jacqueline came into the room.
"That's right." She said getting everyone's attention." I'm pregnant."
"That's vundibar!" exclaimed Jeager stepping up. He lunged over and took Jacqueline in his arms." I'm going to ve a father!" He rested Jacqueline down." It's vike un dream come true."
"Now, now." Said Jacqueline fanning Jeager's arms." I didn't say it was your baby, sweetie."
"Vhat?" asked Jeager in confusion.
"What are you saying daughter?" asked Vance.
"I'm pregnant but I didn't say it was Jeager's baby." The other Muscle Leaguer's all looked to each other.
"Vhat!" he yelled in disbelief." Vhat do you mean, how can you say that?! Ve've been going out for nearly a year and-"
"I don't know what to tell you darling these things happen." Jeager put his hands on his head constrained by the stress. And when he turned around he saw all his fellow Muscle Leaguers before him.
"VOU!" he yelled pointing at them." One of you did it, one of you betrayed me!" He walked up and down their lines all flinching at him." Vho vas it, vas it you Checkmate?!"
"I think not good sir." He responded." I have been married the longest out of all of us." Jeager nodded believing the excuse so then he moved on. He came next to Terry Kenyan.
"VOU!" he yelled." VOU DID IT!"
"Jeager buddy, I'm getting married in less than a month." Jeager nodded believing Terry as well.
"Vhen who vas it. Vho is the father of Jacqueline's baby?" A dark chuckle caught his attention.
"Look Jeager." Said Mars as he moved the other Muscle Leaguers aside and stood before the German." I don't know why your surprised at all this. That pen's been all around this company ink."
"Hey!" said Jacqueline. Jeager picked his head up and noticed Mar's snickering face.
"It vas YOU!" he yelled grabbing onto Mar's shirt.
"Hey!" barked back Mars." I don't like being touched!" And he moved in to retaliate. But before there could be any bloodshed the rest of the muscle leaguers jumped in and broke them up.
Checkmate, Wally grabbed Mars and took him away while Terry and Dik Dik held Jeager in place.
"Now calm yourselves." Said Vance stepping in." Break it up, break it up." But Mars and Jeager continued to glare at each other, huffing and puffing the whole time." Jacqueline, why don't you put some light on this situation?"
His daughter stepped up and everyone turned to her.
"Can you all give Jeager and I some alone time?" she asked. The Muscle Leaguer's looked at her slyly but slowly they released Jeager and Mars from their grip. Then they and Vance headed out of the room.
"Vhat is going on Jacqueline. Tell me." She turned to him and after a sigh spoke.
"I'm going to have your baby Jeager." The German sighed his relief.
"Thanks Goodness. I almost thought that-"
"What are you planning to do Jeager?"
"Vhat?" he looked to her.
"What are you going to do about this?"
"We're going to get married ja? Und start our lives together."
"I'm afraid that's not going to work."
"Vhat do you mean?"
"I can't be with some second rate wrestler, I need to be with a champion."
"I am a champion, I'm one of the strongest in the New Generation."
"But you've lost more matches than you've won. You lost to Richardo and Mars, both of whom were later beaten by Kid Muscle."
"Vhat are you saying. That I need to be more like Kid?"
"No!" she said frustrated." I mean we can never be together so long as your still second rate."
"I can change! I can get better!" he said dropping to his knees and pleading with her.
"Then prove it." Jeager picked up his head and looked at her.
"How?"
"Win the Choujin Crown." Jeager's eyes burst open in shock." You can do that can't you?"
"I, I don't know." He said standing back up.
"Then we've got nothing to talk about." She said turning and walking away.
"Vait, Vait." Said Jeager jumping in her way." I can do it, I was one of the 12 finalist last time." Jacuqline crossed her arms in disbelief." Vith some extra effort, I could defiantly win." She looked at him in disbelief.
"Alright Jeager." She acknowledged him." Then we've got a deal." Jeager smiled and nodded his head at her. She stepped off to his side and headed out the door." Keep in mind, you're fighting for your very future here."