And here we go again...
I do not own Skullgirls. All rights go to the amazing team of Hidden Variable, The Composers and Cast: Alex Ahad, Michiru Yamane, Vincent Diamante, Cristina Vee, Kaiji Tang, Sarah Williams, Rich Brown, Laura Post, Kai Kennedy and all the other amazing people who make this game awesome! (I could say the other names but that would take too long)
Enjoy Chapter Three Not What He Expected (Part 2)...
Setting The Stage Chapter Three
Summer 31/8/2008 New Meridian, NMO Arena...
Alright, so Beowulf would admit this: He never expected his old pal Zane to phone him up, say wrestling was making a comeback and that he wanted him to come out of retirement. This just couldn't be real. However, standing outside the arena and looking up at it again, he knew just how real it really was.
After talking with Zane on the phone for what felt like hours (Actually only thirty mintues), He quickly found what was left of his wrestling gear, washed it, put it on, grabbed Grendel and Hurting and made his way to his old Arena. He said "His" because he basically lived as long as it did, along with Zane. He gave a sigh and walked through the doors.
Once he made it through, he gave the area a long stare. There were stairs going up to different floors and into the balcony's, the staircase being held up by pillars. The walls were white, floor white as well, while the handles were blue the stairs a simple grey. On the right, there was a greeting desk with paperwork, pens, the simple office stuff. However, at the top above the desk there was the sign that read: "Canopy World Wrestling (CWW)".
Beowulf gave a grin, as he breathed in the air of the building he would probably be wrestling in, in the coming days. "Some things never change I suppose. Well apart from the look I guess and a wee bit of the smell." Saying that, The Wulf walked up to the desk and gave a whistle. "Hey, I'm here to speak to the Manager. Anybody here yet?" He thought he heard running, when a man came bursting through the doors and running past Beowulf. He looked strangely familiar weirdly.
His face looked terrified. Looking like, he just saw something horrible. A voice then probably talking to the man, shouted out of the direction the man in question just came from. "Just get her! And remember: No funny business or you know what'll happen." The voice shouted with an icey tone barely recognisable but Beowulf knew who it belonged to.
"Alright, alright. I'm sorry! I'll be sure to get confirmation!" The man cried and ran out the front doors.
The voice then walked out the doors and grinned when he saw Beowulf. "There he is! My Champ! My babe! My main, main man!"
Zane laughed, as he walked over and gave a punch to his friend's shoulder.
Beowulf in retaliation gave Zane a bear hug. "Bro, I missed you so much! Damn, it's been so long!" Beowulf sighed, while continuing to crush his best man.
"(...If he keeps squeezing I'm gonna burst. Literally!) Yea..h ma..nn long.. time…air!" The Wulf then let go of his mentor gently and slapped him on the back, which nearly toppled Zane over.
"Ha still ain't used to them eh?" Beowulf laughed at his friend's expense.
Trying to find his balance, Zane gave a cough and a "Yeah. (Even when he's being friendly and after all this time, his strength is quite a feat despite the obvious distance in time...)" He looked Beowulf up and down. "Say babe, looks like your body is still 150%. Keep up with the weights? You look the same as always. (For a neanderthal.)" The dirty blonde chuckled.
Beowulf in response just rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah, I guess. Even though there was no wrestling, I still just wanted to keep my healthy physique." Beowulf said while looking at his arm.
Zane merely raised an eyebrow. "Oh? (Interesting) Then getting back into the ring should be a piece of cake for ya! Also, stop looking at your muscles. I know they're awesome and all but remember you got brains as well. (...)"
The Wulf just grinned and then he began looking around a bit impetuously. "So, yeah bro. I'm here and all, what's next?"
"Good question my giant Wulf. I don't know. Ha, kidding! Let's go to my new and improved office and trust me, it's awesome." Zane jumped with glee and began his way to the door he walked out from.
"Sounds good to me." Beowulf agreed while following Zane with an eager demeanour himself. After all this time... they really were getting back together. It was awesome! Beowulf could barely believe it.
Now walking into the corridors, Beowulf couldn't help but think back to the guy who had just ran out of the building. Zane did sound pretty pissed at him. "Hey bro. Who was the skinny guy? He trying to stop us getting the business back together?"
Zane not looking back, kept walking and turned to another corridor. "Oh him? Nah it's nothing like that. He owes me a favour that's all. He was trying to say he didn't but I convinced him otherwise. Don't worry about the favour either." Zane answered back.
"Cool." Beowulf asked no more, as he and Zane walked up some stairs.
The stairs just led to more corridors. Beowulf didn't mind though, he was used to it all those years ago, made no difference here but he would admit, he was getting some de-ja-vu. "Man, still looks the same. Hope your office isn't on the other side of the building. We'll be going through so many different hallways." Beowulf joked.
"Trust me bud it ain't far. In fact, here we are now." The flashy man smiled.
They stopped as Zane opened the door to his office. "Welcome home bud." He grinned, as they both walked inside and he closed the door.
Beowulf looked around. "Wow. It looks the same but more old school." The Wulf stated while admiring the decor.
"That's the point my friend." Zane fired another grin off, as he walked round to his desk and sat down.
Beowulf still looking around the room, set is eyes on Zane's desk. "Huh, the desk looks the same. Heh good thing too, I always liked it that way. Not having these pricks change that."
"Amen to that good sir." His manager gave a grin. "They seem to have only updated the bad things, which is a plus for us and I just made a rhyme so I can mark that off." Zane chuckled and began to look round himself.
Meanwhile, Beowulf seemed to have zoned out by that point, ignoring what had just been said.
"Yeah it is..."
Spring 3/3/1996 New Meridian NMO Arena...
"ARRRRROOOOOOOOOOOO! One Twenty Inch: PYTHON!" Role for the cover.
"1. 2.3. WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
"Here's your winner and stilllll undefeated Wulfamania champion: Beoooowulfffff!" The announcer shouted to the audience, who cheered and applauded the epic match they had just witnessed.
Beowulf rolled off his opponent, while whispering into his ear: "Thanks so much for this."
While the other whispered back: "Please, you should be the one getting thanked. Look sharp, here comes Johnny." Beowulf turned to see the ref coming to raise his arm as the victor.
Panting heavily and getting up, Beowulf looked around the arena, as the fans chanted his name. They screamed even more when his hand was raised. "Never gets old." He muttered happily. He turned to Johnny. "Cheers for the refereeing Johnny."
"Don't mention it. Hell of a match." Beowulf smirked and nodded his approval of the title and once again looked round. Chants of Grendel were echoing all around. "They're calling for him. Better give em what they want." He walked over to the turnbuckle.
Grabbing his partner and his Chair: Hurting and Grendel, he made his way over to it. The black haired man jumped up to the second rope and balanced his chair on it. He then put one foot on the seat and another on the handle as he did his signature pose of: Slinging Grendel around his shoulder and pointing to the crowd. The crowd erupted into a much louder roar of appreciation for their hero. Beowulf just smiled. "I wish this could never end..." He closed his eyes and basked in the glory.
After a couple of seconds, he jumped down to see his opponent up and applauding him too. Walking over to him, he shook his hand and hugged him. The crowd cheered as they embraced. They would cheer for almost anything relating to Beowulf, especially when he was with Randy and the man in question loved it.
"Thanks again Randy." Damage just smiled.
"Again, it's you who should be getting thanked."
"Nah, you made it special, no me. I'm just a guy retaining. That reminds me, need to see Zane. I'll see you later. Oh, yeah, remember the promo or the writers will have ya." Beowulf joked. Randy just gave him a casual slap to the shoulder in response as he made his way to the ropes.
Beowulf rolled out of the ring and made his way up to the backstage area. At the same time, Randy was cutting his promo to the crowd, talking about how he was honoured to once again fight Beowulf and saying every time it was special. Beowulf smiling always admired that about the Macho King. He always was real with his promos. The last he heard of the speech was Randy hoping to have more "awesome" matches with The Wulf. Which he silently agreed with, walking through the entrance curtains.
Walking into the backstage area, he sat down on a very large case. Again, sweating and panting heavily, he was treated to an applause by the stage editors, doctors etc. Simple stuff for him really. He did enjoy being in the spotlight and being the people's champ but again some of his co workers were complaining that they were not getting a push or a championship title match, hell not even a championship run. Now the Wulf wasn't greedy, he loved the belt but he actually agreed with his fellow wrestlers. He wanted to see them succeed as well but it was just because of the writing team. They complained it was Zane but he was still busy and Beowulf knew that Zane wanted what was best for everyone too, it was just a very busy schedule. In the end, he just wanted everyone to be happy. Both wrestlers and fans. If only life was that easy though.
"Hey bud. I saw the awesome match, how's my favourite Wulf doin'?" And speak of the Devil, his manager had arrived.
"Hey bro. I'm good thanks, just tired after retaining is all." Beowulf took a drink from a bottle Zane handed to him. "Thanks." He gulped.
"Don't mention it and what a retaining it was babe! So epic! That kick out from the diving elbow was awesome and the way you used Grendel to finish it? Perfecto. Man, you and that arm make a good team. It's almost like he's alive as well." Zane encouraged him.
"Yeah he's my partner now and has helped me through many matches. It was the same here too. I'm glad I kept this with me. I do it to honour him."
Zane chuckled. "Don't know how that honours him. Being used as a plaything."
"Hey, he's more than that! Don't insult him." Beowulf gave a glare, which made his manager walk back a bit.
Zane was momentarily stunned. "(He's grown attached to this thing? That I did not expect) Yikes. I won't bud, sorry about that." He smiled apologetically.
"It's fine." Beowulf grumbled.
"Hey, remember we have a Paperview named after him. You did an awesome match then too. Ha can't believe it was just a month ago... One year anniversary of the man that did the Impossible... Why the long face? You should feel proud of that win. You've retained again!"
Beowulf merely grunted. "It's starting to feel less and less like a big win now."
Zane frowned at what had been said. "Something wrong bud?"
"Can I speak to you in your office?" Beowulf asked.
"Sure, sure. Hope nothing's happened? (Please no...)"
"Nah, nah. It's nothing like that."
"(Thank Lamia)"
"Go ahead and lead the way." Beowulf stretched his hand out for Zane to lead the way and he did so.
Walking down the corridor, Beowulf asked Zane: "So, you going to start writing the storylines again?"
"Sorry babe, I still need to do stuff for the war. Rest assured, I'll still write stuff for you though. (Nice to see he's agitated. More than I could get from him in a year...)"
Beowulf's face fell. "Oh... Cool." He muttered.
"Something wrong?"
"Nothing." Finally reaching the office, they stepped inside, as Zane closed the door.
Beowulf sat down in the usual chair out of three, while Zane walked round to his chair on the other side of the desk. Sitting down Beowulf's mentor put his hands on the table and looked at him seriously. "Talk to me."
Beowulf took a breath. "(Here goes) Listen, I know that it's awesome that I'm the champ, I sell Paperviews and everyone loves me and all but I feel like the other guys are missing out."
Zane nodded his head. "I see."
Beowulf continued. "Now don't get me wrong, I love being champ and all but I just want to see the others be champ for a bit, then I can beat em for the championship."
Zane gave another nod. "Uh huh."
"What I'm trying to say is, even though I beat Grendel and I'm supposed to be the unbeatable legend, the streak and all that. Why not give the others a cool storyline and let them run with the ball?" Beowulf was glad he finally remembered all of what he was going to say. He was hopeful that Zane would agree. After all, it was fair.
For the next couple of seconds it was silence. Until Zane spoke up. "(For an idiot, he is kind of smart when he puts his mind to it. It's admirable that he'd do this for everyone. So fascinating... Anyway! I can't have this happen right now. I need to keep this undefeated streak going... Ah!) Um-hm. I hear you babe, I hear you. I understand about the others wanting to be champ and stuff and you're right, they do deserve a championship run and I would write them awesome storylines. It's just..." Zane got up and walked round to Beowulf, who got up out of his chair himself.
Zane casually put his arm around his best friend's shoulder. "It's just that, this is all part of a bigger storyline. You see babe I want to build you up as a legend and what is better than a legend?" He asked gleefully.
Beowulf in return thought about it for a second. "Um... Happy legend?"
Zane face-palmed mentally. "Wrong bud but close heh. (Not even) It's a defeated legend! Just think: No one can beat you and you're gloating in victory. Then, outta nowhere, YOU are challenged. You accept of course because you think it's no big deal, a walk in the park, lardy dardy da and then bam!" The manager smacked his hands together. "You're beaten..." He glared seriously at Beowulf then smirked. Waiting for a response.
Beowulf rubbed the back of his head. It did sound quite awesome. "Gee... er... I don't know. How long would it have to go on for?" He asked.
Zane took his hand off Beowulf's shoulder and jumped bum first onto the desk. "Only for a couple years and then you can get beaten and take a rest. By then the war will be done and someone else can "run with the ball" as you call it. AND you know what that means."
Now captivated by the idea, Beowulf made an eager fist. "WHAT DOES IT MEAN?"
"It means: This handsome mamma jamma will be back in the storyline game! Everybody wins! So you see, this is all for your benefit bud and the others. I know that you want me back writing more storylines for the guys but war is war. Just do this for me and you'll be helping everyone including you. And just think, everyone will be applauding your efforts. You'll be a mega star. Everyone will love you both fan and wrestler." Zane encouraged.
Beowulf was stunned by the words. He would always be in the spotlight and he'd be helping everybody and all he needed to do was remain champ for a couple of years... Nothing seemed wrong with it! It was perfect! Zane in the meantime raised an eyebrow. "(I wonder what he's thinking right now. Was that enough to convince him?) Well, what do you think?"
Beowulf grinned and put his hands into fists. "Let's do it!"
Zane grinned along with his best bud. "There we go. I knew that you'd agree."
"Yeah!"
"Yeah indeed! Though, just in case of the others getting annoyed, just try and keep them calm. Just say that Zane has everything covered. It would be quite awkward if you told them don't you think?"
Beowulf rubbed his chin. "Yeah, I guess so."
Zane jumped off the desk. "Hey, don't think about it too much. If you can't convince them, just send them to me. I'll explain the whole situation and set them... straight heh. So you don't need to worry about a thing. As always, leave it in my hands my little Wulf. Good ol Zane has got you covered."
Beowulf beamed happily. "Thanks for this bro. You know others think that you only care about the business but I know you're a good guy deep down."
The manager then froze on the spot from the words. Time seem to stand still for him as he tried to process what had been said. "Goo-Good... good... guy...?" He whispered.
"Sure... You're doing this all for us, how can you not be?" Beowulf happily beamed.
"...Yeah... Yeah of course. Sure, I do care!" Zane suddenly burst into laughter.
The Wulf looked on at Zane a bit perturbed. "You alright bro?"
Steadily calming down. The well dressed man went silent and then looked at Beowulf with his signature grin. "Yeah, of course I am. Ha-ha! Why would I not be?"
"You just repeated yourself."
"Nah, nah, it's nothing. I'm just happy I got to tell you the truth! Alright, I need to get the papers done for the board. You just go see Randy and have a drink on me. Oh and get Jake and Mark. I need to speak to them about their match at Hardcore Heaven."
Beowulf made his way to the door. "Alright bro. See you." He opened it and stopped. "Again, thanks for this. You're the bestest best friend a guy could ask for." Beowulf walked out and closed the door after a giving Zane a bro fist.
Zane stood there. Stunned once again. "Friend? Good guy?" He repeated the words like they were alien. "How can he be so kind and confident? I know he is just a pawn and yet he accepts it so willingly..." Zane walked round and sat back down on his desk chair. The dirty blonde then took off his shades and rubbed his red eyes. "Such an enigma... Eh, it doesn't matter he's still just a nobody. Nothing I need to worry about. Now, it's almost about time for her bath... I hate scrubbing..." Zane sighed in his office, revealing his under light brown hair and smirked, changing into his "other clothes".
"J̴u̸s̴t̷ ̵a̸ ̴c̵o̸u̴p̴l̵e̶ ̵m̸o̴r̷e̵ ̸y̷e̴a̷r̶s̶.̸.̷..̷"
Beowulf meanwhile, walked around and found Randy resting at a table. "Hey bro." Beowulf greeted him.
"Hey Beowulf. You seem happy. Anything good happen?" Randy asked the happy Wulf.
"Ha yeah. Let's just say it's going to be a good couple of years."
Summer 31/8/2008 NMO Arena...
Beowulf was so caught in his memory; he didn't hear his manager call out to him. "wulf. Beowulf!" His manger shouted.
"Huh?"
"Stop daydreaming bud. Times a wastin'."
"Oh sorry. I was just thinking of something..." He shook his head.
"That's fine. I can understand that since it's been so long. Say, that reminds me, what you been up to?" His gleeful manager asked.
"Oh, um I was in some movies, I was a Wulf in one of them as well. Met a really nice co-star. Became a good friend, helped me through the tough times and then I took a break. I was just chilling and that's when you phoned. I was just thinking about getting back into the squared circle, wanting to get rid of all those bad memories when we went down hill... Anywho, what's new with you bro? (Wonder how things are with Lacie...)" The black haired man asked.
Zane kicked his feet up calmly, though on the inside he didn't expect the question. "Me? Well... I've been out and... about. Er... Just been handling little businesses, branching out and stuff. I go to church sometimes. Still religious heh-heh. I'm sorry for not calling you as much as well, I was just busy. But then I got the idea to restart the business because if I'm honest bud, I just want to leave a good impression of wrestling in the minds of the public. Pretty sure you do too. Now don't you worry about all the smaller details my man. Everything's been covered and approved by yours truly! The real question is, are you ready to make this awesome again!?" He asked the Wulf intensely.
In response Beowulf jumped up out of his seat in agreement. "OH YEAH! Let's make this so awesome that we knock it outta the park and I got just the opponent in mind to fight: I wanna take on the SKULLGIRL!" he howled to the room.
The sharp dressed man immediately sprang up from his chair after taking his legs off the desk. "Whoa, whoa, bud you serious?! You wanna take on the deadliest of deadliest, the cream of the crop: The Skullgirl?! Beowulf babycakes I love ya and all but do you really think you can beat her? I mean you did beat Grendel but a Skullgirl is even worse! (Just like I said he would. I expected him to say it later but right now, you are just full of surprises my friend)" The manager's shades flashed.
The Wulf scoffed. "Yeah, so what? She ain't that tough. Like you said: I beat Grendel. She'll be a piece of cake too. I know it sounds stupid but I think this is the only way I can get back out there Zane. Nobody will come see me if I'm still a joke! Shit."
"What do you mean a joke, I thought you said that you were taking a break (A break?! More like permanent humiliating retirement...)?" Zane raised an eyebrow.
Beowulf's eyes shifted. "I was but... it doesn't matter, you know what I'm sayin'. Just help me try and beat her. Please!" Beowulf slammed his hands on the table.
Zane put his hands up in defence. "Alright. I hear ya, I hear ya bud... Let's say I did help you... What would be in it for yours truly?"
He blinked in response. "You kidding? A Beowulf comeback story that's what'll it'll be. "Beowulf Vs. The Skullgirl" It doesn't get any bigger than that. Think of all the sold out seats you'll get bro. All the views. Isn't that enough?"
Putting his elbow on the desk in a dramatic fashion, the shades wearing man pretended to think about it carefully. "Hm... it's tempting... OK fine!" He quickly got back into his original cool posture. "Under one condition!" Zane put a single index finger up.
"What?"
"I'll arrange the fight and the comeback story thing you said. How does that sound?"
Beowulf eyes gleamed with joy. "Yes! Get in! Thanks bro." He put his fist out for a bro fist. Zane returned the gesture and they both laughed.
"That's the spirit! Here's the thing though: Before the big match, you gotta have the comeback match. I know you said you wanted You V. Marie as the comeback match but it's better if they were individual. Know what I mean?"
Beowulf looked up at the ceiling. "Huh, I guess that sounds alright. You always know best after all bud."
The manager grinned. "(Perfect.) Awesome. I've arranged it to be for tonight by the way."
Beowulf blinked. "Oh, cool... Wait WHAT?!"
"What better way for a comeback than right now! The people are scared and their hero Beowulf is back to save the day! Eh, eh? Sounds quite appealing doesn't it?"
Taking a step back Beowulf had to process the new out of nowhere information. "But today... That's... That's AWESOME! YEAH THATS'S AWESOME! NICE GOING BRO!"
"(Well that was a quick change of heart.)" Zane sweat dropped.
Breaking out of his hype trance Beowulf pointed at his "mentor" playfully. "Ha! Sneaky. Arranging matches before they were announced. Just like ya. So the fans right, their coming?"
Zane frowned. "Wellll it's hard to say. We'll just have to see tonight. Don't worry. It's you so of course they'll come. Now I've put up posters about you coming outta retirement and got contacts announcing it on the streets. Well the Skullgirl is out, so I don't know what good that'll do. Anyway, people will know."
"Oh cool."
"Yeah."
Beowulf then thought of something. "By the way. You said: "Marie" Is that the name of the new Skullgirl."
His "manager" nodded back.
"How'd you know what her name was?"
He didn't expect the question and twitched slightly with his eye while remaining deathly silent. "(Certainly putting me on the spot...)" The manager then sheepishly smiled while clearing his throat "...Well, heh... It was announced earlier today after the first sightings of course! You wouldn't have seen it though."
Beowulf frowned. "I guess..."
Seeing the bemused expression, the slick dressed man quickly tried to change subject. "Hey! Don't worry about it! Listen, I heard about a guy who wants to help-" Just then, a knock on the door was heard. "(Blessed be the Trinity.) Come in!" He shouted.
The door opened and in walked the man that Beowulf saw running out of the building before being followed by a young girl. She wore black stockings, that had orange diamonds on them, a low cut dress, with long sleeves which were red, white, black and orange and she had emerald green hair, light brown eyes and also some light purple eye shadow. What was most distinguishable however, was the giant hat she wore that had a long pair of arms attached to it. These were also covered in black diamonds.
"Alright , where is he then? I bet you just made it up. I kne- Uhhhhhh..." She stopped her rant the moment she saw Beowulf.
The Wulf in return just gave a small wave. "Uh hi?"
The girl seemed to respond by blushing and saying a very quiet "hi" All the while ogling at him.
The runner who just came in gave a breath. "I found her... as you can see..."
Zane's face crept up into a slight unnoticeable smirk. "(Now we can begin.) Awesome bud! I knew you would get Ms. Cerebella here. Beowulf babe, meet your biggest fan and the person who will be carrying you to your comeback match victory!" He announced enthusiastically.
Beowulf looked at her up and down. "Okay then... She looks tough I guess..."
Cerebella just kept staring at him admirably. Until, of course. She asked the ultimate question:
"Will you sign Vice Versa for me?!"
Five hours later...
Streets of New Meridian...
A girl walking through some almost empty streets stopped by a TV shop that had caught her eye literally. Curious, the girl looked in at the shop window and saw what was going on the TV screen. "And welcome to tonight's match. The Man, The Legend, The Hero: Beowulf is back! Hosted by Dynamite Zane MacDougal." The Announcer on the TV announced to the millions watching.
The girl's eye widened at what she saw. There he was, in all his stupidity. "I knew all you little Wulves out there couldn't forget your main man! He's back to protect the pack!"
"Not good." The girl shook her head, as another person entered the ring.
"Hey, Champ. You sure you're ready for this? It's been years since you got in the ring. I might be too much for you to handle!" The circus looking girl smirked while her very peculiar looking hat's hand morphed into a strong fist.
"Definitely not good!" Annie shouted.
There she is! Our favourite Girl of The Stars has arrived! It was a blast to write! Thanks for the new favs, follows and reviews, see you in the next one. As always: Review at your leisure and have a good one!