Chapter 7
*The 24/7 Championship Scramble*
"NOW!"
At the alarm sounding off, all the wrestlers started running out in different directions. A few of them—Scarlette, N-Bomb, Eris, Liza, and La Calavera—began their search at the ring and the area around it. Eris, N-Bomb, and Liza fought over where to look while Scarlette and La Calavera moved past each other and continued their search through the crowd.
Everyone else searched backstage. They scattered across the many hallways and rooms looking for the belt.
Mercy began the search in the locker room. She figured if they wanted the match to be fair, the lockers would have to be unlocked. Since they were sealed, her suspicion was false. She turned around, but was blindsided by Mantis, who attacked with a spinning kick.
"Sorry, army brat." Mantis said. "The less there are, the better my chances."
"Funny." Said a voice from behind her. It was Kyoko Natsumi in a martial arts pose. "I was having a similar thought."
Mantis and Kyoko exchanged blows to each other's arms and legs. It was like an old kung fu movie, but the fights are more realistic. In the end, they gripped each other's wrists and struggled for control. They were so distracted with each other, they didn't even notice the next two women to enter the locker room. Amazon Aqua and Calypso (also known by their part-time tag team name, Atlantis Force), charged into the room and knocked both Kyoko and Mantis out.
Aqua and Calypso looked at each other and nodded. They agreed to leave the locker room and go their separate ways so they won't trip over each other trying to get the belt.
The gym was searched by Team Spirit, Starla and Isebella. They scowered around looking for the belt.
"So what are we going to do if we find the belt?" Starla asked. "I mean, there can only be one 24/7 champ, right?"
"I guess we'll have to flip for it." Isebella said.
"FLIP THIS, BLASPHEMER!"
Midnight appeared out of nowhere hitting an elbow tackle on Isebella pushing her to the floor.
"Isebella!" Starla gasped. She went to her friend's aide, but something stopped her. Azraella came from out of nowhere and wrapped her arms around Starla's arms and body with a reverse bearhug.
"No, no, no." Azraella said. "My partner still has unfinished business. And trust me, she never lets go."
Midnight straddled Isebella's back and sent punches on the back of her head. She then wrapped her fingers under her chin and pulled her up with a camel clutch. Isebella tried to wiggle out, but Midnight kept her hold tight.
"Apologize now for calling me a Twilight reject!" Midnight demanded. "Now! Before you get a lot worse than just that bite!"
"Gah! Really?" Isebella asked. "You're still hung up about that? You're the most petty vampire I've ever known." Midnight pulled harder. "Ahh! All right! All right! I'm sorry! Happy?"
Satisfied, Midnight released the hold and patted Isebella on the head. Azraella let go of Starla, who ran to check on her friend.
"You all right?" Starla asked.
"I'll live." Isebella said. "I should have referenced her to that vampire puppet on Sesame Street."
"Don't think this lets you off the hook." Azraella said. "One day, we'll claim back our titles for our masters."
"For our masters." Midnight repeated.
"Forget you." Starla shot back.
Suddenly, both the Daughters of Darkness were attacked from behind. Freya collided with them with a double-clothesline from behind.
"You girls okay?" she asked.
"We've been worse." Isebella said. "Thank you."
"You're not going to attack us, are you?" Starla asked.
"Of course not." Freya said. "You girls have obviously been through enough tonight, so I'll leave you alone. I trust you'll share that sentiment with me."
"Sure thing." Starla said.
"Not a problem." Isebella said.
They all went their separate ways. While Starla and Isebella went through the door on one side of the gym, Freya went through another with just her thoughts.
"If I get that belt, I'm gonna send a selfie of me holding it to Aurora."
Suffice to say, Thunder Mana had a much busier time of the scramble than some of the others. When she checked the parking lot, she was surrounded by Madame Python, the Skunk, the Killer Kitties and Black Swan.
"You may have been a big shot in GWM, Mana," the Skunk said, "But even you can't take all five of us at once."
"Only one way to find out." Thunder Mana said as she raised her fists.
Black Swan was the first to attack. She attempted to spear Mana, but the former GWM champion grabbed Swan by her waist and swung back hurling her to a nearby pillar. While she was distracted, Madame Python managed to jump on Thunder Mana and wrap around her in an octopus stretch. The Skunk grinned maniacally as she hit the side of Thunder Mana's head with her hip. Python didn't let go, which gave the Skunk the opportunity to do it again, but in reverse.
In just a minute, Thunder Mana managed to escape from the hold and drop Python in a power slam. She turned to the Skunk, who suddenly looked nervous. She approached her, but then felt a painful strike down her back. Mewlie had approached her and raked her nails down Thunder Mana's back.
The scratching victim knocked Mewlie's claws away, but Neko Girl swung her leg and kicked her toward her mother. Mewlie sent another kick that sent Mana back. Neko Girl gave one last kick before Thunder Mana fell to the ground. Each of the Killer Kitties grabbed Thunder Mana's arms and raised her to her knees. The Skunk grinned sadistically as she turned and shook her rear end toward Mana's face. Mana tried to power out, but Mewlie and Neko Girl dug their claws in her arms to prevent that.
The Skunk approached with her butt, but before she could make contact, she was tackled by Cleopatra. The Egyptian wrestler rolled around with the Skunk trying to gain the advantage while the Killer Kitties looked at each other.
"What now?" Mewlie asked.
"I say we ditch these losers and find that belt." Neko Girl said. "But first, we'll have to knock this has-been out. Hold her back while I get her."
Mewlie nodded and raised Thunder Mana to her feet. She wrapped her arms around hers and awaited her daughter. Neko Girl prepared and delivered a kick… but instead of hitting Thunder Mana, the foot was sent to Mewlie. The mother fell backwards and Thunder Mana fell on top of her.
"That belt is mine, you hag!" Neko Girl said as she prepared to exit the ring. "Sorry, not sorry."
"That little, dirty, double-crossing…" Mewlie stopped to sniffle while she smiled. "I'm so proud of her."
Neko Girl ran to the stairs, but that was where Carly X just came from. The two glared menacingly at each other.
"Neko." Carly X said.
"Carly." Neko Girl returned. "Out of my way before I scratch your eyes out."
"I wonder," Carly X said, "Are you really a Killer Kitty? Because to me, you look more like a baby bitch!"
That sent Neko Girl off. She grabbed Carly X's shoulders and they both fell to the ground. They rolled on top of each other pulling each other's hair and trying to gain advantage.
Clementine Cirrus figured if Sayuri was the one who hid the belt, she might have put it in her office. The burly cowgirl climbed up a higher floor and entered through the door with the founder's name on it. She looked under the table, sofa, and desk, but she didn't even find a shine.
"Horse applesauce!" she exclaimed. "That dang belt ain't here!"
That's when the intercom system sounded. Sayuri's voice called out from it. "Well, I see you all need some assistance, so I'll give you a hint. Look for whatever's out of place." It clicked off.
"Aw, great. A riddle." Clementine huffed. "If there's one thing I hate, it's brainteasers. Wait. Hold on a sec." She looked at the walls. "Where's the…"
Suddenly, someone jumped on her back and wrapped her arms around Clementine's neck. The cowgirl looked back and saw that it was the former movie star, Willow Powell. Clementine ran backwards and slammed Willow to the wall. The star let go and fell to her knees while Clementine recovered.
"Willow? Ya really think ya can mess with the bull without getting the horns?"
"What bull?" Willow asked. "All I see is a filthy cow."
"Watch what you say, sugar." Clementine said flexing her biceps on one arm. "I can tip cows with this arm alone."
"I'm sending you back to ze country of hicks where you belong."
Willow sent a high kick towards Clementine's face. The cowgirl used her hand to block the kick, but that nudge was just what Willow needed. Clementine's foot caught the table and she fell backward onto the floor. While Clementine was starting to stand back up, Willow then grabbed a nearby vase and raised it up above Clementine's head. Fortunately, Clementine managed to dodge out of the way and counter with a kick up Willow's head. While Willow recovered, Clementine grabbed her and lifted her up on her shoulder. Clementine fell and impacted the star's body on the floor knocking her unconscious.
"Next time, remember what I'm capable of." Clementine said before exiting the office.
Kaito Marx ran across the hallways until he found himself at the front entrance of the Xtrema Arena. He sighed about to give up… until he noticed something. Above the front door, there was a portrait of a group of women. In the center were two holding onto one belt. One was a familiar Sayuri Rogue. The other was her oldest, greatest rival, Jackal Tojo.
"Hold on." Kaito said. "That's the portrait of Ms. Rogue's time in Shangri-La. But that's supposed to be in her office. Unless…"
Kaito went into a nearby closet and pulled out a large ladder. He set it up next to the portrait and climbed up. He carefully removed it and revealed what he had been looking for. The 24/7 Championship belt was hung where the picture was. Kaito cheered as he removed it. All he had to do was put it on and he would win. Unfortunately, it's never that easy.
Right when he was about to strap it on, Kaito felt a slight shake. When he looked down, he saw Diana Diaz gripping the ladder and shaking it. Kaito tried to grab onto something, but he couldn't do it in time. He and the belt fell to the floor impacing the marble floor. Diana grabbed Kaito Marx by the waist and hung him upside down above the belt.
"This is the closest you'll ever be to any championship, Marx." Diana said. "In my mind, you'll always be an F-."
Diaz dropped to her knees landing Kaito's head over the belt's center plate. Kaito fell over without moving. Meanwhile, Diaz grabbed onto the belt and hung it over her head. But before she could put it aroudnher waist…
"Hey, ogre!" Diana turned around. Queen Bee stood there with her hands on her hips. "You have something that belongs to me."
"You sure about this, Bee?" Diaz asked. "After all, that cage match really did a number on you."
"Hey, tons of fun was barely a warm-up." Queen Bee said. "Don't tell me you're scared."
"Oh, this is going to be fun." Diaz laughed excitedly. She dropped the belt to the side and cracked her knuckles. "I've been waiting for this."
"That makes one of us." Queen Bee retorted.
Diaz and Bee charged at each other and exchanged elbow strikes. Diaz won that and threw Bee to a nearby table. Diaz got on top of the table and lifted Bee up in position for a power slam. But before she could finish, Bee slammed her elbow on Diaz' head and countered with a facebuster to the table, which exploded on impact. Both were exhausted (Queen Bee more so after her match earlier).
After a minute, Diaz was the first to get back on her feet and grabbed Queen Bee by the hair.
"I must say, you're already my favorite." Diaz said. "I've been wanting a good match with you, and perhaps after this, it will come much sooner than I planned."
"Too bad." Queen Bee said. "Didn't you hear? I'm taken. And I don't think my boyfriend will approve of your advances." Queen Bee slapped Diaz' hand away and rolled to the side.
Diaz turned around and saw Kaito standing on top of the tower breathing heavily after exhausting himself with the climb. Before she could react, Kaito jumped and landed on her with a moonsault. Diaz was knocked into near unconsciousness while Kaito rolled to a kneeling state. He saw his girlfriend, Queen Bee, laying face-first on the ground catching his breath. He turned to the championship and acted quickly.
With much of his own strength, Kaito took the belt and placed it around his waist. When he finally buckled it, the alarm sounded all over the arena. Bee looked at the only male wrestler and smiled.
"You did it, Kaito."
Kaito fully acknowledged what just happened and widened his eyes in shock. "I did it?"
All over the arena, television sets showed the winner of the Scramble with the belt around his waist. All the girls stopped fighting and looked at the screens in shock.
"He did it?" Carly X asked.
"That guy, of all people?" Mantis asked.
"Before Queen Bee and Diaz?" Scarlette asked.
"Wowie." Clementine said. "Someone's been improvin'."
In the ring, Sayuri Rogue turned on her microphone and addressed the crowd. "Well, I've got to admit, this is a winner we most definitely didn't see coming. It appears the first ever 24/7 Champion is… KAITO MARX!" The crowd cheered in surprise and shock at the screen. "And I hope you enjoyed this night, everyone! These people put on amazing performances for you! And if there's anyone who wishes to be a part of this rising organization, I welcome you now! Until next time, ladies and gentlemen!"
Kaito gripped the belt with his hands to be certain it was real. When he came to terms with it, he laughed slowly. Meanwhile, Queen Bee stood back up and approached him.
"You did good, Kaito. I gotta admit, even though I didn't win it, I'm glad you did."
"Thanks, Bee. But you know, because of you, I actually managed to do my first aerial attack, and it worked on that giantess. I couldn't have done it without you."
"…Dawn."
"What?"
"My real name. It's Dawn Sawyer. Just don't call me that around the ring."
Kaito smiled. "Sure thing. Thanks for everything."
Dawn smiled one more time before grabbing Kaito's shoulder. "You've earned this." She then moved her head forward and pressed her lips onto his. It was their first kiss, and they both loved it.
Meanwhile, Sayuri was walking to her car after saying goodbye to her wrestlers. She smiled.
"What a good night." She thought to herself. "And I have a feeling it's going to get better. Guess that means I should get started on the Pandora Project."
Author's Note: And that's the end of another night of matches. Tell me what you think. Of course, even though Kaito doesn't have to worry about someone taking the belt tonight, he has other days to worry about.
To update the champion list...
Xtrema Championship-Queen Bee
Xtrema Tag Team-Team Spirit
Xtrema TV-Diana Diaz
Xtrema 24/7-Kaito Marx
Next time, I'll have even more girls to add to the roster and a little sneak peek of the next event.
Any and all comments are welcome.