With the setting of the Nevedan sun, formerly the God damn Nevedan sun according to the HCW Champion, the exotic and erotic streets of the City of Lights grow cold and the forbidden flesh peddlers lurk out onto the sidewalks and street corners, hoping to turn a trick and make a buck.  Strolling amongst the drug addicts, compulsive gamblers, and johns, is the Masked Man of HCW, the former Prophet gone Pimp gone enraged psychopath, Creature.  With his dingy grey coat pulled tightly over his broad shoulders and his shiny black boots slapping the hard concrete, the man who might as well be without a face focuses not on a destination, not on the guilty pleasures of Las Vegas, but on his match coming this Sunday, live in the mighty MGM Grand, against of all people, the HCW Internet Champion...Tecno.

Creature: It's nice to see that the HCW is finally breaking down and willingly allowing lesser talents to receive shots at making it big.  Back when I was struggling...well, I never struggled, but back when I was firmly entrenched in the murky midcard waters of HCW, I couldn't have received a match with the HCW Champion like Markus Maximus did and definitely not a shot at the HCW Championship itself like Tecno, regardless of how many matches I won or how long I held a lower title.  But who fucking gives a damn?  It's a waste of my time to be bitter about the opportunities being presented to the up and comers of the now, when I have problems of my own to deal with.  It's time HCW realizes who it's daddy is, and after Meltdown, it will scream it's name- CREATURE!  And stupid little Tecno will be the first to be made my bitch.

The three golden straps dangling at Creature's sides draw the attention of many greedy crooks, whores, and tourists.  But the champion ignores them all, keeps his head down, eyes locked on his feet and the concrete below them, and his mind on his match.  The soothing breeze and the smell of the night's air indeed helps Creature keep his head clear, but as he told Jack...the evil, angry thoughts are starting to re-emerge, thoughts he believed he had sufficiently locked away with the fall of that fool Inphino Blitz.

Creature: How dare that disrespectful babbling idiot assault me last week...it was uncalled for.  It was heinous.  I can take the Soulz.  They were acting in fear, because they know that as long as I am around...Pimp Industries can't be far, and if Pimp Industries returns...they die.  Hmph.  I can even take Blitz, the bastard.  And while my vengeance on all of my attackers, on all of the Force's attackers, will be an awesome display of torment, none will be greater than what Tecno receives, because Tecno didn't have to get involved.  I'm sure he thought he'd be funny as usual and lay in some hefty blows on the man he is so confident he will beat this Sunday, but he didn't count on injury me.  Do I know it was him who hurt my hand?

Creature suddenly stops walking, moves his triad of titles to his left hand, and raises his right for examination.  As he rotates his hand and looks it over, he cannot help but think about Tecno and reminice on the attack.

Creature: Indeed, I have no idea who exactly struck my hand.  It might have happened in the dumpster- my two hundred and eighty pound partner fell on top of me.  But for all intents and purposes- and because Inphino and the Soulz all have their own punishments coming to them- I will blame my wound on Tecno.  From this point onward, it was Tecno who smashed my hand, and damn near broke it.  Well Tecno...an eye for an eye, a fucking shoulder for a hand.

Creature throws his right hand back down at his side, and smirks as a happy couple, a bearded john and a scantily clad hooker, saunter by on their way to a romantic, cozy, and quite expensive, quickie.

Creature: That's right Tecno, as I have promised before, the Crossface Chickenwing knows no bounds, and you too will feel its wrath.  Your shoulder is not exempt from its torture, your body is not immune to its pain, and as far as I am concerned this Sunday night, you were the sole attacker on Loaded, meaning in the Last Man Standing Match, you will pay the others' debts.  Of course the Soulz and Blitz will not be off the hook, as Blitz will be heaved into a six foot ditch and covered with the dirt like the feces he is.

The night's breeze suddenly picks up, and morphs into a howling wind.  Creature glances around, and snorts, then resumes his walk, against the wind.  A few yards ahead the sidewalk on which he travels curvers around a building, and a lone street light , flickering on and off, stands above it.  Beyond this corner, the night life seems to die out, the buildings begin to shrink, the neon signs begin to dull.  As the HCW Champion walks, he becomes enraptured with a feeling of utter solitude, and cannot help but emit a shiver.  He pushes forward however, driven to this one corner.

Creature: I must be entering the suburbs....I should head back soon.

Those words, spoken aloud, only serve to rationalize the phenomena.  But, ever persistant and unwilling to let anyone or anything dictate his actions, Creature reaches the corner.  He pauses, and scans the distance.  He makes out a cemetary, and possibly the form of a large man with a shovel, but the image soon fades into the night's darkness.  He clears his throat, and glances down at his feet for a moment.  When he looks up, the great champion is startled to find a young woman, with short blonde hair, clear blue eyes like the waters of Saint Martin, delicate skin, hoop earrings dangling effortlessly from her earlobes, a leather halter top underneath a short red jacket, a black miniskirt, fishnet stockings, and leather high heels.  Creature smirks.

Creature: Go away whore, I'm not interested.

The woman simply stares at Creature, then begins to speak.

Woman: He's here.  And he wants to see you.

Creature cocks his head to the side and peers quizzically at the young lady.

Creature: What the hell are you-

Creature stops in mid-sentence as the woman tenderly places her right palm on his masked cheek.  Her hand is warm, and it seems to pierce right through his rough exterior and mentally sick interior, straight to the human beneathe.

Woman: HE wants to see YOU!

Creature: Who?  Who the hell wants to see me?  Who, when, where...

Creature ends his series off questions by trailing off, as abruptly the street light above cuts off, with no sign of ever resurrecting.  The woman's hand slips from his face, and he reaches out for her, but finds nothing.  Creature angrily stomps the ground, searching for answers.

Creature: What the FUCK is going on!?  I demand answers!  Answers God damn it!

There...in the distance...his answer.  Two burning headlights illuminating the street corner, previously cloaked in the night's unforgiving shadow. The orbs of light move closer, and with them they bring the low, hypnotic hum of a vehicle.  Closer and closer this new presence comes, until finally Creature can make out the form of a black...limousine.  Creature steps away from the unlit street lamp and begins walking precariously towards the vehicle, which slows to a stop.  As Creature nears it automobile, with shiny black paint and tinted glass, the rear most window is rolled down.  Creature approaches the back of the limo and leans over.

Creature: Just what the-

Before he can answer, Creature is silenced by a deep, gruff voice from inside.

Voice: Get in.  We've got your answers.

Creature moves back into an erect stance, and glacnes down at his belts, and then at the ground.

Creature: Hmph.  Fine.

The window rolls back up upon his answer, and he hears the door lock POP.  Creature brings his hurt right hand towards the door handle and pulls it, opening the door.  He then climbs inside the limo where he finds a large black man wearing a black tuxedo, with a thick black goatee, and black shades.  With the door now closed once again, he speaks.

Creature: I'm in.  Now then-

Man: GO!

The command obviosuly to the driver, the doors lock and the limo speedily pulls away from the curb and takes off down the street.  Creature glances out the window, but everything is moving too quickly for him to make out.  He glares at the large man, and shakes his head.

Creature: What are you doing?  Trying to kidnap me?  Hmph.  Not going to happen.  And let me tell you this- if that living example of a pissant Tecno sent you-

Man: (interrupting) NO!  It was not Tecno.  He wants to see you...again.

Creature tilts his head to the side.

Creature: Again?  Who?

The big man grins, exposing clean white teeth, except for one canine, which is gold.

Man: You will know soon enough.

Creature leans back in his seat and sighs.  He sets his three belts on his lap and makes himself comfortable.

Creature: Fine.  Just make sure I am at the MGM Grand by Sunday night, because I have an arrogant little prick to smash.

The gigantic man nods.

Man: Have no worries.  This is in your best interest.

Creature shrugs.

Creature: It's in your worst interest to fuck with me.  But I think you know that...

The limousine is suddenly shrouded in darkness as it passes under a tunnel.  The massive man seated across from the HCW Champion reaches into his black jacket, and withdraws a long piece of fabric.  Creature smirks once more.

Creature: A blindfold?

The man nods, and Creature quickly glances around the limo.

Creature: Looks like I'm here to stay.  Do what you have to.

Creature leans forward and allows the man to tie the blindfold around his masked head.  Creature then sits back, and sighs.

Creature: This better be worth it...

Man: It will be.  I promise you that.

               The limousine rolls to a stop atop a large metal platform in an underground cavern of sorts.  Two well-built men, one armed with a IMI Uzi, both wearing the same type of jet black tuxedo as the huge black man in the limo, open the rear door.  The first man out is the aforementioned big man, who greets the other two.

Man: C-Los, Malik, it's good to see you.

The two men, apparently C-Los and Malik, respond by shaking hands and hugging the big man.

Malik: Rufus, what up bro?

C-Los: How ya been dog?

After several more moments of formalities, the largest of the three men, Rufus, leans into the limousine and helps the HCW Champion out.  He unties the blindfold and casts it to the ground.  Creature, his eyes now free from their bondage, blinks rapidly and allows his vision organs to adjust to the lighting of the cave.  First he sees C-Los and Malik...next, his eyes trace a path from the platform on which they stand straight ahead, where there is a red carpet leading to a set of stairs, atop which is located a large metal door with two more guards in tuxedos, one being a white man with long black hair and the other being a black man with short hair.

To the left the carpet branches off and leads into an open chamber in which Creature cannot see from his current vantage point, and to the right, the path leads into a large room with a huge hot tub.  On either side of the central path there are also several small closed doors.

Creature takes in the scenery for a few more seconds, before being jabbed in the back by one of the three men.  He looks back over his shoulder at them.

Creature: Watch it, boys.

Malik: Just get to steppin'.

Creature: Lead the way.

Rufus nods to his two allies and takes a hold of Creature's left arm.  He then begins to walk him straight down the carpet, and it becomes clear that the massive door atop the steps is the destination.  As they walk however, Creature takes advantage of the opportunity to get a clear look in each of the room.  To the right, he spies a steamy room with a bubbling hot tub, in which sits a nude black man, this one with braided hair.  In his right hand he clutches a 9mm Beretta, but it seems to be custom made, as it is gold plated and has some sort of inscription.  Of course the nude man lounging in the hot tub does not catch Creature's eye as well as his company- the HCW Champion counts 9 beautiful women, perfect ten's on any man's scale, in skimpy bikinis of all colors and variation.  Some are in the tub with the man.  Some relax around him, laying on towels, or playfully massaging each other.  Creature smirks, impressed with what he sees, but also intrigued in the fashion that he cannot help but wonder- where has he seen a scene like this before?  He cannot place it, but he has participated in these sorts of activities in the past...but with who?

As the march towards the steps and ultimately the portal to the destination pre-determined by these tuxedoed fellows, Creature cannot help but take a gander at the room on the left.  It is large, and completely empty aside from one out of place centerpiece- a wooden casket, closed, splintering, and stained.  Creature shakes his head.

Creature: What the hell kind of kinky activity goes on in there?

Rufus glances at him and grins.

Rufus: Can't tell you.

Creature snorts with cynicism.

Creature: Fair enough...so long as I don't end up in one of those.

Rufus tosses his head back with laughter, then shakes his head assuringly at Creature.

Rufus: Heavens no.  Come this way, please.

The behemoth Rufus leads the masked Creature up the steps, and to the door.  He nods to both the guards, and the white man with long hair opens the door.

Rufus: Thank you, Jon.

The man, Jon, has only one response- a humble nod.  The other man simply stares straight ahead, ignoring Rufus and Creature as they enter the room beyond the door.

Inside, the room is mysteriously filled with a thick smoke.  Creature caughs a bit upon entry, but his self-control takes over and retrains himself from doing so again.  The room's decore is drab- plain grey walls, a leapord skin on the floor, a simply mahagoney desk at the center of the room, a red chair in front of the desk, and an enormous black leather chair behind the desk with its back to the door, so Creature cannot see who sits in it.  Rufus points to the red chair.

Rufus: Have a seat.

Creature rolls his eyes and takes his seat.  Rufus then exits the room, closing the door as he does.  Creature rotates in his seat and watches as the mammoth Rufus departs, and smirks as he realizes that it is now time for his confrontation with the person who summoned him here.  Creature raises his right hand and gives it a quick rub as it begins to ache, and awaits this person's greeting.  After several moments of silence, Creature breaks the ice himself.

Creature: What...you call me down here, set all this bizarre shit up, and you don't have the decency to speak first?  Hmph.  I don't have time for this.  I have a match with Tecno to prepare for.

Not many people break the ice by announcing their departure, but the HCW Champion does.  The Prince of Wrestlers rises from his seat and begins to grab the door knob when the man behind the chair speaks...though his voice is electronically altered.

Voice: I am aware of your Last Man Standing Title Match Sunday night at the MGM Grand.  But I assure you you do have time for this, Creature.

Creature halts and tilts his head to the side for a moment.  He ponders his next action for a moment, and then opts to indeed take the seat once again, and stay a bit longer.

Creature: Alright.  I'm here.  Now what the hell is this about?

The electronic device masking the voice of this person crackles a bit with static as the voice speaks again.

Voice: This is about your future...with Hardcore Championship Wrestling.

Creature: My future?

Creature's voice is filled with sarcasim as he repeats the question.

Creature: I am the HCW Champion.  I am one half of the HCW Tag Team Champions.  My future is fine, damn it.

The person laughs a bit, but it is muffled some by the device.

Voice: I've been watching you, Champ.  You have been having some problems coping with things.  You've been on medication.  And now that you seemingly have those problems sorted out-

Creature: (interrupting) This is what the fuck this is all about?  My problems?  God damn it, I am the Undi-Fucking-Sputed World Heavyweight Champion!  I do not have to sit here and listen to you read me the same bullshit that Dr. Resnik did.  I am FUCKING FINE, and I will be even better once Tecno is out of my way!

Again, the voice laughs, though when it speaks this time, there is a sterness to it.

Voice: Tecno?  Tecno is the least of your problems.  You mustn't underestimate him, but you must also realize that  your true problem lies with Inphino Blitz- and the Lost Soulz.

Creature is outraged by this, and slams his left hand down on the left arm rest of the chair.

Creature: Who the hell are you to tell me this?  Huh?  I don't know who the fuck you are, but you are way off.  Sure, the Soulz pissed me off.  Sure, even Gill pissed me off.  But it is none of your concern.  The Force will have their vengeance, and Tecno will fall with the rest of them.

Voice: Ah...vengeance.  Creature...you can never truly defeat the Soulz, Blitz, or even Tecno without....me.

Creature leans back in his seat and chuckles.

Creature: Bullshit.  I have beaten everyone there is to beat, and I have done it without...whoever the fuck you are.

Voice: Really?  Did you defeat Michael Mercer?  Did you and Jack Duncan fend off the Soulz last Thursday?  Did Tecno not help beat you down and humiliate you?  Do you not doubt yourself deep inside, do you not doubt that you can truly beat Tecno?

With that comment, Creature bolts from his seat and throws his arms in the air.

Creature: Don't bring that asshole Mercer into this!  I put him out, and I put him out for good, end of story!  And we didn't fend off the Soulz last Thursday...and we are pissed as hell because of it.  But we have spoken about it, and revenge WILL be OURS!

In a sardonic tone, the voice replies.

Voice: Right...

Creature: Don't believe me?  Fuck you.  I can beat Tecno, and by God, I will fucking kill him Sunday night.  Nothing else matters until I have retained my HCW Championship.  Defeating Tecno is my main focus, and damn it, I KNOW that I can beat him with ease.  Meltdown will be a new beginnign for the Force.  We will start to take-

Voice: (interrupting) Oh it will be a new beginning!  But unless you want to be swept away by defeat and failure, you'll realize that you are nothing without ME!

Creature places both hands over his ears and begins to shake violently back and forth while yelling.

Creature: Shut up!  Shut the fuckup!  I don't even know who you are!

Voice: You know damn well who I am, but you just won't admit it.  I'm back Creature, and I am back to HELP you!  Just accept it!

Creature: Fuck you!  We need no help!  Now show yourself!

Creature lunges forward over the itemless desk and grabs the back of the leather chair.  He spins it around with a great tug, and leaps back with astonishment, for there, in the seat sits....a radio.  A fucking radio.  Whoever has been speaking with him, has been doing so from a far, and with a voice scrambler to boot.  Creature stomps his foot in rage.

Creature: FUCK!  FUCK!  FUCK!  FUCK!  FUCK!  Stop playing your fucking games!

With one last crackle before dying, the voice on the other end of the radio responds with a cryptic message.

Voice: Games End...this is For Life.

The radio sputters and beeps for a few seconds before the transmission ends and only static is transmitted.  Creature spins away from the desk and throws open the door.  He begins to storm out and down the steps in a blind rage, visibly upset about the confrontation just moments past, but the two guards, Jon and the black one with short hair, reach out and seize him.  Creature struggles for a moment until Rufus strolls up casually to the foot of the stairs, surrounded by several of the gorgeous women from before.  Creature peers down at them, growling.

Rufus: Creach...

Creature snaps back a response angrily.

Creature: Don't call me Creach!  Damn you!

Rufus holds his hands up and shrinks back a bit, as if to say I'm Sorry.

Rufus: Creature...look.  For your cooperation, we have put something together for you.  How would you like to spend tonight with these lovely ladies?

Creature tilts his head to the side, and begins breathing easier, though his muscles are still tense with resistence.

Creature: What?

Rufus: You heard me.  These girls...yours for tonight, free of charge.

Creature's eyes suddenly widen, not with joy, but as another piece of the puzzle falls into place.  Free of charge?  For Life?  Could the man who set this all up...could it be?  No...why would he resurface now, just because of the Soulz?

Rufus: Well?  If you accept, you'll have to stay here until Meltdown.

Creature: But Meltdown isn't until Sunday...

Rufus: Look...this is an offer you just cannot pass up.  And besides...the boss wants to talk to you again.

Creature is taken by a sinking feeling in his gut.  The boss...it HAS to be!  Realizing that another meeting, this time in person, is something he must now pursue, the HCW Champion allows his duties towards Lil' Creach who is alone in the suite and Jack Duncan who is training, and quickly nods, accepting the offer, and the two guards release him.  Creature lowers his head and slowly makes his way down the steps, moving towards the stunning young women whose job will be his pleasure on this night, a gift any man would kill for- except for Creature, who will he will enjoy the service, will know deep down in the back of his mind just WHO THE BOSS IS.