-||-The room was filled with the heavy odor of perspiration. Anthoni sat alone on the bench, drenched in sweat, and blood still dripping from his head. Despite being battered and bruised, Anthoni wore a triumphant smile as he gazed down at his newly won WWA World Heavyweight Championship. The gold plating gleamed brightly in the light, easily reflecting his bloody face back at him. He had done exactly what he said he was going to do...utterly dominate Xavier Iser, and righted the wrong that was Isers title reign. Anthoni set his title down on the bench beside him, and reached for a nearby towel. As he began wiping the blood from his face, Kylie Smith entered the room with a broad smile on her face. She hurries herself over to Anthoni and throws herself into his arms, nearly knocking Anthoni to the floor.
[]Anthoni[] Damn, baby, happy to see me?
[]Kylie[] Hell yeah! You were absolutely incredible out there!
[]Anthoni[] Yeah, I was...but I have to give credit where credit is due...
[]Kylie[] Really? Youre going to acknowledge the fact that Xavier gave you a hell of a fight?
[]Anthoni[] Hell no! I was talking about what Chris Wall did out there. He prevented Dave Darkheart from helping Iser screw me over. When are those guys going to learn "The Icon" is one 'wall' they can never topple?
Anthoni and Kylie share a quick laugh, as Kylie notices the World Heavyweight Title lying next to them.
[]Kylie[] So, you've finally done it. You're back on top. How are you feeling, champ?
[]Anthoni[] I'm pretty damn sore, actually. Xavier did everything he could to hang on to the title, but it just wasn't enough. Still, I can't believe that bastard made me bleed! Nobody makes me bleed my own blood!
[]Kylie[] Poor baby...
Kylie picks up the towel, and gently cleans the rest of the blood off of Anthoni's face, and gives him a soft kiss on the cheek.
[]Anthoni[] You know, this is exactly how we first met. I had the hell beat out of me, and you took care of me.
[]Kylie[] Yeah, that was so long ago…It's hard to believe that we've been through so much, and now Charles...
Anthoni's smile fades a little bit, as he unlaces his boots, and kicks them off, and packs them in his duffle bag.
[]Anthoni[] Speaking of the little guy, how is he? And where is he?
[]Kylie[] He's asleep at the condo. I called up an old friend, and she agreed to watch him.
Anthoni raises an eyebrow, while pulling his socks off, tossing them into the duffle bag with his boots.
[]Anthoni[] Do I know them?
[]Kylie[] Yes, actually you do. You know her very well...
[]Anthoni[] For crying out loud, please tell me you did not call Chloe...
[]Kylie[] You have no need to worry about that. Just trust me. Now, go get a shower so we can leave this place...it stinks.
Anthoni laughs, and gets out of the rest of his clothes, and walks into the shower. Moments later, the sound of running water fills the room as steam pours out of the shower. After spending thirty minutes cleaning the putrid aroma of victory off of him, and washing the dry, crusty blood out of his hair, the running water ceases, and Anthoni emerges from the shower with a towel wrapped around him. He pulls on a pair of khaki cargo pants, and a crimson silk dress shirt. Zipping up his duffle bag, Anthoni grabs the World Heavyweight Title, and buckles it around his waist, before taking Kylie by the hand and leading her out of the arena. Anthoni tosses his bag into the back seat of his car, while Kylie seats herself in the passenger seat. The highway is desolate at this hour. With perfect driving conditions, it takes them no time at all to arrive at Anthoni's condo. Anthoni and Kylie get out of the car, and when they turn the knob, expecting it to still be locked, it opens without problem.
[]Anthoni[] Ok, please tell me that you told the babysitter to lock the door while you were out.
[]Kylie[] There was no need to, I locked it on my way out...
[]Anthoni[] WHAT THE FUCK!?!?
When they enter the condo, they find it in complete disarray. The furniture is turned over, and the big screen tv is lying on the floor, the screen shattered in pieces. The trash can was dumped all over the kitchen, and some of the cabinet doors were broken off their hinges. Looking over in the recliner, they find a girl, tied up and gagged, struggling without result to get free. Anthoni storms across the living room and pulls the a rag out of her mouth, and uses a kitchen knife to cut her free.
[]Anthoni[] What the hell happened here?
The female runs out of the condo in tears, while Kylie returns from the bedroom hanging her head.
[]Kylie[] Anthoni, he's gone...whoever broke in must have taken him...
[]Anthoni[] SON OF A BITCH!
[]Kylie[] Anthoni, calm down! Getting all pissed off and throwing shit isn't gong to help us find Charles!
[]Anthoni[] You know what, you're right I'll be back in a while, I'm going to get to the bottom of this right now!
Anthoni leaves the condo, slamming the door loudly behind him. He storms off down the street, having forgotten that he still has the WWA World Title around his waist. Turning a corner, he walks down the street towards the low income housing area. As he turns to walk down an alley, he bumps into Josh, who has a smile on his face.
[]Josh[] So, I take it you like the sample that I gave you. I guess you're here to buy...
Anthoni grabs Josh by the collar of his shirt, and pushes him hard in to the wall.
[]Anthoni[] WHERE IS MY SON?! I KNOW YOU HAVE HIM! TELL ME WHERE HE IS DAMN IT!
[]Josh[] I don't know what you're talking about, man...and you better put me down...MALCOLM! GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE! ANTHONI GONE CRAZY!
Malcolm comes running out of the alley, and forcefully pulls Anthoni off of Josh, throwing Anthoni to the ground.
[]Josh[] Yo man, you need to chill the fuck out. Nigga, how can I have your son when I don't even know where you live, huh? Now, I suggest you get out of here while you still can!
Anthoni gets back to his feet, and brushes the dirt off of his clothing. He stands there for a moment, glaring at Josh and Malcolm, and then walks away from them...
[]Anthoni[] I swear, when I find whoever has my son, they will pay! I am NOT about to lose my son...not now, not ever. I just can't allow that to happen. But...I can't allow this to take my mind off of my upcoming match. Especially when one of my opponents is the brother of someone who tried to take me out...Kronik, you better hope I find my son before Sin, because if I don't, I will not be responsible for what may happen to you in that ring.
[]Anthoni[] So, I'm teaming with Chris Wall to take on you, Kronik, and the number one contender to my World Heavyweght Championship, Tony X. It is very easy to point out that the odds are heavily stacked in my favor. Let's look at the big picture. On one side of the equation, we have two of the most dominant stars in the history of the WWA. The World Heavyweight Champion, me, and the new X-Core Champion, Chris Wall. And then there is you. Kronik, brother of Priest, who suffered a disappointing loss to Bryan Spiros at Mind Games, teaming with the International Champion, a man who overcame Sweet Justice in a steel cage to retain his title. Kronik, how does it feel, knowing that you came in, looking to make an immediate impact, only to have your nose broken, and your tail tucked between your legs in defeat? How does it feel to have your back firmly against the wall, no pun intended, and that myself and Chris Wall are looking down on you, ready to rip you to shreds? Don't worry too much about it, though. It will all be over soon enough.
[]Anthoni[] And then there is you, Tony. The man who is looking to take this World Heavyweight Title from around my waist. I've got news for you, it's not going to happen. You can fill your head with illusions of being the savior of the WWA, of making us all suffer for our transgressions. When it comes right down to it, though, nothing can save you from the fate that awaits you this week at Sin. Not your partner, not prayer, not divine intervention. It would be one thing, taking on Wall or myself individually, but you're faced with the insurmountable task of facing us both. Try as you may to do the unthinkable and defeat us. Fill your head with that religious nonsense if it makes you feel better about your inevitable defeat. The fact of the matter is simply this. Chris Wall and I are going to make an example of you. And when it is all said and done, after our hands have been raised in victory, I'm going to do what I do best. Smoke some kronik.
Anthoni smile slightly, and walks off. Cars drive past, their headlights on bright, and their windshield wipers preventing the rain from obscuring their view of the road before them. Anthoni disappears from view as he turns another corner...
-||-
