-||-Anthoni sat in the comfort of his recliner, gazing around the condo. It had finally been cleaned up, and the broken television had been replaced by an even larger one. He sighed heavily, as he looked over at Kylie, who was sound asleep on the sofa, curled up beneath a thick comforter. The past several days had taken their toll on both of them. Anthoni was still recovering from the minor injuries he sustained in his match with Xavier Iser, and Kylie's heart was heavy with worry about their son, Charles. Truthfully, Anthoni was equally as worried as well, perhaps even more so. As he got up from his chair, the doorbell rang. Anthoni set his glass down on the kitchen counter, and sauntered casually over to the door. When he opened it, however, all he found was an envelope, with Anthoni's name on it.
[]Anthoni[] What's this?
Anthoni picked up the envelope, and tore it open. He pulled the contents out, and unfolded what appeared to be an invitation.
"Meet me at the Penthouse Grill."
There was no signature, no name, no indication of who the note was from. Anthoni closes the door, and walked back into the condo, where he wakes Kylie.
[]Anthoni[] Kylie, wake up. We've got to go.
She stretched, and let out an exasperated yawn, before sitting up.
[]Kylie[] Where are we going?
[]Anthoni[] Some place called the Penthouse Grill.
[]Kylie[] Why on earth are we going there?
[]Anthoni[] I found this note on our doorstep earlier. Maybe its from whoever took our son, and there's only one way to find out...
Kylie nods, and puts her shoes on, and the two exit the condo...Approximately forty-five minutes pass, before they arrive at the parking lot of a crowded restaurant. Kylie and Anthoni enter, and are seated at a table near the rear of the restaurant, when Anthoni looks back towards the front with an expression of awe and shock.
[]Anthoni[] It can't be...
[]Kylie[] What is it, baby?
[]Anthoni[] Tony DiMera...after all this time...
[]Tony DiMera[] In the flesh. The Phoenix has risen yet again Mr. Young.
[]Anthoni[] Why have you brought us here? Have you decided to come after me yet again, this time by taking my son?
[]Tony DiMera[] That's just like you my old nemesis. Always putting the cart before the horse. Assuming the worst.
[]Anthoni[] My apologies, Tony. Our four year old son, who has leukemia, was recently kidnapped. He was taken right from our own home, and we know nothing about who has him or his whereabouts. Again, I'm sorry for snapping on you like that.
[]Tony DiMera[] As you should be. I had nothing to do with the kidnapping of your son. I have other reasons for summoning you here.
Anthoni and Tony glare at each other, through a brief moment of awkward silence. The tension between them could be cut with a knife, and as such, Kylie spoke up to break the silence.
[]Kylie[] So, why have you brought us here then?
[]Tony DiMera[] I've brought you here to congratulate you. After all of these years, you have finally overcome your demons and risen to the top of the wrestling world. All you needed was little motivation and it appears as if you finally have it.
[]Anthoni[] Thanks. And I don't plan on falling from the top anytime soon, either.
[]Tony DiMera[] Don't be so certain of yourself Mr. Young.
After several minutes of waiting, a waiter approaches the table with a pad in his hand.
[]Anthoni[] Kylie and I will each have the sirloin steak, with a baked potato, and a salad. We'll also each have a coke.
[]Tony DiMera[] I'll have a bottle of your finest champagne.
The waiter jots the order down, and walks off in the direction of the kitchen.
[]Tony DiMera[] You see, it is one thing to win a World Championship. It's a whole new different story when it comes to keeping it.
[]Anthoni[] Tony, my confidence level couldn't be higher right now. I'm on top of the world now, as you mentioned earlier. That's not going to change any time soon, Tony, I can assure you of that.
[]Tony DiMera[] All these years and you still haven't learned a thing. There are times when I don't know why I waste my time with you.
[]Anthoni[] Don't misunderstand me, Tony. I'm not underestimating my potential challengers, not by any means. Besides, I obviously must have done all the right things since our last meeting. Look at where I am today? World Heavyweight Champion.
[]Tony DiMera[] A place that I have been before. A place where my father has been numerous times. A place that is new and unfamiliar to you. You always think that you are on top of the world when you win that belt. But the reality of it is that you now have a huge bulls eye painted on your back and each and every person in this organization is going to be gunning for you.
[]Anthoni[] I realize that...and I welcome the competition. That's just going to make me that much better. I'll have to bring my game to another level, become more aggressive...ultimately, Tony, the title will bring me to become a better competitor.
[]Tony DiMera[] But at what cost Mr. Young? I mean, after all, your son, the one thing that means more to you than that belt ever could, has been taken. Yes you have become World Champion, but the question is now, can you become a champion and a man at the same time? I promise you I will do everything in my power to help you find your son.
Tony writes something down on a napkin and hands it to Kylie.
[]Tony DiMera[] That is the number of the best private investigators in the country. Tell him that any bills you may run up are to be charged to me. Just remember, you may be given a choice somewhere down the line. Make absolutely certain that you make the right one.
Tony gets up and pushes his chair in, before walking away from the table. Moments later, the waiter returns with two cokes, and a bottle of champagne. He sets the cokes down in front of Anthoni and Kylie, and without noticing Tony's departure, also sets down the bottle of champagne.
[]Anthoni[] Well, we might as well enjoy it...
[]Kylie[] But this champagne is awfully expensive...it was awfully inconsiderate for him to order it, and leave it for us to pay for...
[]Anthoni[] No we won't. Knowing him like I do, he's already paid for the entire meal. It's just the kind of guy he is.
[]Kylie[] Well, I suppose you're right...we should enjoy this, life is too short not to...
[]Anthoni[] There's something I need to talk to you about...its my match this week...
[]Kylie[] What about it?
Anthoni takes a long drink of his coke, trying to put off what he is about to tell her. Ultimately, though, the drink runs dry, and so he looks deep into her eyes.
[]Anthoni[] Remember Priest, from our days in the UCWF?
[]Kylie[] You mean the guy that kidnapped your niece, Jade?
[]Anthoni[] Yeah, that bastard...
[]Kylie[] Of course I remember him. You had some brutal battles with him...what about him?
[]Anthoni[] That guy Kronik, whose teaming with Tony X to take me and Wall on this week...is his brother...
[]Kylie[] Holy shit...
[]Anthoni[] Yeah...
[]Kylie[] You don't think...that he took Charles...do you?
Anthoni remains quiet, fidgeting with his fork, seemingly having zoned out.
[]Anthoni[] I doubt it, Kylie. What would he have to gain from that?
[]Kylie[] True, I don't see what he would have to gain either.
[]Anthoni[] I have my suspicions though. Tony X is at the top of my list, seeing as how he's challenging for my World Heavyweight Title at Revenge.
[]Kylie[] That does make sense. He could be trying to gain any kind of advantage he can going into his match with you.
[]Anthoni[] Not that it would help. I'm going into Revenge as the champion, and I'm sure as hell walking out as the champion. I am the superior athlete, and he'll find out exactly why when he steps into that ring with me and Chris Wall this week at Sin.
[]Kylie[] And I'll be there to witness their crushing defeat...
Anthoni cuts her off rather abruptly.
[]Anthoni[] I'd rather you not be there. With Charles having been kidnapped, and I'm not going to risk you being taken as well.
Anthoni takes Kylie's hand into his own, and looks into her blue eyes with an expression of deep concern.
[]Kylie[] Is there something else bothering you, Anthoni?
[]Anthoni[] Kylie, I'm going to be taking a trip soon, alone. There is someone I must see who I believe may have some clue as to the whereabouts of our son.
[]Kylie[] But why can't I come?
[]Anthoni[] Because I need you here in case something happens, or someone turns up.
Kylie nods in understanding, as the two of them finish their meal. Anthoni grabs the bottle of champagne as he and Kylie make their way out of the restaurant, and into the parking area. By now, some of the other customers have already left, making it easier for them to leave. The night sky was clear, and the full moon was bright.
[]Anthoni[] Kronik...as the time for battle rapidly approaches, you have got to wonder...What are your chances? What are the odds of you, a seven-foot monster, being able to defeat not one, but two of the WWA's most dominant champions? Judging by your performance against Spiros, I'd say that your chances are slim to none...Granted, you're not doing this alone...or are you? You're partner, Tony X...hasn't been heard from all week. If I were you, Kronik, I’d prepare to do battle all by yourself...and its funny, I was in your situation right before Mind Games. I teamed with Tony X, to take on Xavier Iser and Dave Darkheart...and what happens? I fight the entire match by myself...and I won. But your situation is very much different from mine. You don’t have the lackluster opponents that I did...You're facing the World Heavyweight Champion, me, and the X-Core Champion, Chris Wall. You've got an uphill battle ahead of you, and quite frankly, this is one hill you won't be able to climb.
[]Anthoni[] Then there is you, Tony X. You proved what a big man you were when you crucified a doll, a defenseless little toy. You should know that when we get into that ring, you won’t be facing a defenseless doll. You'll be facing the most aggressive and dominant champion to grace the WWA. I am the World Heavyweight Champion for a reason, Tony. I went through hell and high water to win this title, and I'll be damned if I let some voodoo freak take it from me. The fact of the matter is this, Tony. You can pray to all the gods that you want to. You can fill yourself with all the false hopes and spiritual strength you deem necessary. When it comes time for our title match at Revenge, none of it will help you. And none of it will help you this week, either. Truth be told, you’d be better off not showing up for this match...but if you insist on showing up, be warned. I'm going to smoke your ass like a joint.
Anthoni and Kylie get into their car, and begin their long journey back to the condo in total silence. Uninhibited by traffic, they make their way out onto the highway, and speed off down the highway, fueled by the desire to get their son back...
