We are greeted by a sharp fade in from
whatever commercial you may have been watching… ya know, dependant on which
time zone and local affiliate you have.
The scene is Chamelion’s office at his private gym, and we zoom in on
Chamelion, sitting intently in front of his TV/VCR combination unit, focused
deeply on the wrestling taking place on screen.
Dressed in a dark green T-shirt and knee length shorts, he sports
glasses as he studies the events on the screen.
Educated viewers see the event on screen
currently showcases Brimstone. Moments
later, it cuts to one of Johnny Evildude.
However, Chamelion seems to be having some
trouble, as he squints at the television, as if he is unable to make out any
details of the events transpiring.
Frustrated, he sits back some to see if that would help. It doesn’t.
Sighing, he then moves even closer to the TV, and goes so far as to grab
a Kleenex from the desk and wipe of the TV screen. At that moment, Gareth Evans walks into the
office and stops short.
“Um,
Mark. What are you doing?”
With a sigh of relief, Chamelion pauses the
VCR and sits back, “I’ve been trying to do research on my opponents for this Sunday’s
Tornado Table match… but it’s been hard, cause the picture on the TV set is so
blurry. I think I may have gotten a hold
of a bad copy, or my unit is starting to go bad.”
Gareth shakes his head, “No, I mean. Why
are you wearing glasses? You don’t wear
glasses.”
Pause for a beat.
Chamelion squints at Evans and then removes
the glasses, “Oh yeah!” Looks at the TV, “Wow,
that’s SO much better!!”
With a light grin, being as he’s so used to
Chamelion, Gareth sits down on the other side of the desk, “Besides the vision
problems, how’s your study session going?”
Stopping the tape altogether, Chamelion sits
down on his side of the desk and motions to five folders laying there… one is
open, and the others sit to the side, haphazardly strewn about.
“Not too
bad, I went to the BWF web site and dug up roster information on my four
opponents…. And out of curiosity, a little more on my partner, Wacko Marko…”
Gareth breaks in, “Oh, before I forget, I tried calling him as you asked..
no answer… and the most peculiar answering machine…”
Sighing, Chamelion nods, “Ever since he accepted
my challenge, he’s been rather silent… while he would not have had a choice but
to be my partner when I asked of it… it would have been nice if the man speaks
up a little more.. offers a bit of support to the effort this weekend. Instead, nothing but dead silence.”
“He
may be harboring some inner angst over losing to you.” Offers Gareth.
“Maybe,
and that’s fine… but I swear if he doesn’t put in a good showing this weekend,
I’m reneging my interest in going for the tag title with him… and I’ll just
secure a new partner for the match at Gauntlet Run.”
Gareth leans forward, interest lights his
eyes, “Are you going to ask HIM?”
A moment’s silence, then Chamelion nods
solemnly, “I
was considering it, yes.”
Sitting back in his chair, Gareth grins, “It would be good to see that happen.”
“However,”
Chamelion
warns,
“I’m not so sure he’d want too, or be ready too if he did… but that’s a bridge
I’ve not had to cross yet…. More importantly, I stick to my word and tag with
Marko Sunday.”
“Perhaps,
what did you learn about your opponents so far?”
“Well,” Chamelion nods
towards the TV, “All of them are quite
capable ring warriors, I won’t take that away from them… I certainly didn’t put
in my best effort last week… and didn’t appreciate Wacko’s need to act… so I
have a lot of work ahead of me…”
Frowning, Chamelion turns away from Gareth
for a moment, “Hey, excuse me for a bit?
I want to get something off my chest, and best I do this alone.”
“Sure
thing… I’ll be in the gym fixing the turnbuckle on the ring.” Gareth stands and
exits the office, shutting the door behind him.
Panning back to Chamelion, we see his face is dark, and his eyes smolder
as he looks right into the camera…
“Last
week… I made an overture to Wacko about going for the Tag team championships..
and in the heat of the moment, with the fans roaring and the adrenaline
pumping… I claimed we’d go for the shot at Gauntlet Run…. “
“In
truth, as new as I am to the BWF, I knew there would be contenders more worthy
of the shot then I at this time… and I could have worked my way up… but others
saw this as an opportunity. Not an
opportunity to raise ratings, or create a huge match to showcase on next weeks
show… “
His voice lowers to a growl.
“No! It was all just so Brimstone and Evildude
could have an opportunity to blind side their competition… and worse, at the
consent, it appears.. of the BWF commissioner, Ryan Maanya…”
“Well,
Mr. Commissioner.. best you hear this loud and clear… No man, no matter his
position of power… does what you did… and gets away with it cleanly. Your status means shit to the Chamelion when
he wants to get his hands dirty… and your little tactic at Havok
will NOT go unanswered. I suggest you
understand with pure clarity.. fines, suspension, termination… means Nothing to
Me.. I can always find work… but what I can not have.. in any federation…. Is
the management thinking they can play their little games on me…..”
Leaning back, Chamelion’s lets a cold smile
cross his face.
“They
tried it before, in the PWA… do you know what happened? I took the entire federation away from them…
they tried in the HIC… and I ran them out of business… I can play my part here,
Ryan… move my way up the ladder like anyone else… but I am not called the Most
Devious SOB in the business today just for a catch phrase… it was earned… every
damned bit of it. Don’t test me again…
ever.”
Easing himself down, Chamelion picks up the
open folder in front of him.
“Now, onto
‘real’ business. This weekend, Wacko and
I go up against two more teams for a chance to earn a Tag-Title shot at the
PPV. Now, I’m in a bit of a quandary
here… you see, the Gauntlet Run itself, offers the winner a shot at something a
little more precious then tag title shots… and with a little sacrifice… I could
easily move into that match, and potentially earn a World Title shot…..”
Pause…
“However,
The Chamelion certainly does not like to lose, for anything… and since I
already stated I don’t mind moving up at a slow, even pace… securing victory
this weekend would assure Wacko and I a title match at Gauntlet Run!”
Laying down the folder, Chamelion scans it
for a moment.
“This
leads me to discuss my opponents… X-factor, the previous Tag champs… and
Brimstone and Evildude… who thought it would be whimsical to interject their
feet onto Wacko and I… “
Smiling darkly,
“Get
your ‘kicks’ in while you can, boys… you blindsided the Chamelion and after a
match… so while you may feel you got it a few good licks… rest assured, you
won’t have such gratification when you fight me face to face.”
Tapping the folder on the desk, Chamelion
moves on.
“Brimstone,
let’s first talk about you, shall we?”
says Chamelion, “Both you and your partner, Evildude.. are cruiserweights…
which immediately explains your need to attack me and Wacko from behind… you
have a dark gimmick going for you… which I can admire, since I know someone
very close who shares an affinity for all things dark…you defeated 24 other
participants to earn the Hardcore title in your debut match… I’ll give you your
props… to a degree… when you best 47 others… and go on to win a world title…
then MAYBE you’ll be in my league.”
Chamelion snickers a bit.
“Now,
with the returning Evildude, you think that just two weeks later you can go for
a tag-title shot… a bit greedy, are we not, kiddo? Hey, I don’t really mind the greed… I’m not
exactly a saint in that department… but put too much on the platter at once,
and you’re going to be so stuffed you’ll be easy pickings…..not to mention
gaining quite a belly….hmm, Brimstone the Heavyweight… could be soon, eh?”
Shrugging, Chamelion tosses the file aside
and picks up a second one.
“As for
your partner, Johnny Evildude….what the hell kind of issues do you have to be
blaming the fans for losing your
A short laugh, then Chamelion calms down.
“Kidding,
somewhat anyway…. Gaining the
That file is dropped, and Chamelion picks up
two others…
“Ahhh,
X-factor.. the former Tag-Team Champions… with a chance at a rematch… I
consider that powerful incentive to do your very best… but why did you lose the
titles in the first place? Lack of ambition?
From what I can gather… the new tag champs were not even supposed to be
in the match… and yet, last second, under the radar and WHISK.. away go your
titles….shameful.”
Flipping through a couple pages in one of the
folders, Chamelion looks back up.
“Now
while I appreciate a good dose of zeal, Xander… and basking in the glory of the
fans…. Putting your body in mortal danger just to show off to them… well… it
seems.. it’s.. oh hell, that’s cool man!
I do it to… what good is a generic technical match, if there isn’t a
little dash of danger involved?
Difference between you and me, though, is although I do appreciate the
fans… I do what I do for the spotlight… it’s no secret to anyone who knows me,
I’m a glory hound… and while I can share that spotlight with allies and team
mates… when I’m inside the squared circle… the eyes better be on me.”
A slight cocky grin appears.
“Of
course, I do what I can to earn those stares.. a little extra here and there,
to show off my skills as a mat technician, or a high flyer.. hey, whatever will
work, The Chamelion will do it. Not only
that, you and I seem to have followed a similar path in also being in the
PCW….although in my case, it was merely to get under Ledge and Deathsun’s skin
and deal them some damage along the way…I have history with them, you see… so,
while there may even be a bit of a kindred spirit between you and I… it matters
diddly squat to the fact that you and your partner stand in the way of the
Chamelion and Wacko Marko from securing their Tag-Title shot at Gauntlet Run!”
Taking a breath, Chamelion continues,
undaunted.
“Finally,
to the one man in this crowd with the impressive credentials… and certainly the
one I’ll be paying the closest attention to in our match… Yoshihiro Sakai. With two world titles under your belt in the
BWF, you are a proven tactician who made few, yet critical mistakes. I do so love the Japanese culture, Sakai… so
a hearty Genki Desu ka to you … but when we clash, I’m sorry to say it’s gonna
be Sayonara for you and your partner, Xander Strife… appropriate too, the
strife the both of you shall soon be in.”
Laying the two folders down, Chamelion leans
back in his chair.
“So
that’s it… six men, three teams.. one opportunity…. And that’s what this has
all been about, right?
A pause…
“Let’s
just say this; if he doesn’t put in his two cents and make an effort… well,
while you four may think this puts The Chamelion at odds end… family history
shows that one man can make all the difference in the world… and I certainly
bet I could walk out, by myself.. the winner… but…”
A slow, devious smile crosses his face…
“If push
comes to shove… I’ll make the call to the darkened nights… and conjure forth a
demon so deadly… that not only will the Tag-Team titles be ours…. The very BWF
will tremble from the stone pillars to the very heavens above…. GOT IT?”
We fade slowly, so all that is left are
Chamelion’s green eyes… and
END