As we fade in, we find ourselves in a graveyard.  Rain is pelting down hard, and the darkness swarms like wasps around a single light.. a lantern.. which reveals to us the Soul-Taker, Raizzor.. and his brother Chamelion.  Chamelion is covered in a large rain coat, and he hides inside of it, huddled from the rain.  He is crouched over a large tombstone, hands resting on it’s concrete top… as his brother, void of such protection, stares down at another grave.  His eerie silence finally irks Chamelion.

 

“Brother…”

 

Raizzor turns, his eyes cold and dark, and it is enough to still Chamelion’s voice.  For a while longer, they stand there in their positions, neither moving. Finally, however, Chamelion stands up.

 

“Ok, look.. how long is this going to take?”

 

With a subtle sigh, Raizzor’s shoulders slump a little bit and he steps back.  The light, now free to shine down upon the grave’s marker, reveals a name.

 

Michael Sommers

1971-2004

 

Shaking his head, Chamelion walks around to join his brother.

 

“We’re going to have to tell someone about this, sooner or later.”

 

Reaching a hand out to caress the marble stone of the marker, Raizzor quietly whispers.

”What is to tell, Little Brother?  Is it not true that this name, this very man, indeed lies dead beneath this consecrated ground?”

 

Licking his lips, nervously, Chamelion clears his throat and replies.

 

“No, Brother.  That man stands beside me, here and now.  You know this.  He, you, are the same. I don’t know what hell you went through with Draven and where you vanished too, after Genesis 6.  You won’t tell me.  But I can tell you this, you are Michael Sommers… even if you deny yourself the life that goes with that name.”

 

A single word echoes from Raizzor, under his breath.

 

“Jasmine.”

 

Nodding, Chamelion pulls the cloak of his raincoat closer over his head.

 

“Yes, your wife.  Her prognosis is very good.  Remo thinks she’s about to regain her memories, he emotions.. all of it.  You two can be together again.  But if Michael Sommers doesn’t greet her… then what good was her recovery?”

 

Turning a fresh glare upon his brother, Raizzor growls deep in his throat.

 

“You dare…”

 

“YES, dammit, I dare!  I am not going to let you drown in the darkness and despair that you did once before.  Draven almost killed you, almost had Jasmine as his slave for ever.  If you can’t let yourself take Michael within you.. to become the man Jasmine fell in love with.. then yes, I think it’s all for naught!”

 

Sighing, Raizzor accepts this, slowly.

 

“It will take time.”

 

“All things do, brother.  But there are some things we don’t have time for.”

 

Straightening up, Raizzor nods.

 

“Havok.”

 

“Indeed.  The world was stunned as to your return.  But the impact we made by capturing the World Tag-Team Titles wont mean shit if we can’t pull off a stunning victory this Tuesday.”

 

Turning, Raizzor begins to walk away from the grave, heading towards the exit and Chamelion sprints to keep up.  Raizzor speaks.

 

“The power I felt in the ring was natural to me.  It was as if I never left.”

 

“Yeah, yeah.. but brother… we got only a taste of Marcus on Havok… and I can tell you this: he’s improved!  I’ve fought and bested Bam before.. but Adriana?  I fear she may be in league with Lisa Lorenzo.. and I’ve got to admit freely here: that bugs me.”

 

“And yet, our partner is the Undisputed Champion.”

 

Nodding, Chamelion doesn’t act impressed.

 

“Maybe so, but even Hensley gets on my nerves. Some of the shit he said back during his battles with Adriana got to me.  But I’m willing to let that slide if the man does his part.”

 

“Our strategy?”

 

Smirking, Chamelion allows the rain to pelt him as he brushes the cloak back.

 

“Same as it always has been, brother.  We don’t change it just because Hensley’s involved.  His target’s going to be Marcus.. I know this.  But now that Marcus has secured Bam and Adriana as partners… co-horts if you will.. they will be as one.. the well-oiled-machine, as they say.  We have to go into this match, relying on nothing but what we know.”

 

For the first time, Raizzor allows a ghost of a smile to whisper across his face.

 

“And what, little brother, do we know?”

 

“That you and I are the most Dominate Tag Team anywhere!!  We are the only team to twice beat The Brothers Grimm in the PWA.  Hell, we may be the only team to really put a hurting to Beauty & The Brutal!  As for the likes of Prophet and his lackey.. no one tore them a new hole like us!”

 

“I mean, with your link to the darkness.. the power you possess.. and my deviousness… we have abilities ranging all across the spectrum!  Marcus may have been a good tag team partner… but I was only half a team until you came back!”

 

Quirking his head, Raizzor chides.

 

“When I came back, you WERE ½ a team!”

 

Stopping in his tracks, Chamelion’s mouth gapes open.

 

“Did.. did YOU just make a joke?”

 

Raizzor keeps walking.

 

“HEY!”

 

Chamelion catches up.

 

“Maybe there’s hope for you yet.”

 

Raizzor looks sideways as he walks thru the exit and towards the white van parked at the curb.

 

“One can dream.”

 

“Anyway!  We have the weekend to prepare.  I don’t know what Hensley’s strategy in this encounter is going to be… but if he doesn’t put forth his best effort and do his share in securing a victory… he’s going to have more then just Marcus, Bam and Adriana beating down his door.”

 

Raizzor stops at the van, turning to his brother.

 

“Do you think it is wise to threaten our ally?”

 

“Brother, Ice knows me by now.  We fought against each other before.  He knows when it’s personal, I’m unstoppable.  I don’t wish to threaten him.  I merely want it made clear this match is way too important to me.  Ice is the Undisputed Champion! He earned that by not slacking off.  But I’ve also seen how this place likes to dwell in silence till the last minute.. and frankly; we can’t afford that!”

 

“I will be ready.”

 

“As will I.  That just leaves Ice.  But Ice should know this; we have his back, if he has ours.  And my distaste for Marcus runs near as deep as his.  Maybe, just maybe, we can elliminate Marcus before he becomes a real threat to either of us.  In fact, perhaps the BWF made an error assigning this match… putting Marcus into the ring with two men that hate him so.”

 

“Maybe, but Marcus will not be alone.  You mentioned you beat Bam before.  This is good motivation.  Adriana, however?”

 

Smirking, Chamelion pulls open the Van door and gets inside.  Raizzor follows on the passenger side.  Once inside, Chamelion continues.

 

“While I admit that Adriana could be trouble, there is also the fact she didn’t get the job done against Ice… and if Ice can give us some inside ideas on her.. then I feel Havok is going to be just another day for the Krymson Dragons!”

 

Leaning back in his seat, Raizzor closes his eyes.

 

“Of that, brother, I have no doubt.”

 

Starting the van, Chamelion buckles up.

 

“Exactly!  Marcus, Bam and Adriana may be together now.. but they’re still going down.. Hook.. Line… and Sinker!!!”

 

Grinning, Chamelion pulls away from the curb.  They get about 20 feet before Chamelion steps on the breaks and rolls down the window.  He looks our way and winks.

 

“Got it?”

 

And with that, they pull away and we fade to black.