Counter Strike

[Chris Pyro]

As the fans finish filing into the arena, a radio like voice comes over the PA system calling for "Project Rebirth" before the driving drums and guitars of "Special Op" by Adam Massacre begins to play. The fans get on their feet and cheer as the militant wrestlers appear from one of the breezeways of the Jared Nathan Memorial Arena. Chris Pyro in his black boots, black cargo jeans, black hoodie with a white spider on the front with the sleeves rolled up and his half face mask. Agent Shadow in similar attire, but with a flack jacket and mask. Captain Steve Rumlow is walking from a different side of the fans, dressed in black army boots, navy blue cargo pants, utility belt, navy blue longsleeved underarmour shirt and vest with a silver star on the front. Chloe "Skie" Reinhardt in her black one piece with a wide collar, black fingerless gloves and tight ponytail. All four make their way through the fans, high fiving the odd fan as they make their way to the ring. As they reach the guardrail, they all climb over and make their way up the steps and into the ring, except for Pyro who walks by the announcers area to get a microphone before making up into the ring. All four stand in the centre as Pyro lifts the mic to his lips.

Pyro:
As some of you are aware, the Knights of the Squared Circle decided it was a good idea to invade my war room and cover everything is sugar and syrup. Some of you seem to find this to be a funny prank that they pulled, but they forgot who they were messing with. You see, I have a particular set of skills. As does Captain Steve Rumlow, Agent Shadow and Chloe "Skie" Reinhardt. So we made some very special trips to some very special locations, and we even filmed it for you! So, if you Knights would be so kind and join us out here. As you can see, all of Project Rebirth is here, so there won't be any surprise attacks.

Project Rebirth takes a few steps back to allow room for their hopeful audience.

TBC: TPK

[TPK/Acid]

A few seconds pass, and twelve trumpeters walk down the ramp. Once they line the ramp, they split into two groups before playing loudly. As the fanfare continues, the crowd eats it up. After the music plays for a brief interlude, The Knights of the Squared Circle file down the ramp, each one looking ever so proud of themselves after getting one over on a group of highly trained soldiers. Once at the bottom of the ramp, the group look into the ring, and make sure that Project Rebirth aren't going to try anything fishy. But Pyro and Co. are calm, a little TOO calm. Not seeing any danger the group enter the ring, and TPK gathers a mic. Luna hangs back for a moment, and but then tries to urge TPK to leave the ring.

TPK: Hey, it's fine. I don't know what you thought you saw. But nothing these guys can do will be THAT bad. Right, Pyro? Anyway, we're here. So, let's get this over with.

TPK lowers his mic, as he and Acid chatter amongst themselves for a few brief moments. All the while Project Rebirth seem to be acting awfully smug given their situation.

TBC

[Chris Pyro]

A smirk crosses the face of Project Rebirth's leader. He knows that TPK has no clue what he is about to see, and knows that he will be hitting him right in the heart.

Pyro:
No worries, your dear charlatan skirt there will be just fine. Though, her fears are well founded. You should know me better, TPK. We've walked the same halls, been on the same shows. You know exactly what I am capable of, and know that I will go beyond the walls of this arena to get it done. So I have a special video, just for you.

Pyro gestures up to the butchertron, as it blinks to life with footage just outside of an IHOP. Pyro raises a mic to his lips to narrate the video.

Pyro:
I'm sure you're aware, but for those who aren't, this is the local IHOP. This happens to be a place near and dear to The Psycho Kid. A place of solace, where he can enjoy a nice meal of Canadian Maple Syrup covered waffles. Now, as a Canadian, this will hurt me as much as it will hurt you. You see, this fine establishment just got in a special shipment of maple syrup and waffle mix.

After a few moments on the video, Rumlow, Shadow and Chloe can be seen running from the building.

Pyro:
All those waffles. All that syrup... Bang.

The calmness in Pyro's voice betrays the violent footage of the IHOP being utterly destroyed. The building brought down in burning rubble. But the footage doesn't stop there. It quickly cuts to a similar scene, and another IHOP.

Pyro:
And here we are again. A freshly restocked IHOP, just begging for the Project Rebirth remodel... Boom.

Once again, as if on cue, the building erupts.

Pyro:
I have to say, I never knew burning maple syrup smelled as bad as it did. It made the Canadian in me die a little, though. Oh here we are. One more time...

Yet another IHOP appears on the screen, with Rumlow, Shadow and Chloe running from it.

Pyro:
BOOM!

The place again explodes on cue with Pyro's mimed actions.

Pyro:
Three IHOPs, wiped off the face of this Earth. This is what happens when you invade my home, my war room. Let this be a lesson, Knights. You don't want this to leave this ring or this arena, you don't go beyond these walls.

TBC

[TPK/Acid]

TPK stands there momentarily shocked from what he'd just witnessed. Matt Acid steps between TPK and the mercs standing across the ring. TPK convulses with fits of anger, and rage begins to build up inside of him. Matt places a hand on his leader's shoulder, trying to keep him from doing something stupid. TPK calms himself, pulls his mic up, and turns his gaze to Shadow of all people.

TPK: You took from me, something I love. Now, it's time for me...to take something from you! And I know just the thing...

TPK throws the mic forcefully at Shadow, and turns like he is going to leave. Matt let's his guard down for a moment, and this gives TPK the opening he needs. The Knight's leader rushes past Acid, and makes a beeline for Agent Shadow. This move catches everyone by surprise, and by the time the rest of Project Rebirth can act TPK has Shadow on the ground, his hands fumbling with the back of his mask. Pyro growls, TPK's defiance angering him to no end. Chris doesn't even have to say a word, he had but simply produce another detonator from his pocket and threaten to press the button. Meanwhile, live feed of another IHOP can be seen on the screen, TPK looks at Pyro, then to Shadow, and finally to his team.

Matt: What, you blow up another IHOP? And this does what, make us less upset? Ya know what, fuck it...take the thing off!

TPK rips the mask off, and is quickly overrun by the remainder of Project Rebirth. Rumlow shoulder tackles TPK, as Skie drags Shadow away, trying her best to shield Shadow's face from the crowd. Pyro sighs, shakes his head, and drops his thumb down on the button, blowing up the IHOP. Pyro laughs at TPK's expression, as he and the rest of his squad form a phalanx around Agent Shadow and make a hasty retreat from the ringside area.

EoT