Intergalactic Fighting League: Survival of the Fittest!

Zeel1 · February 12, 2019

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Rhyme1234" data-cite="Rhyme1234" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>This diary is really great! Awesome work here.</div></blockquote> Thanks for the support, appreciate it~ Took a week or so off there to do other stuff, but glad to be back into the thick of this, should have another couple entries out today and tomorrow.

Rhyme1234 · February 12, 2019

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Zeel1" data-cite="Zeel1" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Thanks for the support, appreciate it~ Took a week or so off there to do other stuff, but glad to be back into the thick of this, should have another couple entries out today and tomorrow.</div></blockquote> Excited for them! <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

EBEZA · February 12, 2019

This diary is... incredible!

Holy poop emoji! <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

I am thoroughly hooked, and so impressed by something so unique! (I know, I read the opening post saying you borrowed the idea, but still, I've seen nothing like this! <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/eek.png.0e09df00fa222c85760b9bc1700b5405.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />)

Amazing work! Please keep it going!

Zeel1 · February 13, 2019

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="EBEZA" data-cite="EBEZA" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>This diary is... incredible! Holy poop emoji! <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> I am thoroughly hooked, and so impressed by something so unique! (I know, I read the opening post saying you borrowed the idea, but still, I've seen nothing like this! <img alt=":eek:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/eek.png.0e09df00fa222c85760b9bc1700b5405.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />) Amazing work! Please keep it going!</div></blockquote> Aw, many thanks! It is definitely a unique scenario to me, even if I read a few series' worth in the original. You can see why I was inspired by it, heh. I'm definitely taking plenty but I'm trying to put a new spin on as much of it as I can. Once this is done I think I'll link back to the EWB diary so people can compare, assuming that's okay. For now I'd rather not have potential spoilers... <img alt=";)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/wink.png.686f06e511ee1fbf6bdc7d82f6831e53.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Zeel1 · February 13, 2019

<div style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2337688&postcount=24" rel="external nofollow"><<</a> .15 Entry II <a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2339895&postcount=34" rel="external nofollow">>></a></div>

...I know I need to write out how I'm feeling, but I don't know how to put it into words.

Devastated, distraught, hopeless... any word I could think to describe it of just seems trite. Any statement would be an understatement.

Thirty of us were brought here. In a month's time, three of us are gone. And now it's even worse, because now we're doing it to each other. Kevin Owens has formed some rogue band to try and take us all down one by one... even now this all sounds like nonsense to me, but what's another bit of surrealism to add to the fever dream we've been living in?

Tommy... any wrestling fan that grew up in my time knew of him and atleast respected him. He was always true to his word and to himself, and despite a hardknock career, his love of wrestling never died, his commitment to the business and everyone in it lived on in him until his last breath. It seems ridiculous to even talk about wrestling right now, but I can't help it, because... that quality is something we shared. It's something I'd want to emulate... if I could ever get back to that life. To lose a man like him... heart-wrenching doesn't come close to being apt. And the way it happened too, for him to fall because of his own mercy, because he had too much integrity to kill even to save his own life... for that, he had to die? I fear for the message that sends to the rest us...

Zayn... he was absolutely one of my idols. From the indies to the big time, he was always one to watch, not only as a fan but as someone to learn from. It was impossible not to admire the sheer work ethic, and while what you'd hear about him backstage would vary, he always seemed like the kind of guy I'd love to hang around with. Even if we get back... the fact that he can't go with us is honestly unbelievable. And to think it happened because he was turned on by his closest friend, someone he thought of as family... I mean, even when everyone else was ready to disown Kevin, even when he had to realize himself that he was slipping away, he never gave up on him. He defended him to the bitter end... his loyalty was ceaseless. So why? Why, out of everyone here, why Sami...? How could he go through with that? I don't understand... I don't want to understand.

I never got to grow as close to either of those two as I'd have liked. Not for lack of trying, but... it's not exactly the kind of atmosphere for building bonds. And I... seem to struggle with it more than most. I think there's no doubt that I'm alienating myself a little bit with how I carry myself. I try my hardest not to cause offense, but... I'm the only one who never takes his mask off and I think it's rubbing everyone the wrong way. Like they don't think I'm taking this seriously if I feel the need to uphold lucha libre traditions in a place like this.

I... I don't know. Maybe they're right. I just... I don't know why I feel the need to do this. Refuse to show my face or say my real name... I guess I feel more brave like this. I can say without a doubt that the man behind the mask, he can't take this. He can't even begin to deal with any of this. But... maybe Frightmare can? Or at the very least he can do a hell of a lot better. It's ridiculous, I know... we all need the hard stuff right now and I'm just here with my placebo. But you have to work with what you've got...

Maybe I shouldn't take it personally. They're all on edge right now. How could they not be, now that this group has emerged? Though, to be honest... they're not what scares me the most.

Braun... I have no idea what happened to him at Killer Instinct, but it was a horrifying thing to watch. As always Hennigan was struck with fear but he thought for sure Braun would take care of him again... in all his paranoia, he never suspected he would take it to him like he did. He didn't pull his plug, but it seemed like he might as well have... it, definitely felt like he was trying to kill him. Or at the very least it seemed like he didn't care much whether he lived or died.

They had to scrape him off the arena and drag him back to his room. It's been a few days since then, and... we haven't heard a peep from him. He actually shared a room with Penta, Fenix and Alberto, and they've been spending all their time in Kevin's room. Aichner was the other who was assigned to it but since the three of them showed their true colors, he's been taking up residence in what was meant to be Baron's bed. Doesn't feel comfortable taking the beds of one of the departed.

Oh yeah... Baron still just sleeps out in the hall with a pillow and a blanket. He doesn't show much outright hostility, but he's been determined to never once show any camaraderie with anyone, down to refusing to share a room. I guess, in his own way, he's just trying to be honest. He doesn't trust us, and he can't bring himself to lie about it. Maybe there's something to respect about that.

God, I miss the days where him speaking his mind was the most unsettling thing I'd seen from the fellow members of the roster... I didn't know how good I had it.

But yeah, Hennigan's been locking himself in for a while. And we're worried. Of course we are, but... they do nothing to treat injuries and we have no idea just how serious his are. Is he even...? I mean, I'm sure he's still breathing in there. I should try to check on him when I'm done with this... I'm sure I won't get a response though.

Maybe he just wants to be left alone. The guy was terrified of everyone and everything around him before he got mauled by a monster. I can only imagine what's gone through his head since he woke up from that beating.

A monster... did I really just call him that? Braun's one of the few people who's stopped to have a heart-to-heart with me, even if it was just to explain what went wrong in our match. He's... not what we saw out there, I'm certain of that. But then, how can you explain what went down? He says he didn't have control of himself, but... how are you supposed to take that? To be fair, we're pretty much living in a dystopian science fiction at the moment, so I guess I can't be that skeptical. Still, doesn't make it a lot easier to wrap your head around...

I want to believe him, though. I want to believe in everyone here. Though I don't exactly get the feeling people have much faith in me...

The tension rises a little everyday. Us in the Pact, we had an odd exchange earlier today, during our little meeting to figure out what our next move would be... Colby brought up something the guards had been hinting at. Apparently Owens is going to be defending his new title for the first time right away on the next show... and Kota's rumored to be the one in line for it. But Colby seemed more excited about that then the others were. We still don't really like the very idea of that championship and what it's meant to inspire. But Colby kept going on about how we should help Kota win and, once he did, we could keep the title among the group for as long as we needed to. It seemed like he really, really wanted it for himself. He finally cooled down when he noticed the odd looks he was getting.

Honestly I think he's been a little nerve-wracked for a while. He tries to hide it, but ever since Callihan swung that bat at his head and he barely avoided being severely concussed or worse, I think it's been on his mind nonstop, just how quickly any of us could go. It's not like I can blame him for being afraid. He's only 22 years old... so young to have to be thinking about things like this. And he's not even the youngest person here... such a sick thing to put us through. So yeah of course he's rattled. I hope he doesn't let it cloud his judgment, though.

It's not all bad. I can say I've made a friend in Marty Scurll. We've just kinda happened to talk a lot recently, ever since the two of us were all but ousted from our rooms. We've been sleeping in the lounge since then. He's a pretty good guy, a little guarded, but that's not something I can judge someone for in a place like this. He's got a bit of paranoia to him. Not a petrified kind like Hennigan, or an in-your-face kind like Baron's, though I do think he ultimately has a similar thought process. He just has a healthy dose of suspicion to him. I mean it took him a while to let his guard down around me, and if you're worried about the likes of me, then you're gonna be wary around just about everyone.

Adds up. I mean I still recall his little incident with Alberto back on the first show. I got the sense that he was more than just mad about him going into business for himself in a match... being attacked legit out there scared him. It took him a while to be able to look him in the eye after that. In hindsight... it's gotta be all the more frightening, now that we have an idea of what he's actually capable of. I mean, I knew he was a hothead, and plenty will you tell you he's an ass, but... a killer? ...He hasn't actually done it yet but he sure didn't show any remorse over being an accomplice. God it's so hard to fathom any of this...

But yeah, given that, I can understand why Marty's been on edge since. I can tell though, he wishes so badly that he could be optimistic about this, that he could find some hope. He admires Omega and Ibushi's mindset, even if he can't begin to understand where their confidence in peaceful resolutions comes from. I've... actually tried to talk him into taking the Pact and joining with us, and again, I get this sense that he'd love to. But as much as he'd like to believe in it, he doesn't. He's not convinced he could trust himself not to respond in kind if someone went after him.

It's... asking a lot. The 'turn the other cheek' approach, it's a rough life. Refusing to hurt someone, even if you know they'll hurt you if you don't... it takes a certain kind of individual. Not like I'm boasting. Personally, I just... I'm too much of a coward to even think about trying something like that, no matter what someone does to me. I don't have that fight in me... probably not something I'd wanna say in public but it's true.

Yeah, these are the kinds of cheery conversations we've had whilst trying to drift to sleep in that lounge. The couches are fine but I've always struggled to sleep outside of a bed... though I wouldn't exactly want to be sleeping in our old room anyway now. Not just because Kevin and Callihan are there but, seeing Sami's bed would be tough... though I'm not sure Marty feels that strongly about that.

I kinda get why. It's almost, a twisted blessing that this place is so sterile, that they refuse to allow us anything to personalize our little spaces with. It means there's little reason to associate any corner of the place with anyone in particular, really... if it actually looked like Sami's room in there, I know I wouldn't be able to step foot in it without bursting into tears. As it is... the fact that someone's not there anymore is easier to get it out of your head than it would've been.

That... might be the whole reason it's like this. Maybe it's Malell's way of encouraging us not to mourn, to forget about those that have passed on. Well I won't. No matter what, I'll never forget them... I just wish I could've had more time with them... and I can't help but have this sickening feeling that I'm gonna be saying the same about a lot of people before this thing is finished.

But who knows... I might get lucky.

I might be next.

<div style="text-align:right;">Signed,

Frightmare</div>

Zeel1 · February 13, 2019

Damn, there was a little I forgot to add into that last entry. Just gave it a slight revisal.

EBEZA · February 13, 2019

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Zeel1" data-cite="Zeel1" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Aw, many thanks! It is definitely a unique scenario to me, even if I read a few series' worth in the original. You can see why I was inspired by it, heh. I'm definitely taking plenty but I'm trying to put a new spin on as much of it as I can. Once this is done I think I'll link back to the EWB diary so people can compare, assuming that's okay. For now I'd rather not have potential spoilers... <img alt=";)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/wink.png.686f06e511ee1fbf6bdc7d82f6831e53.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote> Absolutely! No spoilers whatsoever! Tbh, even if you linked it, I wouldn't read it until this diary is over anyway, as I highly doubt it stands up, in terms of writing quality and storytelling!

EBEZA · February 18, 2019

DEATH IS MY LIFE!

I'm waiting impatiently for the next post in this wonderful diary!

Zeel1 · February 19, 2019

<div style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2337936&postcount=30" rel="external nofollow"><<</a> .16 Vicarious <a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2347611&postcount=47" rel="external nofollow">>></a></div> <div style="text-align:center;">IFL Bloodsport V</div> Days removed from the carnage of a destructive mega event, the crowd is buzzing even for it's usual standards. The restless bloodlust was fed into, but far from quenched. Indeed, now that they've gotten a taste again, they only want more... Hazazz: Hell yeeeeeaaaah! Welcome one and all to the one and only IFL! YES! YES, WE'RE BACK! IFL is back FOR REAL now! Hahahahaah the killing... the kiilling has finally begun! Sivian: Indeed, indeed! I know you, me and everyone watching has been absolutely chomping at the bit for this, but with Killer Instinct finally came the carnage we've been seeking. Hazazz: Blood! Betrayal! Cruelty! Murder! Everything your fiendish little hearts desire! Everything mine does anyway! Nyehehehehahah what a great night and what a great precedent for us going forward! Sivian: Yes, we can only hope it sets the tone for everything that is to follow. Hazazz: Man, how did I make it through that first month...? You know I can't go on without this brutality! Sivian: It was a struggle for us all, partner. Ever since our own careers in that arena had to come to an end, spectating became our only reprieve from the dreaded isolation of peace. Vicariously, we all live through the deaths of these warriors... Hazazz: Well said babe! And now it's time to... it's... oh God YES IT'S THE MAN HIMSELF! THE MAN RESPONSIBLE! IT'S MALELL! WOOOOO!!! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Just as he said, Malell made his way through the tunnel to, as always, an incredibly thunderous applause. He smiled triumphantly, all too pleased with how the last show went down as he gestured for a microphone. "I trust you all enjoyed Killer Instinct?" he asked, to an enormous ovation. "Hmhmhmhm, of course you did... it involved far too much mayhem for anyone to scoff at. But rest assured, what you saw days ago was far, far from our peak. Those two deaths were merely the beginning. Twenty-seven warriors still yet remain... and only one may survive. And as it sets in on them... as it dawns on them that, no matter what ideal they may try to hold onto that this IS indeed the only way... that it is infact kill or be killed around here... it will only be all the more progressively brutal. That survival instinct inside them all will come out and then... then they will see what animals they truly are... then, you will see genuine warriors clash!" With this promise, they of course grew to adore him even more. The ravenous audience was absolutely engrossed in this as he continued. "What you have seen... it pales in comparison to what comes next. We may even top it right here tonight!" he teased, doing everything he could to egg on the IFL faithful. "You see, at Killer Instinct we crowned this series' first Immunity Champion... but odds are good we did not crown the last. Kevin Owens may have walked out of their superior, and he may now have the security that it grants, but it's not guaranteed to last forever. In fact, it may not last for another few hours... because in our main event tonight, we will see his first defense against one of the most gifted athletes on the roster, one of the most fearless and death-defying men we've ever seen... and someone who secured a very impressive win at Killer Instinct himself. That's right, Owens will defend against the one and only Kota Ibushi!" The fervor was reaching it's zenith as he simply basked in it. "Ahhh... of course we can't say that everyone put forth a fantastic effort at that show. Though you likely didn't notice at the time, distracted by the beauty of the first elimination just before it... but Bobby Roode, James Storm and the Briscoe Brothers... I must admit, they phoned in their match quite a bit." he declared, nodding along with some boos. "They truly lacked the titular killer instinct... they looked as though they were attending a funeral in that match, hmhmhm... well that won't do. No one gets away with doing something like that at a show of that stature. So I've decided to give them all a chance to redeem themselves, or else... tonight, you will see a rematch between those two teams... and this time, it's a hardcore match! Here's hoping the more violent atmosphere gets them back into the swing of things..." This one didn't get quite the same response as the others, but the crowd certainly seemed willing to give it a shot. Malell's smile returned as he continued, "Finally, I would like to send a message to the rest of the warriors involved... remember that your status elsewhere means nothing here. This is a gift and a curse... you won't be treated special for being a bigger star on Earth, true. But you will also get the same opportunity as everyone else. Everyone and I do mean everyone is considered for contention for the IFL Immunity Championship. I am always watching... so do your best to win, no matter what match you're in, by any means necessary... simple as that. There are several one-on-one matches lined up for tonight's show... let's just say I'll be keeping a keen eye on them all for next week. Now then... let us begin the bloodshed." He posed, triumphant before the adoring, blood-crazed masses before making his leave. <img alt="zs1YroO.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zs1YroO.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: Ahhh, what did we ever do to deserve such a wonderful man...? Sivian: I ask myself that question everyday... Hazazz: Heheheh, I know you do! Sivian: Now what does that mean? Hazazz: Oh, you know... just rumors... Sivian: Please. Let us move on to our first match of the evening... we didn't even mention that Owens didn't kill Sami alone. Killer Instinct ended with the public unveiling of a new group of warriors, one that seemed keen on kickstarting the death and destruction. Hazazz: Heheheh, that's right! And one of those heroes is here! Alberto El Patron will be dishing out the justice against Fabian Aichner! That guy... he could be tough, but he's way too soft on the inside. Alberto's gonna tear him apart! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="qseeO4O.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/qseeO4O.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="iB6V15r.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/iB6V15r.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Alberto El Patron vs. Fabian Aichner ------- Alberto was out quickly, standing his ground near Fabian's tunnel as he made his way out, looking to get into his head as he forced him to approach. Aichner didn't want to show any fear, but it was hard not to be wary, after the unveiling... suffice to say, Alberto had no interest in working this match, challenging him to a legit fight right away. And that was a problem for Aichner, because Alberto had a genuine shoot fighting background and he didn't. The former Olympic-caliber Greco-Roman wrestler and MMA fighter swiftly wrangled him onto the ground in a rear naked choke, and though Fabian was able to get a hand in to relieve some pressure, he was still in a bad way from the outset. Eventually Alberto released the hold for fear of gassing himself, but shortly after a quick reset, he was again able to put him into a submission, this time going for the Cross Armbreaker he'd been so keen on. He already showed some of the damage he could genuinely do with it against Naito and now that his affiliation was public, there was no reason to hold back. Aichner recognized this and did his damnedest to keep his hands gripped to avoid the pressure. Alberto likely could've pried them apart to lock in the hold, but he seemed to enjoy being in control and wanted the match to go on longer. So instead he made use of the position to send his heel crashing down onto Aichner's face repeatedly, before the Italian was finally able to rip free from the grip. As he rolled away, he noticed blood trickling on the ground and immediately knew that it was coming from his nose... Fabian knew that he had no choice but to change tactics, as getting in too close and grappling with him was a clear mistake. El Patron was in control and he knew it, so he had to take the match out of his control. The simplest way was to gain distance, so he managed to duck under his groping arms and rush away. Alberto smirked as he stalked towards him, reading this as nothing but pure fear. Doing this allowed Aichner to lure him towards a rock formation. They found themselves on opposite sides of a stone, when Aichner surprised him by vaulting up atop in a single leap before coming off with a single leg dropkick that hit him square between the eyes. This took the larger Alberto off-guard and actually managed to drop him. The moment he was down, Fabian sprung back up and again hopped onto the stone. He wasn't used to actually trying to hurt people with moves like this, but he came off with an elbow drop aimed right at Alberto's heart, hoping to take the wind out of him. He covered him, for a surprisingly narrow two-count... but no sooner than Alberto kicked out, did he maneuver Fabian into his Crossarmbreaker, showing his alertness even from underneath. The pressure cinched in, Fabian quickly tapped out, just wanting to get out of there, though of course Alberto saw no reason to let go too soon. And with the ref naturally doing nothing to break it up, Fabian instead folded him up and, showing off some impressive strength, hit him with a deadlift powerbomb, needing a second to jar him loose. But the moment he stepped back, Alberto shot up to his feet to look him in the eye. The staggering Fabian stared warily at him, knowing he could try to eliminate him at any moment and concerned for how well he'd be able to defend against it. Alberto didn't make a move though, he simply glared. Neither of the two broke eye contact for some time, until Fabian's slow backpedal gave him enough distance that he felt comfortable turning and rushing back up the tunnel. Alberto wore a smug smirk, pleased with how uncomfortable he'd made his opponent. Winner: Alberto El Patron by submission, after locking in the Cross Armbreaker at the 10:05 mark <img alt="EQPvKAQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EQPvKAQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: Hoohooo, hard not to love Alberto's style! Sivian: I must concur. We may not have seen him garner an elimination yet but I can tell he's salivating for it, it's on his mind in every match he has. Hazazz: He's definitely gonna do it! You just never know when! Nyeheh, it's the best! How can you not be on the edge of your seat with him?! Sivian: I think we all know your seat would never survive such a thing... but in any event, we move onto one of the matches Malell saw fit to advertise, the hardcore tag team match pitting Beer Money Inc. against the Briscoe Brothers. Hazazz: Hrm, yeah... Sivian: Oh? Where did that enthusiasm go? Hazazz: Well, hey, I'd never knock Malell, but if these guys barely went after each other a few days ago I don't see why they'd do anything different now. Obviously I'd love to see them gouge each other's eyes out with sickles, but I dunno if I see that happening... nyeheh, no pun intended... Sivian: It's an interesting call to say the least, but we'll see how it plays out. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="3DyjrKD.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3DyjrKD.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="IgIRL7m.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IgIRL7m.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="grvGfzP.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/grvGfzP.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="UWKAlTV.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/UWKAlTV.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> --- Hardcore Match --- Beer Money Inc. vs. The Briscoe Brothers ------- The four men came out for their match and the scene hearkened back to the fresh wounds of days prior. They weren't exceptions to a rule; aside from those directly responsible, no one was even remotely over the deaths of Tommy Dreamer and Sami Zayn. But putting them out there in that rematch just made it all the easier to recall how it felt when it happened. For a time it looked like they would struggle to even throw a punch as they stood there in the center of the arena and stared each other down. But Storm's fists found themselves clenching on their own, his breathing intensifying as it filtered through his grit teeth... and with no warning, he launched a legit punch right to the face of Mark Briscoe. The two of them were surprised, but when they looked upon the single tear falling down James' cheek, they understood immediately... and after taking a deep breath, Mark fired right back, a stiff punch to the jaw. James turned and threw a haymaker right at Jay as well, as Roode looked on in bewilderment. It spiraled quickly from there, as Storm and the Briscoes went after each other with brutal shots. But at no point did this ever look like a match of any kind. They made no attempt to block or avoid anything, nor was there ever any follow-up; it was though they were just taking turns dishing out punishment. Storm brought the weapons into the fold first, bringing up a weapon akin to a cane. He brought it down hard across the chests of both Mark and Jay, leaving vile red welts across their flesh as they seethed from the sting... and then, he simply held it aloft, long enough for Jay to take it up and respond with a ruthless lash in kind. Finally, the befuddled Roode had to come up and ask, "James... what the **** are you guys doing...?!" Storm turned to him with a dead serious look as he muttered, "They ain't gonna give us time to mourn in this hellhole. We gotta work through this the only way we can..." With that, he yanked the cane right back and, with a loud, primal yell accompanying the shot, proceeded to shatter it across Jay's head, splintering it open as he fell to the ground. Mark grabbed a blunt object like a small metal pole, and with a furious grunt, smashed Storm in the back with it, inflicting enough pain to send him to his knees. Mark then held the pole out to the writhing James, who meekly accepted it, so he could then ram it viciously into Mark's knees. It was a bizarre sight to be sure, but the crowd lapped it up as the three men tore into each other for the next several minutes. On this world, pain was the only thing any of them had to hold onto. And so pain was the way they let out the pent-up emotions they'd been forced to contain. They yelled and cried with every brutal swing as they sliced each other's flesh with a whip... all while Bobby looked on in horror. Eventually he decided to put an end to this, pulling Mark up from his knees and planting him with a Glorious DDT before pinning him. He didn't try to fight the pin. Winners: Beer Money Inc. by pinfall, after Bobby Roode nailed Mark Briscoe with a Glorious DDT at the 14:50 mark <img alt="EQPvKAQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EQPvKAQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Sivian: Well... I wasn't sure what to expect from that match, but what we got sure was a surprise. Hazazz: I've never seen a match like that one... heh, buncha masochists out there, indulging each other! You gotta love that! Sivian: They've certainly come to the right place for pain. We could do without all the tears, however. Hazazz: Yeah I dunno what was up with all that... and where was this love for suffering at Killer Instinct?! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="IifjMjV.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IifjMjV.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Baron Corbin made his way out and wasted little time in asking for a microphone. "...Let me make this short and sweet. We got a new group on the block, looking to take us all out one by one..." he began, and the crowd swiftly applauded the very mention of their new heroes. "...Yeah. Well let me send a quick message to them... you're doomed. Your whole group is doomed." This got a mixed a response. They enjoyed threats, but they were just getting comfortable with this new alliance, they didn't want to hear about it's destruction quite yet. "You already made the biggest mistake you could possibly make, and that's forming an alliance." Baron went on to say. "You mean to tell me you think you can trust each other because you're all willing to kill whoever you have to...? You don't need to be a genius to understand why that doesn't follow. You'll turn on each other. That's a foregone conclusion. You guys will eat each other from the inside out and take each other out... before long you'll be so worried about the guy beside you, you won't be able to focus on what's in front of you. That's why I work alone... if you were smart, you'd all do the same. Remember... only one of us gets out of here. And that means you can't... trust... anyone." <img alt="to4jzdJ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/to4jzdJ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: Hmph! What was up with that speech? Come on now, we finally have warriors around here that wanna kill people, and you gotta condemn them like they're doing something wrong?! Sivian: There's certainly logic to what he's saying. Alliances are frequent, but none can last... the competition simply isn't designed that way. Eventually they will have to kill each other, by default. Hazazz: Sure, but we're in the early days yet! They can sure as hell help each other go the distance and make sure they survive towards the end! Especially if they speed that process up with a ton of eliminations... Sivian: True enough. But the real question here is why is he talking about this group at all, when he's not facing one of their members? Hazazz: Guess he's trying to lay down the gauntlet... nyeh, maybe he's got a deathwish! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="IifjMjV.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IifjMjV.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="S0KdvAU.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/S0KdvAU.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Baron Corbin vs. Seth Rollins ------- In spite of Baron's confrontational nature and promo, he was fine with working a match with Rollins and agreeing on a winner by chance as per tradition. Thought this of course stayed hard-hitting enough to work with the audience, they ultimately told a common wrestling story, with the much larger Corbin overpowering Rollins, only to be combated by Seth targeting his legs to chop him down. Baron looked pretty beastly, tossing him callously through the air and at one point planting him with his always vicious Deep Six, but Rollins never stopped fighting back. High velocity low dropkicks and crunching chop blocks eventually got the big man onto all fours, where Rollins finished him with a Curb Stomp. Winner: Seth Rollins by pinfall, after hitting a Curb Stomp at the 15:19 mark <img alt="EQPvKAQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EQPvKAQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Sivian: Rollins showing he can take down even those much larger than himself, a valuable warrior trait. You have to think Malell will take notice of that. Hazazz: Heh, he talks like that and then loses, nice... Baron's a tough one though, definitely an impressive win! Shame neither of them went for a plug though... Sivian: Don't get greedy partner. Can't end the series too early... Hazazz: I know, I know... Sivian: With the resilience of our crop of warriors, I think the general consensus is that they must wear each other down slowly over time before eliminations will truly be viable. I don't think either were ready to go out on that occasion. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="W6oSkBK.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/W6oSkBK.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Terry Funk hobbled out to the arena, a thick layer of makeshift bandage made out of a ripped up pair of his tights hidden under his shirt. His ribs were still killing him, never having been properly treated. He looked miserable as he raised the mic up to his lips. "You think this is funny...?" he asked, staring up at the coliseum's skyboxes. "Malell you worthless scum-sucking son of a bitch, you think this is funny...? You did this. You... put us all in this God-forsaken place... because of you... one of my best friends is dead. Do you hear me...? Do you understand me?! Someone I've known for damn near thirty years is dead!" His breathing was labored as he favored his ribs. Even so much as getting that riled up took a toll on him. "Goddammit... I never... I never for a second thought I'd have to outlive him... and all I want to do now... all I want to do is go after the man responsible." he continued, shaking his head, trying not to snap. "But do you give me that?! Hell no you don't give me that, you don't give me Callihan... you give me Braun Strowman." The crowd was elated to hear this. The monster had wholly regained his popularity after his decimation of John Hennigan and they were all too ready to see him take on the badly injured elderly man making a stand before them. "Yeah... yeah, you all think that's great, don't you? You're looking forward to seeing me get eaten alive out here, huh? ...Well that's too damn bad, because I can't let that happen. Until... until I get my hands on Callihan... I can't let my body die." His face was one of stoic determination as he tossed the mic aside, somehow managing to stand unflinching even as the behemoth Strowman made his way out. <img alt="to4jzdJ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/to4jzdJ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: Hah! Yeah, no, he's gonna die. Sivian: It is a shame we're not going to get the chance to see Callihan do the same thing to him as he did to Tommy, but having Strowman dismantle him instead is a fine substitute. Hazazz: He's gonna rip his freaking heart out, nyehah! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="W6oSkBK.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/W6oSkBK.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="5Rj2bn9.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/5Rj2bn9.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Terry Funk vs. Braun Strowman ------- Like last time, Braun didn't look remotely himself as he stepped into the arena. Funk knew he had to bring the fight to him first, rushing up and trying his best to lay in shots to Strowman's midsection. But he quickly caught him by the throat and shoved him roughly to the ground. He raised his leg up and wickedly stomped his considerable weight down onto Funk's injured ribs, and he was howling in misery. <div style="text-align:right;">No... not again...</div> Braun reached down and grabbed at Funk's hair, yanking him roughly to his feet, merely so that he could toss him aside, launching his body several feet away. With a grasp of his throat, he lifted him straight from the ground up into the air for a ruthless chokeslam. Already, Funk was prime to be pinned, but he continued on, roaring for the audience before launching himself into a vile legdrop, his weight crashing down onto Funk's throat. Funk was spitting up blood as Strowman reached down, jabbing his fingers into his mouth as he brutally pulled him to his feet yet again. <div style="text-align:right;">Help... help him... help me...</div> Funk was destroyed in moments, but still he swung as he was lifted again, surprisingly catching Braun with a solid shot to the face that left him with a black eye. He made it clear he would never stop fighting, regardless of the odds... but Braun made it apparent how quickly he could snuff the fight out from anyone with a destructive Running Powerslam. And then, to the audience's demand, he hoisted the limp Funk up onto his shoulders for a second one, before pinning him with his foot on his chest. Winner: Braun Strowman by pinfall, after two Running Powerslams at the 2:57 mark <img alt="Sxbljqc.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Sxbljqc.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Sivian: Another destructive showing. After some early missteps, it's lovely to see this turnaround for Strowman. Hazazz: Yeah-heh, it's awesome! I wonder where it came from though... Sivian: Hmhm, where indeed... Hazazz: Heyyy, are you keeping secrets from me again...? Ah well, important thing is Funk's dead. Just like I said, no way the old man would survive fighting Strowman, not in his condition! Sivian: Mmm, actually, it appears there's still movement in him down there. He'll have to be aided back through the tunnel to be sure, but I suppose he still lives. Hazazz: What?! Aw man, and Braun forgot to pull his plug too! He must've thought the same as me... he assumed he'd killed him and didn't see the need to yank it out, damn! Sivian: Yes, that must be it... <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="NjAxbZU.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NjAxbZU.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="ThgYX6C.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ThgYX6C.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Jay Lethal vs. Kenny Omega ------- As Kenny made his way out, he gestured for the microphone and looked like he was ready to speak, though the crowd was fully prepared to drown him out with boos. As he hesitated, Jay grabbed his arm and shook his head, silently letting him know there was no point to making another plea for freedom. Kenny slumped his shoulders as nodded along, knowing that there really wasn't anyone coming in to save them. To try and save face on the moment, Lethal smacked the mic from Omega's hands to a big reception and the two immediately began trading after that. This was, of course, a thoroughly worked match, and a damn good one, unsurprisingly. They were easily able to put on a compelling show, especially with how hated Omega had become, making Lethal into an easy 'babyface' from the crowd's perspective. Little did they know that the two of them were partners backstage, key members of the Pact. Nonetheless, the reaction made it easy for them to decide a winner. Omega pummeled Lethal over towards the arena wall, where he attempted to plant him with the One-Winged Angel. But Lethal managed to counter with a victory roll for a nearfall. The two scrambled up and Lethal ducked a leaping knee lift. Omega landed and turned, right into a spinning enziguri. This gave Lethal time to scope out the wall for his idea. He wasn't sure about it, but he went for it, handspringing towards the wall. It was a tad awkward, but from his handstand position he was able to kick off the wall convincingly enough, before springing back into a cutter - an IFL version of his famed Lethal Injection! The pin was then academic. Winner: Jay Lethal by pinfall, after a modified Lethal Injection at the 20:13 mark <img alt="EQPvKAQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EQPvKAQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: Alright! I knew this Lethal guy had something, that was an awesome move! And now we get to see him live up to his name! Sivian: In theory, yes, but Omega is stirring surprisingly quickly. In fact, it doesn't seem like Lethal notices him crawling away... Hazazz: Aw, what? Man, he got too caught up in playing to the crowd! That coward Omega used the distraction to escape with his life! Dammit, he doesn't deserve to keep it! Sivian: I think we can all agree on that one, partner. But it'll happen soon, of that I'm certain. Kenny lacks the fighting spirit to survive in a place like this. Hazazz: Hmph, yeah you're right... but Lethal better remember this mistake next time we see him! Sivian: Now then, our next match is-... oh no... Hazazz: Oh God, why?! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="vSimaHn.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/vSimaHn.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Naito ran out just as Lethal had left, and despite his best efforts, the giant disembodied rabbit head that served as the evening's referee couldn't stop him from taking a microphone. Naito of course had to yell over the overwhelming boos, "Welcome to IFL! Is! Naito!" The guards swiftly began to swarm on him, and he again made use of his fleet feet, running from them as he calmly spoke, "I know I'm your favorite warrior... and I know... I know everybody still can't stop clamoring for the dream match! Even with what happened to him... you all know a man like Hennigan can't stay down for long!" Eventually the numbers were too much, and a guard managed to grab Naito, hoisting him up onto his shoulders and 'escorting him' back through the tunnel. But even then, he never stopped shouting into the microphone. "Make the match, you cowards! IFL fears Naito vs. Hennigan!" It's finally ripped away from him as they take him away. <img alt="Jqu425k.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Jqu425k.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: Ugggh why didn't they just skewer him?! They have all those weapons, just use 'em! Sivian: It's against protocol for them to kill a warrior unless entirely necessary, they're meant to let them do that to each other. Hazazz: Yes but it IS necessary if he keeps doing this! He doesn't even get booked on shows and still comes out, it's nonsense! I'm begging Malell to give him someone who can take him out! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="6Ii4Oh7.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6Ii4Oh7.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="D0Ufe0i.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/D0Ufe0i.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="LpdTYqd.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LpdTYqd.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="kHLQjve.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/kHLQjve.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Charlotte Flair & Madison Rayne vs. Lucha Brothers ------- Understandably, Charlotte and Madison looked quite tense as they came out against two men who aided in Sami Zayn's murder. Penta and Fenix were deathly serious, a clear intent in the way they approached. Fenix used his speed to come in first, tackling Madison to the ground and raining down punches. Charlotte yanked him off and tried to knock his head off with a big boot, but he rolled out of the way of it and Charlotte found herself face-to-face with Penta. A deafeningly loud chop to the chest dropped her to her knees. Penta grabbed her by the hair and looked to bust her open with vicious punches. She countered this by simply punching forward and nailing him low. This staggered him and she followed up with a suplex... but he quickly sprang back up and had grabbed her by the hair before she realized it. As Fenix resumed throwing hands at Madison, who seemed too frightened to fight back effectively, Penta caught Charlotte with a knee to the stomach before lifting her up and planting her with a Powerbomb that dropped her backfirst onto his knees! He held her up into a chinlock, choking her out as he forced her to his feet. But from here they could see across from them, that Rayne had somehow snuck Fenix into an inside cradle and he seemed far too unprepared to kick out! Penta tossed Charlotte aside and rushed up to break it up but he was too late, Rayne had managed to steal the win. Winners: Charlotte and Madison Rayne by pinfall, after Rayne caught Fenix with an Inside Cradle at the 2:12 mark <img alt="XOXFuwL.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/XOXFuwL.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: Whoa, what was that?! I wasn't even watching that side of the arena... Sivian: I can only deduce that Fenix got overconfident with how in control Madison made him feel... but hold on, this seems far from resolved... <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="6Ii4Oh7.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6Ii4Oh7.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="D0Ufe0i.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/D0Ufe0i.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="LpdTYqd.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LpdTYqd.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="kHLQjve.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/kHLQjve.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> The situation was extremely tense, as Fenix pushed Madison off of him immediately after taking the fall and was actually up on his feet before she was. Penta, having rushed over, was lording over her as well. She stood nervously as the two men were cornering her... Charlotte, not fully recovered from Penta's ruthless attacks, nonetheless came over to get between Madison and the masked men. Fearlessly she stared them down, ready to protect her friend. Atleast, she was able to make herself look fearless, putting on a brave face to mask her uncertainty of the situation. "You wanna go after her? Huh?! You're gonna have to go through me first!" Charlotte yelled. "...They know, Charlotte." "Huh...?" Charlotte turned to Madison, who gave her a dark look she'd never seen from her before. "They know about your facade... they know how vulnerable you are." Madison coldly explained. "I told them..." Before Charlotte could even process this, Madison kicked her in the stomach and shoved her into Penta and Fenix, who quickly grabbed her by the hair and forced her to her knees. She struggled as much as she could, but with two against one and no help in sight, she was helplessly overpowered. All she could do was yell at Madison as she turned away from her, evidently not wanting to watch the results of her actions. Fenix reached for her plug and grabbed it... but he clearly didn't know the trick to it and seemed to be fumbling... <img alt="fJ38bie.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/fJ38bie.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="g8tL1Fo.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/g8tL1Fo.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="bObB0Uy.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bObB0Uy.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="wSnUGvD.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/wSnUGvD.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> That's when several members of the Pact spilled out, rushing just in time. Penta went out to try and intercept, but Bate managed to hold him long enough for Kota to nail him with a kick to the head, as Colby and Frightmare went after Fenix, who opted to let Charlotte go and bolt. With the numbers advantage swung, Penta and Fenix were chased away, leaving a bewildered Madison looking down at a slowly rising Charlotte. The look in her eyes would've sent shivers down any spine, and Madison was clearly no exception as she turned tail and ran herself. <img alt="Jqu425k.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Jqu425k.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: Wow, what the hell just happened out there? Sivian: It would appear that the reason that match concluded so suddenly was due to collusion... it seems Madison made a deal with this new group to give up Charlotte. Hazazz: And it would've worked too! We almost saw an elimination! But those bastards had to come and ruin it! Sivian: Charlotte has a new lease on life now, it seems. I must say, I did like the expression I saw as she made her leave, I have to wonder what she'll be doing with that life... Hazazz: Better be worth it! I'm getting the itch again... Sivian: Well don't fret partner, because this next match has a great chance to scratch it... Hazazz: Huh...? Oh wow, yeah, this should be a classic! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="mbMWDPH.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/mbMWDPH.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="EGLglZe.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EGLglZe.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Sami Callihan vs. Tomohiro Ishii ------- The crowd was buzzing for this one, as Ishii was always beloved and Callihan was arguably their new favorite wrestler with his barbaric style and willingness to kill. Ishii looked as determined as ever, despite having to know what he was up against. Callihan, atleast on the surface looked surprisingly no worse for wear after his match with Tommy, though if one looked close, they'd notice faint scars all over his face from the piledriver through barbed wire. To the crowd at large though, he looked the same. He was doubtlessly in plenty of pain, however. Malell couldn't care less about people's actual health but maintaining the warrior's image was evidently a priority. Sami played the obvious hand quickly, pulling out what was effectively a shiv, similar to what he used to stab into Dreamer's eye before he killed him and rushing at Ishii, looking to gouge his eyes out in the same fashion. Ishii grabbed his wrist and held it away from his face, long enough for him to counter with a headbutt, hoping to knock him out on the spot. Callihan proved more resilient than that, but this did force him to drop the shiv and stagger back. Ishii looked down at it contemplatively for a moment before simply kicking it away. But this bit of hesitation gave Sami the chance to run in and pelt him with wild punches. Ishii just stood and took the rapid shots as he took his time to line up a one-two combo to Sami's face that rocked his head back and forth and forced him to retreat. Ishii rushed in and blasted him with a running elbow to the fact that dropped him. As soon as he was certain Callihan couldn't see him, he turned and took a deep breath, his hands on his chest and stomach which had taken the brunt of Sami's assault. He then stepped over to Sami, who laid prone. Ishii grabbed him by the hair and began to pull him up, but Callihan revealed he was playing possum, jabbing him in the eye with his thumb to stun Ishii. A low blow took him down to his knees, and Sami stood before drilling him with a Bicycle Kick to the face that finally got him onto his back. Rather than make an attempt to pin him, Sami went for his shiv again. It was clear the intent wasn't to win, but to beat Ishii enough so that he could be properly eliminated. Ishii did stand a lot sooner than he figured, however, and came charging at Callihan. He looked for a lariat, but thanks to his temporarily hindered vision, Sami managed to not only duck this, but to jab him in the side with his blade as well. Ishii cried out in pain, a rarity for him, as Sami ripped at the side of his torso. Ishii went down to a knee as he had no choice but to try and tend to his wound, desperately trying to hold back the blood as it poured openly. Sami again went to stab into his face, but he was once more able to hold onto his wrist. But this time was much more of a struggle, Ishii clearly needed both hands and his position was quite disadvantageous. Eventually Sami grew frustrated of this attempt and pulled away, settling for a sliding lariat that again flattened Ishii against the ground. Callihan again did not try for a cover, instead scanning around, looking to find another use for his weapon. He went over to a particular rock formation and jabbed the blade into an unstable looking crevasse. With a little work, he was able to use the shiv as a lever, and separate the rounded top of the stone from the rest of it, letting it roll onto the ground. Pocketing the shiv, he hoisted the stone up and smiled as he felt it's heavy weight in his hands. But as he turned towards Ishii, he was surprised to see him running towards him. With the big rock in his hands, he couldn't react in time to stop him from whipping behind him, and he caught him with a Snap German Suplex that sent the stone flying. Ishii went for a pin, but Callihan managed to kick out. Looking to put an end to this match before it got any more brutal, Ishii opted to grab the stone himself and hoisted it up, ready to smash Sami with it the moment he stood up. But again he was conserving himself on the ground on purpose, so that when he got up he was well enough to duck this. He then stunned Ishii by pulling out the shiv out once more and going down to stab him in the calf with it, again bringing him down and causing yet more bleeding. He was able to pick the stone back up and looked to drop it onto Ishii as he struggled to turn over onto his back. Ishii tried to avoid the rock, but only managed to keep it from landing right on his head as Sami had hoped, instead smashing into his chest. This was still devastating... content that he'd done enough, Sami pushed the stone off and went down for his first pin attempt of the match, easily achieving it. He then went to roll Ishii over for the elimination, but before he could even touch him again, Ishii stunned him by getting right back up, in spite of the multitude of injuries the match had left him with. His breathing was labored and he had blood spilling from his side and his leg, but still he stared Sami down with the same iciness he always showed. Stunned by his sheer toughness, Callihan stared him down for a bit before the both of them slowly retreated... the elimination would have to wait for another day. Winner: Sami Callihan by pinfall, after dropping a stone onto Ishii's chest at the 17:21 mark <img alt="EQPvKAQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EQPvKAQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: My God, what a war! Damn I love those two! Sivian: Indeed, it's a wonder they both survived it. Hazazz: Yeah but yannow, I'm almost happy nobody died there! I wanna see them both out there again! Sivian: They're two top warriors, no doubt, and I have to think Callihan has caught Malell's eye with his showings of late. Hazazz: Hoo boy, imagine that, Callihan challenging Owens? There's a great way to put that new group to the test in a hurry! Sivian: Mmm, but that's assuming Owens' reign survives the night. Our main event is up next, in which he must defend against Kota Ibushi! Hazazz: Oh yeah! Oh hell yeah, let's get going! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="rcbuLWf.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rcbuLWf.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Kevin Owens made his way out to an enormous ovation, the incredible jubilance running in high contrast with the Immunity Champion's blank demeanor. He asked for a microphone and swiftly received it, but wasn't so swift to raise it. He took a deep breath and gave his forehead a few smacks before he looked up, his gaze much more intense. "...You want to watch something die?" he asked, to a predictably loud ovation. "Good. Then all you need to do is keep your eye on me and my new friends. Alberto, Fenix, Penta, Sa-... Callihan and I... this coliseum belongs to us now. Because unlike everyone else on this roster, we were meant to be here. We belong here... because we're warriors." The crowd couldn't be much louder as they broke out into a chant of, "Death is my life! Death is my life! Death is my life!" "...It's mine too." Kevin replied, gaining all the more admiration. "That's what being a warrior means, as far as we're concerned. See, the five of us might be a dangerous group, but it's us against twenty-two others. We're well aware of that. The odds might not seem in our favor. But the odds are wrong, because we're different from the others. They're hesitant, they're afraid, they're merciful... they're weighed down by morality. A twisted sense of justice that keeps them from ending another life, even to save their own." To this, a cascade of boos erupted from the crowd, as they'd seen plenty examples of this. Kevin nodded. "Yeah, I... I know, it's sick. It's as sick as it gets. But we're nothing like that. For the sake of getting out of here alive we will gladly kill... we are the ones who got it started in the first place and Killer Instinct was only the beginning. From here on out, you can expect the rest of this roster to drop like flies before us, because they're too weak to stop us! Omega! Rollins! Jay Lethal! Yes you too, Corbin! And most certainly... you, Kota Ibushi. You're all weak!" The audience began to chant Owens' name as he really got into the groove of running down the roster. "To us... you're nothing. Nothing but victims. And as for us... we're survivors. We're the Sole Survivors. That means we're not only making it out of here... we're also gonna make damn sure we're the only ones making it out of here!" Owens gestured towards the Immunity title which was wrapped around his chest. "And this... this means I'm not going anywhere. And I plan on keeping hold of it until the end. I know for damn sure I'm not dying tonight... what about you, Kota? What about you...?" He put on an evil grin as the reception reached a new peak. Kota looked quite grim as he made his way out for his title match. <img alt="j39JK2W.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/j39JK2W.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Sivian: This is most intense... it certainly sounds like Owens is aiming for this to be Kota's last night alive. Hazazz: Ohhh man oh man... I'm gonna do it! I'm gonna make a prediction right here; either Kota walks out of here with Immunity, or he floats out of here empty-handed! Bahahahah! Sivian: It's a fair prediction to make... I don't think Kota can afford to lose. This opportunity could easily lead to his demise. Hazazz: If he's good enough to be No. 1 Contender then he's good enough to be a threat! No way Owens will let him live if he has any say! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="fJ38bie.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/fJ38bie.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />---<img alt="rcbuLWf.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rcbuLWf.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Kota Ibushi vs. Kevin Owens ---- Immunity Championship ---- ------- Immediately Owens went for the throat, quite literally as he reached out to strangle Ibushi. Kota was a bit too quick for that, and definitely showed off a speed advantage as he backed away to avoid Kevin's ruthless onslaught of likely knockout shots. He proved too quick to strike and too slippery to grab, but Kevin showed composure and refused to back down. Eventually Kota was brought down by a lack of awareness, as he unknowingly backed himself against the barrier. A quick dash saw Kevin tackle him and send him crashing into the hard marble, forcing him to collapse. And from there it wasn't pretty, a lengthy series of stomps followed up by Kevin pouncing on him and raining down ruthless punches as it was all Kota could do to try and cover up. Kevin grabbed Kota by the hair, forcing him to sit upright before giving him a ruthless slap to the back of the head. "You think I didn't know?! Huh?!" Kevin screamed, as he gave him another hard smack. "You came in here with a concussion! And they sure as hell haven't been treating it!" The Champ continued to bellow, looking to demoralize him as he targeted his head, a brutal running kick catching him right in the forehead. Kevin laid in with more lefts and rights that eventually busted Kota open, the classic hardway... and he proceeded to yank him up to his feet. Kevin shouted into his face, "I killed my best friend! I don't even LIKE you!" before lining up a stiff lariat. But Kota ducked this, and twirled into a Spinning Side Kick that caught Owens flush, allowing him a moment to back away. Kevin was staggered, but quickly tried to advance again, this time being caught with a hard dropkick, two boots to his face, sending him to the ground. As they were still close to the barrier, much more so than they were to any rock formation, Kota opted to climb it... it wasn't easy as it was pretty smooth marble, and it got even tougher when he made it to the top, where a sea of aliens reached out to try and push him off. But somehow he steadied himself enough for a huge moonsault, from about ten feet up in the air, and he came crashing down hard onto Owens' thick frame. Kota went for the cover, but Owens actually kicked out at 1! Undeterred, Kota stood and performed a standing moonsault, landing with both knees on Owens' sternum in a crushing move. Another pin got another 1, but it was apparent he was still dealing plenty of damage. Kota began pelting him with soccer-style kicks and occasionally throwing in another high risk maneuver like the first two. Eventually he thought he had him weary enough to look to put him away with the Golden Star Bomb, but Owens fought out, hammering his cut with elbows to make him drop him. Owens quickly capitalized, pulling him in and planting him with a ruthless Package Piledriver, showing that Penta wasn't the only master of it in the group. This move was devastating, as Owens went out of his way to not only target his concussion, but his long-established history of neck issues as well. Cruelly, he didn't go for the cover, just like Callihan earlier; he was merely softening him up for an elimination. Kota was scarily limp as Kevin put him into a chinlock and dragged him by the neck across to a rock formation. The stone from before was still out there... and Kevin was prime to make use of it. After draping Kota's head against another rock, Owens lifted the heavy, dislodged stone high above his head, ready to send it crashing down on Kota's skull... ...but at the last second, Kota rolled out of the way! From his knees he managed to hop up to his feet, where he caught Owens with a leaping knee lift! This rocked Kevin... and a second one was enough to bring him down to a knee himself. Kota followed up by grabbing Owens' wrists and pulled him in to nail him with the classic Kamigoye knee! Kevin looked truly out of it as Kota went for the cover... ...but amazingly, he kicked out at the very last second! A look of ferocity on his face, Kota dragged Owens into the same spot he was just in and lifted the stone above his head, seemingly ready to finish him. But as he held it aloft and felt the weight of it, the ramifications of the move became clear... he knew there was a good chance it would kill him. After some contemplation, he faltered, beginning to lower it... when Owens caught him with an upkick to the stomach, that took him off-guard just enough to make him drop the stone... right onto his own head. It didn't come down from near the same height as intended but it still did some obvious damage, giving him another cut on the way down and Ibushi's legs buckled from it. Kevin picked him up again and tossed him into the air for the Pop-Up Powerbomb, intentionally slamming the back of Ibushi's head against the stone in the process. You'd be forgiven for thinking he'd snapped his neck on impact. Owens decided to pin him here, and Kota had no resistance whatsoever to it. Winner: Kevin Owens by pinfall, after a Pop-Up Powerbomb onto a stone at the 20:19 mark <img alt="3HvW0Ja.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3HvW0Ja.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> Hazazz: Brutal! Brutal!!! BEAUTIFUL! Sivian: What else needs to be said? That was exactly the kind of competitive carnage that the IFL stands for. Hazazz: Ohh he's gonna do it too! You just know he's gonna do it! Let's see it!!! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="rcbuLWf.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rcbuLWf.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="fJ38bie.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/fJ38bie.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Owens stared down at Ibushi with a burning hate in his eye... he grabbed him by the leg and forcefully turned Kota over onto his front. Ibushi was clearly out of it, having no means of defending himself or even resisting as Owens turned him. His plug was in plain sight... ...but before Owens could so much as reach for it, he had company. <img alt="ThgYX6C.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ThgYX6C.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="grvGfzP.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/grvGfzP.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="UWKAlTV.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/UWKAlTV.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Z5hv7Bw.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Z5hv7Bw.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Kenny Omega had never run so fast in his life, and was right up in Owens' face, yelling at him to back off. Backing him up were the battered Briscoes and, surprisingly, Braun Strowman. That was good because more men quickly spilled into the arena to face off with them... <img alt="mbMWDPH.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/mbMWDPH.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="LpdTYqd.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LpdTYqd.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="kHLQjve.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/kHLQjve.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="qseeO4O.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/qseeO4O.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> In defense of Kota, Kenny and the others begin to brawl with the Sole Survivors. While the latter technically had the numbers advantage, Braun effectively counted for about three men as he shoved and tossed people away, helping to ensure nobody out there was in danger of elimination. Though it had to be said that he was hitting them a lot less hard than he did his own Pact-mate in Funk earlier in the night. The others couldn't afford to worry about that in the moment though as an all out brawl broke out in the arena, much to the buzz of the crowd. They were still throwing hands, even as the screen faded to black... <img alt="3HvW0Ja.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3HvW0Ja.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></div></blockquote> <div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="3HvW0Ja.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3HvW0Ja.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div>

Rhyme1234 · February 19, 2019

Awesome, Just ****ingggg Awesome Showww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EBEZA · February 19, 2019

i Love This Diary!!!

Zeel1 · February 19, 2019

Heh, glad you liked it, guys~

Did you perhaps notice the little easter egg hidden within it...?

EBEZA · February 19, 2019

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Zeel1" data-cite="Zeel1" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Heh, glad you liked it, guys~ Did you perhaps notice the little easter egg hidden within it...?</div></blockquote> Was it Owens refusing to say "Sami"?

Zeel1 · February 19, 2019

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="EBEZA" data-cite="EBEZA" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46275" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Was it Owens refusing to say "Sami"?</div></blockquote> Nah it's nothing you'd necessarily see without looking, unless you have a particularly keen eye~ It's also not directly related to the images, since I just realized there is something in them you could maybe call an easter egg... so I guess you could say there's two.

Zeel1 · February 27, 2019

My apologies for the lack of updates this month. I want to do a lot more, I still think about this everyday, it's kind of my top passion project at the moment. But the actual paying stuff has to have priority and it's been a busy one. At the moment I'm not certain I'll have another update ready before the end of February, though it shouldn't be too far off after that.

Still I wanted to thank everyone who voted for me in the previous DOTM and hope I'll be able to continue earning support next month. I also wanted to show something, a little behind-the-scenes bit. This diary, unlike most, has a set ending, I think I already mentioned that. I planned it all out in a huge outline before starting. Some details I've found myself changing along the way when something interesting comes up, and plenty of story beats are being added as almost improv, but the major stuff and where it all leads is pretty set in stone.

This outline was one of few recent things that I didn't originally write in google docs but since I'm experiencing a weird issue where some documents are getting wiped after I save, I decided to move it there asap, just to be safe. This allows me to look at the page number I've accumulated, and give you a little peek of how far we have left to go...

Not that it's exact, how much I had to write out going forward fluctuates a fair bit, but I thought it'd be interesting to show nonetheless.

<img alt="Kfz6rwq.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Kfz6rwq.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

As you can see there, even the last show had some details slightly changed, though ultimately the results are the same. Mind you this doesn't actually show the bottom of that page, but it's about a paragraph away from it. Still, 6 of 23, or roughly a fourth of the way there.

Google evidently doesn't believe in the phenomena of being blueballed, incidentally...

EBEZA · February 27, 2019

By all means, take your time, do your priorities, and keep the quality of this diary where it's been from the start.

That said, HURRY UP I NEED THIS DIARY! <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

I give up on the Easter Egg(s), you going to tell us or do I have to wait for someone else to figure it out? <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/confused.png.d4a8e6b6eab0c67698b911fb041c0ed1.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Zeel1 · February 27, 2019

Try hovering your mouse around the chapter title...

Rhyme1234 · February 28, 2019

TOOL - The Best thing ever!

EBEZA · February 28, 2019

Try hovering your mouse around the chapter title...

Sneaky!

Zeel1 · February 28, 2019

Heheh...

I always thought of Vicarious as a great song for a specific kind of villain. There are some songs I hear and I just imagine characters, generally with that one it's some kind of particularly wicked, bloodthirsty wrestling authority figure, like a Dario Cueto.

I love tying music to things but in this series it's a little hard to. I can't exactly have them come out to Earth songs in entrances, that'd be really campy and inappropriate to them in a lot of ways as well, walking into that arena is meant to be a miserable thing so it'd be quite the dissonance to have some triumphant theme blaring. Which, I like dissonance, but having it roster-wide seems like it'd be overdoing it.

But it got into my head how much it suited the scenario, it's kind of my internal theme for Malell, the audience and IFL as a whole. So I figured, if I can't have it in there officially, sneaking it in there like that works. And it kinda tickled me to see that, when you bold and underline something like all the chapter titles already were, it's actually hard to tell there's a link in there. Color changes very slightly but you wouldn't likely notice if you weren't looking for it, heh.

Rhyme1234 · February 28, 2019

Heheh...

I always thought of Vicarious as a great song for a specific kind of villain. There are some songs I hear and I just imagine characters, generally with that one it's some kind of particularly wicked, bloodthirsty wrestling authority figure, like a Dario Cueto.

I love tying music to things but in this series it's a little hard to. I can't exactly have them come out to Earth songs in entrances, that'd be really campy and inappropriate to them in a lot of ways as well, walking into that arena is meant to be a miserable thing so it'd be quite the dissonance to have some triumphant theme blaring. Which, I like dissonance, but having it roster-wide seems like it'd be overdoing it.

But it got into my head how much it suited the scenario, it's kind of my internal theme for Malell, the audience and IFL as a whole. So I figured, if I can't have it in there officially, sneaking it in there like that works. And it kinda tickled me to see that, when you bold and underline something like all the chapter titles already were, it's actually hard to tell there's a link in there. Color changes very slightly but you wouldn't likely notice if you weren't looking for it, heh.

:D:D

Zeel1 · March 23, 2019

<div style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2339895&postcount=34" rel="external nofollow"><<</a> .17 The Honest Few <a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2348010&postcount=50" rel="external nofollow">>></a></div>

Terry Funk was laid up on his bed, trying to nurse his wounds. He wanted nothing more than to storm out and face Callihan the very second he came in, but he didn't even have the strength to get out of bed. And he knew if by some miracle he did make it out the door, somebody would just get between them anyway. And he damn sure wouldn't be able to get past them.

The spirit is willing but the flesh was weak… why the hell did cliches like that have to be so damned true? He had all the fight in the world inside his soul, but his body was giving out on him, a little more broken each day. There was no ignoring it. He grit his teeth and pounded his fist against his mattress in pure frustration.

And now, his jaw and wrist were aching as well. He cursed himself for living so long as to become such a fragile old man...

Madison was frantic as she stormed down the tunnel and whizzed through the lounge. She was gasping for breath, practically hyperventilating, her heart was racing... and none of that had anything to do with how hard she was running.

She sped into the hall, just in time to see Penta and Fenix retreat into what had become the designated room of the Sole Survivors. The door closed and locked just before she reached it. Madison swiftly took to desperately pounding on it. "Hey, hey! Open up, open up! Let me in, please! We have to talk about this!"

The pounding continued for a bit, but she heard no response and the door never opened. "Oh... oh God, oh God no..." she moaned.

Madison spun on her heels to find some other place to go... and found herself eye-to-eye with Charlotte. She yelped and tried to sidestep, but Charlotte grabbed her by her shirt, yanked her around and shoved her against the wall.

She didn't say a word. Her cold blue eyes simply gazed at her, an icy stare towards the woman she considered her friend less than ten minutes prior.

"I... I can explain." Madison stammered, knowing damn well she couldn't. "Charlotte, please, it was nothing personal, I just..."

"Don't." she cut her off, curtly. "You don't have to explain. I completely understand."

"...You do?" Madison asked, trying not to sound too hopeful.

"Yeah... you've taught me something today. Just because I... put on a brave face, try and pretend I'm invulnerable... that doesn't actually do anything to make me less vulnerable. It doesn't make me any less weak." Charlotte replied, sounded stripped of all passion. "Putting up a front can only get you so far. The true killers here, they were always going to sniff that out. Ignoring it wasn't going to make it go away."

She leaned in closer, letting her feel her breath against her face as she spoke. "...The only way to get rid of that vulnerability, is to crush it. If I don't want to be weak... then I have no choice but to kill that weakness."

With that, Charlotte backed away and retreated to her own room, leaving Madison petrified, those words ringing through her head.

Ishii, after a brutal and bloody match, had to be escorted to wherever serious wounds were treated, ironically the same thing that happened to his opponent for the evening earlier. It wouldn't have been a particularly glamorous warrior death for him to bleed out between shows, after all. They had just finished escorting him away when... it happened again.

It was a scene reminiscent of the night Owens first reached for Lethal's plug and seemingly opened the floodgates to all this carnage. But this time, there were far more men involved. All five of the Sole Survivors were tussling with Kenny Omega and The Briscoes, whilst Strowman was holding up the battered Ibushi, trying to keep him high enough up to avoid being caught in the crossfire. They fought their way down the ramp and eventually spilled into the lounge.

Once there, everyone was quick to get to their feet... yelling ensued and many tried to pull them apart. But unlike other times, there wasn't any confusion in the room. Nobody was asking the brawlers what happened or why they were at each other's throats.

By this point, it was easy enough to guess...

The onlookers were able to pull most of them to opposing sides of the room, but Kevin and Kenny were fiercely at odds with each other, trading short, stiff punches. Braun managed to lay Kota down on a couch before rushing back over and getting in between them, easily separating the two.

"Please! Can we stop this?!" he howled as the two men struggled in his grasp, each still trying to get at each other.

"Oh what, you're playing peacekeeper now?!" Kevin yelled. "You stopped just shy of ripping an elderly man's head off out there! Don't act like you have any goddamn high ground!"

"Your fight ain't with him, Owens!" Omega shouted, having truly lost his cool for seemingly the first time since coming here. "You hurt Kota, you have to deal with me! You understand?!"

"Oh that's real sweet, Kenny! I'm touched!" Kevin spat. "Yeah I'll make sure you and him end up drifting in the same empty ****ing vacuum of space! Your corpses can hold hands for the rest of time, I don't give a shit!"

"STOP IT!" Braun bellowed, a true power to his voice as it echoed through the room.

It served as a nice reminder that they were messing with a giant here, which was enough to get them both to back off.

"...He has a point though, Braun." Fabian spoke up, still trying to work out the kinks in his arm after enduring Alberto's signature hold. "I mean, you brutalize Funk one minute, try to save Kota the next... whose side are you on, man?"

"...I don't know." Braun quietly replied. He didn't want to try and explain his situation again, he knew it was too ridiculous to believe.

Rollins glanced over and saw the Sole Survivors gather up and head down the hall, obviously not wanting to converse. He sighed, knowing he couldn’t hold off any longer… so he stood up.

“Alright, everybody listen here. And that includes you asshats, don’t walk away yet! You need to hear this too.” he called out. Begrudgingly, Kevin and his cohorts stopped and turned to hear him out. “I have something to say to both sides here. To the people of the Pact, and to the monsters of this other group… there’s something I need to make clear. Or rather, we need to make clear...”

To the surprise of the rest of the room, Zack Sabre Jr., Marty Scurll and Tetsuya Naito all stood up as well. Seth went on, “Ishii is part of us as well, though he can’t be with us at the moment. But I think it’s important that you know of us now.”

“Oh, now how long has this been going on?” Alberto remarked, with a little scoff. “Another little faction cropping up, huh…?”

“More than that. We’re an ideal… an ideal to remain honest.” Scurll replied.

“You who call yourselves the Sole Survivors, you’ve sold your soul.” ZSJ declared. “You kill and act like it doesn’t affect you. You’re lying to yourselves. And unfortunately, those in The Pact… we believe that you’re deluded in your own way, as well.”

“None of us want to kill, that goes without saying.” Scurll added. “But to promise never to pull a plug just isn’t responsible. If your life truly depended on it… you’d kill to survive. That’s just a fact.”

“And that’s why we… we consider ourselves the Honest Few.” Seth proclaimed. “We will never seek out victims and kill without reason. But if any of you threaten us… we won’t hesitate to take you out first. And if you hurt any one of us, you can consider yourself marked by the rest of us.”

This obviously carried a solid amount of weight to the group at large. A select few had been approached by the group and turned them down, but the rest had no idea that they had formed without their knowing. And to such a bold mission statement, few could really think of a good reply.

Except of course for one, who never seemed to struggle to find a hole in anyone’s boast. Baron Corbin stood up with a smirk on his face. “I give it two weeks.”

“Excuse me?” Marty asked, obviously a tad offended.

“Your group. I give it two weeks before you’re at each other’s throats.” Corbin curtly explained. “You’re all just scared… too afraid to hurt anybody, but you don’t want anyone to know. You’re paranoid, looking over your shoulder… that’s the only thing that brings you together. And that doesn’t breed trust.”

“Right, I’m about done listening to you, Baron.” Zack replied, not bothering to look at him. “You act like you have all the answers, like all this isn’t as new to you as it is us. You don’t know a damn thing.”

“Oh no? ...Well let’s say I am wrong, then.” Corbin continued. “If you guys really DO trust each other… than that’s an even bigger problem. All these factions are doomed… that’s why I said no, myself.”

“Oh, not this again...” Lethal sighed, throwing his hands up.

“Hey, I only keep saying it because it keeps being proven right. Everywhere you look, someone’s being betrayed. It almost cost Charlotte her life tonight.” Baron remarked, gesturing in the general direction of where he assumed Charlotte was sitting. “And a little over a week ago, it cost Zayn his… if he’d have listened to me, he’d still be standing here right now.”

“Oh, what kind ‘a cheap shot-!” Mark Briscoe yelled as he hopped up, with a wince. He was aching too much to move that quickly, but he was too pissed off to care about that. “Just how up your own asshole are you?! You think your little speeches mean that much?! Like it would’ve changed anything if he listened?!”

“I’m not talking about my speeches.” Baron growled, his face turning dead serious all of a sudden. “I came to Sami before his match with Kevin. I told him straight to his face that if he trusted him, he’d regret it. Handed him a pipe and pointed him to his room… if he did what I said, if he took the fight to him first, there’s no way he’d have been eliminated.”

“Wh-what…? Did that seriously happen?” Bate spoke up.

“Yeah. But it seems like he refused.” Baron finished, his arms crossed. “...He didn’t want to betray him first. And because of that, he died.”

The room went still at this revelation… aside from a quiet shuffling.

Fenix turned to see Kevin walking down the hall alone. He’d turned to leave the moment Baron was done saying his piece…

Moments later, the Sole Survivors had made their way back to the room they all converged in. Kevin was there first of course. He was leaned up against the wall, his forehead pressing against it.

His compatriots crowded around him, Fenix the first to ask, “What’s the matter, Kev? You aren’t letting that jackass Corbin get to you, are you?”

Kevin didn’t reply. Callihan spoke up next, “Don’t dwell on the past, Kevin. We all know that the only thing we have control over is the future. Our future. Our freedom comes through everyone else’s suffering... that’s just the price we have to pay.”

“...He could’ve saved himself.” Kevin muttered, lifelessly. “He could’ve done it to me first and saved himself. But he trusted me too much. He cared too much...”

“Ugh, moody ass...” Alberto trailed off, speaking under his breath. He turned to Penta and whispered, “Why did we let him be our leader again…?”

Penta stepped forward and spoke much more boldly than the others. “Kevin. Listen to me. The fact that Sami died early… the fact that he was your first, that’s a good thing.”

Slowly, Kevin turned to look into his eyes. The gaze he gave him would’ve made most flinch. But Penta expected it, and welcomed it. “He was never going to be one of us. You know that. And that means he was always going to have to be a victim eventually.” Penta explained. “And he was always going to be the hardest… if you were ever going to have any reason to doubt that you could go through with it, it’d have been him being here. But now he’s gone… that roadblock is gone.”

Penta reached out and put his hand on Owens’ shoulder, half-expecting it to be ripped off in the process. But he allowed it, as the luchador continued, “And now that he’s out of the picture… what reason do you have to hold back now? If you killed him, then why the hell would you ever spare anyone else…? It may not have been the plan, but this is the only way it was ever going to work. With Sami gone, you’re free, Kevin. Free to be the bastard that we need you to be. That you need yourself to be.”

Up until then, Kevin was barely aware of how much English Penta knew. He never guessed he’d be the one who made the most sense.

“...You’re right. That’s… that’s right.” he admitted, solemnly. “And… and I’ve already let it affect me for too long. We didn’t follow up near as well as we wanted to after Killer Instinct. This next week… this next week’s going to be different from the last.”

“You’re gonna start coming up with plans again, then…?” Alberto asked.

Kevin nodded. “Yeah. As a matter of fact… I think I have someone I need to go talk to.”

Zeel1 · March 23, 2019

Author's note: Sorry for the wait time between updates. It's been hard to find the time for this lately, finally got a moment's breath this week. Still really itchin' to get to this, it's my passion project at the moment. I'm hopeful it won't take another month to get to the next one... ^^'

Also now that all three factions are established, I wanna note something funny that you might later see in the outline for this diary, as I plan on posting that after we get to the end. I basically didn't bother naming any of them, they are noted only as Face Group, Heel Group and the Middleground in the notes, because I guess I didn't wanna write 'Tweener' over and over. I almost actually went with Middleground as the official name as I started to like it, but I'm convinced that's mostly because of familiarity. And I like the one I eventually settled on here, though it certainly took me a while to make up my mind on.

But yeah, all the group names were actually decided pretty last-minute, like very shortly before they were first stated in diary. The Pact, the Sole Survivors, and the Honest Few. Although it's definitely described as a pact in the outline, that was definitely the one I came up with the quickest.

EBEZA · March 25, 2019

Woohoo!!! It's back! <img alt="

" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Zeel1 · March 25, 2019

<div style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2347611&postcount=47" rel="external nofollow"><<</a> .18 My Reason <a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2348475&postcount=52" rel="external nofollow">>></a></div>

In the dead of night, all was still, even in a place so restless.

Many of the begrudging warriors of the IFL struggled to sleep, be it out of fear and distrust of those merely a few doors away, the constant replays of horrors they'd already witnessed going through their minds, or simply the deep aches that racked their bodies.

Sleep came seldom to most of them, but at this point, most had opted not to leave their beds in the night, let alone their rooms. None of them wanted to think about running into each other in the dimly lit hallway and getting any ideas... nor did they see any reason to cause any unnecessary suspicion.

That's why Colby thought it very peculiar, then, when he heard footsteps just outside. He shared his room with Terry Funk and the Briscoes; not long ago, he shared it with Tommy Dreamer as well. Somehow, despite their cuts and bruises the other three men were sound asleep, with the healthily paranoid youngster seemingly the only one to hear the ruckus.

He was scared, but he was always an endlessly curious type as well. Quietly, he crept out of bed and opened the door a crack to see the unlikely source of the noise.

A chill went down his spine when he saw Malell slowly slink back into frame. He heard a door shut, though he wasn't sure which one... they were all pretty close together which made it hard to pin down. But he saw Malell trek down the hall, past him... it looked like he had another stop to make.

He didn't know where the surge of bravery came from, but he opted to open his door, step out and call to him. "M-Malell...?"

Colby didn't even see him turn to face him. In the blink of an eye, the huge, menacing humanoid was glaring down at him. He didn't make a move and yet, somehow the young man could just about feel the brute's huge claws coiling around his neck.

"...You have something you wish to say?" he asked, his voice a zen calm.

"U-U-Uh, well..." he began, every inch of his body trembling. From how quietly the overlord had addressed him, he put together that he didn't want anyone to overhear, so he spoke softly as well. "I was kinda... w-wondering..."

"What I'm doing here is none of your concern." the alien warned sharply.

"N-No, it's not." Colby agreed. "Wh-what I wanted to ask... actually, what's been on my mind for a while, is... um... why... why me, sir?"

Malell raised an eyebrow at that.

"...I'm sure... everyone here has thought that at some point." Colby noted, his eyes darting towards the ground. "But I think most of them could find some kind of answer. Something that made them... fit this setting, something that made them stand out. Maybe they're really strong, or maybe they're a skilled shoot fighter, maybe they just look menacing or have this big character to boast..."

He looked at his own hands. "But I'm just... I'm just some kid. I was still finding myself on Earth, I... how did I even catch your eye, I mean... even just among wrestlers, there's hundreds of thousands of people you could've chose from."

Meekly, he looked back up at Malell, whose expression hadn't changed in the slightest. "Wh-why me...?"

With a solemn nod, Malell admitted, "A fair question. And one I see you've put a fair bit of thought into. Well, lie awake wondering no longer... let me fill you in."

He put a hand on his shoulder. Colby froze in fear, in spite of how gently he was handling him. "You see... we claim you all to be warriors, and indeed most of you were brought here to be that, in the truest sense. But for others... it's just a descriptor and little more. Because the IFL doesn't merely exist for fiercely contested battle... it also exists for ferocious, one-sided slaughters. And to that end, some are brought in to be destroyers..."

The hulking menace leaned down and hissed into his ear. "...and some... are brought to be destroyed. You want to know why you're here...? You're here to be fresh meat. You're here because, quite simply, we needed victims."

He stood straight up and slowly gestured the boy back to his room.

Colby struggled to keep his feet beneath him as he turned and went back through the door. After quietly closing it, he found his back planted against it as he slid to the floor... he wasn't even really aware of it happening until he was already down there.

His worst fear was confirmed. A victim... that's all he was meant to be. That was his role.

He silenced his shivering... and looked up at the friends who laid before him, resting just a few feet away in their beds.

His eyes bore holes in them as they slept...

The others were of course entirely unaware of what transpired just outside their door, including Kenny and Kota. The two of them had ironically happened to be stationed in the same room as three members of the newly established Honest Few. ZSJ, Naito and the freshly returned Ishii were all sound asleep, their close grouping no doubt giving them comfort.

As for the two key Pact members, they were the only ones among any of the warriors to share a bed. But Kota saw Kenny slowly sit up and rose himself.

"...Can't sleep either?" Kota asked him, in Japanese of course.

Kenny shook his head with a grim smile. "No... just too stressed. Being a 'leader' during a time like this... it's not something I'd wish on anyone."

"I know what you mean. That's why I try to shoulder some of it for you." Kota explained. "But it's hard. I can't connect with them all in the same way you can..."

"Hey, you do more than you know." Kenny replied, a hand on his shoulder. "I... have no idea what I'd be doing right now if you weren't here. Honestly. I mean it's... terrible that he brought you here, but I sure am glad you're with me. It's... a pretty selfish thought, heh..."

"Indeed." Kota nodded with a smile. "And one that I share."

"People wonder why I'm able to be the optimist all the time, in spite of everything that's going on, but... my situation is a lot different from theirs." Kenny began. "I mean they're all... just thinking about what they left behind. Struggling to remember their reasons for going on, fighting to get back to what made them happy. And that's why... I'm lucky..."

Kota put his arm around Kenny, clearly having an idea as to where this was going.

"...My reason... it came here with me."

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