Steel Magnolia (History: Chiyoko)

[Lepa]

Week of July 17, 2017
(Show (PPV): Friday, July 21st, 2017)
Show location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Chapter 14:
Slow Burn

"Aw, what's eating at you, Chiyoko?" Pryce clasps a hand on her shoulder. "You won last show!"

"Wuhhh... but..." She stares into the dressing room mirror with a sniffle, wiping at the corners of her eyes. "But... Mr. Pryce... I injured someone!"

"Oh, is that all? No, no, no, it's fine! Didn't you hear?" He puts both hands on her shoulders, crouching down to her level. "Mari was retiring, anyway. All you did was make sure she could do no immediate take backs, yeah?"

She jolts her head in his direction. "That's even worse!"

Pryce shrugs. "Hey, she didn't bother to take you seriously when you fought her for the title, yeah?" He stands back up, grasping his chin rather smugly. "Maybe she won't forget you now, heh heh heh..."

"Mr. Pryce..." She frowns, slumping in the salon chair, growing a bit pale with guilt. "That's just... awful..."

"Aw, I'm just teasin', Chiyo!" He pats her on the back. "I'm sure she'll be fiiiine! What's more important is that you beat Camber! And you'll do it again at the pay per view, yeah?" He clenches a fist. "Just goes to show that that letter she sent was just some cheesy attempt at mind games!"

"Hhh..." Her voice is small and confused. "How can you switch topics so quickly like that...?" She looks back, staring into the mirror sadly.

"Hmph."

Chiyoko glances up, spotting movement in the corner of the reflection. She glances over her shoulder, seeing Calhoun brush past a rack of clothing.

"Just because you beat her once don't mean it's the end of it." He grunts, approaching them. "It ain't wise to underestimate anyone." He stops short of Pryce, glaring in his direction. "Ever."

"Ah..." Chiyoko squeaks out. "I'm not..." She tries to reassure him, but it was futile - it was clear that Calhoun directed his statement at her manager.

"Oh, heya Calhoun!" Pryce throws up a hand in a small wave, oblivious to his warning. "Don't you know better than to knock before entering?" He gives off a friendly laugh. Calhoun would have none of it.

"Time's up, Pryce." He folds his arms. "You gonna deliver, or what?"

"Hmm?" He tilts his head with a grin and a shrug. "What am I, the pizza man?"

As Calhoun exhales a loud sigh, Chiyoko winces. Over time, she'd come to realize that his deep breaths were a sign of him fighting to keep his temper in check. Her manager knew damn well what Calhoun was talking about, but Pryce's insistence at goofing around wasn't... helping any matters.

"...The replacement bodyguard." Calhoun frowns, shifting his weight onto one leg. "Where the hell is he?"

"...Oh! Yeah, that!" He his snaps his fingers, fingergunning with both hands. "Don't worry, buddy! I got ya! I mean..." He smiles, glancing aside almost sheepishly. "Granted, they're not currently here or signed, but..."

Calhoun groans in annoyance, though Chiyoko immediately perks up. "...Oh! Wait..." She struggles to reach the tip of her foot to the ground, using it to spin her chair towards Pryce. "You mean... You found one?"

"Yup! Two, actually!" He nods proudly. "Nabbed ya the second place tag team from the finals! One El Masko and one Daniel Collins, yeah?"

"Huh..." She taps at her chin with a finger. "Thank you Mr. Pryce. I'm sure it was hard, but I'm just wondering..." Chiyoko tilts her head quizzically. "And I'm not unthankful for what you've done, but... Why not the winners?"

"Eh." He shrugs, his tone flat. "Figured they'd be busy doing... fighting the... uh." He snaps his fingers, trying to recall the details. After a moment, he shrugs again, giving up. "...Well, something important, probably. It doesn't really concern ya, so don't worry about it, yeah?" He winks. "Plus, I had my eye on Masko this entire time!"

"...Wait..." Calhoun speaks up in realization. "Is... that the same masked guy I mentioned before?" His brow furrows. "The one who lost his title in a week?"

"A-yup!"

"But... Why?" Calhoun questions, rubbing at his temple. "Why him?"

"His values, Calhoun!" Pryce clenches a fist, swinging it in emphasis. "He's an honorable man who fights for the children! The perfect candidate to protect our sweet, innocent, adorable idol!" He lifts his hands up in a shrug, leaning his head to the side. "Plus, the poor fella's been in a slump, yeah? He could use a nice pick me up! Especially what with getting injured last show..."

Calhoun stares at him, dead eyed and flat toned. "...You hired an injured man to be a bodyguard."

Pryce shrugs much more deeply this time. "And that's why Daniel's part of the package, yeah? He's still able bodied!" He raises a finger in emphasis. "That muscle just ain't for show, let me tell you!"

"Ah... um..." Chiyoko smiles nervously. "Are they... nice?"

"Of course!" Pryce looks to her with a reassuring nod. "You think I'd nab a pair of mean-o boys to look after my precious Chiyoko?"

"Ugh... I don't know about this..."

"Hey, hey! You tellin' me you don't wanna give up the bodyguarding part of your job, now?" Pryce glances to Calhoun, shrugging smugly. "And after all the ruckus ya caused with not wanting to do it, hah...!"

Calhoun's tone is sharp and biting. "That's not why I-" He begins, but stops himself. "...Forget it." It wasn't worth picking a fight. Not now, at least. "...So long as they show up and do their damn job, I can't really complain. 'Specially with that Camber chick..." He looks aside to Chiyoko. "She's still got a title shot. Somethin' tells me she ain't quite done..."

"Oh, don't scare Chiyoko like that!" Pryce playfully nudges Calhoun. "It's just silly attempts at mind games, yeah? There's nothin' to worry about!" He waggles a finger. "And if Camber even thinks about sending any goons after Chiyo, well... She's got bodyguards now, so it'll be fine! I'm tellin' ya," He shrugs again, palms up. "I got this all covered!"

"...Tch. You're always like this... and I don't like it." Calhoun rolls his eyes, glaring at Pryce again. "If shit happens... it'll be your head." He closes the distance between them. "...And I ain't just talkin' about KiriCan comin' after you." Calhoun sneers. "My bodyguardin' job might be done..." He snatches at Pryce's collar, tugging him in close, face to face. "...But I ain't gonna let Chyoke get hurt because you were too vain to see a threat."

"...Ah. " Pryce blinks, caught off guard. He begins to laugh nervously, putting his hands up in surrender. ""Aha... Ahaha... Well..."

"No! No, no, no!" Chiyoko hops off her seat, trying to squeeze in between the two. "No fighting!" She puts her hands to Pryce's chest, slowly pushing him away from the other man. "I don't know what problem you guys have with each other, but stop it!" She pulls away from her manager, facing Calhoun with a determined frown. "Especially you, Calhoun! Mr. Pryce has a lot on his plate, okay?" She looks aside. "I mean, yeah, he's always busy talking with so many people, making sure my schedule's all set and stuff... but..." She jolts her head back to Calhoun. "He always makes time to take care of me!"

"Oh, is that so?" He leers back at her, his tone fed up and skeptical, though he quickly redirects his gaze to Pryce. The manager responds with a sheepish shrug.

"Yes!" She gives a single, firm nod in a rare display of assertion. "And... And I know you're just looking after me too, but you need to stop being so hostile!" She pauses. "...Okay?" She glances to the floor. "Please don't think I'm taking sides... It's just... This has kinda been stressing me out a bit." Chiyoko lifts her head with a pleading look. "So... I would, um, really appreciate it if you guys could talk this over?" She forces a nervous smile. "Because... The only one fighting... should be me."

The silence hangs in the air for a moment. Calhoun eventually speaks up.

"...Fine." He grunts. "...Sorry."

Pryce lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "...Well...!" It was a breathy, relieved sigh. He nods, pulling his phone out of his pocket. "I mean... if you're really that worried about Camber... I can, uh..." Pryce scrolls at his phone screen. "I can... clear up Chiyo's schedule for tod- ...well, not today, but... tomorrow, yeah?" He holds the screen up for proof. "...Or... As many days as you need! Then you can train to your heart's content...! Ahaha..." It was another nervous laugh. "Does... that sound good?"

Calhoun's response was flat and curt. "...Yeah." He answers, looking away. "Whatever." It wasn't the point he was making, but there was no sense in pushing it if it took Chiyoko to get Pryce to listen. Calhoun shakes his head for a moment before looking back to her. "...Just be on your guard."

"Ah... y-yes!" She nods firmly again.

"Will do!" Pryce salutes, clearly in effort to lighten things back up. "But for now, uh... C'mon, Chiyoko!" He looks to his phone, tapping at the screen. "You've got a photo shoot in 10 minutes... So we'd best get you ready for that, yeah?" He walks briskly to the door, leaving almost immediately.

"Right!" Chiyoko quickly follows suit, though she stops to look back at Calhoun. "...You have to talk to Mr. Pryce about what's bugging you, okay?" She smiles in reassurance. "Otherwise, you'll never feel better..."

"I'd rather we focus on Camber." He folds his arms. "We'll talk about her after your shoot."

"Oh... Well... um, okay!" She gives a quick wave before scurrying after her manager. "See ya, Calhoun...!"

"Yeah, bye." He lifts a hand in a half-hearted wave. Once the door shuts, he lets out a long sigh.

"...Fuck that guy."

[Lepa]

PPV: Friday, July 21, 2017
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Chapter 15:
Singularity

~Backstage Segment: Calhoun~

Backstage, Calhoun seems to be finishing up a talk with the Women's Champion, Chiyoko. Scheduled to defend her title this show, she has her fists clenched at her chest, nodding at every word he says.

"...So just remember what I taught ya, all right?" He slaps a reassuring pat on her back. "Good luck."

"Right!" She nods again. "Thanks, Calhoun!" She lifts her hand in a brief wave before scurrying off. The trainer nods back, a slight look of contentment on his face.

"...Heh." As he turns away, the smile fades into a frown. "Now... lessee if I can find a phone around here..." He begins to walk off, looking around. In the midst of his search, a flash of red overtakes him - he's jolted backwards, his head snapping against a brick wall. "What the fu-?!" It happened so fast. He grits his teeth, trying to refocus his blurry vision on the culprit that pinned him against the wall.

"...You."

C... Camber?!

"Fuckin'...!" Calhoun sneers, ripping himself away from her grip. "You wanna go?!" He throws his fists up in a ready stance, glaring at her. How the hell did he let that happen? How could he have let his guard down just enough for her to ambush him like that...?!

But she says nothing. She does nothing to restrain him, nothing to threaten him. All she does is stare at him, briefly squinting as if to read some hidden secret. Calhoun couldn't stand the silence.

"...Tch!" He scowls again, crouching lower, readying himself to pounce like an angered beast. "You made your threat..." He growls. "Just follow through on it!" Again, she says nothing, looking over him. Eventually, her expression changes, faint traces of realization clearly forming on her face. Having drawn her conclusion, she finally responds with a smile.

"...Azure Flare."

Calhoun freezes, his eyes widening. "...What?"

She smiles again. "That is your identity, is it not?" She doesn't need his answer - his reaction tells all.

"F... Fuckin'... How'd y..." He's shaken, clearly struggling to maintain his stance, but he scowls again. "It's Calhoun, goddamnit!"

"I am the Queen of Flames..." Camber responds rather cooly. "...And my title isn't just for show." She motions to him grandly with both hands. "I sense the fire inside you, Azure Flare..." She nods. "That is your identity... so I will refer to you as such."

"Fuckin'...! Shut up!" He threateningly punches the wall beside them. "No one calls me that! No one!" He was yelling in her face, but she remains unfazed, continuing.

"To think, a flame like yourself, so wild and free..." She smirks. "...Would be contained in the role of a mere trainer."

"Tch...! I took this job!" Calhoun grits his teeth, snapping back at her. "It's none of your damn business!"

"You... You value your freedom, do you not?" She frowns, almost as if in genuine concern. "So why do you allow yourself to be kept under the thumb of the one called Pryce?"

A guttural growl emits from Calhoun. "Kh...! Fuckin'...!" His knuckles turn white from clenching them so hard. "You... No, no! I see what you're trying to do here! And it ain't gonna fucking work!" He turns away, storming off with a snarl. "You don't fuckin' know me...!"

His sharp words hang in the air as Camber watches him leave. She smirks to herself.

"...I know enough."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(After Chiyoko successfully defends her title against Camber...)

~Backstage Segment: Bill Pryce~

In a backstage room, Bill Pryce stands near a large raffle cage, casually clutching a mic in one hand. He grins, saluting the camera.

"Ladies, gentlemen and everyone in between, inside and out! I'm Bill Pryce, and last week we announced a very special contest - A RAFFLE!" He clenches a fist excitedly. "Yes, that's right! A chance for one," He winks to the camera. "...lucky fan to spend a lovely little dinner date with the Women's Champion, the Perfect Idol, Chiyoko Uzuki!" He looks aside, patting a hand on the raffle cage. "Ooooh, who will it be?" He cranks the handle in excitement, spinning the cage. "Who? Will? It? BE?!"

At last, he stops, popping the cage door open. "Aaaand... the lucky fan is..." He reaches in, shuffling the raffle balls around for a bit before plucking one out. "Aha! Here we go!" He looks down at the ball with a smile - a smile that quickly fades into concern. "...Ah." He tilts his head aside, frowning. "...Uhh..." With uncertainty, he glances back up at the camera, then back to the ball. "Erm... well, folks!" He forces a nervous smile. "It looks like the lucky fan is..." He holds the ball up for the camera to read, his tone empty of excitement. "...Camber."

Pryce drops his arms to his sides, clearly trying to remain cheerful in the face of the new development. "It's... Camber. It's Camber! Great. Great! Just... great." He turns away from the camera, sighing. He quickly recomposes himself however, doing his best to keep up a lighthearted tone. "I, uh... heh..." He turns back. "Guess you were a fan after all, eh Camber...?" He anxiously adjusts his bowtie. "Hope there's no hard feelings from the Queen of Flames, yeah? Yeaaah... Ahaha..." Pryce laughs nervously, quickly making his way off screen. "Crivens, I need to make a call..."

[Lepa]

(I believe this was originally a collab post with Izzack and another friend of ours, known as verylost34 on this forum.)

Week of July 24th, 2017
Show location: Beijing, Beijing, Peoples Republic Of China

Chapter 16:
The Dinner

"Hey there, Masko." Daniel greets his partner, taking a seat across from him. "Sorry I'm late, did anything happen?"

"No." He pauses. "...That Spanish for no." He glances aside to a table across the restaurant. "The fiery woman and Chiyoko, they just sit down. They are getting water." He looks back to Daniel with pleading eyes. "Can we get water, Daniel? El Masko thirsts."

"Whatever you want, buddy." Daniel pats him on the back. He looks around for a moment before hunching over the table, speaking in a hushed tone. "Has Camber done anything that seems threatening?"

"Why would this Camper do that?" Masko frowns. "Is she not a fan?"

Daniel furrows his brow. "...Masko, they've fought each other almost constantly since Chiyoko joined. There's no way in hell she's a fan."

"...But... she bought the tickets, Daniel. To the raffles." Masko tilts his head. "And the Billiard Pricing Gun, he say that only fan can buy tickets, right? So she must be fan. She must just be real lucky fan..." He pauses again before hanging his head sadly. "...El Masko buy three ticket..."

"That doesn't mean that-" Daniel pauses, looking to his partner. "Wait, three tickets? Weren't those things, like, five bucks a pop?"

"El Masko, he really wanted to have dinner with the Chiyok." He nods. "El Masko big fan."

"...Well, be that as it may-" Daniel begins.

"El Masko have one of her shirts."

"Well." Daniel pauses, then continues. "That's nice and all-"

"It say "Bunny Brigade." Masko interrupts.

"...That's swell, Mask, b-"

"El Masko very proud of shirt. It has bunny on front, with the ears that go flop flop flop!" El Masko rests his wrists on his head, flapping his hands as if they were bunny ears. Daniel stares at him blankly. "...Daniel, I hear them say you are staring into El Masko too long. El Masko, he stare back. I am staring back, Daniel."

Daniel breaks eye contact with El Masko by shaking his head slightly. "So what's Camber doing now? Seems like they've got their first course in..."

"Oh! The pot stickers! They have arrived!" The luchador clasps his hands in excitement. "El Masko love them! El Masko try making them himself at home, but the pot stickers..." He frowns. "...They stick to pot. Not very tasty."

"Keep your eyes on the prize, buddy." Daniel reminds him. "Camber's up to something here, and it's up to the two of us to keep her from doing something untoward with Chiyoko."

"But she is not doing anything? El Masko watch her with Daniel, but she seem to be very polite." He clasps his chin in thought. "Before Daniel arrive, she hold out chair for Chiyoko. El Masko think she a gentleman." He nods.

"That don't mean she's not planning something, Masko."

"Maybe the Clam Herd, maybe she like the Chive Yolks? Maybe she fight her in ring, not because she hate her, but because she has bad way of expressing self!" El Masko sighs. "El Masko think this is sad... El Masko rooting for the fire lady." He nods, clenching a fist.

"El Masko... that's... wrong." Daniel stares at him in dry disbelief. "I... you're wrong, Masko. Camber doesn't strike me as that kind of girl. I'd still say she's plotting something, not trying to romance her." He glances over to their table. "...Shit! Where'd that knife come from!?"

"Daniel, the Cam Beard, she is just cutting her food. El Masko sees this. El Masko knows this." The masked man taps a finger to his nose. "El Masko nose."

"Alright, El Masko. Okay... Well, still..." Daniel trails off, then muses to himself. "Jeez, Peking duck, huh? Bill really did pull out all the stops, didn't he?"

"El Masko thinks that the Ball Pierce, he didn't pay for this ugly duckling. El Masko saw Comb Her order it." He scratches his head. "At least, El Masko thinks he saw her do it..."

"...Shit, man. Maybe she really isn't gonna do anything sneaky." Daniel leans back in his seat, relaxing slightly. "I mean, she's had enough opportunities... I just wish I knew what she was up to." He shoots his partner a side glance. "And no, Mask, before you ask, I still don't think she's a legit fan."

"El Masko, Daniel... El Masko thinking we're doing the disagreement, agree?"

"...Yeah, agree to disagree, buddy."

The rest of the dinner goes on without incident, much to the suspicion to Daniel. Camber eventually excuses herself with a polite bow, leaving Chiyoko alone. The two bodyguards quickly take Camber's place at the table.

"How did everything go, Ms. Chiyoko?" Daniel asks.

"Oh!" She folds her hands together. "Um, thanks for looking after me..." The idol smiles. "And, um, everything... went fine?" She tilts her head, lifting her shoulders in a shrug.

"She didn't talk about anything weird? Or make any sudden movements?" Daniel furrows his brow. "Nothing?"

Chiyoko shakes her head again. "No... Not really, Mr. Collins. The food was good, though..."

"Hmm... well, we better walk you back to your hotel, just in case."

"Yes, that is good idea! She could be very sneaky!" El Masko pipes in. "Who even knows? She could be hiding in shadow, with knife! And not knife to cut the ducks... Much more mean knife."

"I hope not... I'd rather not deal with two in one night..." Daniel mutters to himself.

"Huh?" Chiyoko looks over to him. "Two what?"

"That's..." Daniel trails off into a pause. He'd been jumped by thief with a knife earlier in the day, but Daniel himself had nearly killed the man in retaliation. It was a... startling wake up call for him to watch his own strength. "...Look, don't worry about it, Chiyoko. Let's just head out."

[Lepa]

(Meanwhile, during the dinner...)

Chapter 17:
Wildfire

"Azure Flare. ...That is your identity, is it not?"

No one was supposed to know that title. No one.

He made fucking sure of it.

So... how? Just... fuckin' how?

How did Camber know?

"AuuuUUGHHHH!" Calhoun screeches as he angrily paces the hotel room. "Where the fuck did she... How the fuck did she...?!" He curls his fingers into fists at his sides, his mind racing. "Did... Did someone snitch? ...No... No, it couldn't have been any of the guys back home... They'd never tell..." He lowers his hand. "...and I never told them where exactly I was workin', either... Ugh. Fuck. Fuck!" He kicks at the wall. "Fuckin'... Was it that asshole manager...? No... there's no way he could've known about that... Tch, what the hell kinda power does she have...?!" He sneers. "First Pryce, now this "Queen of Flames" woman... Just how much do these shitty fucking people think they know?" He raises his voice, punching at the wall. "What the ever lovin' fuck is going on?!"

"Uh... Hey, Calhoun?" A voice slips through a crack in the door as it opens. Pryce pokes his head in before entering. "Could you maybe... keep it down a bit?" He closes the door behind him with a click.

"Fuckin'... you! Motherfucker! Where the hell have you been? " He snaps at Pryce without missing a beat. "You fuck off into the aether and come back like nothing's happened? Fuck, and then you have the balls to try and tell me what to fuckin' do again?!"

"Hoo boy, here we go..." The manager mutters under his breath. He didn't have the energy to deal with this now. "C'mon, Calhoun. I'm just asking ya to keep it down." He sets some documents down on a table. "There's other people around, yanno? It's just common courtesy, yeah?"

"Tch...!" Calhoun sneers. "Fuck them and fuck you!"

Pryce sighs. "Well," he starts with a weathered smile. "That's flattering, really, but I'm afraid I simply don't have time for anyone else other than Chiyoko-"

"Oh, is that what you're going with? Huh?" He scowls. "You fuckin' act like you give a shit about her well being, but I see what's fuckin' going on! All you care about is whether or not shit will earn you money!"

"...Calhoun..." Pryce sighs again, plopping down in an armchair. "Calhoun, look." He props an elbow up on an armrest, resting his head on his hand. "Do you know what a contract is? It's an agreement. No one said this job would be easy, yeah?" He closes his eyes for a moment. "But she took that contract. She agreed to this job, and she gets profits, too. That's just business." He lazily cracks open an eye. "Other than that? Don't act like I don't do what I can to keep her comfortable."

"Oho, fuckin' do you?! Do you really?" He clenches his fists at his sides, looming over Pryce's seat. "Because you always leave me and her in the dark until the last minute, and that cuts into my goddamn job! Fuck, you didn't tell us jack fucking shit about this dinner!"

Pryce sits up straight, brows furrowing. "I made the raffle announcement at Ignition! And-"

"And it's with Camber! Fuckin' Camber!" Calhoun throws his arms up. "Chiyoke's out eating dinner with someone who threatened her! Why the fuck didn't you screen that shit?!"

"H-Hey, I didn't expect that!" Pryce lifts his hands in surrender. "But... I tried to get her out of it! Really!" Calhoun rolls his eyes, pacing away from the armchair. "I called KiriCan immediately after the draw... And they said we risk Camber suing us if we didn't go through with it...!"

He jolts his head back to Pryce. "What the fuck? Then let her fuckin' sue! Agh, fuckin'...! You're full of shit!" He scowls. "Caring more about losing a couple thousand bucks over the safety of your precious little idol...!"

"Hey," Pryce frowns, his tone sharp. "She's being looked after, all right?"

"We were supposed to be trainin' now, asshole!" Calhoun snarls. "But you didn't bother to tell us when the hell this bullshit dinner thing would happen, and now she's out dinin' with someone who, at best, wants her title, and at worst, wants to fuckin' retire her!"

"Look, that was last minute because I don't get all the details right away, okay?" Pryce straightens himself up in his chair. "Sometimes I'm left in the dark as much as you two are..." He lets out an annoyed sigh, hoping to maintain his composure. "But like I said, the bodyguards will-"

"No, fuck you, that's not the goddamn point!" Calhoun growls. "You never saw the goddamn point! You piece of shit! All this goddamn fuckin' time, it's appearances, or photo shoots, or fan meetings or... whatever the fuck!" He lifts a hand, angrily counting off each of his fingers. "You're okay with throwing her into a fighting ring without proper training, you're okay with her fans getting fuckin' creepy, shit, you fuckin exploited her sadness to record some fanmail segment!" He throws his hands up again. "What the fuck?! Who does that? Who the fuck does that?!" He sneers before jabbing an index finger in Pryce's direction. "You! Assholes like you! So long as you can control them, you don't give a shit about people! You don't give two shits about anything!"

Pryce furrows his brow. "...Look," he grunts, forcing himself back onto his feet. "Let's... calm down, okay?" He raises both hands diplomatically, motioning at Calhoun. He speaks slowly and carefully. "Chiyoko said... we should talk stuff out, yeah? And if this is what's been bugging you, well... Okay." He drops his hands at his sides, his usual lighthearted tone suddenly flat and frank. "I ain't out to control you, Calhoun. I offered you your job, I did what I could to convince you... but in the end, it was your choice to take it." He lifts his shoulders in a mild shrug, forcing a slight smile. "...Am I right? That was your choice, yeah?" Calhoun only stares back, the corners of his mouth still twitching with anger. Pryce's smile fades. "...C'mon, Calhoun. You're angry, I'm tired... Gimmie a break, all right?" He sighs again. "I'm just tryin' to help..."

"DON'T YOU FUCKIN' PULL THAT SHIT ON ME!"

"Gh...!"

"It was my choice, but don't tell me you're trying to help, 'cuz that's fuckin' BULLSHIT!!" He snarls, slamming Pryce's back into the wall. "Controlling others... That's all your goddamn job is! Chyoke's easy enough to manipulate, but when a fucker like me comes along, y'all resort to fuckin' blackmail!"

"C-Calhoun..." Pryce's eyes widen as he struggles to keep his voice steady. "...The hell are you talking about...?"

"You piece of SHIT!" He barks, his scowl deepening. "You threatened me! You threatened me into playin' nice because you said you knew shit about me! Do you seriously think I'd let you get away with that?! Do you think I'd forget?!"

"I..." He starts, glancing aside in thought. "I don't... remember anything like that..." He halfheartedly shrugs in Calhoun's grip. "It was probably just a joke, yanno...?"

"Just a joke? Just a JOKE?" Pryce flinches as Calhoun tightens his hold on his suit, yelling in his face. "Freedom ain't a fucking joke, Pryce! YOU DON'T FUCKIN' JOKE ABOUT A MAN'S FREEDOM!" Calhoun pulls away, his face twisted with disgust. "But I guess you wouldn't really give a shit, would you?! So long as you can make a profit off of it, nothing's off limits to you, huh?!"

The manager frowns for a moment, his brow slowly furrowing in realization. He takes a steady breath, carefully composing his words. "...I never forced you to stay, Calhoun." His eyelids lower into a look of contempt. "If all of this bothers you that badly...? You can leave at literally any time you want. There's nothing stopping you." He grits his teeth into a defiant grin. "But all this talk of being selfish? Heh... I've gone out of my way to accommodate you." He laughs bitterly. "Nevermind the times I've cleared up her schedule so you two could train. Nevermind that any equipment you needed, I made sure you had, even at my own expense... Nevermind that all could've cost me my job, and all three of us would be screwed."

"Shut up!"

Pryce's grin fades. "Fine. You wanna talk about threatening people? What about all the times you've threatened me, huh?" He leers. "When you thought I was having you train a child to fight? Or last week, when you said if anything happened to Chiyoko, you would end me!" He snerks, glaring back at Calhoun.. "Hell, look at you right now! You're here trying to preach to me about a man's freedom, when you're standing right here, threatening another man with violence for not conforming to what you want? A little... hypocritical, don't you think?" He grins bitterly again. "Or is that word too big for a man who only knows how to fight?"

Calhoun trembles with rage, his anger like acid - burning and potent. "F... Y-you fuckin'...!" He stammers, throwing a fist up.

"What, you gonna hit me?" Pryce raises a brow, his gaze steadily fixed on Calhoun. "You finally gonna follow through on one of your threats? ...Or are you all just talk?"

"...Ksh...!" Calhoun snarls between his teeth, the tension in his fist twitching as he hesitates.

"Come on, hit me. Do it. Punch a man who can't fight back." His eyes narrow. "You're in the right here, I'm just the villain. I don't care at all about the well-being of others, all I do is threaten them!" He pauses. "...Unlike you, Casey."

"FUCK!"

Calhoun's fist cuts through the air like a bullet. Pryce screw his eyes shut, bracing for the impact.

There was a loud thud, but the impact never came.

Pryce opens his eyes to see Calhoun’s fist smashed into the wall beside his head.

The other man stands there for a moment, his shoulders heaving with anger. The moment he pulls his back his fist, he stares down at it.

"...Fuck." He finally grunts. He releases his grip on Pryce's suit, roughly shoving him aside. He looks away from the manager, stomping off towards the exit. "Fuck...!" He rips open the door, storming out. "FUCK!" He shouts, slamming it.

Pryce remains slumped against the wall in silence. He sighs. He was tired, goddamnit. All he wanted was to rest, but instead he had to navigate the paranoid minefield that was Calhoun. "...The nerve of some people..." He grumbles, straightening himself up. He begins to brush his suit off. "Who would've thought-" He muses, but a loud knocking interrupts him. Pryce looks over, his face flat with dull surprise. "...Ugh. Really? Back already...?" He groans, steeling his nerves as he forces himself to the door, opening it. "What else do you want, Cal- ...Huh?" He stops, blinking hard. "Wait, you're not-"

The rest of his words are cut off by a punch to the gut as he topples to the floor, groaning weakly. The silhouettes of vague figures loom over him as his vision goes black.

"...Ignis aurum probat..."

[Lepa]

Week of July 24th, 2017
(Show: Friday, July 28th, 2017)
Show location: Beijing, Beijing, Peoples Republic Of China

Chapter 18:
Lost Sheep

"You don't have to keep apologizing, Ms. Uzuki."

"I was two hours late!" Chiyoko bows her head shamefully to the photographer. "I-I'm sorry...! I almost ruined the shoot...!"

"Eh, it's fine." He shrugs. "Yeah, it stressed me a little, but we got it done. It just means I don't have time to do a little sightseeing, myself..."

"Thank you for being kind, but... s-still..." She stammers, nervously twirling her hair. "It wasn't just you I messed up...! I was late to all my other events before this... I think I even missed one entirely." She frowns, lowering her hand from her hair. "See, um... Mr. Pryce... my manager... he helps me keep track of time... And he left me a note saying he'd be gone for a meeting, but... I haven't seen him since. I was kinda hoping he'd show up here... " She looks up to the photographer expectantly. "You haven't seen him, have you? Um... Usually he's wearing a rose patterned suit..."

"Sorry..." He shakes his head. "Haven't seen him."

"N-Nothing? Really? That's weird..." She rubs the back of her head. "Not even a call...?"

"Nope." The man frowns. "...Sorry I can't be much of help."

Chiyoko sighs. "Well, thanks anyway..." She nods to him as they part ways. Alone, she plops down on a nearby bench. She hunches over her legs, propping her head up in her hands. "Hrgh... What am I supposed to do? It's not like Mr. Pryce to go silent for longer than a day... And I haven't seen Calhoun, either..." She looks aside in thought. "I figured he might've left to blow off steam, but... it's been an awfully long time for him, too..." She bites her lip with a wince. She didn't see either of them at the hotel after her dinner with Camber... Did they get in a fight? Or an accident, maybe? "Nhhh... Wh-what if something bad happened to them?"

"I'm sure that Pryce and Calhoun are doing fine, Chiyoko." Daniel approaches, leaning up against a nearby post. "You shouldn''t stress so much over them. It'll just distract you from what you should be doing."

"But..." She looks up at him. "Mr. Pryce is the one who tells me what exactly I should be doing..." She winces."Without him... or Calhoun..."

"Look, time comes when you gotta learn to take care of yourself. Pryce is probably stuck in some meeting or whatever, and who knows where that trainer of yours is, but what I'd say is most important right now is for you to get ready for your match. So..." Daniel trails off with a slight shrug. "Do you have any other shoots or whatever, or should you be getting to training?"

Chiyoko shakes her head. "I... I don't know."

"I didn't ask if you knew. You have a choice here, Chiyoko. You can run from place to place, saying sorry to everyone, or you can train for your match against that Wolfe girl. What do you choose?" Daniel stares directly into Chiyoko's eyes as he asks the question.

"Um... I..." She averts her gaze nervously. "I don't think I can do that. It's... It's kind of my job to to be told what to do. How to act, where to go, when to smile..." She idly fidgets with her fingers. "I don't wanna risk acting outside of what KiriCan wants..."

"I don't think I care what KiriCan wants, Chiyoko. I'm not their bodyguard, I'm yours. What you want is what's important here. KiriCan chose their fate when they took Pryce from you for the day. They decided that you knew best about how to handle your time. That's why I'm asking you, Chiyoko. I'm not consulting some schedule, or calling up your employers all "Howdy, this Chiyoko's bodyguard, should she eat a bowl of cereal, or oatmeal today for breakfast?" They don't matter, Chiyoko. Their wishes stopped mattering when you found that note from Pryce. So again, What. Do. You. Choose?"

"U-um..." She winces at his frank, verbal onslaught. "T-T-Training!" She squeaks, scrunching herself up. Daniel was right, but the way he said it was... scary. She only picked it because it seemed to be the answer that he wanted. Plus, bodyguard or not... she wasn't interested in angering the Hardcore Champion, of all people.

Daniel gives an exasperated sigh, runs a hand through his hair, and squats down in front of Chiyoko, leveling his eyes with her. "Look, Chiyoko, I'm sorry if I scared ya. I just don't like it when someone feels forced to do something. What I was trying to say is that you need to find your own way. I heard you graduated college, or something, right? Far as I see it, you're too smart to be stuck in a cycle of "Should I do this? Can I do that? Where to, Mr. Pryce? What's next, KiriCan?" You've been given a chance here today to prove that you're more than a pretty face. I mean, shit. You know, I never went to college. Hardly even finished high school. This, what you're seeing right here? Bodyguarding you is more or less the most I can hope for. Guarding and wrestling. You can do more than photoshoots and fighting fiends on the set, and in the ring. You just gotta learn to be your own person sometimes."

Chiyoko blinks. "...Wow, Mr. Collins." She tilts her head, a bit more relaxed. "You're saying I'm the smart one, but you're the one spouting all of this wisdom..."

"I don't know much, Chiyoko, but what I know, I know well. I know fighting, I know doing what's right, and I know how important it is to trust yourself. Being homeless, you learn pretty quickly just how much you can trust others to have your best interests in mind. I know Pryce and KiriCan, and whoever else probably aren't like that, but that doesn't mean you should just mindlessly obey, alright?"

She looks over him thoughtfully before nodding. "...Yeah. I think I understand." She gets to her feet with a small burst of renewed confidence. "So... Should we go training?" She smiles. "And I mean it this time!"

Daniel gives a small smile as he stands up straight. "That's what I like to hear. So, how do you normally train?"

"Well, actually..." She idly taps at her chin with an index finger. "Since you're Hardcore champ and all..."

"Well, Hardcore matches are a lot of punishment," He scratches his head. "Tell you what, how about we start you off on something a little easier, and work our way up?

"Oh!" She clenches her fists excitedly. "Like a chainsaw?!"

Daniel blinks. "Uh, I was thinking, a little bit tamer than that. How about a pillow fight?"

"Ooh, ooh!" Her eyes twinkle with glee. "Yeah! I can do that! I'm the best at pillow fights!"

"... Good to hear." Daniel says, hiding a smirk at Chiyoko's sudden change in temperament. "Let's go, then."

[Lepa]

Show: Friday, July 28th, 2017
Location: Beijing, Beijing, Peoples Republic Of China

Chapter 19:
Friday Night Backfire

The show kicks off with some heavy music, and the camera pans over to ringside. On the left, is the regular voice of ELW Backfire!

Nick Sanders: Welcome everyone to ELW Backfire! I'm Nick Sanders, and alongside me, is a man who certainly needs an introduction. Seriously, I don't know who you are.

Tim: Call me Tim the Intern.

Sanders: Really? Tim the Intern?

Tim: I've been a wrestling fan all my life. This is my opportunity.

Sanders: ...Okay. Well, folks, we have a stacked card for you tonight! The ELW Women's Champion Chiyoko Uzuki takes on the dangerous Wolfe in a non-title match!

Tim: This should be a cakewalk for Uzuki. I can't remember the last time Wolfe won a match.

Sanders: The self-proclaimed Greatest Canadian of All Time and the self-proclaimed ELW Canadian Heavyweight Champion Joe Wheeler puts his belt on the line in an open challenge!

Tim: It's not a real title. He just brought it into the promotion.

Sanders: Uh, and in our main event of the evening, the ELW Hardcore Championship is on the line! Daniel Collins defends against the daredevil, John Mathis!

Tim: Nobody is crazier than Johnny Boy. The guy thinks he has a chance. "The Big Fellow" Daniel Collins might legitimately murder him tonight.

Sanders: ...

At this point, a man comes charging in front of the camera, and knocks Tim the Intern off his chair. He has wild hair, tassles all over the arms of his leather jacket, and he is wearing dark shades. He smiles a huge grin, with a good ol' fashioned lens flare coming off of a golden tooth.

Nigel: Awooooo~! Enough of that guy! I'm here for you Nigel! Just call me the Life of the Party! I'm the People's Choice, Bobby Noice!

Sanders: All right, Bobby! That's more like it! Let's get to the action!

Chiyoko Uzuki vs. Wolfe
This match should not have been as competitive as it was. Uzuki seemed lost at the beginning of the match. Casey Calhoun and Bill Pryce were nowhere to be found after some recent developments, while Daniel Collins was busy preparing for his big Hardcore Title defense at the end of the show. As a result, Wolfe came out strong, trying to get the better of Uzuki. After a few minutes of being on top, Wolfe made a mistake. Coming off the ropes, she charged right at Uzuki, who countered with a GLOMP! Wolfe was stunned. Uzuki followed up with an elbow drop, into a rebound moonsault which was all that was needed to get the three count.

The lights turn red as the titantron crackles with static. it fades into a dark room, the camera focusing on a smug Camber. "Chiyokooo..." She calls out. "Oh, Chiyoookooo~?"

"...Huh?!" The idol whips her head around to face the screen.

"Hmhmhm... Did you think you were finished with me?" She smiles. "Because, unfortunately, I'm not quite done with you." The Queen of Flames folds an arm, grasping at her chin in thought. "Now, I'm sure you're busy trying to figure out where Bill is, considering he's vanished into thin air..."

"...Wait... Mr. Pryce?" Chiyoko clenches her fists at her chest with a determined frown. "Wh... What happened to Mr. Pryce...?" Her voice quivers, though she does her best to put on a brave face.

Camber feigns surprise. "Oh, you didn't know? I know. How, you ask?" She smiles a much more sinister grin. "Well, it's simple, Chiyoko... I've studied you quite well, and..." She looks aside and a line of torches illuminate the room. The light reveals Bill Pryce bound and gagged in a chair, hunched over and unconscious. Camber grabs him by the hair, showing. his face to the camera. "...Simply put, I know where Bill is."

"MR. PRYCE!" Chiyoko shrieks in horror. Camber simply laughs as the video fades into static. Terrified of the fate of her manager, Chiyoko rolls out of the ring, snatching her title belt and sprinting her way backstage.

Sanders: Not the most dominant victory from our Women's Champion, but she showed some heart tonight. The question is, can she figure out how to be on her own? We saw some struggles earlier this week from her camp, and who knows what will happen next?

Noice: Awoooo...~ Although I'm a big fan of Uzuki, Wolfe really brought it tonight. That girl might have a future! But back to the champ -- instinct really took over! We could be seeing a side of her that we haven't seen before!

Sanders: We go from one champion, to another, sort of. Joe Wheeler says he'll put his ELW Canadian Heavyweight Championship on the line against anyone!

Noice: Hang on, Nigel. Who is that coming to the ring?

Sanders: That's the same overweight dude from last week. What the hell?

Noice: At least his Hartford Whalers NHL jersey is a lot noicer.

"The Greatest Canadian of All Time" Joe Wheeler vs. John "The Maple Leaf" Schplonson
For the ELW Canadian Heavyweight Championship

Our last match wasn't for a title, and this one technically isn't either. The newcomer, Joe Wheeler issued his open challenge, which was accepted by the same terrible wrestler we saw last week. Wheeler was a bit different this time, focusing on kicks, rather than punches. The crowd counted along, until Wheeler got to 17, and that's when they stopped. China does not love Joe Wheeler. He dropped Schplonson with a sidekick, and rolled him up for the 1-2-3. Wheeler proceeded to celebrate as if he won an Olympic Gold Medal, embracing Titus Canby in the ring. Canby started announcing Wheeler as the winner, when his microphone cut out.

Sanders: It looks like ELW Brass might be tired of Wheeler's shenanigans!

Noice: Maybe! All I know is, God Bless Canada!

Sanders: Really? You're from Philadelphia.

Noice: Big fan of poutine, Nigel. Potine and Celine Dion.

Sanders: Moving on, it's time for our main event of the evening!

Backstage Segment
Chiyoko is still scurrying around backstage, frantically darting back and forth between ELW personnel. "H-Have you seen Mr. Pryce?" She asks hopefully. "The rose suit guy...? Or Camber?!" She's met with head shakes and various forms of no. "Ghhh...!" She whimpers, scampering to the next closest person she sees. "Um... Um...! You, um... Mr... Mr. One!" She runs over to an arriving Jensen, tugging lightly at his jacket. "Have you seen Camber? The fiery lady?" She looks up pleadingly. "Or a man in a rose suit?!"

Jensen stares blankly. "Are... those your parents?" He blinks. "Are you... lost?"

"N-No!" She stammers, flustered. "I work here! I have a title and-" She cuts herself off, shaking her head. "Th-that's not important right now, have you seen a rose suit man or a fiery lady? Yes or no?!"

"Uhhh..." He shrugs. "I just got here, so..."

"Okay, so that's a no!" Chiyoko immediately bolts from the man, refusing to waste time. Mr. Pryce was in danger, and every second counted! There had to be someone who saw them...!

"...Ah!" The idol spots another wrestler, leaning against a wall with his arms folded across his chest. She glances at the title around his waist. "Um... Mr. Tag Team Champion...!" She runs up, panting. He shoots her a glare.

"My name is Simon Cade."

"O-oh... Sorry, Mr. Cade..." Her frown deepens as she offers a quick, apologetic bow. "But... have you seen Camber? The fire lady? Or my manager, the guy in the rose suit?"

"...Psh." He looks away. "Do I look like I give a shit?"

"...Gh...!" Chiyoko winces, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. Why so heartless...? All she did was ask him a question...! "Wh... Why'd you have to be so mean?!" She snaps back, though her voice cracks from failing to hold back a sob. The last thing she needed to do was break down and cry. Not now, at least. She had to find Mr. Pryce...! Shaking her head, she quickly cups her hands over her face, stifling her tears as she runs off.

"Wait! Chiyoke! No need to make with the crying...!" A voice calls. El Masko rolls up in a wheelchair, his hands cupped around his mouth. "Come back! El Masko will dry tears with hankering chief!" He frowns, glancing back at his fellow bodyguard, Daniel Collins. "Daniel! El Masko will take care of idol! He will sooth the Chiyoke with joke!" He motions at his partner to leave. "Daniel must go do match!" He insists, but Daniel doesn't respond. "...Daniel?"

El Masko tries nudging Daniel, oblivious to the fact that he's been glaring at Cade the entire time. His fists are clenched, the knuckles white with tension. There was no doubt he was on edge - he was a powder keg ready to explode and dispense justice on the man who retired his partner, El Masko. Cade stares back, unwavering, his expression unreadable. Only after a few more nudges from the luchador does Daniel tear his gaze away.

"What?" came his sharp reply.

"Daniel have match!" El Masko reiterates. "Go do match! El Masko will look after the Chiyoko!"

Daniel grunts, glancing in the direction Chiyoko took off in. He frowns, looking to El Masko before shooting another glare at Cade. Finally, he lets out a gruff sigh, reluctantly yielding to his comrade. "...Fine." He grunts, turning to leave. "...Take care of her." He mutters, running off for his match.

"The Big Fellow" Daniel Collins vs. "Johnny Boy" John Mathis
For the ELW Hardcore Championship

Roger Alan Wade's "If You're gonna Be Dumb, You Gotta be Tough" hit the PA system, and out walked the challenger for the gold. Johnny Boy was surrounded by his entourage -- it appeared that a few of them were vlogging. One was live on Facebook Live! Johnny Boy was bragging about how he was going to be the champ, and how his opponent could not keep up with his craziness.

Sanders: Johnny Boy thinks it's his time. He'll have to bring his A-game against the shorter, yet stronger, Daniel Collins!

Noice: Forget his height and strength, Nigel! This Big Fellow is more accomplished! His pedigree, man! Not the move. His actual pedigree! It's off the charts!

The crowd pops once "What A Wicked Gang Are We" by Streetlight Manifesto hits the PA system. "The Big Fellow" Daniel Collins walks out onto the stage, nodding toward the crowd. He may only stand 5'7", but the crowd knows he is legitimate. Around his waist is the ELW Hardcore Championship. As he enters the ring, Johnny Boy starts yelling at his entourage to go backstage! It looks like Johnny Boy wants to do this on his own!

Sanders: It's time! The two men have locked up, and Collins immediately has the upper hand!

Noice: Don't count out Johnny Boy! That daredevil has something up his sleeve!

Collins may be slightly smaller than Johnny Boy, but he is MUCH stronger. He immediately lifts him up, and drops him with a gorilla press. Mathis rolls out of the ring, and waits for his entourage to return. Each of them is back with a shopping cart, full of weapons! Johnny Boy smiles, only to see Collins charging at him with a clothesline. Collins exits the ring, and scares the entourage away. The shopping carts full of weapons remain.

Sanders: Johnny Boy thought he would have the upper hand, but now Collins can do whatever he wants!

Noice: Hey, look! Some of his entourage are still here! They're filming the carnage, rather than helping their boy! Awoooo, what a crew.

Collins uses some of the basic weapons like kendo sticks, cookie sheets, and more just to do some damage. He starts looking around in the crowd, and smirks. He has an idea. He pulls a table from underneath the ring, and lays it on top of one of the carts. He takes Johnny Boy into the ring, and sets him up on the corner turnbuckle.

Sanders: This isn't good.

Noice: It's GREAT! He's about to DIE!

Sanders: There he goes!

Noice: OUCH! OUUUUCH!

Collins had dragged Johnny Boy to his feet, and took his back. He launched Johnny Boy to the outside via extreme german suplex, sort of putting him through the table into the cart. Whether intentional or not, the move was enough to knock Johnny Boy out cold. Collins went to drag him into the ring, but the referee would not have anything to do with it. Knowing Johnny Boy could be seriously hurt, he stopped the match. Collins would not have to inflict any more pain. He was still the ELW Hardcore Champion.

Sanders: What a brutal finish to that match! Johnny Boy thought he had a brilliant idea, but wow. Nope.

Noice: What a great night of fights!

Sanders: Exactly! Chiyoko Uzuki survived being alone out here tonight, victorious in her match with Wolfe, Joe Wheeler continues to do what he does to prove he is the Canadian Heavyweight Champion, and we witnessed the dismantling of Johnny Boy, at the hands of the ELW Hardcore Champion, "The Big Fellow" Daniel Collins! That's it for this week, but be sure to stick around for next week! On behalf of Bobby Noice, I am Nick Sanders. Thanks for tuning in! It's Elite Legion Wrestling!

[Lepa]

Week of July 31st, 2017
(Show: Friday, Aug 4th, 2017)
Location: Seoul, South Korea

Chapter 20:
Weak Point

Chiyoko stares in the mirror, her eyes still swollen from crying. She'd been in the bathroom splashing water on her face for the last 10 minutes, hoping to get a grip on herself. She'd been a wreck for the last week - there was nothing she could do without spilling tears. It was her fault her manager was still missing... No, not missing - she knew where Mr. Pryce was, and that was in the clutches of Camber. But what could she do? Nothing. There was no sign of the Queen of Flames, and the language barrier of ELW's Asian tour made it difficult to find help. Daniel and Masko searched around the clock, but nothing turned up. The disappearance of her trainer didn't help matters, either. Was Calhoun targeted by Camber, too?

"Wh... Why? Why is this happening? I... I was only sent here to wrestle..." She grimaces, wiping at corners of her eyes again. "Even if I win all these matches... even if that's what KiriCan wants..." Her unsteady voice cracks. "It doesn't matter if I can't find Mr. Pryce! It doesn't matter if this puts him in danger!" She slams her fists onto the sink counter, slumping over it in despair. "Calhoun even warned us... he kept warning us, but... I didn't think Camber would go this far..." Chiyoko pushes herself back up, glaring at her pitiful reflection. "Why didn't you drag him to the dinner?! Or just stay in?! Why didn't you listen sooner?! Idiot!" She grits her teeth, her fingers digging into the towel on the counter. "You haven't been able to do anything without him except cry! ...Why?" She frowns, the anger in her voice subsiding. "Why can't you do anything without him?" She stares. "Why do you have to be so... weak?"

Her head turns at the sound of muffled knocking at her hotel door. "...Ah." It was probably her bodyguards after another round of searching for Mr. Pryce. "Gh... Hold on..." She hastily wipes the towel over her face before casting it aside. "I'll be right there..." She halfheartedly calls out, trudging toward the door and clicking it open. "Daniel, Masko, any luck with-" she starts, but a sharp gasp pierces her throat. The man before her smiles weakly, leaning against the doorframe for support.

"...Hey, Chiyoko."

Her eyes grow wide.

"M... Mr. Pryce?!"

She squeaks, cupping a hand over her mouth. She locks her gaze onto his face, but she doesn't believe it. A quivering hand slowly reaches out to him, frightened that he would disappear the moment she touched him. She tentatively pats at his chest, his shoulder, his jacket - all of which he responds to with a slight wince and a forced, weathered smile. When it was clear that he was indeed real, Chiyoko cries out, lurching forward and embracing him with a loud sob.

"Oof..." Pryce winces, his tone weighed down with exhaustion. "...Easy there..." He lifts a hand just enough to pat her on the back.

"Wh...!" She pulls away from him, her mind racing with questions. "Wha happened?! Are you okay?! " She grips at his shoulders anxiously. "What did she do to you?! How did you escape?!"

"Hey..." Pryce lets out a steady breath, only to be met with a barrage of coughs. "Gh..." He tries to clear his throat before speaking again, though his voice is now a raspy whisper. "...Not so... many questions, yeah...?"

"Oh... Oh my god," she releases him, biting her lip. "Y... Y-You need a doctor. I'm calling a doctor!" She races toward the phone.

"Chiyo..." He grimaces, haphazardly leaning against the wall as he hobbles into the room. "It's fine... I'm... fine." He staggers over to a nearby chair, collapsing onto it in a heap. "...She let me go."

"Let you... go?" Chiyoko repeats, looking up from the phone in bewilderment. "What do you mean-" She starts, but immediately shakes her head. "No, no! I'm calling help! Then I'll get you some water!"

"It's fine..." He sighs, his voice still hoarse and unsteady. "I think I'll manage..." He pauses. "After all... Managing's my job, yeah...?" He chuckles softly in spite of his pain. Chiyoko glances to him with silent objection as she makes her request over the phone. She soon hangs up, scampering to grab him a bottled water. Pryce starts to force himself to his feet, but she motions him back down.

"You can't take your life so lightly, Mr. Pryce!" She half scolds before her expression softens with concern. "I... I don't know what she did to you, but help's coming soon, okay?"

"...Mhh." He grunts, sipping at the water. He lets out a small gasp of relief. "...Guh. I'm fine..." He forces another weak smile. "I think we have... more important matters..."

"What's more important than almost losing you?!" Chiyoko stomps a foot, tears clinging to the corners of her eyes. "Why? Why won't you take this seriously?! You were only gone a week, but it was the most miserable week of my life...!" She chokes back a sob. "I don't want to lose you again!"

Pryce frowns, averting his gaze. "...Sorry, Chiyo." He voice is quiet as he reaches into his jacket. "It just... Well..." He pulls out a wrinkled piece of parchment. "Here."

"Wh...?" She examines it over, skeptical and cautious. "...What is this?"

"...Contract I signed. Camber's terms." Pryce grunts. His sentences are short and labored. "Turns out she's... quite the negotiator..."

Chiyoko skims the wording. "...What did you sign, exactly?"

"...Mm."

"...Mr. Pryce." She looks up from the parchment, frowning at his lack of answer. She fights the rising dread in her chest. "What... did you sign?"

He still doesn't answer.

Chiyoko takes in a deep breath. "Mr. Pryce..." Her voice begins to shake. "No... No, Bill." He musters the energy to look up at her in bewilderment. It was the first time she had used his first name since his insistence two months ago. She gazes back at him, her eyes beginning to water. "...I already cried over you missing for a week." She blinks hard, clearing the droplets away. "...I don't want to cry any more."

The manager stares for a moment. "...Ha..." He breathes, steadying his words. "...It's for a match."

"Between... Camber and me?"

"...No." Pryce hesitates, smiling bitterly. "Between Camber and... me."

"WHAT?! WHY?!" She nearly shrieks, anger and horror jolting through her body. "YOU CAN'T EVEN FIGHT! She kidnapped you! SHE KIDNAPPED YOU! SHE COULD HAVE DONE ANYTHING ELSE SHE WANTED WHILE SHE HAD YOU!" Chiyoko fumes, pacing around restlessly. "SO WHY? WHY WOULD SHE LET YOU GO JUST TO TARGET YOU AGAIN?!"

"Probably to... publicize it." Pryce winces. "That's if... I had to guess, anyway..."

"That... No, but that's illegal!" She looks back to him. "She kidnapped you and made you sign a thing against your will!" She tightly clenches a fist. "Wouldn't that void the contract?!"

"Chiyoko... That's..." He grunts, carefully adjusting himself in his seat. "This is a... different sort... of business." He leans his head back, closing his eyes. "I'm afraid... that doesn't apply here..."

"Why not?!" She grits her teeth in frustration. "There has to be something I can do! Tsk...!" She kicks at the ground angrily. "I'm the one who should be fighting, not you!"

"...Mh." Pryce downs another gulp of water. "Well... There is... one clause..."

"What?" She glances back down to the contract for a moment. "What is it?!"

"...You're allowed to join the match..." He begins, his breathing a bit more steady. "...and make it a 2 on 1 handicap match... but..."

"...But what?"

"...If you join, then Camber... " He sighs deeply. "...is allowed to pick a stipulation for the match."

Chiyoko stares at him. "...Is that it?" She seems unfazed. "Then... Fine! I'll do it!"

"Chiyoko..." Pryce frowns. "You should think on it more... You don't know... what Camber is capable of."

"I don't care! " She snaps back, resolute in her decision. "I have to protect you!" She clenches her fists at her sides. "What could it be, anyway?! Street fight?! Ladder match? Cage match?!"

"Honestly..." He winces. "My guess would be... Inferno..."

"Fine! I don't care! I'll do whatever it is! But I won't let her hurt you again!"

He chuckles weakly. "Don't be so rash..." Pryce adjusts himself in his seat, straightening up slightly. "You should focus... on this week's match..." He tilts his head inquisitively. "Who is it... this week?"

Chiyoko eyes him with a frown. "...You're hurt. You don't need to worry about that right now."

"It's... my job, Chiyo." He barely lifts his arms into a small shrug. "If you think... a little fire would put me out of commission, well..." Another weak smile. "What kind of manager would I be, yeah...?"

"Pryce..." She sighs. Even after suffering who knows what, the man still found the time to try and keep things light. "...Strummer." She finally answers. "...Rebecca Strummer."

"...Ah." He frowns. He rocks his head to the side, as if to jostle around the thoughts in his head, hoping some sort of helpful advice would surface. "Well..." He starts. "She's a toughie... that's for sure..." It wasn't much, but it was all he could manage.

"I know." Chiyoko's brow furrows. "Strummer's... the same kind of person that Camber is." She looks aside in thought. "Camber with influence, Strummer with strength... They're people who have power. People who have the potential to help others, but... instead..." Her frown deepens. "...They use that power for themselves." She grits her teeth, clenching the contract in hand. "They're people who think they can do whatever they want... People who think they can use their power to prey on the weak...!" Her head jolts back in Pryce's direction, a burning resolve in her eyes. "People like them can't just get away with that! I won't let them!"

Pryce gazes back at her for a moment, pleasantly surprised by her display of determination. He's more cautious, however. "...You can say that, Chiyoko... but..." He lifts a hand in concern. "Are you... ready to fight her? She seems..." He waffles his hand with an iffy motion. "...a bit more dangerous..."

Chiyoko remains undeterred. "Daniel has some experience fighting her." She folds her arms, glancing downwards in thought. "He can help me prepare for what to expect from her."

"What about... Calhoun?"

Chiyoko looks back to him. "...He wasn't with you?"

Pryce's answer is quiet. "...No." He mutters, averting his gaze in silent realization. "We... went our separate ways... before I was taken..."

"So... he's still missing..." She clenches her fists again. "Tsk... Why...?!"

"He's... probably fine, Chiyo." Pryce leans back in his chair. "I imagine... he just got homesick or somethin'."

"What, and he would just up and leave?" She rubs at one of her eyes, still sore from crying earlier. "Why? Why would he leave without saying anything?"

"We... had a bit of a... disagreement." Pryce frowns. "I think... he just left to cool off..."

"For a week?! Without telling me?!"

"It was a... really intense disagreement." He feebly shakes his head. "...Look, this isn't the time to be worrying about him. You should-"

"Yeah, it's the time to be worrying about you!" She looks around restlessly. "The paramedics should be here soon..." She marches toward the door. "And as soon as they come get you, I'm getting Masko and Daniel-"

"...So you can train...?"

"NO!" She objects. "So that we can all make sure that you'll be okay!" She looks back to him in concern. "I'll train once I'm sure you're safe and taken care of." A determined frown crosses her face. "...But until then? I'm staying here with you." She pauses. "...Okay?"

"...Okay." He closes his eyes with a soft smile. "...Thanks, Chiyoko."

[Lepa]

Show: Friday, Aug 4, 2017
Location: Seoul, South Korea


Chapter 21:
Friday Night Justice

Before her match on ELW's weekly show, Chiyoko displays her newfound resolve...

In-Ring Promo
Chiyoko enters the ring clutching a microphone, her normally energetic demeanor absent. "Before my match tonight, I'd like to say a something..." She begins, her face uncharacteristically grim. "Last week, Camber kidnapped my manager, Mr. Bill Pryce... And I..." She glances around, frowning. "...I don't know what she did to him for that whole week, but he came back." A pause. "He came back burnt and battered, and... and... with a contract he was forced to sign." Her brow furrows. "A contract for a match... between himself and Camber. And that's just... just...!"

She snaps back to the hard cam with a surprising scowl. "Just who do you think you are, Camber?!" She practically hisses. "He's not the competitor, here! I am!" She turns away again, disgusted. "But you left a clause in that contract..." She muses out loud, pacing the ring. "One that allows me to join that match... at the cost of you putting a stipulation on it." She pauses, looking back up. "Is... Is that what you want? You can't defeat me one on one, so you try to distract me by dragging in a bystander?" Her face wrinkles in disdain. "No, not just any bystander! My manager, my agent, my friend!" She grits her teeth. "And you used him... To get a match that you want? On your terms? And you think you can just get away with it?!"

She pauses.

"...Well, you can't."

She looks down, her frown deepening. "I'm not going to let you hurt Pryce again. And that's why..." She looks back up, her eyes brimming with determination. "That's why I'm putting myself in that match against you, Camber!" She raises an arm, jabbing a finger at the camera. "So go ahead! Pick your stipulation! I'll rise to any challenge you throw my way!" Now overflowing with righteous fervor, Chiyoko lobs the mic out of the ring and storms over to one of the ring corners, awaiting her opponent for the night...

[Lepa]

Week of Aug 7th, 2017
(Show: Friday, Aug 11th, 2017)
Location: Nagoya, Japan

Chapter 22:
A Knight Out

A week has passed since Chiyoko came out of her match victorious. While touring in Japan, she gave a small, local musical performance...

"You know, when I heard your song, I knew I had to talk to you in person..."

"O-Oh!" Chiyoko clutches a fist at her chest defensively, a nervous smile on her face. "Um... Well... I'm glad you think that, but, um..." She was trying her best to remain polite to the odd stranger. "You... didn't need to barge into my dressing room like this..."

"It was a beautiful song, but your Japanese could use some work. I could teach you, you know."

"Ah..." She trails off, fidgeting under his gaze. "I... appreciate it, but, um..." She glances aside, trying to be polite. "I have... other obligations to take of after this..."

"Think about it. You, and me, alone." English isn't his first language, but his intentions are clear. "We could rent a hotel, and I'd teach you many things, miss..."

"Wait... wh-what?" As he tries to hobble closer to her, Chiyoko catches a whiff of the alcohol on his breath. "Umm..." She winces, edging away. "S... S-Sir? I think you might have had a bit too much to drink." She timidly lifts a finger, pointing to the door. "Um, thank you for the offer, but I think you should leave..."

"Why should I leave? I'm not going to leave unti- agh!"

"I think." Daniel says, lifting the man up by the back of his shirt, "The lady said." he turns toward the door "That you should go!" he yells, hurling him out of the room. With the threat gone, he dusts his hands off idly before turning to Chiyoko. "You alright, Chiyoko? He didn't hurt you, did he?"

"O-oh!" She peers out the door, the drunken man now sprawled out on the ground in front of them, unconscious from the impact against the wall. El Masko looms over the odd man, puzzled. Noticing Chiyoko, he looks up, staring at her for a few moments before flashing an enthusiastic thumbs up.

"The Chyoke... She do this? She has gotten much stronger!"

"Ah... ahahaha..." She laughs half nervously, half out of courtesy. "No, no, El Masko... It was your friend who did that."

"...Oh." His tone deflates a bit. "Much less surprising."

"Haa..." She sighs, before turning back to Daniel. "Thanks, Mr. Coll- ...I mean, Daniel."

"...Don't worry about it, Chiyoko. It's my job as a bodyguard, after all. Guy was getting a bit too fresh with you."

"Y... Yeah..." She scratches at her head nervously. "Maybe we should head back early..."

"Yes! As they say," El Masko chimes in. "There are many fish in sea!" He pauses, then frowns. "...Some of them sharks."

"That's..." Daniel is silent for a short time, "That's surprisingly accurate, Masko. You're right, both of you. I'll go find the driver." with that, he walks off, letting the others follow.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Um... So, Daniel..." Chiyoko was seated between the two men in the back of the cab returning them to the hotel. She looks to Daniel. "About that guy you knocked out earlier... Thanks again for that, by the way..." She fidgets again. "But, um... is... is that how your matches normally end?"

Daniel awkwardly scratches the back of his head "Well, that sure would be nice. Sadly... no. That guy was weak and unprepared. My opponents... aren't. Especially not this week." He barely fails to hide a slight grimace as he talks about his match.

"Um... who're you up against...?"

"All of them!" El Masko holds up his fists in a mock fighting stance.

"...Eh?"

Daniel clears his throat gently. "What he means to say," he begins, "Is that I'm fighting the other champions this week. Everyone but the half of the tag team champions I want to fight most..." A brief scowl lights on his face before he reigns it back into a neutral expression.

She frowns. "That sounds... kinda scary."

"I... wouldn't say that I'm scared, really. It's more like... I don't have anybody in that match that I can trust." He thinks for a moment, then begins again. "That sounds pretty dumb, I guess. What I mean is... matches like this, there tends to be a few people that you can trust to work with you, if only to eliminate a larger threat. "

"Ah... That makes sense." She tilts her head inquisitively. "Well... Who's the larger threat? Who're you worried about most?"

"Well, I'd have to say Mason. You've probably seen him around, he's the heavyweight champion, after all. Big guy, very big. I mean, I could probably lift him up if he wasn't struggling...at all...and if I had some reaaal good leverage, but getting all that worked out, while there's two other guys coming at me? Just about impossible, I'd say."

"Oh..." Chiyoko taps at her chin in thought. "Um, well... Who else is in the match? Maybe one of them could help you..."

"Hmm...There's Andrew Jordan, and there's The Answer. Answer is not a possibility, not after what his tag partner did. Maybe Jordan? He doesn't seem...too bad. Truth be told, I don't really know much about him in the first place." Daniel shrugs. Maybe his info man could tell him more, but for now, he was on his own.

"Then maybe he's the safest option?" Chiyoko shrugs.

"Wild card is most dangerous card! Hard time predicting!!" El Masko nods. "But, Daniel... he also wild card, in past." He lifts a finger informatively. "If Daniel wild card, and Jordan wild card..." He clasps his hands together. "Then, is match made in Kevin!"

Daniel smiles a little at El Masko's musings before he turns his attention back to the task at hand. "I guess you're right, you two. I'll work on getting Jordan to help me beat down the other two once we're in the ring... let's just hope he doesn't decide to betray me until the other two are dealt with, eh?" he turns to look out the window. "Oh, it looks like we're almost there," he points out to the other two passengers.

Sure enough they quickly arrive back at the hotel without any other incident. "Well, here we are, safe and sound. You going up to check on Mr. Pryce, Chiyoko?"

"Yeah... I hope he's doing better." She nods. "And... thanks again for looking out for me. "

"Don't mention it. I'll follow you in a minute, I just gotta make a quick call, alright?" Daniel says, pulling out a surprisingly large cell phone.

"Oh! Okay." She glances at the phone curiously for a moment before shaking her head. "Let's go, El Masko."

"Okey Artichokey!" Masko nods, taking the lead.

As soon as the other two disappear into the hotel, Daniel dials up the one and only contact he has on the phone, and puts it to his ear. "Hey, man... What do you know about the guys I'm going up against?"

"Oh! Daniel! I was waitin' for you all week to ask! Trust me, I got some juicy deets this week! Oh ho ho, so, let's start with Mason..."

[Lepa]

Week of Aug 7th, 2017
(Show: Friday, Aug 11th, 2017)
Location: Nagoya, Japan

Chapter 23:
The Big Picture


"Are you okay, Mr. Pryce...?"

"Hm...? Ah, yeah."

Chiyoko frowns, peering back at Pryce. They were at a park today, trying to find a decent spot to train, and her manager insisted on coming along with them. He had been doing better since last week, but... she had a feeling that Pryce kept trying to hide how bad his state really was. He had actually been hobbling behind her, but quickly straightens himself up under her gaze, forcing a nonchalant shrug.

"I'm... fine." He smiles, though his legs suddenly buckle, betraying his facade. "Gah...!" He stumbles over, quickly latching onto a nearby bench for support. He winces, blinks, then looks back up to Chiyoko, the corners of his mouth stretching into a reassuring grin. "...Never better!"

"Wh...!" She squeaks, trotting back to him. "Ngh... Don't push yourself like that." She frowns, glancing over him in concern. Her brow raises. "...Where's the cane we got for you?"

"DIDN'T NEED IT~!" The manager forces himself back upright, proudly puffing his chest out in some needless display of virility. "Silly thing made me look like an old man, yeah?" He snaps a finger, flipping it into a fingergun with a wink. "Not every day you see a guy like me with-" His hand quickly unfurls to clutch at his chest as a cough suddenly tears through his throat. "Hrk...!"

"Aw, geez..." Chiyoko grasps at his arm, assisting in holding him upright. "It doesn't matter what it makes you look like! It's the function that's important! And besides," she adds with a pout. "You're wearing a suit covered in little Hello Kittys, so that whole "makes you look old" thing is a moot point!" Her brow furrows, her tone stern. "If you don't have your walking cane, then I think you should go back to the room and get some rest, mister!"

"Hah... Relax... Chiyo...!" Pryce grunts in between bouts of clearing his throat. "I won't be doing much, yeah...?" He sighs, finding relief from the soreness in his throat. "I'll just find myself a nice cushy seat and do some networking is all..." He pats at the phone in his pocket. "Don't need to exert myself much for that, yeah?"

She sighs in return, helping him steady his balance. "I suppose..." She experimentally releases her hold on him. "But if you start to feel any major pain, make sure you tell us, okay?" Chiyoko folds her hands pleadingly. She had an inkling he wouldn't, but... he responds with a wordless, eager nod all the same. "...All right. Good."

As soon as Pryce takes his seat on the park bench that saved his fall, Chiyoko heads off to a clearing, catching up with Daniel and El Masko.

"Hey, um... Daniel."

"Hmm?" The muscleman looks over.

"Thanks again for saving me from that drunk man the other day... And giving me advice on Strummer last week," Chiyoko begins. "So, um... I was wondering... Remember how you taught me the basics for hardcore matches a few weeks ago, before that...?" She frowns, tilting her head inquisitively, tapping at her chin. "Do you know how to prepare for other match types, too?"

"Why do you ask?" Daniel pauses. "...Is this because of Camber?"

"Y-Yes!" She nods, clenching her fists to her chest. "I have to train for all possible scenarios..." She frowns. " I have to be ready for any type of match that Camber picks...!"

"...Chiyoko." He sighs. "Chiyoko, that's... not how it works."

"Yes it is!" She insists with a pout. "I promised I wouldn't let Mr. Pryce get hurt, and I intend to keep that promise!"

"That promise won't do you any good if you're too hurt to defend him."

Her fists lower. "...What?"

"If you spend all of your energy trying to cover all of these bases..." He folds his arms in thought. "You'll wear yourself out - or even risk getting hurt. And if that happens..."

"...Oh." She rubs at her chin. "Then... I guess I'd really be at a disadvantage, huh..." She looks up, her tone insistent. "But even still...!"

"Even still, you should probably concentrate on Ayumi this week." Daniel frowns. "Pryce mentioned she's handed you your only loss so far, right?"

"...Yeah..." She looks aside with a wince. "...She was also my first match here, too. I beat her back then, so..." Chiyoko looks up thoughtfully. "I guess that makes both of us even, huh?"

"Then I reckon you should focus on that." He shrugs. "If you look past what's in front of you, then things will be over before you can even reach Camber."

"Agh, yeah..." She presses a palm into her forehead, inwardly cursing her lack of foresight. "I should've realized that! But it's just... I don't..." She lowers her hand, timidly wrapping her arms around herself, her voice small. "I don't want to see Mr. Pryce like that again..."

Daniel shares a knowing grimace with Chiyoko. "...I get where you're coming from." He frowns, briefly glancing over his shoulder to El Masko, who's blissfully preoccupied with the physics of a nearby swing set. "So, I guess if that's the case..." He sighs, looking back to her. "I'll at least teach you a little bit more about the basics of hardcore matches - things that could be used for just about any other match."

"Ah... Yeah, that's probably the best idea." She frowns, clearly still hesitant.

"...Look," he reassures her. "When Camber announces what kinda match you guys are gonna be in, then I'll teach you all I can about..." Daniel pauses. "...whatever match it is. But as it stands now? It's best to play it safe." He tilts his head slightly, raising a finger. "What if you spend all your time training for an inferno match, but Camber ends up declaring a cage match? Then all that inferno match knowledge isn’t gonna help you there."

"Oh! What about ambulance match?" El Masko pipes in, trotting up and peering over Daniel's shoulder. "Or street fight? Or what about Hungry Man Dinner match?" He seems amused with his idea, but quickly grows dejected by it. "That seem worse match of all..." He frowns, slouching over. "If match is two ladies... How can be hungry man...?!" He throws his hands up childishly, baffled by his own match stipulation.

Daniel smiles, chuckling in amusement. "Yeah, that's right, Masko." He pats the luchador on the back. "The match Camber picks... could literally be anything."

"Ah, geez..." Chiyoko sighs in realization. "It really could, couldn't it? Agh..."

"Until Camber announces the stipulation, don't worry about it." He briefly slings an arm around El Masko in an idle hug before releasing him. "But for now? Ayumi comes first."

"Yeah... You're right. I may have a bit more experience now, but she still outranks me in that area... So I'll have to give my best as usual, huh? Ha..." Her shoulders sink. "It's just been really difficult to concentrate after the stuff that happened with Mr. Pryce..." She glances up to him. "So... Thanks for keeping me focused." She smiles briefly before looking aside. "Sorry that you got forced into doing all this, too..." She frowns. "This is what Calhoun would normally be doing, but..."

"Eh, you know..." Daniel shrugs. "It's no worry. Training you also helps me train, so... it's a win-win. " He shoots off a lone fingergun. "I'm sure that trainer of yours will turn up some time soon."

"I sure hope so..." Chiyoko sighs. "...But I guess I shouldn't be dwelling on him... We have some big matches this week, so... Let's get started on training, okay?"

He nods. "Yeah, sure."

The two begin to position themselves near each other, with El Masko cheering them on from the side. Pryce watches them from the bench he's seated on, a small smile on his face. It's only for a moment, though - as he glances back down at his phone, the smile vanishes, reverting into a thin, straight line of uncertainty. His brow furrows in concentration as he reads and rereads the information on screen. Among the list of names, the display highlights one specific contact: Casey Calhoun. Pryce idly murmurs to himself, his finger hovering over the call button. He could call him... He should call him. And yet...

"...No. Not now..." Pryce convinces himself, dismissing the screen from view. "Now... just doesn't feel right." He sighs. "Timing is everything, after all, but... Hmm. I wonder..." He slumps backward in his seat, staring into the distance.

"When will the right time come...?"

[Lepa]

Week of Aug 14, 2017
(Show: Friday, Aug 18th, 2017)
Location: Saitama, Japan

Chapter 24:
Vow of Protection

"So... this is what she wanted all along, huh...?"

Pryce muses out loud as he leans back in his chair armchair, smiling bitterly into a mug of coffee. The match was decided - it would be himself and Chiyoko... against the entirety of Camber and her own forces. Chiyoko herself sits on a hotel bed nearby, legs crossed, frantically ticking away at her laptop.

"Kh...!" She grits her teeth. "Wh... What did she mean? The... Fire Kingdom?" Her face scrunches up in concern. "All of her followers? Wh-what is it, a cult?" She leans forward, adjusting her reading glasses as she squints at the computer screen. She stares at it for a few moments, her gaze fixated on the information before her. Finally, she sighs. "Hgh..." She hangs her head in frustration, her efforts fruitless. "Is... is this Fire Kingdom even real...?"

"Oh..." Pryce starts, his tone flat and tired. "It's real, alright..."

"Huh?" She glances across the bed to him. "What do you mean?" She frowns. They had no information or records on this kingdom... How would he know what to- ...oh. Chiyoko's eyes widen in realization. Of course he'd know, she thought - he was in Camber's clutches for a week. She had no doubt he may have seen some... things. "D... Do you remember anything?" She asks gingerly. "Anything from... when... when they..." She hesitates. "...From when they took you?"

"...Hm." He stares into his mug, swirling around the liquid inside. "Only that there were several people who showed up. I have no doubt that she has... many more of 'em." He stops, tilting the mug toward himself. "Otherwise? I spent a lot of it... unconscious." He frowns. "But... from what little I did see... There was much darkness. And... flames." His eyes glaze over as his voice drops to a hushed tone. "...Many... many flames..."

Chiyoko winces at his visible trauma. "Gh... This... This was her plan all along, wasn't it...?!" She balls her hands into fists, looking aside. "She couldn't face me one on one... so... s-so she took you..." She looks back to him. "And she knew I'd do whatever it took to protect you...! And now..." Chiyoko winces. "And she's snaked her way into outnumbering us..."

"...Haaah." He sighs.

"...Mr. Pryce?" A look of concern crosses her face. "...What is it?"

"I think..." He smiles weakly. "...you should start looking for a new manager."

"What? Why?" She scoots to the edge of her bed, sitting near him. "Did... you get in trouble with KiriCan, or something? Are they mad at you for getting kidnapped?!" She furrows her brow at the assumption. "They wouldn't do that, would they?!"

"No, no..." Pryce reassures her. "It's just... something tells me..." He looks up, clearly defeated. "...I don't think I'm gonna survive this match."

"What?! No!" She reaches out to him, determined. "I'll protect you! I swear I'll protect you!" Her manager merely shakes his head.

"Chiyo... you said it yourself: they outnumber us." He gestures vaguely in emphasis. "It's us two against all of them, and..." He looks to the floor with a sigh. "You know I can't fight. If anything... I'll be weighing you down. So at the very least..." He looks back up to her with a faint grin. "You should save yourself."

"No! No!" She bites back. "All this time you've been giving me the courage to face all of my challenges head on...!" She clutches at his arm pleadingly. "You can't just give up now!"

"That's good and all Chiyo, but..." He frowns. "This is... far different from just believing in yourself."

"No! You can't just-"

"Listen." He holds up a finger to quiet her. "I know you've beaten her one on one, but... you saw what Camber did to Strummer last week. And I..." he hesitates. "I've... experienced Camber's sadism first hand. It's... It was..." he trails off, growing pale at the thought. He shakes his head, trying to rid himself of the memory. "...All I can say, Chiyo... is to save yourself."

"No..." She shakes her head. "No! We got this far together! I will protect you, damnit!" She clenches his hand with both of her own. "Even if we're outnumbered, even if I have no chance... I have to!" She swallows, steadying her now shaking voice. "We're a team! We always have been! And if you go down, well... I'm going with you!"

"Hah... KiriCan would be pretty angry about that..." Pryce chuckles softly. "Agents like me are replaceable, but... their main idol...?"

"I don't care what KiriCan thinks!" Her grip tightens on his hand. "It's not about KiriCan, it's not about being an idol!" She grits her teeth. "It's about protecting my friend who's done everything he could to support me!" She leans forward, pressing her forehead into his wrist. "If I can't even do that, then... then...! What's the point...?!"

Chiyoko chokes back a few tears, her body visibly sobbing. Pryce says nothing - there was nothing else he could really say. As far as he was concerned, he was resigned to his fate. At best, he could only offer a reassuring head pat to his client.

"...Mr. Pryce... Bill..." Chiyoko starts, beginning to lift her head. "I know you're scared, but..." She looks up to him. "I... I will do... everything in my power to protect you!" She nods firmly with determination. "I swear it!"

Pryce stares back at her in silence. He was still terrified, and rightfully so - there was no way she would be able to fend off every last person that came at them. He knew he wouldn't come out of this unscathed. And yet... there was something in her fervent declaration of protection that gave him a glimmer of hope. Perhaps there was a chance, no matter how slim. It was foolish to think so, he thought, but... there was always that "what if?"

"...Hah." Pryce finally sighs. "Alright." He nods, gulping down the rest of his coffee. "...Then I guess we'd better prepare, huh...?"

She nods.

"I won't let you down."