Cera Vs. Starrkadian
The scene opens up to a picturesque moment, as fans all over the arena hold up what seem to be quite a bit of Starrkadian signs. Our cameras pan along the crowd, some of whom are wearing colorful streams, facepaint similar to Neon Avenger, and so forth. Other's hold up other kinds of signs, including ones that basically berate his opponent, Cera, using all kinds of 'words' to describe her. As we pan back to the ring, we see Jerry Heisenberg standing in the middle, preparing to announce the competitors...
Jerry Heisenberg: The following match is a standard contest, scheduled for one fall... first to the ring, he weighs in at 275lbs and stands 6 feet tall... hailing from a galaxy far far away... he is... STARRKADIAN!!!
The arena and its occupants are suddenly engulfed in darkness as the lighting system fails, perhaps due to a power outage. Though several of the uninitiated scream, or else wonder what is happening, an electrical energy surges through those who know of the phenomena they are about to bear witness to. Camera flashes momentarily pierce the black film like distress flares, only to be extinguished as the darkness stitches itself together again. An audible buzz accompanies the tingling in the air, growing steadily in volume as though the blackout had occurred in a beehive...
An uplifting synth chorus beams out into the void like a signal in deep space, eliciting a roar from the arena populace. Lasers shoot across the stage, crisscrossing and ricocheting to form their own rainbow constellations against the blackness. In the centre of the display, a red laser fires straight up into the air from the floor. The beam fans out, illuminating the hulking silhouette of Starrkadian, bathing in the blood-red light as it breaks up over the contours of his body. The crowd explodes, lens flashes permeating the darkness once more. They hold their backlit phones above their heads and sway gently from side to side, the entire arena resembling a star-strewn night sky.
Just as the pounding synth beat kicks in -- to which the audience stamp their feet and clap their hands -- Star takes off, hurtling towards the ring like a rocket. His journey is captured by the lighting rig, which pulsates and illuminates him with flashes of pinks, blues and greens, giving his energetic movements a stopmotion quality. He sprints around the ring several times, slapping the hands of the fans and pumping them up as he rides the crest of the awesome, sonic wave that is Dynatron’s ‘Propulsion Overdrive’.
He marches up to the ringside stairs and bows his head. Fists clenched at his sides, his shoulders heave up and down as he inhales and exhales rapidly. He suddenly leaps up onto the stairs, his powerful legs tucked in tight against his broad chest. He jumps back down, his tasseled boots touching the floor with surprising finesse. He performs several more repetitions before finally sprinting up the stairs and along the apron, lifting his massive legs with powerful strides. Halfway along, he grips the top rope with both hands and shakes it violently, the top turnbuckles on either side of him bobbing up and down.
Star climbs through the ropes as the crunching guitar kicks in, posing to the fans and yelling inaudibly as they drown him out with cheering. He walks over to his corner and stretches on the ropes, which seem looser following his throttling of them. The lights slowly come back as his music fades and he waits in the corner, quaking with energy.
Axel Reid: Looks like Starrkadian got a new outfit. Is that the Hammer of Thor I see on that singlet??
Ruby Parvati: I suppose... ugh, he tires me out.
Axel Reid: I like it! He's really pumping this crowd up!
Ruby Parvati: Well their smiles are about to fade, because...
The sounds of dripping water and footsteps suddenly echo throughout the arena, as the crowd is drowned in a sea of crimson light... and we suddenly hear:
"And it is from this world of darkness which come the evil, destructive forces of man's nature..."
Jerry Heisenberg: ...his opponent, weighing in at 150lbs and standing at 5'10... she hails from Sky Valley, Georgia... and is the Baddest Bitch herself... CERA!!!
The voice fades out before Jerry makes the introduction, and suddenly the lights flash brightly once as the opening rifts of "You're Insane" by Escape the Fate scream out from the speakers. The tron flashes on, showcasing video feed of multiple matches and backstage attacks by an unidentified woman. Then, with the first verse of the song, a figure dressed in thick heeled boots and revealing leather clothing steps out onto the stage. A smirk crawls upon this woman's lips as the crowd goes hysterical with boos at the appearance of none other than the Baddest Bitch herself.
Narrowing her eyes, Cera glances arrogantly at the fans as she moves slowly forward, the lights following her every uncharacteristically slow movement. Her manager Jen slips in from the crowd with a mango smoothie in hand, as Cera reaches the ring, leaps over the ropes acrobatically, and lands on the mat. She then saunters forward and offers a cold gaze to the commentators and crowd, before turning back around to calmly await the start of the match. A hand slowly moves up to the side of her head, as she suddenly gestures for a mic. A bewildered Jerry decides to hand her his, as the crowd sends negativity her way.
Ruby Parvati: Is she seriously about to say something before this match starts?
Axel Reid: Is it just me, or does she seem... different... tonight?
Ruby Parvati: Hmm? Besides dressing like a slut and being her usual cocky self...?
Axel Reid: You're one to talk... but I'm serious. She looks... dizzy. Discombobulated.
Ruby shrugs, as we see Cera put the mic to her lips, ignoring the angry crowd as she stares directly into Starr's eyes. He flexes his large muscles, watching her with the slightest bit of curiosity. But the smaller woman only has one thing to say...
Cera: Starrkadian... let's end this quickly. I hate sharing the ring... with a fag-bleep!-ot.
Axel Reid: .......
Ruby Parvati: Oh my...
The crowd goes into hysterics, as the Neon Avenger merely looks confused. Meanwhile, Cera simply tosses the mic over her shoulder, Jerry hurrying to catch it, as she puts that hand back to her head. Suddenly, we hear the bell ring to signal the start of the match...
Axel Reid: There it is, and there goes Starrkadian as the first one to move forward!!
Ruby Parvati: Oh, a chop. Right to her chest. Creative.
Axel Reid: More like unusual. Cera could've easily dodged that. What's going on?
Our view focuses on the ring, where Cera receives another firmly executed chop, and another! She's getting backed into a corner, the crowd counting with each chop from Starrkadian! Shaking her head as though shaking away some cobwebs, the Baddest Bitch suddenly smirks slightly as another chop hits her... and she stumbles back. But she exaggerates it, falling a good few extra feet to hit the turnbuckle. But in mere seconds she suddenly jumps up on the middle rope, then pounces off before Starrkadian even has a chance to realize what's happened! A springboard flying forearm smash causes Starrkadian to get knocked back and land hard against the opposite turnbuckle!
Axel Reid: Whoa! That was unexpected!
Ruby Parvati: And you were worried. She was probably just faking it. Bet that's not the first time she's done so, either.
Axel Reid: Really Ruby? You HAVE to go there?
We see Cera rubbing at her arm in the ring, as Starrkadian shakes his head and bursts back up from the ropes. He throws his arms up, much to the crowd's delight, before... with a loud roar... the Neon Avenger charges at his foe! But Cera immediately ducks under a hard fist, bouncing off the ropes behind Starrkadian and coming back. He whirls around and runs forward again, but the Baddest Bitch dodges once more!! Looking a bit frustrated, the muscled man twists around again as Cera is coming off those ropes now, and he bends down to catch her, but she instead hits him with a tilt-a-whirl headscissor takedown!!! The crowd is in an angry uproar as the large man is laid out on the mat, but already stirring...
Ruby Parvati: I have a feeling that this man is never going to stay down...
Axel Reid: He's a valiant warrior. Giving up isn't his strong-suit.
Ruby Parvati: Hmm. I guess so. I'm just wondering, at the moment, why our little 'Bad Bitch' isn't going for the pin?
Our attention moves back to the ring, and we see Cera... just standing there. She stares dazedly down at her opponent, and seems to almost sway there. A light flush is over her cheeks, and she subconsciously puts a hand to her neck. The boos go to awkward silence, before the Baddest Bitch blinks a few times and seems to come to. But it's a little too late, as Starrkadian has a hold of her ankle. She notices this, but has no time to react as suddenly... AS he's getting up... he yanks her down by the foot! Cera easily loses her footing, slamming back first onto the mat, her head bouncing off of it!! The crowd explodes as the Neon Avenger gets up and pulls her to a standing position!
Axel Reid: I have a feeling the tides are now turning in Starrkadian's favor!
Ruby Parvati: Joy...
Starrkadian swings Cera into the ropes, and as she stumbles back, he catches her and hits a tilt-a-whirl slam!! The crowd cheers, chanting his name, and the Neon Avenger showboats to them a bit, before going for an elbow drop to keep her down! But... Cera rolls out of the way!! Stumbling up to her feet, the Baddest Bitch cringes and nearly falls over. Looking more than dizzy, she gets up to the nearest turnbuckle and climbs up... but Starrkadian is already popping to his feet. As soon as she turns around, her foe snaps a punch into her abdomen, then catches her from the top rope! He situates her on his back in a fireman's carry type position!
Ruby Parvati: Uh oh... I don't usually root for women, but... she needs to get out of that predicament!!
Axel Reid: And it looks like she knows exactly how! This is when knowledge in this business is key, and while Starrkadian lacks it... Cera is on the opposite end of that spectrum!
In the ring, we see the Baddest Bitch squirming around on the large man's shoulders as he keeps her lifted into the air, yelling out at the excited fans. Cera situates an arm in the perfect position, before suddenly violently twisting her body to jerk her off of her stunned foe's shoulders! But she keeps that one arm around his neck as he's bent over, and hurriedly uses her long, powerful legs to jump up on the nearest ropes, spinning around and hitting a springboard tornado DDT!!! The fans go from cheering to booing in mere seconds!
Axel Reid: OH!! That's gotta hurt! Though Starrkadian is much heavier, he's only a couple inches taller, making that much easier for Cera to do!!
Ruby Parvati: It's all momentum, baby, and she used it against him!
Axel Reid: This could spell trouble for the Neon Avenger!! Cera's going for the cover!
1 . . .
2 . .-NO!!!
Starrkadian suddenly benchpresses Cera right off of him! When the smaller woman goes to move away, she can't... as her opponent has a death grip on her arm. He doesn't know his own strength as his fist tightens, making her physically cry out and grimace in pain. On the outside of the ring, her manager Jen is yelling at her to get away from him. But Cera is staring at her arm... and seems completely out of it. Starrkadian moves up to his knees, dragging his foe along with him, and she hurriedly stands up as much as possible and manages to jerk a knee up into his face!! His grip loosens, and she yanks that arm away, favoring it with a grimace, before she suddenly snaps a violent toe kick into his face!! This one's hard enough to split his lip, and cause him to stumble off of his knees! The fans are screaming, some chanting for Cera to die, other's begging Starrkadian to get up! But the Baddest Bitch has a crazed look in her eyes, as she begins stomping again and again onto the face of her opponent!!!
Axel Reid: Oh my god, she's not even trying to win now... she's just trying to kill him!
Ruby Parvati: Ooo! Somebody hand me some popcorn!
Axel Reid: The referee's not looking too happy, and he's going over to break this up!
The ref starts yelling at Cera, who stomps one last time, then pauses. Her foot hovers over the man below, whose face is a bloody mess, but she's just staring into the distance. The ref slowly waves a hand in front of her eyes, before he moves away from the scene and seems to be asking the ring aid to go backstage. Meanwhile, the crowd's boos slow when Cera falls on her bottom on the mat. Starrkadian has tripped her up again, and he slowly and dizzily gets up. Wiping away some blood from his chin, the Neon Avenger points down at the tired looking Cera and shouts something involving 'evil-doer'.
The Baddest Bitch just gazes up at the somehow still energetic man with a look clearly saying 'what the hell', before she notices a big boot coming right toward her! She moves out of the way, blocking her face, but he catches her shoulder instead! A yelp of pain escapes her lips, and she hurries a few feet away. She uses the ropes to pull herself up, slapping the sides of her head a few times and growling. Starrkadian, meanwhile, wipes some more blood from his mouth and then begins clapping his hands! The crowd gets behind him, as he then turns to fully face his opponent and lets out a hefty ROAR, before bolting forward. He's obviously dizzy from the assault on his head, but Cera seems far more out of it, also running forward. The Neon Avenger literally tackles her, sending her flying back into the ropes! She comes off of them, and he kicks her in the abdomen, then grabs her to put her into a powerbomb position!
Axel Reid: Ohhh boy.
Ruby Parvati: Ugh, this is bullsh-bleep!-. I can't watch.
Axel Reid: He's showing off a bit, and..... A SHOULDER BREAKER!! To the already injured arm of her's!!
Ruby Parvati: That arm has taken a BEATING this match!!
Cera is laid out, clutching at that arm in agony!!! She rolls onto her side, her groaning audible enough for us to hear. Meanwhile, the crowd is quite happy about how this has turned out. They chant Starrkadian's name, as he puffs out his chest proudly. The man then goes to the nearby turnbuckle, climbing to the middle rope and turning around... waiting a moment, knowing his foe would get back up. Cera, though obviously in pain, slowly gets to her feet and glares hatefully at the large man. She takes a step forward, shaking her head back and forth and seeming to be mumbling something...
Axel Reid: I'm amazed that she's still getting up, all things considered...
Ruby Parvati: Looks like she doesn't know how to give up, either...
But Cera's far too out of it at this point, and Starrkadian can sense it, as he comes off that middle rope and hits his double axe handle, HAMMER OF THE GODS!!! The fans are on their feet, as the Neon Avenger lifts his arms and shouts proudly, before going to cover his downed opponent!!
1 . . .
2 . . .
3!!!
DING DING DING!!!
Jerry Heisenberg: The winner of this contest, via pinfall... STARRKADIAN!!!
Axel Reid: Good for him!!
Ruby Parvati: I'm a bit disappointed... ugh.
Axel Reid: Well Cera was using all the right techniques, but those few moments of just... standing there... by the way, why was she?? Wait, what's going on?
In the ring, we see the ref and an aid both trying to get Cera up. Jen watches from the side, a concerned and frustrated look crossing her face. We see the ref shout for the medical team, as our view zooms in on Cera. Her face is flushed, and she's breathing heavily. Her sunken eyes are getting more prevalent, and the physical symptoms are quite obvious...
Axel Reid: I'm not a doctor, but I'm pretty sure I can read what's going on... dehydration. Extreme dehydration.
Ruby Parvati: What? Seriously??
Axel Reid: They need to get her to a hospital, NOW!
As the commentators watch worriedly as EMTs come down and carry Cera off on a stretcher. Starrkadian watches quietly, before lifting a fist in her direction, almost as a sign of 'good game'. He's then handed a towel, which he uses to wipe the remaining blood away from his mouth and chin.
Alex Reid: Geez. Well, as I was saying... what a match that was, ladies and gentlemen! An interesting contrast in styles, and just a superb display by two gifted athletes.
Ruby Parvati: One gifted athlete and one asylum escapee. Which is which, I’m not sure.
Alex Reid: Uh huh. Well, we hope that Cera makes a speedy recovery from whatever is ailing her. In the meantime...
With Cera having been carried away from the ringside area, the black-and-white clad referee hurries over to Star, who is gripping the ropes for support. The official goes to drape Star’s arm over his neck to aid him, but Star brushes him off.
Alex Reid: You have to give it to Star. The man is clearly hurting but he seems to be declining any assistance here.
Front row fans slap the barricade and yell their support for the Neon Avenger, who gingerly makes his way over to the ropes which face the entrance. The referee again attempts to help, sitting on the middle rope and pulling the top one up with his hands -- but Star shakes his head and instead goes to step through himself. He stops.
He turns back to face the fans, eliciting a small pop.
Alex Reid: The rabid VOW fanbase showing their love for a man who has very quickly worked his way into their hearts.
Ruby Parvati: Like a tapeworm.
Alex Reid: Tapeworms are parasitic. Starrkadian is anything but. In the short time he’s been here, he has given nothing less than one-hundred percent every time he steps foot in the ring, Ruby!
The wounded alien hobbles into the centre of the ring and throws his fist into the air one last time in appreciation of their support, garnering an even bigger reaction.
Ruby Parvati: I think I’m gonna throw up. Where was all this love and appreciation when Cera was out here!?
Alex Reid: I thought you didn't like Cera?
Ruby Parvati: She's better than this fruitloop!
Starrkadian turns to the side and does the same, making sure to acknowledge every fan in the arena. He turns again --
CRACK
OOOHHH
The fans groan as a steel chair gets wrapped around the skull of Starrkadian.
Alex Reid: What the hell!? What’s he doing out here!?
Back in the ring, Star’s attacker tosses the mangled chair aside carelessly, runs his hands through his messy hair and takes a long drag of his cigarette.
Ruby Parvati: What’s he doing, Alex? CASANOVA ENGLISH is doing us all a favour, that’s what he’s doing!
BOOOOO
The crowd shout abuse and make obscene gestures towards Casanova -- save for the odd one or two who seem drawn to his dark charisma. The self-proclaimed leader of the Revolution snatches his cigarette out of his mouth and flicks it onto the canvas and crushes it with the toes of his boot, leaving behind a singed hole in the mat.
Alex Reid: Star is out cold following that hellacious chair shot from Casa -- what the hell is he doing now?
Over in the corner, English unfastens the top turnbuckle pad and slings it over his shoulder, exposing the cold, steel turnbuckle itself. He then marches over to Star and kneels down.
Alex Reid: He’s pulling Star up by his damn hair! Star doesn’t even know where he is, he’s completely defenseless!
Ruby Parvati: This guy claims to be Earth’s saviour and he can’t even take a chair shot!? Maybe Casanova has it right!
Alex Reid: Oh, gimme a break. He totally blindsided Star. What’s more, he did it after a damn match. Star is exhausted!
The referee intervenes, trying in vain to pull Casanova off of Star, but the Revolutionary shoves him away. With a fistful of Star’s hair, Casanova pulls him over to the exposed turnbuckle.
THUD
OOOHHH
Another groan from the crowd as Star’s head snaps back off the steel bolt. His legs buckle and he collapses onto the mat. English, however, doesn’t seem to be done just yet; dragging the limp form of Star back to centre-ring as the official signals to the back for help.
Alex Reid: Enough is enough, dammit! Stop this!
English pulls Star up by his hair once more. Star tries to fight back, flicking the air with weak punches which Casanova easily dodges. Casanova manages to yank Star to his feet just long enough --
ENGLISH LESSON!
The Revolutionary nails the leg drop bulldog on Star, driving his head into the mat with an exclamation mark. Star’s chest rises and falls rapidly as he slips in and out of consciousness. Casanova, on all fours beside his victim, grabs Star’s hair once more and jerks his head off the canvas for all to see.
Alex Reid: Starrkadian is busted wide open, far worse than the split lip from his match! He is now wearing a crimson mask!
Scarlet rivulets of blood stream down Star’s forehead and onto his face. He blinks as it trickles into his eyes, which are out of focus as he stares up into the lights groggily. Hair plastered across his face, Casanova leers as he takes his free hand and palms the face of Star. He smears the blood and flaking remains of facepaint into a coagulated, reddish mess.
Alex Reid: This is a disturbing image! I apologise to all viewers now for this heinous assault!
Finally, referees and backstage agents rush down the ramp and enter the ring. They pull Casanova off of Star, whose face is an absolute mess. Casanova sneers at Star one more time before exiting the ring and marching up the ramp, jacket slung around his shoulders.