The juxtaposition of Shimmerlace’s mafiosa aesthetic followed by the ridiculous costume-themed pun-threat combo managed to elicit quite a few laughs from the audience. But, the tone of the pre-match would shift back to a foreboding atmosphere as a new scene unfolded in the opposite entryway. Lights went dim, and white smoke poured out from the opaque passage as
dark jazz noir now echoed through the stands.
Half a dozen silhouetted figures carefully emerged from the smoke as if they had just left the scene of a crime in an alleyway behind them. Sporting trench coats and pinched fedoras, the mysterious figures formed a defensive phalanx around a central figure, hidden from sight. White eyes gleamed in shadow under the brims of deep seated hats as they all systematically scanned the crowd from every angle. Audience members who dared to make eye contact received sinister glares.
The shadowy group closed half the distance to the ring before the music halted in sync with the cessation of their heavy footsteps.
A male Brooklyn accent broke the silence.
”I don’t see no fuzz in this joint, Boss.”
A female Japanese voice concurred from the back.
"Yeah, coast is clear! Time to ditch the stuffy getup?"
The central figure slowly raised his hand. Then, a sudden snap of fingers.
All exclaimed:
"Roger that, King!"
An anthem to all things
sinister and criminal erupted as the lights rose, green strobes that cut through the foggy air and danced over the audiences’ hundred faces. All at once, the crew ripped off their trench coats, and the once trudging patrol of shadowy figures transformed into an energetic motley crew sporting Yakuza-esque tattoos, devilish aesthetics, weapons, and, above all, a nasty attitude.
The orderly, mindful march from before was replaced by a chaotic parade of mean looks and jeers and banging of weapons against railings and concrete. And in the middle stood Bruce, tall above his loyal crew, clad in green and black, lean but muscular, his appearance highlighted by his signature tie, collar, eyepatch, and, of course, his
very cool horn.
Bruce’s face beamed with a toothy grin of confidence as he walked with the gait of Gaston the Hunter straight ahead towards the ring while his crew took care to intimidate as many onlookers as they could along the way.
"Make way for the King, chumps!"
"King's Crew is making a stake for territory here at LAW!"
Bruce and his crew reached the edge of the ring. Bruce looked down at the edge of the raised platform before him and chuckled. Another finger snap.
"Roger that, Boss!"
The
devilish girl and the
bruiser hurried in front of Bruce and made a stepping stair out of their joined hands. One sure step followed by a powerful hoist launched Bruce in a somersault high above the third rope, perhaps absurdly high, in an arc ending with an audible boom as Bruce’s boots landed solidly onto the mat. Still crouched from the landing, some doubters in the crowd could have said that the King had wavered and almost lost his balance, but…
they just needed their eyes checked! Because
of course Bruce stuck that landing. He stood up straight, both hands on his hips, never losing that wide grin on his face. Bruce let out a hearty laugh and looked up into the sky.
Those idiots almost sent me to space! Way higher than we practiced. Didn’t fall on my ass at least. Still cool. Still cool.
Devil girl and
bruiser gave each other a big high five, confident that the boss would praise them later.
Bruce lowered his gaze and immortal grin down to meet the mafiosa Fairy’s eyes from afar. His gaze only momentarily broke away when he noticed the maid outfit on the ground. Bruce silently raised his right arm, extended his index finger straight towards the sky, then lowered the boom down to point squarely at his opponent:
“The King has come for you, Shimmerlace Snuggleblossom.”
Bruce’s crew began to jeer from the sidelines at Shimmerlace.
"You're in for a world of hurt, bub!"
”Don’t mess with King, he’s the one!”
"Dead meat!"
"I love your outfit!"
Bruce quickly raised his left hand and the crew shut up instantly. Still pointing with his right hand towards Shimmerlace, Bruce gave a final snap with his left, and the crew shuffled off to an area in the stands where they pushed their way into making a free row for themselves.
"Hahaha. Bet you're feeling pretty scared, huh, bub? Don't worry. I treat stolen goods well after me and my crew pull off a good heist. But today, I'm showing my crew how to pull off a solo job. How to Capture a Fey Creature 101.”
Bruce unfurled his green tie and threw off his black shirt. His toned pecs and abs formed contours against his dark skin, smooth except for several scars below his right collarbone and tattoos of black tendrils on his back.
“And by the way, if you think you can get off clean after stealing half my shtick and thinking that you'll ever get close to getting me in… that,” Bruce motioned toward the maid outfit in the middle of the ring,
“then your brain must be mush from getting piss drunk too many times with Satyrs. Nah.”
The now half naked Bruce cracked his knuckles and smirked with anticipation. He still sported his collar, eyepatch, and, of course, his horn.
“This Cosa Nostra’s stealing you away in a bottle and bringing you home tonight for some Prime Material punishment, Ms. Fairy.”