Judgement Day II Promo Thread

[Jim Houston]

MDE stands in the middle of the ring that he and Jerry train in. He looks directly down the camera.

“Graham... I must say I’m disappointed. You’re trotting out the same old rubbish about my victory over you being tainted and yours being more valuable... you know better than anyone that winning is the one thing that matters. How you win... that’s not the question. The question is if you win and as far as I can see, I’ve beaten you twice and you’ve done the same. This match will put one of us ahead. After this match, when I’ve beaten you and have gone on to beat the star-struck wannabe who just seems happy to be there at Judgement Day II, we won’t be facing each other for quite some time, as nothing you’ve done recently would put you anywhere near a title match. And if you do manage to beat me, I doubt I’ll get another shot either. So whatever happens, this match will give one of us a lead for a long time.

“You talk of certain victory. The only thing that’s certain in this match is that you’ll lose your cool. We’ve been through this before. I wait patiently, looking for a mistake to take advantage of and you make one, which I use to win the match. The problem in your victories, especially earlier this year, was that you didn’t make the mistakes. But this time... your new approach to life is admirable in many ways, but it won’t help you with me. It’ll make you vulnerable. The longer the match goes and the more aggressive you get, the more likely it’ll become that you’ll put a foot wrong and then... you’re locked in the Simply Great Stretch with nowhere to go. That’s the story. Tap out. Pass out. I don’t care. Sometimes the way I win matters to me, but not with you. As long as I stand tall with that belt raised in my hand, that’s all I care about.

“For now, Graham... keep training. Keep working. Keep doing everything you can to be ready. But know this... you will make a mistake. And you will go home empty handed yet again.”

[noname1525]

Artemis Evans and the Queendom were entering at the FPW arena for a tag match when they were approached by Dasha Banks. Artemis glanced at her as she walked up and rather bluntly asked, "what do you want?"

"Well, I wanted to get some words from you about your match this weekend. You're facing the former FPW world champion Marcus Allen Jones, I figured you would have something to say before Sunday."

Artemis laughed. "Are you listening to this?" she asked Thea and Myra, and the three of them shared a laugh. "Give me that." she says, yanking the microphone out of Dasha's hand. Dasha goes to protest, but Myra steps in front of her, all mirth vanishing from her face as she glared at Dasha. Dasha backs off as Artemis raised the mic.

"Marcus Allen Jones, I'm going to admit something that I don't do often. You see, when the Queendom and I arrived here in FPW,  TakeOver, with you at the head, was ruling this promotion. And I thought that there could be an alliance between our groups. I mean, a team of three of the best women in wrestling and the FPW champion and his two handpicked bodyguards? I thought we could have been unstoppable. But now I'm glad I never attempted to form this union. Because with the benefit of hindsight, I can clearly see that TakeOver was a sinking ship, one that you captained. And since you've distanced yourself from TakeOver, I've gotten to see just how weak you really are. You failed to keep the beast you created on a leash, you were eliminated from the Free-1 by a goddamned student, basically, you haven't been able to string two wins together to save your life. Meanwhile, I've been on an incredible roll that started last December, becoming the first ever women's champion, retaining that tile against everyone who stepped up. I may have been eliminated from the Free-1 due to blatant cheating, but I bounced back and now hold the Dead Man's Chest, meaning that I can become champion whenever the hell I want. And when I become the FPW World Champion, I'll make that tile look far more important than your weak ass ever could. I have no room in my mind for you, as far as I'm concerned, Sunday's match is just another formality towards establishing myself as the best, and it could be against anyone."

Artemis threw the mic down and shoved past the cameraman, entering the arena.

[Jim Houston]

MDE staggers back through the curtain after his war with Graham Baker. He carries the FPW Championship in his right hand as his left arm swings limply at his side. As he reaches the locker room, Aaron Williams walks through the door. The two men stare each other down for a moment.

MDE: Move.
AW: Impressive performance tonight. Shame about the roll up win. I'm sure you'd have preferred to win a different way.
MDE: Move.
AW: How's the arm? Will it be ready for Jace?
MDE: I said move.
AW: Okay, champ. I don't want any trouble. Although... there is something you could do for me...
MDE: Move or I'll rip your arm out-
AW: Chill, man. I said I don't want trouble. How about this though. If your arm is better... how about you get a warm-up for Jace Mason? Two weeks' time... you and me step into the ring together for the first time.

MDE stares at Williams for a moment and Williams stares back with a grin on his face.

MDE: Fine. Now move.
AW: Gladly.

Williams steps aside to allow MDE into the locker room before walking off humming to himself.

[kingclutch]

David Archer and Braxton Cable are at an undisclosed location. Braxton is really stone faced looking at the camera. Archer lowers his hood.

DA: The night of the Rumble for the FPW Championship, whether anyone knew it or not, the landscape of FPW changed. Because that night the Dogs of War hit FPW, but in the meantime the Dogs of War have been caged. Now, when you cage a dog, that dog gets angry. Ever since that night, we've been locked away just waiting to strike. And at Road to Judgement Day II night 2 we get our shot against The Suplex Sweethearts. I have to say though, you two didn't impress us in the last match. The way Clutch practically fucking HANDED you that victory on a silver platter *tsk tsk*....Now I know Clutch has his thing about inter gender wrestling, won't lay his hands on a woman, all that bullshit, but I am telling you right now: the Dogs of War share no such niceties. I guarantee you that you will not be given mercy.

Anyone and everyone that has gotten to the top of FPW has been willing to and has succeeding in fucking at least one person over. Because that's what you have to do in this business and if you're not willing to do some shitty things, then you are in the wrong goddamn business. Brax and I, we give absolutely no fucks about who we destroy. If you stand in our way, you will fall like everyone else.

But Ella, Tommy. You will feel the full force of the well oiled War Machine. Braxton Cable, the Human Wrecking Ball and myself, the Vigilante. Learn our names. Know them well. For they are the sound of your doom. Ever since the Rumble, we've been caged. And at Judgement Day II night 2 the Dogs of War will be unleashed.

[botiatus]

It's the night after the first Road to Judgment Day II and Liz Karlson is cruising to an impressive victory on 60 Minutes Of Freedom. She hits Absolute Fuckery on Ava McGuiness before making a light cover for the three count. The ref raises her hand in victory and 'Turn It On' plays as the fans cheer for her win. She's handed her Freedom Championship and turns to leave when suddenly 'Famous' plays and the crowd gets even louder as Bo steps out to the ramp. He smirks at Liz who eyes him with a slightly annoyed expression

Bo- "Hey Liz! Sorry to interrupt your eh, what is that? Yodel Rock? I mean I get it, different strokes for different folks but GEEZ it's certainly not easy on the ears"

A decent portion of fans laugh but Liz is clearly not amused as Bo continues to make his way down to the ring, climbing through the ropes

Bo- "We didn't get a chance to really chat last night so allow me to formally welcome you tooo THE HOUSE OF BOTIATUS"

Over half the crowd screams along with the catchphrase before cheering as Liz still continues to have an unimpressed look

Bo- "Now as Im sure you know Liz, when you're in the H.O.B."

A H.O.B. chant starts up for a few seconds before Bo continues

"When you're here you have to play by House Rules. But I don't think that will be a problem for you. You see I've heard quite a lot about you Liz. I heard you're cocky as hell and you like to talk a lot of shit. Which hey, I clearly have NO PROBLEMS with. But you see I'm a bit confused. I mean help me out here cause maybe it's just me but since I've gotten to FPW I haven't seen you talk much shit. In fact, I haven't seen you talk much at all. Your boy Graham Baker is out here running his mouth every god damned week but where are you? Working out at home, only taking out the time to beg for challengers from your couch? Dropping the same empty lines about ass kicking that could be applied to any nameless opponent? I remember you saying that your unification of that title was going to signify you as the hottest thing in all FPW. But it took getting that belt snatched from around your waist just for us to see any real fire from you!"

The crowd lets out a loud OHHH

Bo- "In other words Liz, you're not exactly blazing any tails here. Your 'hot run' has been lukewarm at best. But I'm about to change all that. Because unlike your empty words, I actually happen to be THE HOTTEST THING in FPW right now. And I'm about to turn up the thermostat on you so high that your dad will want to fight me for raising his electric bill. Make no mistake, I am the biggest threat you have ever faced as a champion here"

The crowd cheers as Liz looks about to lose her patience

Bo- -"I can tell you're not impressed, right? I can tell your confidence is high as ever and my words are falling on deaf ears. And I know a big reason for that is you think you have an ace up your sleeve. You get to pick the stipulation for our match at Judgment Day. But I wonder if that confidence is all a mirage. I wonder how confident you are against an opponent who won't hide behind sneak attacks or won't talk shit out of arms reach but instead will come say it right to your face! What I'm saying Liz, is how about you put the right to pick our match stipulation on the line at the next Road To Judgment Day show... in a tag team match!"

The crowd erupts into yes chants as Liz looks around before looking back at Bo, her expression now displaying curiosity for the first time

Bo- "You pick your partner of course. And just to show you there's no shenanigans on my part, i'll let Houston pick mine. Winner gets to pick the stipulation for our match. Seems like a fair deal right? Or maybe your not as confident as you claim to be? I'll give you a few days to decide. Until then just remember that THIS. IS. MYYYYYYY..."

Bo is cut off as Karlson clocks him with a right, clearly having heard enough. She drops under the ropes exiting the ring and walking up the ramp while Bo blots away blood from his mouth with a smile on his face as commentary returns

MW- "Well I'm not sure if that was a definitive answer from Karlson or not but she's made it perfectly clear that she won't simply stand by and be taunted"

SD- "I guess we'll have to wait to get her formal answer but this was a brilliant move by Bo and it's clear from the expression on his face that he got exactly what he wanted which is inside the head of Liz Karlson"

Liz stops at the top of the ramp, turning around to stare daggers into Bo once more as the show goes off the air

[marileeg17]

As soon as the Road to Judgment Day show goes off the air, Dasha and Ted are waiting as Marcus makes his way through the curtain first. He makes eye contact with Dasha who looks at him curiously as Marcus makes his way over.

DB: Quite a statement you made out there tonight Marcus. Care to walk us through what was on your mind leading up to this decision?

Marcus nods.

MAJ: At the risk of a not too happy Graham Baker making his way back here to provide me with a receipt for what I did...and maybe even give me an answer...I'll make this quick. I didn't know what I was going to do until I did it. I went out there, intent on winning against Artemis. Intent on getting back on the right track. But I think deep down, my mind was already made up. I think I was distracted. I think I've been distracted. See, I've spent the past several months in a funk, trying to figure out who I am. And it all started with Baker. Losing to Baker, it changed something in me and as I said just a few moments ago, it changed something in him too. Not for the better. For neither of us really. Because it's become very clear to me that it doesn't matter if you're a good guy or a bad guy. It doesn't matter if you do things the right way or the wrong way. Because bad guys win just as much as good guys. And good guys lose just as much as bad guys. TakeOver has taken their lumps and right now, that's Bobby's issue to deal with. Because for me, the last time I felt like I was where I wanted to be around here, it was before I lost my title to Baker. And I've been scratching my head trying to get things right since then. And I've tried everything. I've tried being the good guy and the bad guy. But nothing has worked. And I've realized, it all goes back to Baker. That loss, was followed by another and all of a sudden the guy who had beaten everybody on the roster couldn't beat Graham Baker. And since then, I feel I can't beat anybody.

So the challenge I laid out, it's simple. Plan B is Plan Baker. I just need one more shot, one more chance to prove I can beat my kryptonite. And once I get through the kryptonite, there is nothing I won't be able to accomplish at this place. Nothing at all.

Now, if you'll excuse me Dasha, I'm sure Baker is gonna be back here for his interview and I know for a fact, him and that new manager of his are certainly going to have something to say.

Marcus nods and shakes Ted's hand before walking out of shot.

[ticktock]

Aaron Williams stands with Dasha Banks as they get prepared for their interview. He’s still and seems to lack his usual energetic buzz. Dasha also looks much less focussed than usual. Ted hooks the mic onto Williams and tests in himself, before backing away and giving Dasha and Williams a thumbs up. As soon as he does, Williams’ demeanour changes, and he becomes much more like his usual self.

DB: I have Aaron Williams with me ahead of a big match against MDE in just over one week time. Why did you choose to face the FPW Champion?
AW: Because he’s an asshole?

Dasha laughs for a moment and then blinks a few times.

AW: That’s one reason. I’ve never wrestled him before either, and I’d like to. He’s clearly good at what he does and I want to face every good wrestler that I can. But I also want to stand up for my friend. MDE has dismissed Jace Mason at every possible turn. I know Jace can take care of himself and I fully expect him to take the belt from MDE, but I’d like to start the lesson and, with a win over MDE, maybe I’ll get the first shot after Judgement Day II.
DB: After a string of losses recently, can you beat MDE?
AW: Thanks for reminding me, Dash. Yeah I’ve lost a few and I’d be lying if I said it hadn’t got to me, but it’s not about how many times you get knocked over, is it? What’s the best way to get back on top? I could have asked for a cupcake match to get a win and not really test myself, but I didn’t do that. I had the chance to face the man at the top of the tree right now- I won’t call him the best in FPW because I don’t honestly think he is- and I took that chance. Maybe I’ll get another loss and feel more like shit than I already do when I look back on the last few months, but maybe I’ll get a win and get straight back on track.
DB: Have you been training with Jace Mason at all?
AW: I’ve been speaking to him and he knows I’ll give him whatever advice he wants, but he hasn’t asked to work with me yet. I’m hoping I can give him some first-hand tips after next Sunday, not that he needs it.
DB: And finally, you don’t currently have a match for Judgement Day II. Do you have one in mind?
AW: Actually I do. There are a few people who don’t yet have a match, and I can see one who I’d like to tangle with. Artemis Evans... holder of the Dead Man’s Chest and potential FPW Champion at any time... a win over Evans would be pretty useful to have. So, Miss Evans... what do you say?
DB: Thank you, Aaron. Good luck for Sunday...

Dasha gives Williams a look before Ted tells them the interview is done.

DB: I really mean that, by the way. Please beat him.
AW: We’ll see... I can’t buy a win right now.

Williams turns and walks off, without the usual spring in his step.

[Jim Houston]

A video plays which begins with a close-up shot of the FPW Championship in a velvet-covered display case.

“Adam Thompson... strong... simple... a competitor in the purest form. Thompson was a force to be reckoned with. A match with Thompson would leave you battered and bruised, aching for weeks afterwards. Beating Adam Thompson was something to be proud of and not many managed it.

“Marcus Allen Jones... sneaky... intelligent... an incredibly gifted athlete. Marcus could go toe-to-toe with anybody as FPW Champion and easily could come out on top. He could pull of the spectacular as easily as another could perform a headlock. And when he wasn’t certain, he’d always have a plan to ensure he kept his prize.

“Graham Baker... intense... gifted... in my mind, the best wrestler FPW had seen. Baker would take on anybody and would show no fear. To beat Baker you’d have to go through hell and somehow stop him from coming out the other end with you. Baker would say you’d have to kill him to beat him... and he wasn’t wrong.

“Davey Jones... dominant... psychotic... the most dominant force FPW has ever seen. Davey stunned the world when he won the belt and nobody ever believed he’d lose it. It took five people to batter him and take him out. He never lost the FPW Championship. And yet he had to relinquish it.”

The camera pans up to show MDE, who lifts the FPW Championship out of the case and holds it up close to his face.

“And then me. The best technical wrestler the world has ever seen. The most intelligent wrestler on the planet. I can beat anybody just through the work I do before a match. I can prepare for anything and have a counter for every single thing anybody can throw at me. I will not and cannot relinquish this title.”

MDE puts the belt back in the case and looks intensely down the lens of the camera.

“Jace Mason... what makes you think you can add your name to this illustrious list? Thompson, Jones, Baker, Jones, MDE. That’s it. Do you think that your name comes close to anybody on that list? You’re not just in a different league to this list, you’re playing junior varsity while we’re competing in the Super Bowl. You’re talented, I’ll give you that. You work hard, I’ll give you that too. I can see what you can become in a few years time, but this is the main event of Judgement Day II. This is the Freedom Pro Wrestling Championship. You were a good Freedom Champion. But that’s your lane right now. You’re trying to cope in the fast lane but there’s a queue building up behind you and you’re just trying your best to ignore all of those horns blaring to tell you to get back to where you belong. I’m sure you’ll have the fans behind you at Judgement Day II... we know they like to see an upset, but this... this would be 2007 Fiesta Bowl level. And that’s about where you are Jace... you’re a big player against small-time wrestlers but when you step up to face the major stars, you’ll be competitive for sure, but 99 times out of 100 you’ll come up short. And Jace... I won’t be that 1%.”

MDE steps in front of the case as the camera drops back.

“The thing is, Jace... there’s one thing you know to be true and I know to be true. And now you know I know what’s in your head. After Judgement Day II, all of those people who love The Eternal Student will know it too. It’s simple, really. The one thought that goes round and round in your head all the time... when you train, when you study tape, when you sleep... you may be able to push it out of your head for a while but ultimately it always comes back to this one thought. And believe me, when you step through that curtain and into that arena for Judgement Day II, it’ll be there, front and centre. And it’ll be there Jace because it’s true. You’re simply not ready.”

MDE stares into the camera with a smug smirk as the video fades to black.

[noname1525]

A video is uploaded to the FPW website, opening with a shot of the Free-1 trophy, before panning over to show Jace Mason with a smirk on his face.

"MDE, MDE, MDE. is this part of those pre-match tactics you were talking about? Some form of an intimidation technique? Because let's get real here, nothing you said is something I haven't said every time I've woken up since winning the Free-1.  You asked what makes me think I can add my name to the list of champions? Well to be honest, I'm not sure I can. I look at myself, at my meager amount of experience, and then I look at people like Marcus or Graham, who have been doing this for far longer than I have, and it feels a little like I've cut in line. I know that to win the title, I'm going to have to wrestle on a level I've never wrestled before, and I know that to defend the title, I'm going to have to keep wrestling at that level. And I don't know if that's something I'll be able to do."

"But you know what? I'm not going to let that stop me. I might not be ready for this, but that doesn't mean I'm going to fight any less for that title. I'm going to give it everything I have, every single once of fight I have in my body, I'm going to unleash it upon you. And I may not walk out of Judgement Day as champion, but it won't be for lack of trying."

"So bring your psychological warfare, bring your technical aptitude, bring everything you have, because that's what I'm going to do. And whether I'm ready or not, I'm going to wrestle the match of my life."

[The_Aviator_GB]

We enter on Liz Karlson, who places her belt down on a table in front of her as she leans back in her chair. She holds her head in her hands for a moment.

"To be embarrassed like that, Botiatus...it tells me exactly all I need to know about the perception 'bout me around here lately." Karlson glances up at the screen. "Tells me all I need to know about how y'all all think of me, aye? Tells me how y'all think I'm absentee, that this is your house when you been here for, what, a few months? You net yourself one good victory over Graham Baker, one little win, and suddenly you're the shiniest piece of shit in shit mountain? Suddenly you're the king of the fucking castle, aye? First Baker, then Aaron Williams, you beat Death Squad up-but who hasn't, 'cross all the places I've been-and now you think you're in the place to start makin' demands? To start pointin' out my weaknesses-that's the holy mission of the House o' Botiatus, ain't it? To put down people like Liz Karlson an' make 'em look like shit?" 

Karlson shakes her head, and laughs out loud.

"Fuck you, Bo. Fuck you and your fake positivity and all the shit you stand for, all the shit you try an' pretend you are to stand above people like me who had to cut their teeth here for ages to try'n get anythin' lookin' like an accomplishment. I got my ass beat for months on end before I got a chance to make something of myself, Bo, so i can't identify with the situation you find yourself in, y'know, the fact that you've found yourself standin' tall and bein' around to make all the goddamn calls you want. Let me tell you two things-first, I'm not showin' up with a fuckin' partner. I don't do teams since Grimm left, an' I don't appreciate you takin' that anger out on me and showin' the world that open sore. You want to fight like a bitch and bring a buddy-buddy that Houston picked, that's fine by me. That's more'n fine by me, Bo, because I've taken on two pieces of shit at once before, and jus' because I'm so small don't mean i'm gonna go down easy. You want this smoke, you want these fucking hands, ask and you shall receive. An' second-even if you manage to beat me, I'm not so sure about how I feel about you pickin' the stipulation for our match! I mean, I am the champion after all, ain't I?"

Liz taps the belt.

"You want this? You wanna play like a big dog and call yerself champ, you're gonna play on my fuckin' rules. Come get some."

[Jim Houston]

MDE stands in the middle of his training ring. He slowly claps his hands in a show of mock applause.

“Well done Jace. Bravo. That’s a fine promo you’ve just cut there.”

He puts on a mocking voice.

“Oh, look at me, I might not win the match but by golly I’ll try my hardest. I’ll give you the best I have and I’ll never quit.”

He smirks dismissively.

“Who do you think you are? An eight year old playing with his action figures? Trying to cut a promo for John Cena as he’s about to main event Wrestlemania just that one more time? Cut the crap, Mason. You’ve just admitted it, and now we both know for sure that you’re not ready for this. Judgement Day I... Marcus Allen Jones defends the FPW Championship against Graham Baker. A worthy main event for a show supposed to be the biggest of the year. And now this? I have to face you, a man who openly admits that he doesn’t think he has what it takes to win this belt against me? This is pathetic. But that’s what happens when hands are tied. You snuck through the Free-1 and then you got lucky to beat a distracted Graham Baker. And now that gives you a chance to main event Judgement Day II, to wrestle me for my championship. You’re the luckiest kid in the playground, Mason, but your luck will only get you into the ring. Your skill will determine what happens when you get there, and no amount of trying really, really hard will make up for the gulf in our skill levels.

“The question on everyone’s lips last year was... who’s going to win. This year... it’s how long will Mason last. You’d better work hard kid, or this could be an embarrassment.”

[marileeg17]

@bastardbo3: Two down, two to go. And then the real fun begins. @invaderhaych and @fpwdario, prepare yourself for the fight of your lives. Because not that long ago you got me into this mess. TakeOver's actions led to my tag team with Sevren that eventually crumbled to the ground. And come Judgment Day, my actions will lead to TakeOver crumbling to the ground. Poetic, no?

[veggieleezy]

*Camera comes up on Jerry Bishop with his back to the viewer. He's standing at a mirror with a makeup kit at his side with pictures of famous and outstanding clowns throughout history in their respective face paint designs (Joseph Grimaldi, the innovator of the modern "clown", various performers of Shakespeare's "Touchstone", the namesake of his signature move, Bill Irwin, Emmett Kelly, Bozo, Ronald McDonald, Pennywise, and, naturally, all of the actors to portray the Joker).*

JB: Berry... You know that I will always have a place for you in my heart as family... But at this moment, I must remind you of something. You asked for this.

*Jerry turns around to reveal his own design, akin to Sting's facepaint with purple substituting for black, and a big red grin painted across his mouth and cheeks.*

JB: Berry, I don't want to do this, I really don't. But you wanted this. So, I am going to fight you. And I am probably going to hurt you. But hey, don't forget.

*Bishop draws his thumbs across the corners of his mouth with a wicked grin.*

JB: We're here to put a smile on their faces. Now if you'll excuse me, I have an appointment to meet.

*Smash to black*

[veggieleezy]

*Camera comes up on Berry Bishop working out in a local gym, hitting a heavybag with Fozzie spotting her. After a flurry of strikes and kicks, she turns to the camera. Fozzie goes towards Berry's gym bag and withdraws a water bottle.*

BB: Well, sibling rivalry's gotta come into play at some point, huh?

*Berry takes a swig from the bottle as Fozzie takes a towel from the bag.*

BB: Jerry. I don't want to do this either. But I know you. I know the real you. This Joker you've turned into? That's not the Jerry that I know, that's not the Jerry the people want, and it certainly isn't the Jerry people love. I don't love him, the fans don't love him, and Da- well, the people who matter most don't love him.

*Berry wraps the towel around her neck. Fozzie trots off-camera*

BB: You got into this business to give people the night of their lives, day in, day out. And you were the reason I got into this business. I'm going to show you- no. I'm going to remind you what you can still be. What the Freedom Fighters want you to be. What you've always fought for, and why that's always mattered. That used to be what mattered most to you. I may never understand what led you astray from that path. And I'm not sure if I'll be enough to bring you back to it. But God help me, I'm going to do everything in my power to bring back the Jerry we all know and love. Let's face it. If there's anyone who left who can reach the real you, it's me.

*Fozzie returns with a protein shake from the gym's smoothie bar.*

BB: Thanks, li'l buddy. See you in the ring, brother dearest.

[noname1525]

After a successful outing on Sixty Minutes of Freedom, the cameras recorded a meeting between Aaron Williams and Artemis Evans as Williams came backstage.

Aaron was talking to one of the technicians when slow applause was suddenly heard. The camera panned over to reveal Artemis, dressed in street clothes, mockingly clapping. She walked forwards until she was face-to face with Aaron, who met her stern gaze.

"So you want to fight." Artemis said simply. Aaron tensed up, glancing behind him in fear of an ambush. When he faced forwards again, Artemis was smiling. "Don't worry, you don't have to worry about the Queendom; you're hardly worth our time. But you are worth my time. You interest me Aaron Williams. Here we have a man who's done everything everywhere else, but done nothing here. And I just wonder how many times you can come up short before you realize that the younger generation has passed you by. And I hope that by accepting your challenge, I'll be the one to show you the door, and get another pointless has-been out of our way." She looked him up and down one final time before saying. "See you at Judgement Day," then turning and walking away.