Post by itami on Jan 15, 2024 5:59:58 GMT
{It was close to midnight and Itami was taking advantage of the empty gym. Methodically ‘Lady Pain’ struck the heavy bag with round kicks. She focused on her breathing and the placement of each kick, trying to calm her mind. It was the same drill that she did before every fight whether it be in a wrestling ring or an underground fight club run by the Yakuza, but she just couldn’t clear her mind after the call she got from Suzuki San just before their plane left for Pittsburgh.}
“It is good to see your face Suzuki San,” she greeted her boss with a big smile.
“You as well Itami.” The businessman looked like a grandfather but he was as ruthless as anyone that Itami had ever met. “I have good news daughter, those last samples that you sent are what we were looking for, and soon you’ll be able to come home.”
“That is great news, Suzuki San.”
{Itami begins throwing her kicks at a faster rate and her placement is all over the bag. Her concentration was blown, now she was just trying to wear herself out.}
“I’m sure that you have heard that the company building the processing plant is on strike.” Suzuki folded his hands and smirked. “I secretly bought the company and made sure that it happened. I will be flying to the US soon to meet with Gregor and offer him a deal on labor to finish the processing plant.
How is that going to help with your plans to buy the island,” Itami asked.
“I want to get in the good graces of the fool so he will trust me.” There was a gleam in Suzuki’s eyes that looked almost feral. Like a wolf preparing to take down its prey. “Then I will take him and the MOD for everything that they’re worth.”
{Itami stops kicking the bag and takes a big gulp of water. The last couple of months she had begun to feel happy for the first time in her life. After weeks of fighting it, she began following The MOD System and found herself truly living her best possible life. Now Suzuki San was threatening to take it all away from her.
She threw her water bottle across the room and ran in the direction of the hotel. She burst through the door into the lobby and nearly bowled over a woman walking her dog, but she didn’t have the time to stop to apologize. Turning down a long hallway that led past the restaurant and bar she eventually found the Black Conference Room. Walking into the room without bothering to knock she said in her heavily accented English, “I need to talk to you, Gregor.”
“It’s going to have to wait, Itami.” She notices for the first time that her friend has a guest, and it is none other than Suzuki San. “I’ll text you when I have finished here.”
“Suzuki San, I was not aware that you had arrived.” She gave him a slight bow. “I would not have come dressed this way had I known you had already arrived.”
“That’s alright, daughter. I know that you’ve been training hard. I have made plans to come watch your match on Tuesday night.”
“You honor me greatly.” She gave the older man another bow. “I’m sorry to have disturbed you.”
{She was too late, and the Ministry was going to come to an end.}
____________________________________________________________________________
{Itami and Gregor Winter stand in front of a banner that has the IWF logo and advertisement for various sponsors in a checkerboard pattern. ‘Lady Pain’ is dressed in a smart black business suit trimmed in red that matches a streak that runs through her hair. The look on her face is somewhere between rage and frustration.}
Every day I have to fight the Demoness begging me to injure someone because she is growing crazy with hunger. I constantly have to deal with her screams to be fed rattling around inside my head, but I’ve been able to keep her at bay. Sometimes in training, I might keep a submission on a little too long just to give her a little snack, but she deserves a real meal.
It was supposed to have been last week at Diamonds Are Forever, but Dawn Warren proved to be a pitiful opponent. I expected to face a technical wizard who would fight me like a rabid dog, but sadly all I got was a pathetic pink puppy. Dawn wasn’t even a snack for The Demoness and she is ready for a feast, which she is about to have.
{Itami smirks.}
This match is full of little birds that Gregor San and I intend to hunt down and put out of their misery. We have The Ravens, a couple that have survived in IWF by eating garbage just like the birds from whom they take their name. They’ve made a name for themselves by beating the garbage teams in IWF, only to be devoured when allowed to face off against the best.
James and Atara were once two of the most feared competitors in all of the world, but since coming to IWF all they have done is gorge themselves on garbage. They have gotten so fat from beating weak teams that they can no longer fly as high as they once did. That is going to be the end of them because once The Demoness sinks her fangs into them there will be no escape.
Gregor San likes to think that The MOD can help anyone reach their full potential, but there is no helping The Ravens. There is no offering them a place on MOD Island and using The System to climb back to the top of the sport because their egos would get in the way. That is why The Demoness is going to enjoy ripping their flesh from the bone to make them an example of the greatness of The MOD System.
____________________________________________________________________________
“I see that you two seem to be getting along much better,” Suzuki said to Gregor once the door was closed.
“She has grown to be the most valuable member of The MOD.” Winter took a sip from his glass of water. “She works harder than anyone in the gym, records training videos for our website, and she was the driving force behind our launch in Japan last week.”
“I sent Itami here to help her grow, not to serve as one of your employees Gregor San,” Suzuki said.
“Please do not be mistaken Mr. Suzuki she isn’t my employee.” Winter refills his glass from a pitcher on the table. “I am not even an employee because The MOD has no employees. Our organization isn’t about making money, it’s about helping people reach their peak potential.”
“How are performing these tasks helping Itami to reach her full potential?” Suzuki refills his own glass. “I mean she is more than adequate in a fight and pretty enough to warm your bed, but beyond that, she is just one more scurrying little ants I look down on from my window.”
“There’s one huge difference between us Mr. Suzuki; you look down on people and it makes you feel powerful, while I feel the most powerful when I’m pulling people up.”
“That’s why one of us is the CEO of the most powerful corporations on the planet, and you’d probably be homeless if Lucipher Crosse hadn’t left you all of this in his will. Then again, with muscles like those you could probably get a job that pays well enough to rent a small apartment.”
“I’ve never been one to think about what could have been Mr. Suzuki, I just try to do the best that I can in the here and now.” The big man leaned back in his chair. “You said something earlier about wanting to speak with me about the progress on your processing plant.”
“Yes, I have heard that your workers have gone on strike and wanted to see if there is anything that I can do to help,” Suzuki said.
“Let me guess, one of your divisions has a construction crew that will do the job at a discounted rate if I do something for you in return? Sadly I don’t have anything else I can give you Suzuki San, and I’m told that as long as the strike is settled within the next six weeks the project will be done on time.”
“I would ask nothing in return for helping a business partner,” Hiromu protested.
“It is late Suzuki San, and I’m sure that you are exhausted from your flight. Let's pick up this conversation in the morning when we’ve rested.”
“That is a good idea, Mr. Winter.”
____________________________________________________________________________
{Gregor Winter steps forward with a confident grin on his face as he begins to speak.}
Kings of Flight, you have been together as a tag team longer than anyone in IWF, yet you’ve accomplished absolutely nothing since you arrived in the company. Like The Ravens, you have an amazing record against the teams that you should beat, but when you climb inside of the ring with top talent you choke. It is sad to watch you squander opportunity after opportunity, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
Tyson and Charlie, I believe you have the talent to become the IWF Tag Team Champions, Sadly, talent is nothing more than potential, and you need a Hell of a lot more than potential in professional wrestling. You are both like lumps of clay just waiting to be formed into something great. That is why I am extending an invitation to come to MOD Island to begin MODifying yourself into two men who can be the best team in all of IWF.
Join us and Itami and I will step aside so you can be the dominant Team MOD. We will be one less team standing between you and a date with your destiny, or at least with Sanguis Immortalis. Reject us and we’ll be forced to use you as an example of the superiority of The MOD System. This is the opportunity of a lifetime gentlemen, one that I don’t offer to just anyone, please don’t throw it away over.
{‘The Modern Day Viking’ lets out a sigh.}
Unfortunately, I know that you will turn me down because of foolish pride. There isn’t a professional wrestler in this business who doesn’t believe that they’re the best in the world. Even when their record shows that are middle of the pack at the best, and that is exactly where The Kings of Flight sit, and without the help of The MOD that is where they are forever going to stay.
____________________________________________________________________________
Gregor Winter packs up his work before sending a text to Itami telling her to meet him in his room in five minutes. He had never seen her as distraught as she was when she burst into the conference room, and it had him greatly concerned. It was vital for the growth of The MOD that they have a great showing on Tuesday night to show the world that The MOD System is superior to every other training program.
She was waiting outside of his room when he got to the hotel's top floor, and she looked just as uneasy as before. He opened the app on his phone to unlock the door, but before he could open it she blurted out, “You can’t trust Suzuki!”
“I never have.” She gave her a reassuring smile and opened the door. “Come in and sit down and you can tell me what you know.”
“He is trying to steal the island away from you.” Itami fell into one of the living room's wing-back chairs. “There is a deposit of some sort of rare metal that he needs for the business.”
“I know, it’s called terbium and it is used to make magnets for electric cars. How does Suzuki know about it though?”
“During the Greater East Asia War the government sent geologists to many of the islands looking for minerals that could be used to help them win the war. Mostly they were looking for things like iron ore, but the geologists made notes of other unusual metals that were found.”
“Alright.” Winter handed his business partner a bottle of water. “How did you come by this information?”
“Suzuki told me everything and sent me equipment to take soil samples. I was instructed to go around the island and make note of where each sample was taken from so they could figure out which metal was on the island,” she admitted.
“Why did you do it?”
“After I left the The Church of Crosse I returned to Tokyo and got in trouble with the Yakuza. Suzuki San heard of what happened and offered me protection if I would work for him, and now I am a slave to the Kontorōru Corporation.”
“Why are you telling me this now,” Winter asked.
“The past few months have been the best of my life and you’ve taught me the value of The MOD System. The last thing that I want is to be a part of it ending.”
“Alright, tell me his plan, so I have time to figure out what needs to be done when we get back to The Island.”
____________________________________________________________________________
{The big man wipes an invisible speck of dust from the lapel of his suit and straightens his tie.}
Tuesday night we climb closer to the top of the tag team ranks using The Ravens and Kings of Flight as two rungs on the ladder to reach a match with Sanguis Immortalis. This match will begin a series of wins unlike any ever seen as we prove to the entire world the superiority of The MOD System.
I know that several teams are standing in our way, each a little bit better until we take our place at the top. I have this feeling that the next team is going to be Savage By Nature, why else would they have convinced management to make them the special guest referees? The MOD System teaches patience and flexibility, so I am not bothered by having special referees. The only thing that matters is that they count to three when the time comes.
{The scene fades to black.}
“It is good to see your face Suzuki San,” she greeted her boss with a big smile.
“You as well Itami.” The businessman looked like a grandfather but he was as ruthless as anyone that Itami had ever met. “I have good news daughter, those last samples that you sent are what we were looking for, and soon you’ll be able to come home.”
“That is great news, Suzuki San.”
{Itami begins throwing her kicks at a faster rate and her placement is all over the bag. Her concentration was blown, now she was just trying to wear herself out.}
“I’m sure that you have heard that the company building the processing plant is on strike.” Suzuki folded his hands and smirked. “I secretly bought the company and made sure that it happened. I will be flying to the US soon to meet with Gregor and offer him a deal on labor to finish the processing plant.
How is that going to help with your plans to buy the island,” Itami asked.
“I want to get in the good graces of the fool so he will trust me.” There was a gleam in Suzuki’s eyes that looked almost feral. Like a wolf preparing to take down its prey. “Then I will take him and the MOD for everything that they’re worth.”
{Itami stops kicking the bag and takes a big gulp of water. The last couple of months she had begun to feel happy for the first time in her life. After weeks of fighting it, she began following The MOD System and found herself truly living her best possible life. Now Suzuki San was threatening to take it all away from her.
She threw her water bottle across the room and ran in the direction of the hotel. She burst through the door into the lobby and nearly bowled over a woman walking her dog, but she didn’t have the time to stop to apologize. Turning down a long hallway that led past the restaurant and bar she eventually found the Black Conference Room. Walking into the room without bothering to knock she said in her heavily accented English, “I need to talk to you, Gregor.”
“It’s going to have to wait, Itami.” She notices for the first time that her friend has a guest, and it is none other than Suzuki San. “I’ll text you when I have finished here.”
“Suzuki San, I was not aware that you had arrived.” She gave him a slight bow. “I would not have come dressed this way had I known you had already arrived.”
“That’s alright, daughter. I know that you’ve been training hard. I have made plans to come watch your match on Tuesday night.”
“You honor me greatly.” She gave the older man another bow. “I’m sorry to have disturbed you.”
{She was too late, and the Ministry was going to come to an end.}
____________________________________________________________________________
{Itami and Gregor Winter stand in front of a banner that has the IWF logo and advertisement for various sponsors in a checkerboard pattern. ‘Lady Pain’ is dressed in a smart black business suit trimmed in red that matches a streak that runs through her hair. The look on her face is somewhere between rage and frustration.}
Every day I have to fight the Demoness begging me to injure someone because she is growing crazy with hunger. I constantly have to deal with her screams to be fed rattling around inside my head, but I’ve been able to keep her at bay. Sometimes in training, I might keep a submission on a little too long just to give her a little snack, but she deserves a real meal.
It was supposed to have been last week at Diamonds Are Forever, but Dawn Warren proved to be a pitiful opponent. I expected to face a technical wizard who would fight me like a rabid dog, but sadly all I got was a pathetic pink puppy. Dawn wasn’t even a snack for The Demoness and she is ready for a feast, which she is about to have.
{Itami smirks.}
This match is full of little birds that Gregor San and I intend to hunt down and put out of their misery. We have The Ravens, a couple that have survived in IWF by eating garbage just like the birds from whom they take their name. They’ve made a name for themselves by beating the garbage teams in IWF, only to be devoured when allowed to face off against the best.
James and Atara were once two of the most feared competitors in all of the world, but since coming to IWF all they have done is gorge themselves on garbage. They have gotten so fat from beating weak teams that they can no longer fly as high as they once did. That is going to be the end of them because once The Demoness sinks her fangs into them there will be no escape.
Gregor San likes to think that The MOD can help anyone reach their full potential, but there is no helping The Ravens. There is no offering them a place on MOD Island and using The System to climb back to the top of the sport because their egos would get in the way. That is why The Demoness is going to enjoy ripping their flesh from the bone to make them an example of the greatness of The MOD System.
____________________________________________________________________________
“I see that you two seem to be getting along much better,” Suzuki said to Gregor once the door was closed.
“She has grown to be the most valuable member of The MOD.” Winter took a sip from his glass of water. “She works harder than anyone in the gym, records training videos for our website, and she was the driving force behind our launch in Japan last week.”
“I sent Itami here to help her grow, not to serve as one of your employees Gregor San,” Suzuki said.
“Please do not be mistaken Mr. Suzuki she isn’t my employee.” Winter refills his glass from a pitcher on the table. “I am not even an employee because The MOD has no employees. Our organization isn’t about making money, it’s about helping people reach their peak potential.”
“How are performing these tasks helping Itami to reach her full potential?” Suzuki refills his own glass. “I mean she is more than adequate in a fight and pretty enough to warm your bed, but beyond that, she is just one more scurrying little ants I look down on from my window.”
“There’s one huge difference between us Mr. Suzuki; you look down on people and it makes you feel powerful, while I feel the most powerful when I’m pulling people up.”
“That’s why one of us is the CEO of the most powerful corporations on the planet, and you’d probably be homeless if Lucipher Crosse hadn’t left you all of this in his will. Then again, with muscles like those you could probably get a job that pays well enough to rent a small apartment.”
“I’ve never been one to think about what could have been Mr. Suzuki, I just try to do the best that I can in the here and now.” The big man leaned back in his chair. “You said something earlier about wanting to speak with me about the progress on your processing plant.”
“Yes, I have heard that your workers have gone on strike and wanted to see if there is anything that I can do to help,” Suzuki said.
“Let me guess, one of your divisions has a construction crew that will do the job at a discounted rate if I do something for you in return? Sadly I don’t have anything else I can give you Suzuki San, and I’m told that as long as the strike is settled within the next six weeks the project will be done on time.”
“I would ask nothing in return for helping a business partner,” Hiromu protested.
“It is late Suzuki San, and I’m sure that you are exhausted from your flight. Let's pick up this conversation in the morning when we’ve rested.”
“That is a good idea, Mr. Winter.”
____________________________________________________________________________
{Gregor Winter steps forward with a confident grin on his face as he begins to speak.}
Kings of Flight, you have been together as a tag team longer than anyone in IWF, yet you’ve accomplished absolutely nothing since you arrived in the company. Like The Ravens, you have an amazing record against the teams that you should beat, but when you climb inside of the ring with top talent you choke. It is sad to watch you squander opportunity after opportunity, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
Tyson and Charlie, I believe you have the talent to become the IWF Tag Team Champions, Sadly, talent is nothing more than potential, and you need a Hell of a lot more than potential in professional wrestling. You are both like lumps of clay just waiting to be formed into something great. That is why I am extending an invitation to come to MOD Island to begin MODifying yourself into two men who can be the best team in all of IWF.
Join us and Itami and I will step aside so you can be the dominant Team MOD. We will be one less team standing between you and a date with your destiny, or at least with Sanguis Immortalis. Reject us and we’ll be forced to use you as an example of the superiority of The MOD System. This is the opportunity of a lifetime gentlemen, one that I don’t offer to just anyone, please don’t throw it away over.
{‘The Modern Day Viking’ lets out a sigh.}
Unfortunately, I know that you will turn me down because of foolish pride. There isn’t a professional wrestler in this business who doesn’t believe that they’re the best in the world. Even when their record shows that are middle of the pack at the best, and that is exactly where The Kings of Flight sit, and without the help of The MOD that is where they are forever going to stay.
____________________________________________________________________________
Gregor Winter packs up his work before sending a text to Itami telling her to meet him in his room in five minutes. He had never seen her as distraught as she was when she burst into the conference room, and it had him greatly concerned. It was vital for the growth of The MOD that they have a great showing on Tuesday night to show the world that The MOD System is superior to every other training program.
She was waiting outside of his room when he got to the hotel's top floor, and she looked just as uneasy as before. He opened the app on his phone to unlock the door, but before he could open it she blurted out, “You can’t trust Suzuki!”
“I never have.” She gave her a reassuring smile and opened the door. “Come in and sit down and you can tell me what you know.”
“He is trying to steal the island away from you.” Itami fell into one of the living room's wing-back chairs. “There is a deposit of some sort of rare metal that he needs for the business.”
“I know, it’s called terbium and it is used to make magnets for electric cars. How does Suzuki know about it though?”
“During the Greater East Asia War the government sent geologists to many of the islands looking for minerals that could be used to help them win the war. Mostly they were looking for things like iron ore, but the geologists made notes of other unusual metals that were found.”
“Alright.” Winter handed his business partner a bottle of water. “How did you come by this information?”
“Suzuki told me everything and sent me equipment to take soil samples. I was instructed to go around the island and make note of where each sample was taken from so they could figure out which metal was on the island,” she admitted.
“Why did you do it?”
“After I left the The Church of Crosse I returned to Tokyo and got in trouble with the Yakuza. Suzuki San heard of what happened and offered me protection if I would work for him, and now I am a slave to the Kontorōru Corporation.”
“Why are you telling me this now,” Winter asked.
“The past few months have been the best of my life and you’ve taught me the value of The MOD System. The last thing that I want is to be a part of it ending.”
“Alright, tell me his plan, so I have time to figure out what needs to be done when we get back to The Island.”
____________________________________________________________________________
{The big man wipes an invisible speck of dust from the lapel of his suit and straightens his tie.}
Tuesday night we climb closer to the top of the tag team ranks using The Ravens and Kings of Flight as two rungs on the ladder to reach a match with Sanguis Immortalis. This match will begin a series of wins unlike any ever seen as we prove to the entire world the superiority of The MOD System.
I know that several teams are standing in our way, each a little bit better until we take our place at the top. I have this feeling that the next team is going to be Savage By Nature, why else would they have convinced management to make them the special guest referees? The MOD System teaches patience and flexibility, so I am not bothered by having special referees. The only thing that matters is that they count to three when the time comes.
{The scene fades to black.}
Well howdy there pardner.